Jockey Michael O’Sullivan update: Rider, 25, fighting for life in intensive care after horror Thurles fall
CHELTENHAM Festival-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan is fighting for life in intensive care following his awful fall.
The rider, 25, was airlifted to Cork University Hospital after he came down in a contest at Thurles in Ireland yesterday.
An update on his condition was provided by IHRB Chief Medical Officer Dr Jennifer Pugh this morning.
The statement read: "Michael is in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital being treated for his injuries sustained at Thurles yesterday and is receiving the best medical care.
"Michael's family wish to express their gratitude for all the well wishes."
O'Sullivan was aboard 6-5 fav Wee Charlie when he fell in a terrible five-horse pile-up at the final fence of a 2m handicap chase.
Two other jockeys, Daniel King and Sean Flanagan, suffered nasty falls while Phillip Enright and Tiernan Power Roche were also unseated.
The remainder of the meeting was abandoned after the horrible flashpoint in the 2pm race.
O'Sullivan was 'stabilised' on the track and later flown 74 miles away to the hospital.
The young jockey is one of the rising stars of the weighing room and recently started getting a number of high profile rides for Willie Mullins.
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O'Sullivan was riding for trainer Barry Connell when the pair teamed up to win the 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Marine Nationale.
That formed the first part of a tremendous double on the day when he later won the Boodles with Jazzy Matty.
The pair recently split up though and O'Sullivan showed he had moved on quickly with a brilliant winning ride aboard Embassy Gardens at Tramore on New Year's Day - a contest won by Gold Cup stars of the past such as Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo.
The jockey, who currently has 14 winners to his name in Ireland this season, also bagged a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2023 aboard Good Land.
Friends and followers of the sport were quick to send their well wishes to O'Sullivan and his family at this time.
Former jumps jockey Richard Pitman was among them, and he wrote: "Thinking all good thoughts for Michael!"