Racing at Thurles abandoned and jockey Michael O’Sullivan airlifted to hospital with serious injury

THE racing world is praying for top jockey Michael O’Sullivan after he was airlifted to hospital following a shocking fall at Thurles.

The Cheltenham Festival-winning rider was caught in the middle of a five-horse pile-up at the final fence in the second race of the day and suffered serious injuries.

The exact nature of his injuries have yet to be released by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

There was an initial delay of around an hour whilst the on-course medical team waited for the air ambulance to arrive, but officials later abandoned the remaining five races on the card.

He was ‘stabilised’ on the track and later flown 74 miles away to Cork University Hospital.

In their most recent update, the IHRB said: “Michael O’Sullivan was treated by the medical team on track at Thurles prior to the air ambulance arriving.

“Due to the ongoing medical situation at the time, the race day stewards made the decision to abandon the remainder of the card.

“Michael was stabilised prior to being transferred by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital.”

Race replays have since been taken down, but he was riding the 6-5 favourite Wee Charlie in the two-mile handicap chase and was just behind the leaders approaching the last fence.

His mount came down in a melee and it appeared as though one of the fallers landed on top of him before the incident moved out of camera shot.

The other four jockeys were all reported to be unhurt and the five horses are believed to have been unscathed.

County Cork native O’Sullivan, 25, had his breakthrough season in 2022-23 when teaming up with trainer Barry Connell.

He rode Marine Nationale to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival that season and followed up with his second Festival winner shortly afterwards when Jazzy Matty won the Fred Winter Hurdle.

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.

But he split with old boss Connell in November last year following a disagreement when O’Sullivan refused the trainer’s request to give up a book of rides to school some of his string.

He has since been given opportunities by powerful French-based trainer Noel George and rode a Grade 3 winner for Willie Mullins on New Year’s Day.

As of last night, the nature of his injuries were not clear and many in the Irish racing community will be anxiously waiting for an update from the IHRB.