The opening race of the 2025 Cheltenham Competition has been renamed in reminiscence of the late Michael O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan died earlier this month, aged 24, from accidents suffered in a fall at Thurles racecourse.
A vastly proficient rider, O’Sullivan gained the Sky Wager Supreme Novices’ Hurdle aboard Marine Nationale in 2023 and the sponsors of that race, in partnership with The Jockey Membership, have determined to vary the title this yr to The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
In a press release on Thursday, O’Sullivan’s household mentioned: “We’re deeply happy with Michael’s unbelievable expertise and the legacy he left on the earth of racing.
“Renaming the race that marked the head of his profession is a becoming tribute to his ability, dedication, and fervour for the game.
“As a household, we now have at all times admired Michael’s achievements each on and off the observe, and it means a lot to us to see his expertise recognised on this means. The outpouring of tributes over the previous week has been a testomony to the influence he had on so many lives.
“We wish to sincerely thank The Jockey Membership and Sky Wager for giving us this chance to honour Michael’s reminiscence and have a good time his exceptional profession.”
A horse leads Michael O’Sullivan’s funeral procession
Man Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, mentioned: “Michael was an impressive jockey and recognised by everybody as an exquisite younger man.
“Once you learn the heartfelt tributes paid to him over these previous days, you may see how extremely regarded he was within the racing group on either side of the Irish Sea and past.
“On condition that it was at Cheltenham that Michael loved his greatest success as a rider again on that magical Tuesday afternoon in 2023, we felt it was solely proper to pay tribute to Michael on this means.
“Our honest thanks go to our sponsors of this race, Sky Wager for making it potential. All our ideas proceed to be with Michael’s household, pals and weighing room colleagues at this tough time and for permitting us to pay tribute on this means.”
