THE opening race of the Cheltenham Festival has been renamed in honour of tragic jockey Michael O'Sullivan. The much-loved rider died aged 24 earlier this month as a result of injuries suffered in a fall. O'Sullivan's biggest win in the saddle was his 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle victory aboard Marine Nationale.
![[Jockey Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning a horse race.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2023-michael-o-sullivan-celebrates-803014322.jpg?strip=all&w=820)
And for this year the traditional curtain-raiser will be known as The Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The O’Sullivan family said: "We are deeply proud of Michael’s incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing. "Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.
"As a family, we have always admired Michael’s achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way. "The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.
