Racing cancelled ahead of Michael O’Sullivan’s funeral...

RACING has been cancelled and rearranged ahead of Michael O'Sullivan's funeral. The sport is in mourning following the tragic death of the 24-year-old jockey after a terrible fall at Thurles in Ireland on February 6. Racing in Ireland will stop on Wednesday when friends and family, jockeys, trainers and fans will come together to remember a man who paid the ultimate price doing the job he loved. Thurles have announced their Thursday fixture has been axed entirely.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jockey Michael O'Sullivan with winning horse Marine Nationale.]

There is no racing in Ireland on Monday or Tuesday. While a Punchestown meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been moved to Friday. That will form part of a two-day meeting with last Sunday's rearranged fixture moved to Thursday. O'Sullivan's funeral mass will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Glantane, Co Cork on Wednesday at 12pm. His family paid tribute to him in a public message posted on rip.ie.

It read: "On Sunday, February 16th, 2025 after a trojan battle to recover from injuries sustained in a fall, Michael died peacefully a few days short of his 25th birthday, surrounded by his heartbroken parents Bernie (née Goulding) and William, brother Alan, partner Charlotte and extended family. "Michael had accomplished so much in his short life. "As a family we are so incredibly proud not only of his achievements in the saddle, but of the extraordinary young man he had become.

"He was full of kindness, integrity, ambition and love, always striving to be the best person he could be. "Michael will be very sadly missed by Bernie, William, Alan, "Granny Mary", aunts Kathleen, Marie, Anne, Marguerite and Marie, uncles Connie, Willie, Sean, Andy, Patsy, Eugene, Patrick and Michael, aunt-in-laws, uncle-in-laws, cousins, Charlotte, his many friends as well as his weigh room colleagues and the wider racing community.".

Willie Mullins was among the many who spoke of their devastation at his passing. The trainer said: "It’s dreadful news which puts all our problems into context. "He will be much missed here and there is a real sadness over the whole of Closutton today. "He was here two mornings a week and was very much a part of the team at Closutton and his part here was only going to get bigger. "He was such a natural rider who was very modest, friendly and understated.