Michael O’Sullivan Funeral: Hundreds of bereaved gathering to pay tribute to the Cheltenham Festival of Jockey | Racing news
Jockey Michael O’Sullivan won the hearts of the Irish people, he heard his funeral.
The 24-year-old rider for winning the Festival in Cheltenham from Cork County, died at the hospital on Sunday from the injuries he suffered in the fall at Thurles Runner earlier this month.
Hundreds of bereaved gathered in the midst of rain at the Baptist Church on Wednesday for Wednesday for Requiem Mass.
Priest Fr Gerard Coleman told the service that O’Sullivan lived his life in full and packed more into his 24 years than most people do in two lives.
He said he had maturity beyond his age and a “huge understanding”.
“He understood his horses, which is why he was such a great rider,” said Fr. Coleman. “But he also understood people and therefore made a lasting impression on everything and won the hearts of the Irish people.
“Everyone loved him. He was an incredibly talented and dedicated athlete and will never be forgotten.”
Jockey rode his horse Wee Charlie, for coach Gerard O’Leary, when he sustained death injuries. He was one of the three drops on the last fence in the chasing of a handicap of two miles on February 6th.
The rest of the meeting was abandoned while an ambulance arrived to take O’Sullivan to the hospital.
They were treated in an intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Sunday surrounded by parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, partner Charlotte and Extended Family.
O’Sullivan shot prominent on the day of the opening of the Cheltenham 2023 festival, led by the victory of his supreme recruits at the Nationale Marine, just months after he became a professional.
His funeral started with his father from his father. He thanked all the urgent services that treated their son and also praised the community for the support offered by the family.
“While we are broken, now we will focus on what Michael would like for us,” he said. “He would like to improve ourselves over time. We would like to support Alan in his life choices and find joy in his achievements.
“He would like us to find joy in the achievements of his relatives and friends and his colleagues from the Wagan Room. Let everyone stay safe.
“Michael will forever be in our hearts and minds.”
After the funeral, the O’sllivan coffin was taken further because of the burial at St. John’s Cemetery.
In Britain there was a minute silence and in Ludlow Iu Doncaster, where races took place.
