Michael O’Sullivan: Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle named in tribute to jockey
The opening race for the Cheltenham Festival will be renamed next month under the name of racer Michael O’Sullivan.
Irish driver O’Sullivan, 24, died on February 16, 10 days after Thurles fell.
Skybet Supreme’s Barrier for Newbie – The first game of the festival’s festival will be held on March 11 – will now be named the Barrier for Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices.
When O’Sullivan won the Marine Nationale two years ago, he led the jockey on the opening day of 2023 and after following up with Jazzy Matty’s Fred Winter Obstacle.
O’Sullivan, who had ridden Charlie in Thurles, was coach Gerard O’Leary when he was one of three fallen men in the final fence in the two-mile obstacle course.
He was treated in Tipperary County but did not recover from his injuries before being transferred to the hospital by an air ambulance.
O’Sullivan’s first victory in 2018 at Cork was to become a professional in September 2022 and then become the Irish champion with conditions the following year.
During his career, he has ridden 95 winners in Ireland and the UK, including 14 in Ireland and two in this season.
