Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle Renamed in Honour of Michael O’Sullivan
O'Sullivan, a 24-year-old Irish rider, tragically passed away on 16 February, ten days after a fall at Thurles.
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of next month’s Cheltenham Festival, will be renamed in tribute to the late jockey Michael O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan, a 24-year-old Irish rider, tragically passed away on 16 February, ten days after a fall at Thurles. To honour his legacy, the race will now be called the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle when it takes place on 11 March.
O'Sullivan shot to prominence at Cheltenham in 2023, winning this very race aboard Marine Nationale. He later followed up with victory in the Fred Winter Hurdle on Jazzy Matty, securing the title of leading jockey on the opening day of the Festival.
His family expressed their gratitude for this tribute, stating:
"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."
They added:
"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. We would like to sincerely thank The Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael's memory and celebrate his remarkable career."
Cheltenham chief executive Guy Lavender also paid tribute to O'Sullivan:
"When you read the heartfelt tributes paid to him over these past days, you can see how highly regarded he was in the racing community on both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond. Given that it was at Cheltenham that Michael enjoyed his biggest success as a rider back on that magical Tuesday afternoon in 2023, we felt it was only right to pay tribute to Michael in this way."
O’Sullivan’s tragic passing occurred while riding Wee Charlie for trainer Gerard O’Leary in a two-mile handicap chase at Thurles. After falling at the final fence, he was treated on course before being airlifted to hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Having turned professional in September 2022, O'Sullivan quickly rose to prominence, becoming Irish champion conditional jockey the following year. He rode 95 winners across Ireland and Britain throughout his career, including 14 wins in Ireland and two in Britain this season.
His memory will now live on at Cheltenham, where he etched his name into the sport’s history.
