The opening race at subsequent month’s Cheltenham Pageant will probably be renamed in tribute to jockey Michael O’Sullivan.
Irish rider O’Sullivan, 24, died on 16 February, 10 days after a fall at Thurles.
The Sky Guess Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – the Pageant’s first race on 11 March – will now be named the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
O’Sullivan shot to prominence when successful the race aboard Marine Nationale two years in the past and he was main jockey on the opening day in 2023 after following up within the Fred Winter Hurdle on Jazzy Matty.
“We’re deeply happy with Michael’s unbelievable expertise and the legacy he left on this planet of racing,” stated O’Sullivan’s household.
“Renaming the race that marked the head of his profession is a becoming tribute to his talent, dedication, and keenness for the game.
“As a household, now we have at all times admired Michael’s achievements each on and off the monitor, and it means a lot to us to see his expertise recognised on this approach. The outpouring of tributes over the previous week has been a testomony to the impression he had on so many lives.
“We wish to sincerely thank The Jockey Membership and Sky Guess for giving us this chance to honour Michael’s reminiscence and rejoice his exceptional profession.”
O’Sullivan had been using Wee Charlie at Thurles for coach Gerard O’Leary when he was considered one of three fallers on the remaining fence in a two-mile handicap chase.
He was handled on the County Tipperary monitor earlier than being transferred by air ambulance to hospital, however didn’t recuperate from his accidents.
O’Sullivan’s first win beneath guidelines got here at Cork in 2018 and he turned skilled in September 2022 earlier than turning into Irish champion conditional jockey the next 12 months.
He rode 95 winners in Eire and Britain over his profession, together with 14 in Eire and two in Britain this season.
“While you learn the heartfelt tributes paid to him over these previous days, you’ll be able to see how extremely regarded he was within the racing group on either side of the Irish Sea and past,” stated Cheltenham chief government Man Lavender.
“Provided that it was at Cheltenham that Michael loved his largest success as a rider again on that magical Tuesday afternoon in 2023, we felt it was solely proper to pay tribute to Michael on this approach.”
