Michael O'Sullivan will be honoured at this year's Cheltenham Festival with the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle set to be run in his memory, the Jockey Club and Sky Bet announced on Thursday.
The Grade 1 event, the first race of the meeting on Tuesday, March 11, will be staged as the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle, paying tribute to the National Hunt jockey who died after being seriously injured in a fall at Thurles on February 6. He was 24.
It was in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle that O'Sullivan enjoyed his greatest day in the saddle when partnering Marine Nationale (Ire) to a memorable success in the 2023 renewal of the two-mile contest. He later celebrated his second Festival winner when Jazzy Matty (Fr) won the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the same afternoon.
“We are deeply proud of Michael's incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing,” began a statement from the O'Sullivan family. “Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.
“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.”
Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, added, “Michael was an outstanding jockey and recognised by everyone as a wonderful young man.
“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.
“Our sincere thanks go to our sponsors of this race, Sky Bet for making it possible. All our thoughts continue to be with Michael's family, friends and weighing room colleagues at this difficult time and for allowing us to pay tribute in this way.”
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