Cork jockey's life cut prematurely short after fall from horse, inquest told

Jury records verdict of accidental death at inquest of Michael O'Sullivan who passed away after fall at last fence of Thurles Racecourse in February 2025

 Jockey Michael O'Sullivan at Fairyhouse in March 2024. File picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

A Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey was heading “towards the pinnacle of his career” when his life was cut prematurely short after he fell from a horse during a handicap chase in Tipperary last year, an inquest has heard.

Michael O’Sullivan, of Currabower, Lombardstown, Co Cork, died at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on February 16, 2025. He had suffered a serious fall at the last fence at Thurles Racecourse 10 days earlier. Michael passed away just days short of his 25th birthday.