Thurles racing abandoned after air ambulance called to treat jockey Michael O’Sullivan

Racing at Thurles on Thursday was abandoned following the second race due to an incident at the final fence

A general view of Thurles racecourse, Picture:Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE

Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan was removed to Cork University Hospital, by air ambulance, following a fall from favourite Wee Charlie in the second race in Thurles on Thursday.

The last fence claimed five of the 13 runners in the Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase.

O’Sullivan immediately received medical attention on the track before a decision was made to delay the remainder of the card due to “a medical emergency”.

The air ambulance was called as the Cheltenham festival-winning rider continued to be treated by the track’s medical team and arrived to remove him to hospital.

The remaining five races on the card were subsequently abandoned, as explained in an IHRB statement, “Due to the ongoing medical situation, the remainder of the meeting has been abandoned.” 

The statement added, “Michael was stabilised prior to being transferred by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital.” 

Michael O'Sullivan celebrates aboard Jazzy Matty after his 2023 Cheltenham win.

Both races which were run produced shocks, with 66/1 shot Special Cadeau providing Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe with a timely boost in the opening Horse & Jockey Beginners Chase, in which 4/7 favourite Tullyhill, one of three runners for Willie Mullins flopped, being pulled up between the last two fences after making a number of mistakes.

Special Cadeau, winner of a Huntingdon bumper for Pam Sly and winless in seven starts for Willie Mullins, challenged between the Mullins pair Westport Cove and Mirazur West on the long approach to the final fence and, far from fluent at the last, asserted on the run-in to beat Westport Cove by two and a half lengths.

“He’s been disappointed, but we always hoped that fences would improve him – and they have,” said winning rider O’Keeffe, “He jumped brilliantly bar the last and got the job done nicely. It rode a good race and there should be improvement in him.” 

Trainer Philip Fenton acknowledged, “He’s not getting any younger, but he has been a great servant,” after ten-year-old Lake Chase defied too-weight under 7lb. claimer Lake Chad in the Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase which featured the five-horse pile-up at the final fence.

Recording his fourth success over fences, and his first away from Tramore, Lake Chad (28/1) held the late flourish of Spinning Web.