Ruby Walsh: Thrills aplenty this season but a tragic day in Thurles casts large shadow 

The day Michael O'Sullivan suffered a fatal injury at Thurles was one on which every single person in horse racing was reminded of what really matters.

The loss of Michael O'Sullivan is one that can never be rectified or changed and never forgotten. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

What happens and what matters. That’s the story of life, which was the story of the 2024/2025 National Hunt season. What happened? The Closutton Express kept powering forward and Willie Mullins strode into Sandown Park last Saturday to claim a second British trainers’ title.

This afternoon, alongside many of his trusted lieutenants, he will claim his 19th Irish title as Patrick Mullins lifts the amateur title, Paul Townend regains the jockeys’ one, and Jody Townend retains the lady riders’ one.