Irish rider dies after tragic racing accident
Irish rider Michael O'Sullivan has died after a crash in Thurles, Republic of Ireland, earlier this month.
The 24-year-old had been in an induced coma in intensive care at Cork University Hospital since the incident during the race on February 6.
"Michael sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning, surrounded by his loving family at University Hospital Cork," said the chief medical officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), Dr Jennifer Pugh.
“We express our appreciation to the multidisciplinary teams who provided the best medical care for Michael, both at the racecourse and at Cork University Hospital.
"Michael's family would like to reiterate their gratitude for all the support they have received in the last two days and express their appreciation to the local community and racing family. The O'Sullivan family has requested privacy at this time."
O'Sullivan had been riding Wee Charlie for Gerard O'Leary when he was one of three runners at the final fence in the two-mile Racing Again February 20 Handicap Chase.
He was treated at Thurles airstrip before being transferred by air ambulance to hospital.
His first win under the rules came in Cork in 2018 and he turned professional in September 2022.
