Jockey Michael O’Sullivan, 25, remains in intensive care days after horror fall as 36-word update released

JOCKEY Michael O’Sullivan remains in intensive care five days after his horrific fall.

The 25-year-old Cheltenham Festival-winning rider came down in an awful five-horse pile-up at Irish racecourse Thurles last Thursday.

PA

Michael O’Sullivan is receiving the best care he can get after his terrible fall[/caption]

An IHRB statement said this morning: “Michael continues to receive the best of care in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital.

“Michael’s family remain overwhelmed by the support and well wishes they have received over the last number of days.”

O’Sullivan was aboard 6-5 fav Wee Charlie when he came down at the final fence of a 2m handicap chase.

Two other jockeys, Daniel King and Sean Flanagan, suffered nasty falls while Phillip Enright and Tiernan Power Roche were also unseated.

The remainder of the meeting was abandoned after the horrible flashpoint in the 2pm race.

O’Sullivan was ‘stabilised’ on the track and later flown 74 miles away to the hospital.

A number of leading figures in the sport have come out in support of O’Sullivan, including top trainer Willie Mullins and former jockey Ruby Walsh.

O’Sullivan is one of the rising stars of the weighing room and recently started getting a number of high profile rides for Mullins.

The hugely popular jockey was riding for trainer Barry Connell when the pair teamed up to win the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale.

That formed the first part of a tremendous double on the day when he later won the Boodles with Jazzy Matty.

The pair recently split up but O’Sullivan showed he had moved on quickly with a brilliant winning ride aboard Mullins’ Embassy Gardens at Tramore on New Year’s Day – a contest won by Gold Cup stars of the past such as Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo.

The jockey, who has 14 winners to his name in Ireland this season, also bagged a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2023 aboard Good Land.

The latest statement is the first update on O’Sullivan’s condition since last Friday.

Another IHRB statement said then: “Michael is in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital being treated for his injuries sustained at Thurles yesterday and is receiving the best medical care.

“Michael’s family wish to express their gratitude for all the well wishes.”