Mourners gather for Michael O’Sullivan’s funeral as racing remembers tragic 24-year-old jockey

MOURNERS have gathered for the funeral of Michael O’Sullivan – the Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey who died aged 24.

Racing has been in mourning since Sunday after his tragic passing was confirmed.

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The coffin of Michael O’Sullivan is carried into St John the Baptist Church as racing remembered the tragic 24-year-old jockey[/caption]

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Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey O’Sullivan sadly died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall[/caption]

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O’Sullivan died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles on February 6[/caption]

O’Sullivan, a rising star of the weighing room, suffered injuries in a fall at Thurles on February 6 from which he never recovered.

As the tributes poured in he was remembered as a ‘beautiful person‘ – with the sport lucky to have such an accomplished, confident and intelligent young man among its ranks.

His awful passing at a young age and just weeks before Cheltenham Festival has left a huge hole in people’s hearts.

The funeral mass at St John the Baptist Church in Cork was packed with mourners remembering a much-loved and respected rider.

His coffin bearing the blue and gold flag of his GAA club Kilshannig was met at the church door by a guard of honour made up of over a dozen jockeys he raced with.

More to follow.