Michael O'Sullivan's brother pays emotional tribute to tragic jockey after big win

The brother of Michael O’Sullivan paid an emotional tribute to the tragic jockey after riding a big winner at the famous Galway Festival. Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Michael died in February aged 24 from injuries sustained in a five horse pile-up at the final fence of a chase at Thurles in February.

He was the subject of numerous tributes at the Cheltenham Festival where his loved ones, including amateur rider brother Alan, were present to see the jockey’s first Festival winner Marine Nationale win the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March, then by an uncanny coincidence Jazzy Matty, O’Sullivan’s other Cheltenham Festival winner, scored later on the same day.

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On Thursday Alan was riding the JP McManus-owned Filey Bay, trained by Emmet Mullins, in the Connact Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap.

He had to weave a path to get a run on the 7-1 chance and when he did he fairly shot clear, with the winning jockey looking to the skies as he passed the line four and three-quarter lengths ahead of Mon Coeur.

“It’s unbelievable, my goal at the start of the year was to be good enough that someone might want me for this. He was looking down on me, I think,” said O’Sullivan.

“When I wanted the gaps, they came for me, I got a dream run. I probably went the brave man’s route, but I thought it’s what Mikey would have done. I had loads of horse, if I got any gap at all I had the horse to take it.”

Winning trainer Mullins said: “It was meant to be and I’m a bit lost for words. It’s just magic. It was Michael’s saddle that Alan was using today. Michael rode a few times for me here and I think we hit the crossbar twice, so Alan steadied the ship.

“It’s been a long enough road with the horse. We had him last season and I sent him home twice as I just wasn’t happy. Thankfully with JP the patience has paid off.

“Alan was keen to ride him, and I was keen to claim off him as well. For 7lb claimers you don’t need to look any further than Alan.”