"We are broken-hearted" - Mourners gather as Irish jockey Michael O’Sullivan laid to rest

The father of late jockey Michael O’Sullivan has told mourners at his funeral how he wanted to pursue a career in riding "from a young age."

The 24-year-old Cork man died in hospital over the weekend, a week after sustaining serious injuries in a fall at Thurles Racecourse.

Michael had been riding the Gerard O’Leary-trained Wee Charlie in a two-mile handicap chase before coming down, with the jockey requiring immediate medical attention.

Funeral

Mourners gathered alongside Michael’s parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, and partner Charlotte at St. John the Baptist Church, Lombardstown on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking in his eulogy, Michael’s father William started by extending thanks to his extended families as well as the emergency services who tended to Michael at the scene.

"Michael was a joy from the start.

"Despite having quiet parents, he was very chatty.

"Michael had a wonderful childhood. Michael was a smart boy; school was no difficulty. It was there he made some great friends and developed an interest in sport," William shared.

"Going to University was never a given, because Michael had it in his head from a young age that he wanted to be a jockey. He needed encouragement, particularly from Bernie and granny, and others."

William explained that Michael agreed to go to University on the promise he could pursue a career as a jockey afterward.

"Michael was fixed on being a jockey from a young age," William stated, "Many an evening I came home to find Michael and Alan riding the couch as the watched videos of point-to-point."

"As his interest in riding was unfaltered, we set about developing Michael’s skills of horsemanship," William said, as he outlined Michael’s venture into horse-riding.

In the eulogy, William paid tribute to Michael’s friends and colleagues as well as his partner Charlotte.

William said: "Behind every good man is a good woman. Michael had Charlotte by his side for the last number of years. Good match [who] shared many interests. We are grateful for the love they shared and the fun they had.

"You will always be dear to us, Charlotte."

The grieving father noted that his late son was "much loved" and his departure has left the family "broken-hearted."

"We will now focus on what Michael would want for us," William said, "He would want us to mend over time. He would want us to support Alan and find joy in his achievements.

"He would want us to find joy in the achievements of his cousins and friends, and his colleagues. May you remain safe."

Among the gifts brought up were a whip to represent Michael’s love for horse riding, a GAA jersey to represent his love for GAA, and his UCD degree to highlight his time in college.

Other gifts included sunglasses, headphones, and his keys to highlight his love for holidays, music, and the time he spent in his car.

Following the funeral mass, Michael was laid to rest at St John’s Cemetery in Glantane.

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.