One of the most prestigious trophies in horse racing, presented every year to the leading claiming professional jump jockey in Ireland, will be permanently renamed the Michael O’Sullivan Trophy, commemorating the exceptionally talented young 24-year-old rider from Lombardstown who tragically passed away on February 16th, 2025 after a fall in a race ten days earlier.
Michael made an indelible mark on the sport during his brilliant but too short career, capturing the 2022/2023 Irish National Hunt Champion Claiming Professional title after riding 32 winners during a remarkable break-through season. Renown-ed for his professionalism, modesty, and exceptional skill, Michael made his start in the point-to-point field while a secondary school student. He rose rapidly through the point-to-point ranks, taking the Champion Under 21 Point-to-Point Rider crown in 2019, all while studying for a degree in agricultural science from University College Dublin. He turned professional at the beginning of September 2022 and made an immediate impact when riding a winner two weeks later, on just his 14th ride, on the Robert Tyner-trained Dangan Des Champs at Sligo. What followed was a succession of wins, including a spectacular day-one double at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, where he guided ‘Marine Nationale’ to an unforgettable victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, before landing the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on ‘Jazzy Matty’ for Gordon Elliott.
The O’Sullivan family have expressed their profound pride in the gesture, stating: “We are deeply touched that Michael’s memory will be carried forward through the presentation of the Michael O’Sullivan Trophy to the champion claiming professional at the culmination of each jump season. Michael poured his heart into his riding and loved the racing community. To have his name per-manently attached to the title he was so proud to win is a beautiful and fitting tribute to his legacy.”
The Michael O’Sullivan Trophy will be presented for the first time on Saturday, 1st May, 2027, the last day of the Punchestown Festival, which marks the con-clusion of the 2026/2027 National Hunt season.