Michael O’Sullivan R.I.P

Today I am taking the unusual step (for me) of dealing with only one topic. Today would have been this lovely young jockey’s 25th birthday.

Michael O’Sullivan R.I.P.

This week the ‘going” in  racecourses across these islands and everywhere in the hearts of people who love horses and people who love people who love horses was very heavy.

Heavy

A real test of a racehorse’s stamina and only very few horses relish this type of ground. It is often very wet and hard to run on as the water soaks into the ground. Often described as a ‘bog’, with reference to how slow this surface rides.

It was not the racehorses who were being tested by the going this week. The real test of stamina was for everyone who loved Michael O’Sullivan. His horseloving family are beyond heartbroken by the loss of their beautiful talented boy.

I have read many tributes to Michael this week and I have tearfully watched his brilliant interview more than once. I was particularly touched by this tribute from Pat Healy of Healyracing. I am giving it to you today as the Listowel connection. Pat is not a writer and he usually lets his pictures paint a thousand words but on this occasion he spoke from the heart. Pat and Michael shared more than just a love of horseracing. They both turned their passion into a livelihood. Their paths were destined to cross often. No one had any doubt that Michael would have been a regular for Pat to photograph in the winners’ enclosure.

Like Michael, Pat is his father’s son. Pat knows what is is to learn from your father, to work side by side with him in a family business, doing what you both love. Pat knows what it is to make your dad proud, to enjoy great times on the racecourse surrounded by family. Pat knows what it is to step into your father’s shoes, to do what your father did and to do it better. Pat saw his father work at a job that was seven days a week, out in all weathers, and  above all to love what he did. Pat and Michael learned their hard work ethic from great role models. Pat knows better than anyone the absolute devastation at losing one of the brightest and most promising members of the team. Pat lost his mom early in his life. He knows that loss can cement a family bond and bring people closer together. He knows there are better times ahead but, for now, the going is very heavy.

Here is Pat’s tribute:

Feb 9 2025

Sunday morning and I draw the curtains. Jesus what a horrible sight ! Its grey dark and the sky looks to be on the ground. The scene mirrors the way I feel after yesterday evenings result in the football with The Dubs beating us in our own backyard by a point. I have to face them at Punchestown today putting on a smiley face and let their banter roll off me. Problem is I’m used to it now sure they have us where they want us for the past decade and a half. Pick up the phone check whats happening in the world. Is Trump giving us a laugh today ? Wallop ! Noooo ! Aw Holy God ! Like a heavy weight boxer’s punch into the stomach The IHRB let us know that Mikey has left us. Punchestown and The Point To Points called off. Be no trace of any Dubs today ! Oh how I’m wishing now that there was, that way wouldn’t Mikey still be with us. 

Tramore New Years Day 47 days ago. Mikey steers Embassy Gardens home to win the feature event on the card for trainer Willie Mullins. I photograph him and his mount in a happy kinda celebration shot on the track before they head for the winners enclosure. “Well done Mikey boy, good on you kid” “Thanks Pat, I needed that” the relief washing over him. “Mikey, this game is about the long road, stay on the road” I tell him. “Don’t worry Pat when I get my chance I will turn it into a motorway” he says and a big hearty laugh out of him !!

I know Mikey, not well but I know him. Sure we are both part of the same community. The racing community. We move from town to town like a circus. Same clowns different towns. As I get older I appreciate the younger generations. They make me smile and I learn from them. Little life lessons like new slang words, phone and computer shortcuts, that type of stuff. Sure they know it all !Mikey is a step above the youngest generation I interact with. There is a group of 16-17 year olds riding. Mikey is 24. I love capturing their 1st success on the track and then watching them achieve their goals and dreams. Cheltenham is every jump jockey’s dream and in March 2023 we saw Mikey grab his dream twice in the one day. Glorious,Great and Gracious, Mikey stole the show in the biggest circus.If you hadn’t seen the results you wouldn’t have known it. His cap still fitted his head, his walk didn’t change and his tongue didn’t let him down. Pure humble hi.

The last few days everything I have read and heard spoken about him is true. It makes me wish I knew him better. Makes me wish I spent time in his company socially. Makes me wish……

Mikey you are a credit to your family and friends. 

May God speed you on that motorway and wrap his loving arms around you X

R.I.P. Michael O’Sullivan 2000-2025

The Dash

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.

Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

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