RACHAEL BLACKMORE has spoken of the “unshakeable sadness” surrounding racing following the death of fellow jockey Michael O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan, 24, died on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 26.
His funeral took place on Wednesday and tributes have poured in from the racing world for the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider, who famously partnered Marine Nationale to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023.
Blackmore, the only woman to ride the winner of the Grand National and also successful in the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup, said the weighing room was now a “different place”.
She told Betfair: “There is an unshakeable sadness over racing at the moment. What we think will never happen… happened.
“The weigh room I know is different now. Michael will never be forgotten. All our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
O’Sullivan’s passing prompted tributes across the horse-racing world, with minute’s silences held at both Ludlow and Punchestown.
Long-time trainer Barry Connell made the point of paying tribute to his former confidante at the Irish racecourse on Thursday.
The pair had linked up for O’Sullivan’s most memorable triumph with Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
At the outset of his interview with Racing TV, Connell acknowledged: “It has been a terribly difficult week for the family and everyone in the racing community.
“Michael was part of our operation for a long time, and it’s been heartbreaking, it’s been very difficult.”
He added: “I was lucky enough to spend a good bit of time with the family during the week.
“He packed so much into a career of two and half years that most riders wouldn’t be able to do in a lifetime.
“The two of us went along together.
“I only had the [training] license for a year and Michael had only just turned professional, and we went on a magical journey.
“We’ll be going back to Cheltenham this year, and it will be very emotional.
“Our hearts go out to the family, and we will never forget Michael.”
BEAUTIFUL WORDS
The Irish horse racing community en masse turned up in Glantire on Wednesday to pay their respects as the prodigiously talented rider was laid to rest.
Perhaps the most moving moment to come from a sombre day from start to finish was supplied by his girlfriend Charlotte.
She read out a poem she’d composed in his honour that summed up his lifelong love of racing.
It read: “Around the home bend, he came, so proud, a jockey, strong, with heart unbowed.
“The cheers of Cheltenham rose to the sky, as he galloped past, swift as a sigh.
“In the saddle, he knew no fear, chasing victory, his purpose clear.
“The crowd erupted with each swift stride, but it was his love that burned inside.
“With the reins in his hands and the wind at his back, he’d race through life, never looking back.
“A man of grit, of courage, and grace, whose smile could light up the darkest space.
“His spirit runs free, beyond the track, and in my heart, he’s forever mine.
“My love, my life, my endless love.”
