BARRY CONNELL hopes Marine Nationale’s sensational win at Cheltenham is a “fitting tribute” to Michael O’Sullivan.
The eight-year-old famously won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with O’Sullivan on board in 2023.
Marine Nationale won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham[/caption]
O’Sullivan’s girlfriend hugged winning jockey Sean Flanagan[/caption]
The Irish jockey tragically died at the age of 24 on February 16, with the above race renamed in his honour.
On Wednesday, Marine Nationale bagged the most poignant of wins by finishing ahead of Jonbon in the Queen Mother Chase.
And speaking to RacingTV, Barry Connell admitted that it made for a raw occasion after the tragic events at Thurles last month.
He said: “I would like to say it is very poignant, it is very raw.
“The whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been absolutely horrible, horrible, and my thoughts are with the family.
“His friends, Charlotte his girlfriend is here. She was with us saddling up the horse.
“Everybody in racing…it is a great community and everybody has come together for Michael. This is hopefully a fitting tribute to him.”
There were emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure, where O’Sullivan’s grieving girlfriend Charlotte hugged winning jockey Sean Flanagan.
More to follow…
