MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN’S girlfriend believes Marine Nationale’s emotional victory at Cheltenham proves the late jockey “will always be there”.
The eight-year-old stole the headlines on day two by winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
It came two years after Michael O’Sullivan – who tragically died last month – won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with the same horse.
The winner’s enclosure was an emotional place as Charlotte – who helped to saddle the horse – embraced the victorious jockey Sean Flanagan.
And speaking afterwards, Charlotte believed it showed that her true love was looking down on all at Prestbury Park.
She said: “Michael loved the horse very much, they started their careers together and went on a journey together.
“The horse has certainly put his heart and soul into today and it means a lot.
“At the last jump, I kind of got a bit of a fright, but Michael was certainly with him every step of the way and it was incredible to watch it.
“I think the horse has shown what a connection he had with Michael, they understood each other and Michael always rated the horse so highly.
“In moments like this, we get a great sense that he is here with us.
“I think it’s moments like this that show he is here with us and he’ll always be there.”
Marine Nationale was one of two O’Sullivan winners at the 2023 Festival – the other being Jazzy Matty.
It made what followed the Queen Mother Champion Chase all the more extraordinary, as Jazzy Matty won the Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
It seemed as if fate itself had aligned on the most bittersweet of weeks, with fans saying the double was written in the stars.
One said: “Had three separate convo’s today about this weird ‘divine’ feeling I had that something special would happen with Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty.
“I had goosebumps when the latter stuck his neck out to get home. Something very special happened today”
A second said: “Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty winning at Cheltenham, Micheal O’Sullivan will be looking down with a massive smile on his face.
“Certainly is a special place.”
RacingTV’s Jess Stafford posted: “This is why horse racing is so special
“The fact they were even running on the same day was 1 thing but for Michael’s two Cheltenham winners MarineNationale & Jazzy Matty both to win is something out of the ordinary.
“He lifted them home”
A fourth said: “It was written in the stars that MarineNationale would win after the untimely passing of Michael O’Sullivan
“Sport is all about fairytales”
And a fifth commented: “Written in the stars for Marine Nationale to win. Massive shame for Jonbon, but a really fitting result there.
“Something for Michael O’Sullivan’s family to smile about.”
