The Jockey Club and Sky Bet have today announced that jockey Michael O’Sullivan will be honoured at The Festival with the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle run in his memory. 

The contest which is the first race on Champion Day (Tuesday 11th March) and The Festival’s traditional curtain-raiser, will be staged as The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2025.

An outstanding young Jump jockey, Michael tragically passed away at the age of 24 at Cork University Hospital on February 16th this year as the result of injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles 10 days’ earlier.

It was in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle that Michael enjoyed his greatest day in the saddle when partnering Marine Nationale to a memorable success in the 2023 renewal of the two-mile contest. Later in the same afternoon, he rode his second Festival winner aboard Jazzy Matty in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

The O’Sullivan family, said: “We are deeply proud of Michael’s incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing. Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.

“As a family, we have always admired Michael’s achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way. The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.

“We would like to sincerely thank The Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael’s memory and celebrate his remarkable career.”

Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “Michael was an outstanding jockey and recognised by everyone as a wonderful young man.

“When you read the heartfelt tributes paid to him over these past days, you can see how highly regarded he was in the racing community on both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond.

“Given that it was at Cheltenham that Michael enjoyed his biggest success as a rider back on that magical Tuesday afternoon in 2023, we felt it was only right to pay tribute to Michael in this way.

“Our sincere thanks go to our sponsors of this race, Sky Bet for making it possible. All our thoughts continue to be with Michael’s family, friends and weighing room colleagues at this difficult time and for allowing us to pay tribute in this way.”