Ruby Walsh paid a lovely tribute to Michael O'Sullivan after the Cork jockey passed away on Sunday morning.
The 24-year-old passed away ten days after a fall in Thurles, having been in intensive care in Cork University hospital.
It has devastated the horse-racing community, with racing called off on Sunday as a mark of respect to one of the brightest up and coming jockeys in the game.
O'Sullivan shot to prominence on a Tuesday in March 2023, guiding Marine Nationale to glory in the Supreme Novice's hurdle - the festival's opening race - before sealing a double later on in the day when he won aboard Gordon Elliott's Jazzy Matty.
The sky was the limit for O'Sullivan, who completed an agricultural science degree in UCD before turning professional.
Tributes poured in over the last few days pointing to the intelligent, funny, ambitious and talented young man that he was.
The story of Michael O’Sullivan 🥹❤️
A superb interview and a fantastic young man.
If you do one thing today, give it a watch 👇🏼
Credit - @TheHorseIEpic.twitter.com/oM3DWubPcD
— RacingGav (@RacingGav) February 16, 2025
Ruby Walsh's words in the Irish Examiner were particularly moving as the champion jockey recalled meeting O'Sullivan in the airport.
O'Sullivan was on his way to Windsor to pick up a ride the following day, when he explained to a lady behind him in the queue about the saddle he was holding, down to the very last detail.
Walsh described 'how proud he would be if he was yours,' though he 'didn't agree with his no-sock attire.'
"He explained to the lady behind us about the saddle he was carrying," Walsh wrote.
"What weight it was, what the leathers and irons were, how the girth would hold it on and how many others he had — every detail he could think of.
"And it felt like the lady who didn’t know what he was carrying would be able to saddle a horse by the time she had boarded the plane."
O'Sullivan's warm and engaging personality shone through in many of the tributes he has received over the last 48 hours.
Emilie Seigle, a groom in Willie Mullins' yard described his passing as 'unbearable,' remembering how he spoke 'little words of French' to her at the yard.
I know that I will be one of the thousands of people to pay tribute to you but losing you is unbearable... every work days your silhouette crossing our barn, your little words in French because you loved to please us and especially your kindness, you have always been the jockey… pic.twitter.com/de65SiDJ9s
— Emilie seigle (@emilie_seigle) February 16, 2025
"I know that I will be one of the thousands of people to pay tribute to you but losing you is unbearable," she tweeted.
"Every work day your silhouette crossing our barn, your little words in French because you loved to please us and especially your kindness, you have always been the jockey of Ethical Diamond and always a little hug for him and I do not have enough words to tell you that we will miss you every day."
Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh A Anam.
