THE McCarthy family shared a poignant photo of the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice trophy ‘on its way home to Cork’.
Immediately post-race, Charlie McCarthy promised he’d donate the prize money to the O’Sullivan family,
His son Charles then shared this touching photo from the flight back[/caption]
Charlie McCarthy saw Kopek Des Bordes win with another Cork native Paul Townend in the saddle[/caption]
The tragic jockey would’ve turned 25 last month[/caption]
His son Charles has since noted the powerful sentiment around a Cork team taking victory in the Supreme Mares Hurdle which was renamed after O’Sullivan in the run-up to the 2025 Festival.
His above photo prompted many kind words towards himself and his father over their success.
Harry O’Sullivan replied: “Congratulations, delighted for all involved. A very emotional day for many.”
While someone else labelled them ‘All class’. Clare hurling icon Anthony Daly added: “Fantastic!”
Speaking to RacingTV on Tuesday, Charlie acknowledged: “To be honest about it, it is a wonderful day for me because Michael O’Sullivan – the race is called after him.
“He lived 20km from me and I will donate this to the O’Sullivan family because he was a wonderful jockey.”
The veteran owner had had surgery for kidney cancer just two weeks ago, which gave day one’s win another element of poignancy.
He continued: “I won’t cry, but I’ll tell you one thing, I’m on cloud nine and is there a bigger cloud to be on?
“I just can’t get over it, I’m here with my sons, to win at Cheltenham, the Novices’ Supreme Hurdle with everything I’ve been through, it’s a dream come true and the dream is not finished yet…
“I’m trying to promote National Hunt racing, that the small man can have a say in it.
“And I’m no small man, but I am a small man, and to be fair about it, National Hunt is what I love and I’m trying to promote that.”
Michael O’Sullivan’s girlfriend and brother were on hand as he was honoured before the opening race of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Charlotte Giles wiped away a tear as a sombre mood took hold round Prestbury Park.
All participating jockeys wore an armband adorned with the Cork flag in acknowledgement of the tragic rider who would’ve been competing in it were it not for his premature death.
The race wound up staying true to the form book as 4/6 favourite Kopek Des Bordes finished a length clear of 8/1 shot William Munny.
Townend paid tribute to O’Sullivan by tapping on the armband as he wiped tears from his eyes.
Horse Racing Ireland kicked off Cheltenham week with a fitting tribute via a moving video package.
At the outset of the 64-second video there is the customary excitement around the four-day bonanza that’s described as ‘like Christmas…but better.’
However, the tone shifted around the halfway mark as footage of O’Sullivan at last year’s meet reminds everyone of how horse racing is still coming to terms with losing one of its brightest young stars.
