Tag Archive for: Michael O’Sullivan

Michael O’Sullivan basking in glory of Festival double

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Michael O’Sullivan is “greedy for more” success at the Cheltenham Festival as he reflects on a stellar week in the saddle at Prestbury Park.

The young Irishman – who had previously ridden in just one race at the Festival – enhanced his growing reputation with an impressive day one double at the big meeting.

Having held his nerve to produce Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale to perfection in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he then navigated his way through the pack to strike aboard Gordon Elliott’s Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

It was a day that will live long in the memory of the 23-year-old – whose services continued to be called upon by an array of well-known connections throughout the rest of the week – and one he hopes to repeat at future Festivals.

“It was brilliant, a great day,” said O’Sullivan.

“The first one was very important and then to add another was a nice bonus – it was a special day and one I won’t forget.

“It takes the pressure off. I was obviously very busy for the rest of the week so it’s hard to say you enjoy it as you hardly ever have a minute. But it certainly made the week overall more enjoyable all right.”

He went on: “You’re just greedy for more. After Tuesday I was definitely hoping I would get another one and it’s a bit of a bug – you’re just really greedy for more. I hope it’s not the last one I have anyway.”

O’Sullivan gave Marine Nationale an ice-cool ride when registering his first Grade One victory in the Royal Bond earlier in the season and he showed his steely big-race temperament once again aboard the unbeaten six-year-old – waiting until he had cleared the last before pushing the button to breeze past Facile Vega.

The Cork native was thrilled to see the horse that has helped forge his relationship with owner-trainer Connell thrive yet again on the big stage and, having won a Festival Grade One in facile fashion, is confident there is more to come.

Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale, alongside owner and trainer Barry Connell
Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale, alongside owner and trainer Barry Connell (Mike Egerton/PA)

He continued: “We were very happy with him beforehand. I ride him most of the time and I was delighted with him.

“The only worry was the ground, but his class got him through and he showed what we always thought of him and how good he is. He’s only going to get better and it was a brilliant performance. He didn’t have a hard race.

“You don’t let yourself feel the buzz until you are over the line, but going down to the last I was really happy I had Facile Vega covered and it was just a matter of jumping the last well. He quickened up nicely and won pretty easily.”

Marine Nationale sinks Facile Vega in Supreme Novices’

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Michael O’Sullivan produced an ice-cool ride aboard Marine Nationale to register a famous victory for trainer Barry Connell in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

O’Sullivan was still in college when Constitution Hill was winning the Festival opener 12 months ago, while his only previous taste of the Prestbury Park showpiece was an uneventful spin on an outsider in the Kim Muir in 2022.

The young Irishman pounced late to secure the Royal Bond earlier in the season and followed a similar script here, riding the unbeaten six-year-old with ultimate confidence.

As 9-4 favourite Facile Vega forced his way to the front in the hands of Paul Townend two out and then lengthened for home, O’Sullivan was motionless aboard Marine Nationale, with a target firmly locked on Facile Vega’s tail.

Jumping the last Marine Nationale still had a length to find, but once clearing the final obstacle the result was a formality and O’Sullivan simply had to push the button aboard the 9-2 shot as he sprinted clear for a three-and-a-quarter-length success.

It was also a huge moment in the fledgling training career of owner-trainer Connell, whose colours have been seen in the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure before but for the first time with the former amateur rider’s name on the training licence.

O’Sullivan said: “They didn’t go a great gallop, but that suited me because my horse is quick.

“I was in a slightly wider position that I would have liked, but I was happy with the room because he doesn’t have a lot of experience.

Marine Nationale and jockey Michael O’Sullivan make their way back
Marine Nationale and jockey Michael O’Sullivan make their way back (Tin Goode/PA)

“I was alongside Facile Vega and travelling very well. At the bottom of the hill I was just saving him, Paul had kicked on Facile but I was happy enough that he’d come back to me.

“He had a good look at the last, we went and popped it and he actually won very snuggly in the end, I never got serious on him at all, I gave him a few flicks but that was it.

“We know he’s going to be better on better ground, it was an unbelievable performance, he’s not even having a blow.

“The ground wasn’t as bad as it was when he won the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, I was just hoping it allowed him to show his true ability.”

He added: “His jumping will get better. He didn’t really put a foot wrong but he wasn’t as quick through the air as you’d like for a two-miler, but I think on better ground he would be, he’s an intelligent horse in general and I’m so lucky to be involved in him.

“Barry being confident didn’t put pressure on me, but I suppose the punters took it into account and that brings a small bit of pressure but I can only do what I can do. Barry put his neck out and he was right.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid. It’s a bit surreal and it won’t sink in yet, this year has been so good it’s hard to appreciate it, I don’t think it can be topped but I’m just enjoying every minute of it.”

Barry Connell and Michael O'Sullivan celebrate with Marine Nationale
Barry Connell and Michael O’Sullivan celebrate with Marine Nationale (Mike Egerton/PA)

A jubilant Connell said: “It’s the best feeling of all time.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself saying he was the best horse in the race, but I genuinely felt he’s the best horse I’ve ever had.

“I came over on the boat and I told every Irish person on there to back the two horses (Marine Nationale and Good Land (who runs on Wednesday). I said they were the best two novices in Ireland, so at least I’m off the hook partially after today! I’d have had to go back in disguise if we’d got beat.

“This horse is unlike any horse I’ve had before as the previous Grade One horses were mainly stayers. This is a quick horse who is probably a Group One horse on the Flat – and we might get around to that at some stage.

“Today was his day. He’s had five runs and won all five runs, his jockey is a superstar and my staff are the best staff anywhere in the world.

“We’re absolutely blessed to have found the next superstar of the weighing room in Michael O’Sullivan, you mark his name. Have you ever seen a cooler ride in Cheltenham? Unbelievable. If you gave me any jockey riding I wouldn’t swap him.”

He went on: “I said beforehand if you want to win a Grade One in Cheltenham you need a horse with five attributes – you need a quick horse who can hold their position, you want to be a very good jumper, you want a brilliant temperament and guts and stamina to be able to stay up the hill.

“I rode into the winner’s enclosure twice here as a rider at the November meeting, but it pales into insignificance compared to doing it as an owner and a trainer – this is unreal.

“I enjoy of the process of getting out of the car in the morning and just being with the horses, being out on the gallops and talking to the staff. The whole process really energises me.

“I hope we’re only beginning the journey now.”

Connell envisages Marine Nationale embarking on a career over fences next season.

He said: “This lad will probably come back for the Arkle next year – unless Constitution Hill keels over between now and then!

“My initial thoughts at this point of time would be Arkle, but we’ll see. He’ll have an entry in Punchestown and then will be out in the field. Today is for enjoying.”

In contrast, Willie Mullins struggled to hide his disappointment with the defeat of Facile Vega.

“I think a good horse won the race, a very good horse won the race,” he said to Racing TV.

“What more can you say. Congratulations to Barry Connell and Mikey O’Sullivan. I don’t see why he would need to go up in trip – he looked the fastest horse in the race anyway. He had everything dead to one mile… anyway, I’m not going to say any more about it.”

Facile Vega jumps the last
Facile Vega jumps the last (Mike Egerton/PA)

Townend reflected: “It probably wasn’t run at the fastest pace and he settled well and jumped fine.

“He probably jumped his way in there down the hill, but I got all the way into the straight without committing him and Michael was very keen on the winner – he probably gave him a very good ride for a young rider.

“It was disappointing. The mistake at the last didn’t help, but I’d say we were getting the worse of it anyway.”

Michael O’Sullivan eager to make Festival splash with Marine

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Michael O’Sullivan is counting downs the days to the Cheltenham Festival, as one of the rising stars of the weighing room heads to Prestbury Park with an enviable hand to play.

As Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle were strutting their stuff on the opening day 12 months ago, O’Sullivan was still at college studying for a degree in agricultural science and his only experience of the Festival to date was an uneventful ride aboard a 66-1 shot in the 2022 Kim Muir.

Things will be a lot different one year on and the next time he gets the leg-up at Prestbury Park, he will be heading to the start aboard Marine Nationale – one of the leading players in the Festival-opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Michael O’Sullivan aboard Marine Nationale when winning the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse
Michael O’Sullivan aboard Marine Nationale when winning the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse (Brian Lawless/PA)

“I wish it was starting tomorrow really,” said O’Sullivan.

“We’re just hoping now that all horses and jockeys get there in one piece and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s a bit of a nervous week and you just hope yourself and the horses get over there healthy and well”

It takes less than four minutes for bubbles to be burst and reputations ruined in the Supreme, a race which time and again has proven no place for youthful exuberance.

The fledgling riding ability of a young Patrick Mullins when partnering Cousin Vinny and Brian O’Connell aboard Dunguib were both hot topics of conversation in the build up to the Festival opener in the past, but a measure of O’Sullivan’s growing reputation since turning professional is that the ice-cool Cork native is simply expected to deliver on the big stage.

“Of course there will be a few nerves, a few butterflies I guess you can call it, and I suppose there is a lot of pressure that comes with it,” continued O’Sullivan.

“But it’s exciting and I wouldn’t want to be in any other position. If you are riding horses, you want to be riding on the big days and at the Cheltenham Festival. Going out to ride a fancied runner in a Grade One and the Supreme is obviously massive and really exciting and I’m in a very lucky position.”

He went on: “I suppose you have a fair idea what’s going to happen and I’ve definitely ran through it in my head and which way you would like it to go – you’re just hoping you get that bit of luck in running.

“You could go down to the first hurdle and plan A, B and C could be out of the window. But both Marine Nationale and Good Land are straightforward enough rides and I’ll just look to keep things simple on them and hopefully that will be enough on the day.

“You’re just hoping everything goes well and to try to enjoy it as much as you can.”

Backed by owner-trainer Barry Connell, O’Sullivan has proven more than up to the task in both opportunities at Grade One level this term.

He was coolness personified when confidently producing Marine Nationale late to claim his first top-table success in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, while he used Good Land’s turn of foot at the perfect moment to seal the Nathaniel Lacey at the Dublin Racing Festival – further exemplifying his astute race-riding brain aboard the horse he will partner in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday afternoon.

Those horses form the spine of O’Sullivan’s Cheltenham squad and he is adamant he would not change his mounts for anything else in their respective Grade One contests.

He added: “I’m very lucky to have come across two really good horses and I really wouldn’t swap them for anything else in their races.

“Marine is unbeaten and Good Land is probably unlucky not to be unbeaten – other than the unseat (at Fairyhouse on debut), he’s been perfect really. They both haven’t put a foot wrong and we just hope it continues that way.

“They are both Grade One winners and are both in good nick at home. They go there with a real chance, so I just hope we get a bit of luck on the day and they run their race.”

Good Land and Michael O'Sullivan on their way to winning the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle during day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown
Good Land and Michael O’Sullivan on their way to winning the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle during day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Victory for either would also be the dream way to repay the faith of Connell, who took a chance on a fresh-faced amateur after he steered Marine Nationale to victory in a Punchestown bumper last May, promising plenty of support in the professional ranks.

“It would be great and very satisfying (to win for Barry) as he as been very good to me,” continued O’Sullivan.

“He’s put a lot of faith in me and we’ve had a great season, I just hope it continues. Things have gone really well since turning professional.”

Although plans are still to be finalised, O’Sullivan expects to be kept busy throughout his four-day stay at Prestbury Park, where his claim could prove a valuable asset.

He partnered Emmet Mullins’ So Scottish at Ascot earlier in the campaign and will be in line to be utilised once again aboard the Magners Plate favourite, while the powerhouse of Gigginstown House Stud have already locked in O’Sullivan’s services to ride Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge in the Coral Cup.

O’Sullivan will also be reunited with the Terrence O’Brien-trained Magnor Glory – who provided the young Irishman with his breakthrough victory in the professional ranks when winning the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Listowel last September.

He said: “I ride one for Terrence O’Brien in the County Hurdle called Magnor Glory and he was probably my first big winner as a professional. I won on him at Listowel and he won the €100,000 Ladbroke Hurdle down there.”

“Hopefully I will have a couple each day, so it is exciting times.”

Leopardstown return on the cards for Good Land

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Barry Connell will consider a return to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival with Good Land following a thoroughly impressive display in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.

The owner-trainer has already unearthed one Grade One-winning novice hurdler this season in the form of Royal Bond hero Marine Nationale.

But while that exciting youngster is being kept fresh for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Good Land will be given more experience – potentially at Grade One level.

The Wexford bumper winner got no further than the first flight on his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, but bounced back in some style under 5lb claimer Michael O’Sullivan as he pulled eight lengths clear of Tag Man.

“We’ve hit the bar here before and I actually never rode a winner here, so that’s brilliant – everyone wants to have a winner at Leopardstown at Christmas,” said Connell.

“We brought three here, the first two we fancied and they ran well but this guy was the banker of the week. He’s gone in and we’re thrilled.

“He’s all stamina so I knew two and a half miles today, up the hill, would be right up his street.

“He went at the first (in Fairyhouse) and it can happen any novice. He was a little careful, screwed and pitched on landing. He’s a good jumper, you can see there today.

“I don’t know how strong the race was, but he couldn’t have been any more impressive.”

Considering future plans, he added: “I thought coming into today we might be looking at something like the Michael Purcell, which is a Grade Three in Thurles, but I’m going to make an entry for the two-mile-six Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival. On the back of that he’s entitled to an entry.

“This horse is obviously more of a stayer than Marine Nationale, who is very quick. He’d be able to work with the other horse, but he wouldn’t be as quick as him.

“Marine Nationale is on his holidays in Cork. He’s out on grass and will be back in about two weeks.

“We’ll have him back in the middle of January and he’ll go straight to Cheltenham. We’ll get a racecourse gallop into him somewhere.”

Seddon clear of his rivals at Leopardstown
Seddon clear of his rivals at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Seddon continued his resurgence with a runaway success in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

Placed in Graded company over hurdles a few years ago, results have been mixed for the nine-year-old since, but he appears to have found a new lease of life since joining John McConnell.

After placing at Cartmel and Navan on his first two starts for new connections, Seddon won a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in October and was a 7-2 favourite returning the larger obstacles.

With amateur rider Ben Harvey keeping the ride, the Stowaway gelding moved into a clear lead a long way from home, jumped accurately and never really looked like being reeled in – ultimately coming home 13 lengths clear of nearest pursuer Archies Charm.

McConnell said: “It’s all down to the lads in the syndicate that wanted to run because I was getting very watery about the ground. It seemed to make no difference to him.

“He jumped great, Ben was always happy that he was going the right pace and it’s great to have a guy with a brain and a clock in his head. I was never worried he was going too fast because Ben is such a good rider.

“On his handicap mark, compared to his hurdle mark, he was entitled to run very well. When he won in Cheltenham, this was always the plan to come here. We thought we’d get nice ground here and then it started to rain. We got a little bit worried but what a horse.

“Mr handicapper is going to have his say now! He’s going to get into the hurdle race in Cheltenham off the mark he’s on now and probably the chase as well, so we can do what we want and he doesn’t owe us anything now.”

Green Glory (left) jumps the final flight at Leopardstown
Green Glory (left) jumps the final flight at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Charles and Philip Byrnes teamed up to land the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle with the gambled on 7-4 favourite Green Glory.

“It was great to win that, the same connections won it nine years ago with Sea Light,” said the winning trainer.

“He was getting a lot of weight off the second and he gave him a lovely, cool ride. He came there and got a great jump at the last.

“We’ll find something again over that trip.”

Willie Mullins enjoyed a treble on the card, with the Grade Three success of Shewearsitwell followed by Grade One wins for Gaillard Du Mesnil and State Man.

The champion trainer was double-handed in his bid for a 17th winner of the week at Leopardstown and Limerick combined, but his pair of Lecky Watson and and Special Cadeau had to make do with second and third respectively in the concluding bumper behind 16-1 newcomer Fascile Mode, trained by his brother Tom Mullins.

He said: “He did a blinding bit of work a week ago. He was always a nice horse and he ticks all the boxes – he’s a nice horse and he has the pedigree.

“When he did a nice bit of work we said we’d take a chance here. We were going to run Monday but Charlie (Mullins, trainer’s son) was injured so we came here instead.

“Charlie is cool, he’s only 18 but he’s a very good rider.

“He’s obviously a very good horse to do that first time – he beat a heap of winners there. Hopefully the phone will be ringing and hopefully one of those multi-millionaires will come and buy him!”