Race meeting abandoned after air ambulance called for jockey injured in last fence pile-up

Michael O’Sullivan was wounded erstwhile his equine was 1 of 3 fallers successful an incidental successful which 2 different horses unseated their riders astatine Thurles

The contention gathering astatine Thurles was abandoned connected Thursday aft an aerial ambulance was called to assistance an injured jockey.

Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Michael O’Sullivan came down astatine the past obstruction of a melodramatic 2nd contention astatine the Co Tipperary track.

He was riding the Gerard O’Leary-trained Wee Charlie who had made bully headway to beryllium 1 of a fig of horses inactive successful contention approaching the last obstruction of the 2nd contention connected the card, a 2m handicap chase.

But Wee Charlie was 1 of 3 horses that fell astatine the obstruction successful an incidental successful which 2 others were severely hampered and unseated their jockeys.

The remainder of the gathering was importantly delayed portion O’Sullivan received aesculapian attention.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said connected its X account: “Michael O’Sullivan continues to person aesculapian attraction pursuing a autumn successful contention 2 astatine @thurlesraces. Racing is delayed arsenic we await the accomplishment of the aerial ambulance.”

O’Sullivan changeable to prominence successful 2023 erstwhile winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle astatine Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale, besides tasting Grade One glory with Barry Connell’s complaint astatine Fairyhouse.

However aft 90 minutes nary much racing took spot with the determination taking to wantonness the remainder of the meeting.

The IHRB said: “The aerial ambulance has arrived astatine @thurlesraces and Michael O’Sullivan is being treated by the aesculapian squad connected track.

“Due to the ongoing aesculapian concern the remainder of the gathering has been abandoned.”

RacingTV presenter Anthony Dunkley said: “Thurles has been officially abandoned owed to the aesculapian exigency that Michael O’Sullivan has been undertaking connected the track.

“We person heard the aerial ambulance is determination and they are attending to Michael.

“All we tin bash is transverse our fingers and nonstop our champion thoughts to him and his loved ones successful an horrific concern which has of people caused the remainder of the paper to beryllium abandoned.”