Michael O’Sullivan was one of three novice riders to ride their first winner at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday. The 17-year-old Cork native partnered A Decent Excuse to a three length victory over Samanntom and Jamie Codd in the Open Lightweight contest for his uncle, Eugene O’Sullivan.
In our new feature on p2p.ie we will be getting to know some of the next generation of point-to-point riders that are emerging on the scene.
Name: Michael O Sullivan
Age: 17
Town: Mallow
How did you become involved in racing?
My Father William was quite a successful amateur in his day and my uncle Eugene trains so I was always around horses. My late grandfather Eoin introduced horses to the family when he was younger and bred horses ever since.
Also my first cousins Eoin and Maxine ride and my aunt Marie McCartan and her husband Paul own the very successful Ballyphilip Stud. Therefore horses were always going to be a big part of my life.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
“Keep the horse between you and the ground”
What's your favourite course?
Killarney
What's your favourite sport outside racing?
Gaelic Football
Thistlecrack or Sizing John?
Thistlecrack
Give us a horse to watch out for?
Eugene has many nice three-year-olds at home who we are really looking forward to. Unfortunately they don’t have names yet but keep an eye out come January.
What was the best day of your racing life?
Undoubtedly my first winner aboard A Decent Excuse in Castletown-Geoghegan.
Who's your favourite horse?
Futuramic, an open horse for this season who I am really looking forward to.
What’s your favourite restaurant or pub?
Horse and Jockey
And your favourite meal?
Steak, pepper sauce, chips and onion rings.
What improvements would you make to point to pointing?
Increase the weights, luckily it’s not an issue for me but many lads are struggling.
What is the strangest/funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
Definitely, my cousin Maxine running into a bale at Ballingarry last season. Obviously I was concerned for horse and rider, but when both were ok I couldn't help but laugh.
If you could ride one horse this season?
Harrys Angel
Who is the last person you want to be upsides going to the last?
Derek O’Connor or Jamie Codd
To read about some of our other featured riders this season click on the link below.
http://www.p2p.ie/content.php?key=Next Gen Profiles
Our new feature #NextGen profiles the new jockeys on the P2P scene.
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) October 10, 2017
First up - @Michael_OSull
Check it out -> https://t.co/RyG57mwi30 pic.twitter.com/sUllTs4H8Q
