Grand National 2025: ITV pay tribute to jockey after death

ITV have paid tribute to a young Irish jockey who died earlier in the year ahead of the Grand National.

Lombardstown-born Michael O'Sullivan, 24, passed away from injuries he suffered during a fall at Thurles in early February. The previous Cheltenham Festival winner was riding in the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase when he fell off horse Wee Charlie at the final fence. O'Sullivan was air-lifted to Cork University Hospital but passed away 10 days after the fall, on February 16.

ITV played a tribute to the late jockey before the William Hill Handicap Chase where they played an old clip of O'Sullivan remembering his Cheltenham win. The late jockey spoke about how he first got into horse racing at nine-years-old and his father's career as an amateur jockey and his brother, Alan O'Sullivan, going down the same route as him.

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During the clip, O'Sullivan remembered his career-defining win at Cheltenham in 2023. He said: "I was on a cloud nine then after winning the Supreme and just floated around for the rest of the day. To be lead rider after the first day at Cheltenham, I couldn't believe my luck really."

O'Sullivan steered Marine Nationale to victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023. Overall, he rode 90 winners over jumps in Ireland and five in Britain over the course of just over 1000 rides.

You can follow live coverage of the Grand National and all the build up to the main race at 4pm here.