Rachael Blackmore: Unshakeable sadness over racing at the moment

has spoken of the “unshakeable sadness” surrounding racing following the death of fellow jockey Michael O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan, 24, died on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 26.

His funeral took place on Wednesday and tributes have poured in from the racing world for the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider, who famously partnered Marine Nationale to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023.

Blackmore, the only woman to ride the winner of the and also successful in the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup, said the weighing room was now a “different place”.

“There is an unshakeable sadness over racing at the moment. What we think will never happen… happened,” she told Betfair.

“The weigh room I know is different now. Michael will never be forgotten. All our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”