Review into death of Michael O'Sullivan reveals no fault found but recommends new watering system at Thurles

A critical incident review into the death of Michael O'Sullivan has found there was no fault attached to the tragic event at Thurles, but one of the recommendations was for the track to prioritise the installation of a watering system. 

The review was carried out by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and was based on video analysis, eyewitness reports and post-incident inspections. 

O'Sullivan lost his life after falling from Wee Charlie at the final fence of the 2m handicap chase on February 6, but the review found there was no evidence of human error, equipment failure or environmental factors as the primary cause. 

The review recommended that the track's configuration and condition should be reviewed to ensure optimal safety, thus making a new watering system a matter of priority. 

Other recommendations included more safety training, including scenario-based drills for multi-horse incidents, and enhanced medical training in severe head injury management and co-ordination with emergency air services.  

It was also suggested that standardised sedation safety procedures should be implemented, with mandatory post-mortem examinations conducted after racing-related equine fatalities, as well as an exploration into the use of technology to assess horse suitability to race.

In conclusion, the review stated: "The IHRB extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Michael O’Sullivan and acknowledges the professionalism of all emergency personnel involved. This tragic incident highlights the inherent risks of horseracing, despite exemplary response efforts and compliance with safety standards. It also underscores the need to learn from such events and the importance of continuous safety improvements. 

"The IHRB remains committed to enhancing racecourse safety, ensuring the wellbeing of all participants while preserving the integrity of the sport, and will be acting on the recommendations arising from this review."

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