Michael O’Sullivan’s girlfriend Charlotte Giles reflects on poignant double

The late Michael O’Sullivan’s presence was felt at Cheltenham on Wednesday afternoon when both of his former winning Festival rides prevailed again, with his girlfriend and family looking on.

The young rider, who was approaching his 25th birthday, died from injuries incurred from a fall at Thurles in February, a loss that stunned the racing industry both in Britain and his native Ireland.

The finest moment of his career came aboard Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, with this year’s renewal of the same race named in his honour.

On that same afternoon, he landed the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Jazzy Matty, thus becoming the leading rider after day one of the meeting that year.

It was therefore incredibly poignant when Marine Nationale was victorious in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, a win that was then followed by Jazzy Matty’s success in the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase for Cian Collins.

Charlotte Giles, who was O’Sullivan’s girlfriend, was on course to see both successes and was in the paddock to welcome back Marine Nationale after his emotional triumph, before being embraced by the Queen when the trophy presentation for the race was made.

“Michael loved the horse very much, they started their careers together and went on a journey together,” she said.

“The horse has certainly put his heart and soul into today and it means a lot.

“At the last jump, I kind of got a bit of a fright, but Michael was certainly with him every step of the way and it was incredible to watch it.

“I think the horse has shown what a connection he had with Michael, they understood each other and Michael always rated the horse so highly.

“In moments like this, we get a great sense that he is here with us. I think it’s moments like this that show he is here with us and he’ll always be there.”