Latest news with #MarineNationale
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan's cause of death confirmed as inquest hears rider died from ‘traumatic brain injury'
CHELTENHAM Festival-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan died from a 'severe, traumatic brain injury' due to a horse riding accident, his inquest has heard. Cork Coroner's Court heard brief evidence this morning from Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster as to the cause of the death of the 24-year-old on February 16. 4 4 Dr Bolster carried out a post-mortem on the rider at Cork city mortuary the day after his tragic death, following a fatal fall at Thurles racecourse on February 6. Mr O'Sullivan, from Currabower, Lombardstown, Co Cork died at Cork University Hospital after what his family previously described as a 'trojan battle' to recover from his injuries. The jockey was airlifted to hospital following the serious last fence fall in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he passed away ten days later. Sergeant Aisling Murphy requested an adjournment of the inquest into the death of the champion jockey to facilitate 'preparatory work'. Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said the inquest was being opened for the purpose of hearing medical evidence on the cause of death so that a death certificate could be issued to the family of the deceased. Inspector Justin Walsh, from the Health and Safety Authority, confirmed that their investigation in to the death is yet to be completed. Solicitor Denis Linehan, who represents the O'Sullivan family, was also in attendance at the inquest. A full hearing of the case will take place at a later date. Michael is survived by his parents William and Bernie, his brother Alan, his partner Charlotte and his grandmother Mary. Michael shot to public attention in 2023 when he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale before going on to win the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty. In an incredible twist of fate, both horses also won at the Festival this year, just under a month after he was laid to rest. Huge crowds attended his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in Glantane, Co Cork on February 19. LIFELONG DREAM His father William told mourners that Michael would want his loved ones to find joy in life in spite of his passing. He said that he had his heart set on being a jockey from an early age. Meanwhile, Michael's brother Alan and his cousins, David O'Sullivan and Sonny McCartan, recently took part in the Cork City Marathon to raise funds for Bru Columbanus, a charity that offers free accommodation to families of seriously ill patients in hospitals throughout the county. They decided to raise funds for the site in Wilton in Cork as it was a 'safe haven' for the O'Sullivan family when Michael was in intensive care. Over €94,000 has been raised for the charity so far. Donations can still be made online at 4 4
Irish Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Inquest confirms cause of death of Cheltenham-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan
Cheltenham festival-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan died of a severe traumatic brain injury, complicated by brain swelling with cerebral infarction, due to a horse riding accident, his inquest has heard. Cork Coroner's Court heard brief evidence on Thursday morning from Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, as to the cause of the death of the 24-year-old on February 16. Dr Bolster carried out a post-mortem on Mr O'Sullivan at Cork City Mortuary a day after his death. Mr O'Sullivan, of Currabower, Lombardstown, Co Cork, died at Cork University Hospital after what his family previously described as a 'trojan battle' to recover from his injuries. Michael was airlifted to hospital on February 6 following a serious last-fence fall in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he passed away ten days later. Sergeant Aisling Murphy requested an adjournment of the inquest in to the death of the champion jockey to facilitate 'preparatory work'. Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said the inquest was being opened for the purpose of hearing medical evidence on the cause of death so that a death certificate could be issued to the family of the deceased. Inspector Justin Walsh from the Health and Safety Authority was present at the hearing. He confirmed that their investigation into the death is yet to be completed. Solicitor Denis Linehan, who represents the O'Sullivan family, was also in attendance at the inquest. He will be on the record for the family going forward. A full hearing of the case will take place at a later date. Michael will be missed by his parents William and Bernie, his brother Alan, his partner Charlotte, his grandmother Mary, uncles and aunts, his weigh-room colleagues and the wider racing community and extended family and friends. Michael shot to public attention two years ago when he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale before going on to win the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty. Huge crowds attended his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in Glantane, Co Cork on February 19. His father William told mourners that Michael would want his loved ones to find joy in life in spite of his passing. He said that Michael had his heart set on being a jockey from an early age. He noted that even though Michael had managed to receive an honours degree in Agricultural Science, they had it on 'good authority' that he read the Racing Post during lectures in UCD. Meanwhile, Michael's brother Alan and his cousins David O'Sullivan and Sonny McCartan recently took part in the Cork City Marathon to raise funds for Brú Columbanus, a charity that offers free accommodation to families of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals. They decided to raise funds for the site in Wilton in Cork as it was a 'safe haven' for the O'Sullivan family when Michael was in intensive care. Over €94,000 has been raised for the charity arising out of the fundraising appeal. Donations can still be made online at
BBC News
06-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Joint UK and French military exercise on D-Day training beach
An amphibious warfare exercise involving UK and French troops is taking place on a Devon beach that was used to train soldiers for D-Day. Exercise Catamaran is a two-week training operation spilt between North Devon and the Bay of Biscay, involving 11 warships, aircraft and about 3,000 from the two nations are being launched ashore on Devon's Braunton Burrows beach, which was used to train soldiers for the D-Day landings on 6 June Royal Navy's Maj Gen Rich Cantrill said the "highly complex" amphibious operations require regular practice and the joint exercise is "echoing our history" from World War Two. The Royal Navy and Marine Nationale task group is operating under the control of the joint French and British Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, along with Spanish troops. Seaborne and helicopter commando raids are taking place on the beaches in North Devon before moving to the Bay of Biscay on Saturday. The Royal Navy said the purpose of the exercise was to test the ability of allied nations to operate effectively together in a wartime Gen Cantrill said the Royal Navy was delighted to participate in the French-led exercise and host its initial phase off the Devon coast."Amphibious operations are highly complex and so require regular practice," he said."We must stand united as allies, echoing our history from WWII and maintaining our ability to project power from sea to added: "As warfare evolves, as we've seen with Ukraine, we have to adapt, and the Royal Navy is significantly transforming its Commando Force and the way it delivers operations in the littoral." The D-Day landings involved the simultaneous landing of tens of thousands of troops on five separate beaches in Royal Navy said the exercises taking place on the anniversary of D-Day reflected the "continued relevance" of these operations 81 years since the largest amphibious landing in history. French commander of naval operations, Vice Adm Emmanuel Slaars, said the amphibious operations were "demanding". "You have to deal with the sea state and the weather, he said. "We know when we look back to history that is was an essential parameter of the decision to launch D-Day."The second phase of the exercise from Saturday until 15 June will will see training carried out in the Bay of Biscay. Royal Marines will operate from French Navy ships and air assaults will be launched from Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset onto the French coastline.
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Punchestown Festival: Ex-Garda scoops Best Dressed award thanks to help from ‘little sidekick' daughter
GENEVIEVE Ryan scooped the Best Dressed award for day one of the Punchestown Festival thanks to help from her "little sidekick" daughter Lily-Mae. The former Garda wowed judges with a black and white polka dot number. 4 Genevieve Ryan's black top was beautifully contrasted by the sunny weather Credit: Sportsfile 4 Alongside another racegoer in Lisa Walsh from Meath Credit: Sportsfile 4 Marine Nationale stormed to victory in the day's big race 4 It was a slight upset for jockey Sean Flanagan and trainer Barry Connell as Willie Mullins' star Fact to File had been expected to win Speaking to Furthermore, daughter Lily-Mae showcased some outside the box thinking by cutely suggesting that her mam top it all off by accessorising with her teddy bear. Genevieve recalled how her little girl noticed the teddy fit the colour scheme perfectly, saying: "I had the skirt and hat, but I was looking for a polka dot fabric. "So I bought one myself, which I had originally planned on using, and then my three-year-old girl said, 'No, Mommy, this is the same, use this!'" Read More On Irish Sport "I'm thrilled that she has a part to play in it because she's my little sidekick and we do everything together." Lily-Mae may well have earned herself a day out at the races later in the week with her fashionable insights beyond her years. A beaming Genevieve added: "I think I'm going to bring her on Friday just to see me up here with the teddy bear's ribbon." There will be a further three racegoers picked out as the Best Dressed across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before one of them is crowned the overall winner. Most read in Horse Racing As for the eye-catching action on the track throughout day one of the five-day meet? Well, there was a slight upset in the day's feature race as Marine Nationale took the Champion Chase while favourite Fact to File could only manage fourth. Watch the terrifying moment Molly-Mae Hague is thrown from her horse in 'traumatising' accident Winning trainer Barry Connell joked afterwards that people will think "I'm nuts" after magical Marine Nationale turned on the style. The Co Kildare trainer hailed the eight-year-old as a 'horse of a lifetime' after he easily completed a Festival Champion Chase double. Marine Nationale The showdown with Fact To File was a non-event. The winner of the Ryanair was beaten three out, eventually trailing home in last place. Sean Flanagan and Marine Nationale were always going best and skipped clear after the last to beat Captain Guinness by seven lengths. Connell said: 'There is no doubt he's the best two-mile chaser around — and I reckon he will go down as one of the greats." He then revealed: "I spend a lot of time alone with this horse in his box. "There is an aura about him. He gives off this energy. You may think I'm nuts but that's what I do and that's what I feel."
The 42
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Marine Nationale completes Champion Chase double with Punchestown win
MARINE NATIONALE BACKED up his Cheltenham win with an impressive victory in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. Fresh from a wide-margin success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Festival, Barry Connell's stable star was the 2-1 second-favourite to come out on top in a fascinating clash with the brilliant Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File (11-10). While the latter looked to be struggling to keep up with the strong pace being set by Solness from an early stage back over an extended two miles, Marine Nationale travelled strongly throughout under Sean Flanagan, although the race did look in the balance until El Fabiolo suffered his third fall in his last four starts two fences from home. Marine Nationale was in full command from that point and quickened up smartly from the final obstacle to pull seven lengths clear of Captain Guinness, with Solness third and Fact To File a bitterly disappointing last of four finishers. Advertisement Marine Nationale ridden by Sean Flanagan on their way to winning. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Barry Connell reacts after his horse Marine Nationale wins. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Champ Kiely upset his better fancied stablemate Ballyburn to claim top honours in a dramatic renewal of the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. Willie Mullins saddled five of the eight runners that went to post for the Grade One contest, but first his Cheltenham Festival hero Lecky Watson fell at the fifth obstacle and brought down stablemate Impaire Et Passe before a third Closutton runner, Ile Atlantique, came to grief a few fences later. Danny Mullins wins The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Steeplechase on Champ Kiely. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO Ballyburn, an 11-8 favourite to bounce back from Cheltenham disappointment, moved to the front on the second circuit – but 22-1 shot Champ Kiely and Danny Mullins sat in his slipstream before the home turn and had more to give in the straight, with six and a half lengths separating the pair at the line. Mullins said: 'Champ Kiely didn't enjoy Fairyhouse (finished third nine days ago) but today he was a different horse, and Danny rode him with huge confidence to follow Paul. 'He did everything right for Danny today. With all the hard luck we had in the race between fallers and a horse being brought down, it was great to see Danny getting into the picture at the third-last and I said this fella has a chance if Ballyburn doesn't stay in front.' Danny Mullins celebrates winning The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Steeplechase. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO Of Ballyburn, he added: 'He probably just didn't jump well enough on the day and I would say there'll be a lot of thought put into going back hurdling next season. 'We know he jumps hurdles fantastically and there might be a gap in the staying hurdling division for him.'
