Horse Racing Ireland Adjusts Race Schedule for O’Sullivan

After the death of Michael O’Sullivan, Horse Racing Ireland has made changes to an immediate series of racing fixtures, the alterations will affect the meetings at Punchestown and Thurles, for which alternate dates have been announced, thus facilitating the revised program.

Horse Racing Ireland has confirmed that the event initially slated for Sunday, February 16, at Punchestown was postponed and will now be held on Thursday, February 20. Accordingly, with some adjustments to the racing calendar, this now results in a two-day affair at Punchestown on February 20-21, so that all the important races can be run.

Horse Racing Ireland has announced that the QuinnBet National Trial Handicap Steeplechase, originally scheduled for Sunday 16 February, will now be transferred to 20 February instead. As a result, this event will revert to entries at the weights stage and will require fresh declarations for all races. As per the recent amendments of the Horse Racing Ireland, the trainers require confirmation by Tuesday 18th of February, 10 am.

The BetVictor Quevega Mares Hurdle horse racing scheduled for Wednesday, 19th February has now been postponed to Thursday, 20th February under the eight-race card. Part of the changes made to the horse racing schedule was when it canceled the Thurles meeting that was slated for Thursday, 20th February. So far, no other date has been given.

What makes Michael O’Sullivan’s loss especially poignant for the Horse Racing Ireland community is the reverence for the jock’s skillset on the racetrack and his contribution to the entire sport. Shifting the horse racing calendar provides an opportunity for the industry to pay its respects while still keeping the horse in the dead race.

Horse Racing Ireland has extended condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this hard time. Many in the racing world have shared tributes reflecting on his achievements and the lasting impact he made.

The adjustments require trainers and owners to make quick decisions about race entries. With the two-day Punchestown meeting now set for Thursday and Friday, the revised entry deadlines are important for planning.

All trainers with horses entered for Sunday, February 16, must submit fresh declarations by Tuesday, February 18. However, the entries for the original Wednesday, February 19, meeting will stand, which means that trainers will have to declare their runners on Wednesday morning.

These changes allow for a structured transition to the new dates while maintaining fairness in the selection process.

The Punchestown two-day event will now serve as the primary focus for the week, featuring several key races. With the addition of the BetVictor Quevega Mares Hurdle (Grade 3) to

Thursday’s card and the inclusion of the QuinnBet National Trial Handicap Steeplechase, there will be plenty of competition.

While some may be disappointed by the cancellation of the Thurles meeting, the adjustments provide a well-balanced program for those following the sport.

Horse Racing Ireland’s response to this situation reflects the respect the racing community has for Michael O’Sullivan. The horse racing schedule changes acknowledge the significance of his passing while allowing events to continue in a meaningful way. The upcoming Punchestown races will bring jockeys, trainers, and fans together to support the sport and honor a respected competitor.