There are certain things in life that, although predominantly something positive, can stir emotions which morph into into profound sadness.
Like, come harvest time, there’s always a deep tinge of sadness that some of the fields where work went on when I was a kid but had no powered wheelchair are now polluted with housing developments that are scarcely even needed.
Entire ways of life are being destroyed and the minority who remember things the way they used to be may as well be trying to dispose of bodily fluid into a gale force wind.
But then, there are scenarios that, while similar, make the above pale into triviality. By the time you are reading this, there will most likely be less than 24 hours remaining until the commencement of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival gets under way.
The Olympics of National Hunt (jumps) racing, which has the unique characteristic of allowing the ‘ordinary operator’ mix it with the great and the good of high society.
How else to explain a scenario whereby somebody like John P. McManus can have winners on the same stage as somebody like Tom Foley with Danoli or William O’Sullivan aboard Lovely Citizen.
Yes, the latter was very deliberately mentioned, for, when the white flag falls at the foot of Cleve Hill at circa 1:20 on Tuesday, it will signal the start of the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice Hurdle.
William and Bernie’s 24-year-old son, Alan’s brother, Charlotte’s partner, who, only weeks ago, lost the bravest of battles against catastrophic injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 6th.
Racing still mournes. All of sport mournes. People with no connection to or interest in sport still mourn. Yet, underneath it all, racing is an insular, close knit community.
As one former jockey put it to me in the wake of Michael’s death “We’re rivals for a few minutes, but a clan for life”. While former champion jockey and fellow Corkman Paul Townend simply posted ” Fly high Mikie, you’ll always be one of us” on social media.
Indeed he will. However, though following may come across as cold, it is absolutely not meant as such. The wheels of life keep turning but the shadow of sadness remains.
Somebody else will have their Michael O’Sullivan moment. Charging up the Cheltenham hill in front. Disbelief and euphoria mixing in a confusing knot. The walk back in, the roar of the crowd. Though for as long as hooves strike sod Mikie will indeed be with them.
Just as there was a fallen former comrade very much poignantly present in Dundalk on Friday evening last. If only one managed to take one’s own advice!
Having spotted Mr P. J. Smullen (10) down to ride Grappa Nonino for Dermot Weld in the apprentice handicap at the Co Louth venue, it will be openly admitted that pure sentiment made me put the Rosewell House representative up as my each-way selection for the race, but, not for the first time, never thought of having the same bloody bet for myself!
Thus, you can imagine the smile through gritted teeth as the 17-year-old from Rhode, Co Offaly made stealthy progress through the field to score at a maddeningly generous 20/1. Though what I didn’t was the added poignance of the occurrence, with the original PJS having ridden both his first and last winners around the border town track 30 years apart.
Nor was I aware, indeed, of the amazing statistic unearthed by the legendary Pat Healy on Sunday evening. By providing young Paddy with his first winner, DKW has now provided 11 father/mother/son combinations with winners. They are:
Parnell – Buster & David
Swinburn- Wally & Walter
Smith – JV DV & Wayne
Carberry- Tommy, Paul & Nina
Berry- Frank & Fran
Madden – Boots & Slippers
Kinane – Tommy & Mick
Walsh – Ted & Ruby
Maguire – Adrian & Finny
Powell – Anthony & Jamie
Smullen – Pat, Frances & Paddy
The only one I was surprised wasn’t there was Katie Walsh (O’Sullivan), but you can be sure new heroes will write their own chapters of history around the big field in Gloucester during the best sporting week of the year. All while the shadow of the fallen hero looms large in heart and mind. Lord rest you MJM, you’ll always be part of it.
Leave a Reply