Nolan Calls Time On Prince Trainer Stephen Nolan has retired his stable star Prince Rudi. The 13-Y-O half-brother to Bradbury Star won five races and was placed a further eight times for owners John Prunty and Sandra Nolan (sister of Stephen). Nolan bought the gelding after he had finished last of three finishers in a Ballingarry Point-to-Point in June 2008. Few would have seen any potential in Prince Rudi at that stage as his previous efforts between the flags had resulted in form figures of RFFF. Nolan picks up the story: "The vet at Ballingarry spent twenty minutes giving him oxygen after he had finished third that day. He was very weak but had a super pedigree and I thought it was worth taking a chance on him and giving him some time to strengthen up. "He won his Maiden Hurdle for us five months later on his second start at Punchestown when beating a good horse of JP's Head Of The Posse. "Prince Rudi always gave 110% in his races though he was a much better hurdler than chaser. The early falls in his Point-to-Point days knocked his confidence over fences. He would school fine at home but when he got to the track he tended to mind himself a bit in chases. "He was brilliant over his hurdles and often gained a couple of lengths in jumping. "For a small yard like ours he is a big loss, but he isn't going too far away. He will spend the rest of his days in one of our paddocks with the ponies. "I turned him out yesterday and he was bucking and lepping. He still acts like a 4-Y-O but while the mind is willing the body isn't able for it anymore and we would never live with ourselves if something were to happen to him in a race.
