Gigginstown House Stud have announced that following discussions with trainer Mouse Morris, and jockey Bryan Cooper, they have decided to retire 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National winner Rule The World, who will return home to Gigginstown later this week for a long and well-earned retirement.

Rule The World (by Sulamani ex Elaine Tully) ran 11 times over hurdles winning five times, including the Grade 2 Slaney Hurdle in Naas, and then finished 2nd in the Grade 1 Neptune Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2013, beaten by just four lengths by The New One. Later in 2013 he suffered the first of two serious pelvic injuries which kept him off the track for almost two years.

He ran 15 times over fences, finishing second on seven separate occasions including the Irish Grand National in Fairyhouse in April 2015. His only win over fences came on 9th April last when, ridden by David Muillins, he won the Crabbie’s Grand National by six lengths from The Last Samuri. His career earnings were almost €1m.

Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown House said:

“At nine years of age, and now the Grand National winner, we feel Rule The World has nothing left to achieve. Having suffered two pelvic injuries over the last four years, our first concern must be for the well-being of the horse, and we feel it would be unfair to run him next season as a 10-year-old, asking him to carry heavier weights. Mouse, Bryan, and I feel the right thing to do is to retire him now, having just won the Crabbie’s Grand National, and giving us all one of the best days of our lives. He will enjoy a well-deserved retirement in the paddocks in Gigginstown where he will join War Of Attrition, Last Instalment, and some of our other distinguished retirees.”

Trainer Mouse Morris said: “I believe that retiring Rule The World is the right thing to do for the horse, who has been an outstanding servant for myself and all the team at Everards Grange. He is a half-brother to Venalmar, and Elysian Rock, both of whom were multiple winners for me, so I know the family well. I believe he would have gone all the way to the top as a possible Gold Cup horse if he hadn’t suffered repeated pelvic injuries, and his bravery and courage in returning from these injuries to finish second in an Irish Grand National, and then win the Crabbie’s Grand National, shows what a talented, brave, and courageous horse he is.

I hope he will enjoy a long, and well-earned retirement with War Of Attrition and other champions at Gigginstown House.”

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Rule The World, the 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National winner, and Rogue Angel the 2016 Boylesports Irish Grand National champion will parade in Kilbeggan Races on Friday evening May 13th next, before returning to Gigginstown House for their well-earned summer break.