JERRY Nolan, who died suddenly last week aged 72, was a great supporter of Irish racing.

He was a prominent owner for almost half a century and enjoyed plenty of success in both the point-to-point fields and on the racecourse.

He first dipped his toe into horse ownership with the late Frank Ennis in 1979 and, over the years, had horses in training with Denis McCarthy, Johnny Crowley, Danny O’Connell, Michael Grassick Snr, Pat Verling, Liam Burke and Harry Rogers.

His best horse was undoubtedly the Liam Burke-trained Thyne Again who finished fourth behind Tidal Bay in the Arkle Trophy Chase at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival.

Thyne Again won a total of seven races including a runaway 15-length success in the Grade 1 Baileys Irish Arkle Challenge Cup at Leopardstown and a seven-length victory in the Grade 2 Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase at Naas.

Jerry had a long and successful relationship with Liam Burke who first rode for him back in 1981 and ended up training the bulk of Jerry’s horses in later years, including several homebreds such as three-time winner Rebel Early.

Thyne Again and Rebel Early raced in the blue and green silks of the Simply The Best Syndicate but more recently Jerry had great success in his own red and white halved colours, carried by Benkei and Lord Erskine, both trained by Harry Rogers.

Benkei was purchased in 2014 on the recommendation of long-time friend Pat Smullen and went on to win six races including three times when ridden by the late champion jockey. Pat Smullen also partnered Lord Erskine to two victories, but it was Conor Hoban who was in the saddle when the son of Fast Company landed the 2017 Irish Cesarewitch by two and a half lengths from Snow Falcon when the race took place at Navan.

Jerry, who never married, built up a successful butchering business in the Fairhill area of his native Cork city and loved nothing more than watching his horses race.

He was a regular on the southern circuit but he had a real soft spot for Galway and would take his annual holidays for the Festival week each year.

Jerry was a very loyal and generous owner to many within the racing community and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

V.F.