Grand National winner Noble Yeats has died four years after his heroic Aintree victory. The 11-year-old passed away following a bout of colic.
Noble Yeats was enjoying his retirement at his owner’s stud in Oxfordshire when the condition became apparent on Wednesday. Despite receiving treatment throughout the night, vets concluded he could not be saved and the decision was taken to put him down on Thursday. The horse’s finest hour came in the 2022 Grand National when, as a 50-1 outsider, he stormed to victory for the Waley-Cohen family under trainer Emmet Mullins. Sam Waley-Cohen was in the saddle, proudly carrying the colours of his father, Robert.
Robert Waley-Cohen said: “He looked very uncomfortable on Wednesday so the vet came out and everybody was up all night treating him and hoping he would pull through, but unfortunately he went the other way. It was a grim moment.
“He was living the life of a retired horse in the field with Long Run [Gold Cup winner] and Oscar Time [2011 Grand National runner-up].
“He was enormous fun at the National and afterwards. The memories of the National are unbelievable – you could not have a better day. It’s the dream of a lifetime to win the National, and to win it with your son made it even more special. It was Sam’s last ride too after he announced on the Thursday that he was going to retire after the National.
“He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams,” said former jockey, Sam. “He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses.
“His ability outstripped his looks,” he added. “He looked like a shaggy pony when he came into the paddock, but suddenly in the race he grew into a great champion. He looked like a pauper amongst princes but turned out to be a prince himself.”
Following his remarkable Grand National triumph, Noble Yeats came fourth behind Corach Rambler at the festival before finishing further down the field during I Am Maximus’s inaugural victory. Yet there were notable highlights, including wins in the 2022 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree and the 2024 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Noble Yeats made his final appearance when pulled up in the 2024 Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown, after which he was retired owing to arthritis.
According to reports, the Waley-Cohens plan to plant a tree over Noble Yeats’ ashes as a lasting tribute to the beloved horse at the family’s farm near Banbury.