Grand National winner Noble Yeats dies in ‘grim second’ as proprietor pays tribute
Noble Yeats, the 2022 Grand National winner, died on Thursday aged 11 after suffering from colic at his retirement home in Oxfordshire as his owner paid tribute
Noble Yeats celebrates with owner Robert Waley-Cohen (L) winning the Grand National in 2022(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
Grand National champion Noble Yeats has tragically passed away four years after his legendary Aintree victory. The 11-year-old succumbed to colic.
Noble Yeats was enjoying his retirement at his owner’s stud in Oxfordshire when the health issue emerged on Wednesday (April 15).
Despite being treated throughout the night, it was determined he could not be saved and was sadly euthanised on Thursday (April 16). The Waley-Cohen family and trainer Emmet Mullins are among those mourning his loss, reports the Mirror.
Robert Waley-Cohen shared: “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.”
Noble Yeats beat the odds in his Grand National triumph as a 50-1 underdog at the famous event at Aintree.
He won for the Waley-Cohen family after being trained by Emmet Mullins. Robert’s son Sam Waley-Cohen was the jockey riding Noble Yeats on the triumphant day.
Jockey Sam said: “”He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams. He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses.”
“His ability outstripped his looks. 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.”
