Noble Yeats, who won the 2022 Randox Grand National with top amateur Sam Waley-Cohen on the jockey’s final ride, has died in retirement aged 11.
The son of Yeats showed signs of colic on Wednesday (15 April) night and despite vets’ best efforts, he could not be saved.
“He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams,” said Sam, in a BBC report on the horse’s passing. “He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses.”
In a recent feature with Racing TV, Noble Yeats could be seen enjoying his retirement in a big field with fellow legends Long Run, who Sam rode to 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup glory, and 2011 Grand National runner-up Oscar Time.
“It was overwhelming, I put my head down on his withers just for a moment and said, ‘Thank you’,” Sam told Racing TV, reflecting on that day at Aintree four years ago.
“It was an amazing day. You go with such low expectations… and to come out on such an amazing high was unbelievable.”
Noble Yeats, who was owned by Sam’s father Robert and was trained by Emmett Mullins, finished fourth in the race the following year with Sean Bowen in the saddle.
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His other major wins included victory in the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase the same year he won the Grand National, and the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2024. He also finished fourth in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Noble Yeats retired from racing in 2024 after winning seven of his 24 starts under Rules and more than £760,000 prize money.
2J3PE7R Noble Yeats ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen (right) jump The Chair fence on their way to winning the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase during Grand National Day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival 2022 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday April 9, 2022.
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
