The racing world is mourning the loss of Noble Yeats, the 2022 Grand National champion who has died at just 11 years old following complications from colic.
Owned by Robert Waley-Cohen and ridden to victory by his son Sam Waley-Cohen in what became the amateur jockey's final career ride, Noble Yeats captured the iconic race as a 50-1 outsider in one of the sport's most memorable upsets.
"He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams," said Sam Waley-Cohen, reflecting on the horse's historic win. "He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses."
Robert Waley-Cohen described the heartbreaking final moments: "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."
The owner revealed that Noble Yeats had been enjoying retirement alongside other racing legends, sharing a field with 2011 Gold Cup winner Long Run and 2011 Grand National runner-up Oscar Time.
Noble Yeats's victory in the 2022 Grand National remains one of the sport's most celebrated underdog stories, cementing his place in racing history before his untimely passing.