Noble Yeats was crowned the winner of this year’s Grand National
Noble Yeats was the winner of this year’s Grand National in a fairy tale win for Sam Waley-Cohen as he marked the end of his racing career with a huge win.
Waley-Cohen was able to beat the race favourite Any Second Now and was priced at odds of 50-1 ahead of one of horse racing’s biggest meets of the year.
There was plenty of shocks at Aintree including the 2021 winner Minella Times, ridden by Rachel Blackmore, who fell early on into the race.
The win also put Waley-Cohen in racing folklore as he became the first jockey to win the Grand National seven times in his career.
😁 The moment @swaleycohen has dreamed about since he was a little boy#ITVRacing | #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/RbT5Ewimam
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 9, 2022
‘It’s a fairytale, it’s a fantasy’
After guiding his horse to victory, an emotional Sam Waley-Cohen admitted he was finding it difficult to express his emotions after bowed out on a glittering career.
“I cant say anything. It is a dream. I can’t believe it,” he told ITV.
“I’ve got to say thank you to dad (Robert Waley-Cohen) for your unwavering belief and love over 23 years.
“It’s a fairytale, it’s a fantasy and I’m just full of love and happiness and gratefulness.”
Sam also paid tribute to his late brother Tom, who died in his 20s after suffering from cancer.
“I do think Thomas is sitting on my back, I ride with his name on my saddle.
“These days are family days and honestly, you couldn’t make it up, could you?!”
"It's a dream…It's been a love affair"@swaleycohen has a fairytale ending to his career!
You just couldn't make it up #ITVRacing | #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/MKoZB78Vty
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 9, 2022
‘It’s a dream come true’
Meanwhile Sam’s dad, and owner of Noble Yeats Robert, also expressed his joy at seeing his son end his career in perfect fashion.
“It’s a dream come true. Just fabulous,” he said.
“It’s a team and thank God it has really worked. He has so much dedication and puts in so much hard work.”
"It's just fabulous"
Robert Waley-Cohen is one incredibly proud father holding back the tears
What a sport this is#ITVRacing | #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/t9fBkBJa1O
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 9, 2022
Related links:
- Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins dies aged 24
- David De Gea gives scathing assessment of Man Utd loss at Everton
- English media ‘banned’ from Ajax press conference amid Ten Hag Man United rumours
