news.sky.com
The winner of today’s Grand National at Aintree, Noble Yeats, is by one of history’s greatest stayers, the four-times Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats.
It was Noble Yeats first race in front of crowds for three years
It was a dream retirement ride for amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, 39, winning on a 50-1 horse owned by his father.
The seven-year-old 50-1 horse won out over two laps and 30 fences at Aintree, leaving favourite Any Second Now (15/2) in second. Delta Work (10-1) was third and Santini (33-1) fourth.
It was a dream retirement ride for amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, 39, riding a horse owned by his father Robert Waley-Cohen and trained by Emmet Mullins – watched by stars and royalty, including the Duchess of Cornwall.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was at the race
Last year’s winner Minella Times ridden by Rachael Blackmore fell early in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Noble Yeats was second-last at the first fence but over four and a quarter miles won out by about three lengths.
It is the first time a seven-year-old horse has won the race since 1940.
Talking to ITV Racing, Waley-Cohen, who works full-time as a dentist, said: “It’s a dream. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve got to say thank you, as it’s my last ever ride, to my dad, for unwavering belief and love.
“Over 23 years and never a cross word, never been anything but a dream. It’s been a love affair. To my wife, long-suffering, they aren’t all good days, there are bad days in this sport.”
Robert Waley-Cohen, the horse’s owner and father of the jockey, said: “It’s a dream come true. I can’t speak, I shouted too much!
“You can’t go round without the horse but the horse can’t get round without the jockey. Sam used to ride the National on his rocking horse, that’s how far back it goes!”
It was the first Grand National runner for trainer Mullins, who said: “There was a long-term plan and it seems to have come off.
“A month ago we were probably more confident but the more it went on, other people’s chances were being talked up and we went a bit cold. But we knew the form was there,” Mr Mullins added.
Picture: Noble Yeats ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen (right) won the 2022 Grand National (news.sky.com)
