GRAND NATIONAL winning horse Noble Yeats has died just four years after its Aintree heroics.
The retired Irish Thoroughbred was put down on Thursday after battling a health issue this week.
The 11-year-old was suffering from colic and could not be saved despite treatment.
The 2022 50-1 underdog claimed glory for jockey Sam Waley-Cohen – an amateur and dentist at the time.
Trained by Emmet Mullins, the horse retired last year with over £750,000 worth of prize money under its name.
Sam Waley-Cohen’s dad, Robert, the breeder, released a statement after Noble Yeats passed away.
He said: “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 [Grand National runner-up in 2011].
“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.
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“It was Sam’s last ride too after he announced on the Thursday that he was going to retire after the National.”
And Sam himself added: “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.”
Sam was the first amateur rider to win the National in 32 years.
Noble Yeats’ last race was in 2024 at Leopardstown.
Mullins said after that: “He just doesn’t seem to be himself and we’re just going to press reset and we’ll have a discussion later about what we do with him.
“I would say he’s just a bit apprehensive – he refused to go into the parade ring at Leopardstown.
“He wasn’t enjoying his job.
“He’s gone on a break and I’m not sure what the future holds for him to be honest.
“We’ve had some great days. Gold Cups, Grand Nationals, Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. He’s brought us plenty of big races.
“He never let us down but as people say, you have to listen to the horse.
“And he fairly told us at Leopardstown this isn’t what he wanted to do.”v
Noble Yeats became the youngest Grand National winner since 1940 and goes out a firm fan favourite.
Grand National winners since 2000
TIGER ROLL is one of the most popular Grand National winners of all time.
He is the last horse to win back-to-back races.
He triumphed in 2018 and 2019.
Here’s the winners list from the 21st Century:
