Grand National Champion Noble Yeats Dies After Colic Battle
The racing world is mourning the loss of Noble Yeats, the celebrated Grand National winner who triumphed at Aintree in 2022 against staggering 50-1 odds. The 11-year-old horse passed away this week after a sudden and severe bout of colic, cutting short his peaceful retirement at a stud farm in Oxfordshire.
A Sudden Health Crisis and Heartbreaking Decision
Noble Yeats, trained by Emmet Mullins and owned by Robert Waley-Cohen, began showing signs of distress on Wednesday. The horse appeared visibly uncomfortable, prompting immediate veterinary attention. Despite round-the-clock treatment efforts throughout the night, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
By Thursday morning, the difficult decision was made to euthanize the beloved champion. "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," Robert Waley-Cohen recounted. "It was a grim moment."
A Retirement Cut Short Among Fellow Champions
Before this tragic turn, Noble Yeats was enjoying what should have been many more years of retirement. He spent his days in pastoral Oxfordshire fields alongside two other racing legends:
- Long Run, the esteemed Gold Cup winner
- Oscar Time, the Grand National runner-up from 2011
"He was living the life of a retired horse in the field with Long Run and Oscar Time," Waley-Cohen reflected, emphasizing the peaceful existence that was abruptly interrupted.
Unforgettable Triumph and Family Legacy
The 2022 Grand National victory represented far more than just another racing achievement. For the Waley-Cohen family, it marked the culmination of lifelong dreams and created memories that will endure forever.
"He was enormous fun at the National and afterwards," Robert Waley-Cohen shared. "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."
That son was amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who piloted Noble Yeats to victory in what became his final competitive ride. Sam had announced his retirement just days before the historic race, making their triumph together particularly poignant.
From Unlikely Contender to Racing Royalty
Sam Waley-Cohen offered his own heartfelt tribute, capturing the extraordinary transformation they witnessed in their champion. "He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams," the jockey said. "He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses."
Perhaps most remarkably, Noble Yeats defied expectations from the very beginning. "His ability outstripped his looks," Sam explained. "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."
Post-Victory Career and Lasting Legacy
Following his Grand National triumph, Noble Yeats continued competing at the highest levels:
- He finished fourth behind Corach Rambler in a subsequent Aintree appearance
- He placed 19th when I Am Maximus claimed victory in 2024
- His final competitive outing came at the 2024 Savills Hurdle in Leopardstown
Arthritis ultimately prompted his retirement from racing, leading to the peaceful Oxfordshire retirement that ended so tragically this week.
A Living Memorial to Remember
The Waley-Cohen family has planned a fitting tribute to honor their champion's memory. They will plant a tree atop Noble Yeats' ashes at their family farm near Banbury, creating a living memorial that will grow alongside the legend of the unassuming horse who became a Grand National prince.
Noble Yeats' story remains one of racing's most inspiring underdog tales—a 50-1 longshot who captured the sport's greatest prize, gave a family their dream moment, and proved that true champions sometimes arrive in unexpected packages.
