Noble Yeats, the former Grand National winner, has died after a bout of colic aged 11.
The horse created history in 2022 by pulling off one of the greatest upsets in Grand National history to clinch victory as a 50-1 outsider.
Noble Yeats was connected with amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, with that famous ride around Aintree the last of his career.
“He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams,” said Waley-Cohen, who added that “his ability outstripped his looks,” having “grown into a great champion.”
Noble Yeats, without Waley-Cohen now, made two further appearances at the National, finishing fourth behind Corach Rambler in 2023 and then out of contention behind I Am Maximus in 2024.
“He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses,” Waley-Cohen said, with the horse winning seven of his 24 races and earning more than £750,000 in prize-money.
Noble Yeats, trained by Emmet Mullins, also won the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2024 under Harry Cobden, and made his last appearance in 2024 in the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown, pulling up before the decision was made to retire due to arthritis.
Owner Robert Waley-Cohen, who had purchased Noble Yeats just two months before victory in the greatest race of them all, described the “grim moment” after Noble Yeats’ health took a turn for the worse.
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.
“He was living the life of a retired horse in the field with [2011 Gold Cup winner] Long Run and [2011 Grand National runner-up] Oscar Time.”
He added: “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.”
