Grand National winner Noble Yeats was given a hero's welcome home in Leighlinbridge on Sunday evening.
The Aintree hero was paraded outside the Lord Bagenal Inn in the County Carlow town just over 24 hours after being partnered to victory by Sam Waley-Cohen.
The English jockey travelled to Ireland for the parade with his dad and Noble Yeats' owner Robert, while trainer Emmet Mullins, who trains locally was also in attendance.
Amateur rider Waley-Cohen enjoyed a fairytale finale to his career as he steered the seven-year-old to victory on Saturday.
The 39-year-old announced his intention to retire on Thursday, nominating Mullins’ charge as his farewell ride in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Sent off at 50-1, few would have expected Noble Yeats to strike in the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile showpiece – but he ran a magnificent race as he fended off the 15-2 favourite Any Second Now for a famous National success.
Coming to the last they were the only pair in contention and under a strong drive, Noble Yeats kept finding more to prevail in the colours of Waley-Cohen’s father, Robert. Delta Work (10-1) was third with Santini (33-1) in fourth.
The winning jockey - who runs a string of dental practices that number over 200 spread across the UK, Ireland and Benelux – said: “It’s an incredible high, there’s so much goodwill and it’s a thrill to be here. It’s a special day, a special occasion.
“Nothing has really sunk in, these things take time before you really appreciate it. You’re still floating along – and I’ve got a busy week at work coming up! Then I’ll try to get a few days away and let it sink in more.”
Reflecting on the race, he said: “When he picked up and went to the front he just felt like he lifted off the ground. I didn’t get the perfect stride at the last, I went down a little bit and I thought ‘I’ve got to fight for the elbow’, but as soon as he went back up I thought he had plenty (left). And that was it.
“He fought for me, and he’s really got acceleration. Back when Patrick Mullins won on him, I watched the replays and there were times he’s been asked for his effort and he’s really found a lot. You knew he had it.
“He’ll stay here and do a summer here, he’ll definitely stay with Emmet and his team. We’ll think about trying to get him back for the National – I’m sure the handicapper will have something to say. Hopefully we have a chance to be competitive still. Why not go back and try again?”
Of Mullins, he said: “It’s amazing, he’s 32 and he’s so clever and has believed in the horse and produced him. We really admire what he’s doing and what he’s done.
“We have horses with Neil Mulholland, we like to have horses with younger trainers who have proved they know what they are doing.”
It was a first win in the National for a seven-year-old since 1940, and Mullins – who revealed Noble Yeats had been stabled at Haydock in search of a calmer environment in the days before the race – said: “I didn’t even know the stats about seven-year-olds, I wouldn’t know where to look up stats! It wasn’t on my mind, I was happy with the horse.
“I was able to watch no bother, I didn’t get to see much of the first circuit and coming past the stand for the second circuit I had to take a deep breath. I just said ‘this is a position where winners come from’ – he was in position A.
“At the Melling Road I took my second blow, Sam was confident enough to take that hold and follow them round into the straight. You were trying to pinch yourself as it was still there for the taking.
“He was taking Sam there, it was a massive performance.”
Waley-Cohen senior added: “We’re revelling in the pleasure of it. What could be more enjoyable, and it’s so special to come over and parade the horse and do something for everybody here. It’s a party!”
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