ITV viewers were moved to tears by the story of Grand National winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who triumphed at Aintree on board 50/1 shot Noble Yeats.
All eyes were on the Liverpool course at 5.15 on Saturday as horses and their riders bid to win the world famous race. And by the end it was neck and neck between seven-year-old Noble Yeats and Any Second Now, with the orange and brown colours of the eventual winner ahead when it mattered to snatch victory.
And, in a piece of action which could have been straight from a film script, amateur jockey Sam triumphed in the Grand National his final ever race, having announced his plans to retire. That fact meant that Sam's win was an emotional one for both him and his family, including father Robert, who struggled to get his words out as he was interviewed by an ITV presenter.
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In the aftermath of his win, Sam also spoke out brother Tom, who viewers found out has died after a decade long cancer battle, aged just 20. Speaking after the Grand National, Sam said: "It's a dream. I couldn't believe it. I’ve got to say thank yous, because it’s my last ever ride, to dad, unwavering belief and love.
"Over 23 years, never a cross word, nothing but a dream, it's been a love affair. To my wife, long-suffering, they aren’t all good days in this sport and she’s always there to support me.
"That is beyond words. It’s a fairytale, it’s a fantasy. Just full of love, happiness and gratefulness." Talking about late younger brother Tom, Sam added: "Being on the right horses, getting the luck and having the sun out; I do think Thomas is sitting on my back.
"I ride with his name on my saddle. These days are family days. Honestly, you couldn't make it up could you?"
Viewers were incredibly moved to tears by Sam's win and story, with one tweeting: "Some story that Sam Waley Cohen, had me welling up when he mentioned his brother there." Another reacted: "Sam Waley-Cohen!!!!! You really can’t make the stories up in this sport there are tears from me," with a third posting: "I’m actually in tears seeing Sam Waley-Cohen win that.
