Henderson ‘thrilled’ with National glory for Waley-Cohens
THE one race that leaves a glaring hole on Nicky Henderson’s CV is the Grand National.
So it was somewhat ironic that long-standing family friend and owner-breeder Robert WaleyCohen, who has enjoyed so many big moments with Henderson, should own Noble Yeats, yet have the horse with Emmet Mullins, his first runner in the race who won at odds of 50-1.
Henderson has trained the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup and dual King George winner Long Run, two Topham Chase winners in Liberthine and Rajdhani Express, and Triumph Hurdler Katarino for the WaleyCohens.
While Henderson did not have a runner after Caribean Boy was found to be lame on Friday morning, the Seven Barrows handler was quick to pay tribute to retiring amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen, pictured, who rides out at Seven Barrows, and the winning jockey’s father.
“We have known the family forever and we have been very good friends and we have had some wonderful times together, some wonderful horses and some spectacular days,” said Henderson.
“Our first Grand National (together) I can remember was with a horse called Wont Be Gone Long, who was favourite for the false start Grand National (1993) and Richard Dunwoody was on it. We thought we were going to win.
“But the extraordinary thing is, my Grand National record and Sam’s are about as far apart as you could possibly dream of.
“Sadly, my horse went lame on Thursday, so I was watching a handful of horses and not surprisingly one was ridden by Sam. We knew it was going to be his last ride and it is fantastic how he has managed to do what he has.
“He has a very successful (dentistry) business, so he hasn’t got the time to be riding. He runs in here at 7.30 in the morning and runs out again at 8.30 and he’s off to work.
“He comes and rides out and keeps himself incredibly fit and while we all used to enjoy riding, the way he manages his riding with his business is absolutely miraculous, because he is not riding regularly.
“I am just thrilled for the whole family.”