Henderson ‘thrilled’ to see Waley-Cohens realise National ambition

Seven Barrows trainer has had long and successful association with father and son team.

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 Waley-Cohen, 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 Waley-Cohens.

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, 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.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and trainer Nicky Henderson (left) celebrate their 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup success with Long Run
Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and trainer Nicky Henderson (left) celebrate their 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup success with Long Run (David Davies/PA)

“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.”

Robert Waley-Cohen previously had horses with George Peter-Hoblyn before Henderson took over the training when the owner was still riding.

Noble Yeats sent Sam Waley-Cohen out in style
Noble Yeats sent Sam Waley-Cohen out in style (David Davies/PA)

“We have been in partnership for a very, very, very long time. I trained a winner ridden by Robert some while ago, a hunter chase I think it was – that was a long time ago,” Henderson said.

“One of the first horses I had for Robert was called Rustle, who won the bumper at Aintree one year (1987).

“We have a nice filly here at the moment called Touchy Feely, who is out of Liberthine.

“Robert, over the years, has started the stud and the breeding side of it, which he absolutely loves.

“So quite a lot of these horses are out of mares that we have trained and we have all been down the road together.

“Robert is very knowledgeable about his breeding and he loves that part of it as much as he loves the racing, like most owner-breeders do. It’s double the input and double the satisfaction.

Rajdhani Express (left) and Sam Waley-Cohen in action at Aintree
Rajdhani Express (left) and Sam Waley-Cohen in action at Aintree (Martin Rickett/PA)

“I know they bought the horse that won yesterday, but most of the horses coming into training are homebreds.

“We go back a long way and I think it goes without saying that the one person they will undoubtedly be dedicating the National to will be Thomas, Sam’s brother (who died of cancer at the age of 20 in 2004).

“I know that was a poignant part of it. It was a tragedy for the family and I know Sam always has been riding with Thomas, if you know what I mean.”

For Henderson, the long wait for a National winner goes on, although he admitted: “I fancied Caribean Boy quite a lot. On Thursday he was brilliant and on Friday morning he was lame! He will be all right tomorrow. That’s racing. Let’s hope we get there one day.”

Yet the 71-year-old was effusive in his praise for the winning jockey who had announced earlier in the week that this would be the final ride of an incredible amateur career.

“It was a wonderful way to go out,” said Henderson. “He gave the winner a great ride.

“The Grand National always has a story behind it and not surprisingly, once again it has another fantastic story.”

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