GENEROUS Grand National hero Sam Waley-Cohen joked he was the first winner in history to be ‘out of pocket’ after his shock 50-1 triumph on Noble Yeats.
But there was a good reason behind the millionaire dental boss feeling the pinch – as he donated his £50,000 winnings to charity.
The Daily Mail report that Waley-Cohen, 39, gave away what would have been his cut of the £500,000 first-place prize to the Amateur Jockeys Association.
Waley-Cohen was the only amateur in last Saturday’s race and became the first to win the world’s most famous contest in 32 years.
While that sum will go towards good causes, Waley-Cohen also had to fork out £400 after stewards found he broke whip rules during his historic ride.
Waley-Cohen was also given a pointless nine-day ban – pointless because he retired immediately after victory.
The stewards’ report read: “Mr Sam Waley-Cohen, the rider of the winner, NOBLE YEATS (IRE), was suspended for nine days and fined £400, for using his whip above the permitted level from after jumping the last fence and in the incorrect place on the run to the line.”
Not that that mattered on Sunday, as Waley-Cohen, along with dad Robert who owns the horse, and trainer Emmet Mullins paraded Noble Yeats through the streets of Leighlinbridge in County Carlow, Ireland.
The Guinness was flowing and already thoughts had turned to Noble Yeats defending his crown next year.
Married dad-of-three Waley-Cohen, whose Portman Dental Care practice was valued at £300million and employs 4,000 people in five countries, won’t be in the saddle.
‘LIKE WATCHING SOMEONE GET OFF WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND’
Asked how it would feel watching someone else ride the horse in 2023, he replied: “It’s going to feel like a girlfriend going off with someone else I suppose!”
Noble Yeats is already the most backed horse for next year’s race, report Oddschecker.
Almost 16 per cent of all bets placed have been on the current 20-1 shot – who may have to carry over a stone more in 12 months’ time.
Any Second Now, a brave runner-up under jockey Mark Walsh, is the same odds and second-most backed.
The pair pulled some 20 lengths clear of third-placed Delta Work.
Sadly, the thrilling race was marred by the sad deaths of Eclair Surf and Discorama.
Waley-Cohen is back in work today after his whirlwind weekend – but insists he will have no desire to return to the saddle even when in the middle of yet another conference call.
The successful businessman, CEO and close friend of Will and Kate said: “Life keeps moving and one of the things that I’ve learned is things like these are incredible highs and you’ve got to have a steady reintroduction back into life, otherwise the down is too severe, so it’s actually quite helpful to get on with things.
NATIONAL HERO BACK TO DAY JOB
“I’ll be in the office and we’ve got a conference in Manchester on Tuesday and I’ll be there so it’s just onwards really.
“It’s great and there’s nothing better than having people there to support you.
“My kids will never forget it and I think the older two are just completely overwhelmed by it.
“It was a surreal experience and you couldn’t get bigger than that so they’ll spend a long time hunting for another day like it!
“They loved it and we had a good family day on Sunday, enjoying breakfast with the trophy on the table! We’ll definitely have pictures all around the house for years to come.”
The Waley-Cohen family celebrate this historic success in the Grand National at Aintree
