Sam Waley-Cohen: I'd Be An Advocate of Returning to 40 Horses in Grand National

BoyleSports caught up with Grand National-winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen ahead of Saturday’s Aintree showpiece to get his thoughts on the big race.

He chatted to us about his views on returning to a 40-runner field, why the Grand National continues to captivate the public, and he shares his insight into the sport’s evolution and why he still feels the itch to be in the saddle at this time of year.

Grand National Has To Continue To Evolve

No question, the race has to keep adjusting, has to keep evolving, but it is a balance and we've to make sure that we as an industry understand the values and the approach that we want to take, but also make sure that we're responding to society's view.

What I think is amazing about Aintree is it has really the world's leading equine welfare set up in terms of the number of vets, in terms of the ground, in terms of the facilities and the cooling off areas.

Of course, we should keep making sure it's as safe as possible.

Getting The Balance Right Between Grand National Challenge & Safety

Yeah, I do think there’s a good balance. It's the right place now. Do I think there's a world where I might go back to having 40 horses?

I think that would probably be okay. I'd be an advocate for that. But would I be an advocate for making the fences more ferocious or anything else? No, no I wouldn't.

Feeling of An Itch To Be Scratched At This Time of Year?

I would be completely lying if I said I didn't look at Cheltenham and Aintree and think, ‘That looks a bit of fun!’

No question, I’d love to ride there again. I miss the thrill of being part of that incredible partnership with a horse when you're flying along, the horse is your partner and you're sailing in that sort of meditative way over fences.

I miss that incredibly. I don't miss the days where you think you're going to win and you come 11th or you crash into the mud and sort of hobble home! Don’t worry I’m not going to do a Davy Russell and come out of retirement, tempting as it is.

Why The Grand National Captures The Public’s Imagination

I think because it always has a story. It has a tale and so often the tale is not the one you'd expect. It's about taking your chances and somebody having good fortune and somebody having misfortune.

I think in many ways the race compresses life into a short six minutes where someone has the best day of their life, someone has a terrible day. The outsider can win against all the odds.

It is the chaos of life in a short window and it’s a race for dreams and poets because there's some magic in it.

Keeping In Touch With Racing

I still ride quite a lot, I still love it. Any chance to go on a horse, I still go on a horse. My kids are riding and we go out together. Just hacking.

Racing Can Overcome Headwinds

I think it is in a difficult place, but I'm a huge believer that when the chips are down, it's when people raise their game, when leadership comes to the fore,

I have every confidence that the sport of racing will go through this period of renewal, like so many sports before it, when they find ways to innovate and connect with their fans.

How To Improve Racing

It's not an original answer but I think if more of the betting turnover flowed back into racing as you see in France and Ireland and other sporting nations it does lift all boats.

It allows the facilities to be invested in, the prize money to encourage others to go into ownership to create even better days. So, if there was a magic bullet, it would be to find a way to bring more funding in to allow that to be reinvested back into the sport.

Giving Back To Racing – Running the BHA? The Jockey Club?

I keep quite close to the sport. I was a Trustee at the Injured Jockeys’ Fund for a long time. I'm now a steward at the Jockey Club, helping them think about racing and how to go through this period of renewal.

Racing's been so much in my life and means so much to me and it's something I'm passionate about, so no question I would.

In an executive role, given obviously you tick every box in terms of business acumen, riding acumen, everything. You would be a perfect candidate. Would you answer the nation's call?

There are so many ways to contribute and so I think whether it's on the board of something or as a trustee or if I was asked to help, I'd be there to help. So, I wouldn't rule anything out.

Cheltenham Festival Thoughts

All the upsets and surprises were great for racing. I think people love intrigue and competitiveness, and the jeopardy. So, I thought that was great.

The gasps when State Man fell, the gasps when Constitution Hill went down and when Galopin des Champs was beaten. And then there was Jonbon. It didn't stop all week.

I really enjoyed it. I thought the racing was good. Nobody loves seeing short price favourites romping home by 10 lengths.

What Makes Aintree’s Festival So Great

I think the quality of racing at Aintree is as good or nearly as good as racing you can see anywhere in the world.

You’ve got I think it's four grade ones on Thursday and the big hitters come out and take their chances. You don't quite get the sort of Anglo-Irish clash in the same way as you do at Cheltenham, but I like that.

It suits different horses in different ways and, of course, the National course adds to the whole intrigue. The supporting cards are really outstanding.

And then the National day and the race itself, is a celebration of British racing but also part of our cultural heritage, isn't it? It’s a formative memory for so many people.

Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.