RACEHORSE owner Stewart Andrew’s wife Sadie was his partner in life and business until she sadly passed away in December 2022.
But her legacy lives on in eight-year-old horse Nick Rocket, who’s in with a shot at some of the £1million prize fund in the 2025 grand National.
AlamyJockey Paul Townend and owner Stewart Andrew pictured after winning the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase on January 23, 2025.[/caption]
Trained by Willie Mullins, racehorse Nick Rockett is still officially owned by Stewart Andrew and his late wife Sadie.
Stewart’s dream came true in February 2025, when Nick Rockett won the prestigious Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, only a month after he landed the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park — Sadie’s home track.
The 5-6 favourite won the race under jockey Paul Townend, with attention then immediately turning to the Grand National.
Speaking after that Bobbyjo win, Stewart said: “Sadie was a proper local lass from Goresbridge and Nick was her horse.
“Sadly she died in December 2022, but fortunately Willie managed to get the horse to run five days before she passed away.
“This is such an inner feeling of consolation to me because it’s what she always wanted.
“Now it’s been delivered on her home turf by a fantastic trainer.”
Following the passing of his beloved wife, Stewart told the Racing Post: “After Sadie died, I went over to Willie to watch Nick Rockett work with Fergal O’Brien as he had a horse running in the Kerry National and Fergal’s daughter was working for Willie.
“I was in a tough place, missing Sadie, and Willie said he had two horses, Vauban and Absurde, running in the Melbourne Cup and asked if I wanted to come out.
“I went out and had the time of my life with the guys.
“It took me out of a cycle of not socialising as I had gone into a bit of a shell.
“We had a fantastic time and I got asked again last year and there was no way I was going to miss it.”
Who Was Sadie Andrew?
Sadie Andrew was a cherished figure in the world of horse racing.
She was born and bred in Ballyellen — a small village near Willie Mullins’ renowned training base in Closutton, Ireland.
After moving to England, she met and married Stewart Andrew, and together they built a life centred around their shared love for the sport.
Sadie was instrumental in shaping her husband’s success as a horse owner.
Her keen eye for talent and unwavering support led Stewart to place horses with some of the most respected trainers in the industry, including Mullins and Mark Pitman.
Among their many achievements, the remarkable victory of Ever Blessed in the 1999 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup was a defining moment that brought immense pride to the Andrews family.
Cause of death
Sadie passed away in December 2022 following a battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
MND is a devastating neurological condition that gradually robs individuals of their ability to move, speak and breathe — although every sufferer is different.
Up to 5,000 adults in the UK are affected by the condition, with one in 300 at risk during their lifetimes, per data from Brain Tumour Research.
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