I Am Maximus wins Grand National for trainer Mullins

I Am Maximus wins Grand National for trainer Mullins

Irish trainer Willie Mullins secured his third consecutive triumph in the Grand National at Aintree, with jockey Paul Townend claiming victory for the second time on I Am Maximus. The 2024 victor, who had finished second the previous year, proved to be the first horse since Red Rum’s 1977 triumph to reclaim the prestigious title. This achievement marked Mullins’ third win in the race, joining an elite group of trainers to do so in back-to-back years.

The 9-2 favorite entered the contest with strong form, narrowly edging out competitors like Iroko, Jordans, and Johnnywho. Mullins, who has now won the Grand National four times in total, became the first trainer to claim three consecutive victories since Vincent O’Brien’s dominance between 1953 and 1955. His success also solidified JP McManus’ position as the leading owner in the race’s history, with four wins to his name—Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021), and I Am Maximus (2024)—and three of the top four finishers in Saturday’s event.

Key Moments in the Race

A dramatic start saw last year’s winning jockey on Nick Rockett, Patrick Mullins, fall from Grangeclare West at the second fence. Meanwhile, the second favorite, Panic Attack—a mare—was unseated at the third fence. As the race progressed, Ben Jones attempted a late surge on Jordans, a 28-1 outsider, but Townend maintained a steady pace with I Am Maximus, ultimately bursting forward to claim the win.

“He’s a superstar. Nothing fazes him, and he does what he has to do—runs, jumps, and wins Nationals,” Mullins told ITV. “Paul executed it so well. This is the race we all aspire to when we get into racing. Just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation.”

Notably, I Am Maximus, carrying a handicap of 11st 12lbs, became the first top-weight contender to triumph since Red Rum’s 12 stone victory in 1974. The race saw 16 of the 34 starters cross the finish line, with Quai de Bourbon and Mr Vango needing ambulance transport after falls. Robbie Dunne was also hospitalized following a tumble on Stellar Story.

Other Race Outcomes

Elsewhere at Aintree, Dan Skelton achieved four wins across the day’s seven races, including victories for Mirabad, Bossman Jack, Mr Hope Street, and Forthfactor. In the second race, Get On George was pulled up by jockey Jack Tudor and later euthanized, marking the second fatality of the day after Gold Dancer.

As the 2026 Grand National approaches, Mullins, who trained the top three finishers in 2025, is again confident in his chances. However, he credited McManus for choosing to run I Am Maximus at Aintree instead of pursuing the Gold Cup. “It was a good call from JP,” Mullins said. “I’d have gone down the Gold Cup route with him, but he wanted to test him at Aintree.”