I Am Maximus wins Grand National for trainer Mullins

I Am Maximus Claims Grand National Victory for Trainer Willie Mullins

Paul Townend secured his second triumph in the Grand National, guiding I Am Maximus to victory at Aintree. The 2024 champion, who had finished second the previous year, entered the competition as a 9-2 favorite and delivered on that expectation, edging out Iroko, Jordans, and Johnnywho. This marked Willie Mullins’s third consecutive win in the race, a feat not seen since Vincent O’Brien’s three-year streak from 1953 to 1955. Mullins, an Irish trainer, now stands as the first to achieve this milestone since Red Rum’s legendary 1977 victory.

McManus, the owner of I Am Maximus, has now amassed four Grand National successes, including Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021), and the current winner. Notably, his stable claimed three of the top four positions in Saturday’s race, with Jordans as the sole exception. The horse’s win also etched its name into history, as it became the first top-weight contender to triumph since Red Rum carried 12 stone to victory in 1974. I Am Maximus, with a handicap of 11st 12lbs, proved its mettle in the challenging Aintree course.

Key Moments in the Race

The race unfolded with dramatic twists, including the fall of last year’s winning jockey Patrick Mullins on Grangeclare West at the second fence. Panic Attack, the second favorite, also tumbled at the third obstacle, while Ben Jones challenged Jordans, a 28-1 outsider, around the final turn. Despite the early setbacks, Paul Townend maintained a steady pace on I Am Maximus, ultimately breaking away to claim the title.

“He’s tough. He’s a really, really good horse, and although Grangeclare West and Nick Rockett looked good in training, this lad wasn’t telling me not to ride him,” Townend shared with ITV. “He is so good and has such an engine. He will gallop to the end of the world for you. I am really privileged. What a horse.”

Mullins, reflecting on the achievement, praised McManus’s decision to run I Am Maximus at Aintree. “It was a good call from JP [McManus]. I’d have gone down the Gold Cup route with him, but he wanted to run him at Aintree,” he said. “This horse is just a superstar. Nothing fazes him and he does what he has to do—runs, jumps, and wins Nationals. 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.”

Other Race Highlights

Elsewhere at Aintree, Dan Skelton’s stable achieved four wins across seven races, including victories with Mirabad, Bossman Jack, Mr Hope Street, and Forthfactor. The day’s second race saw Get On George pulled up by jockey Jack Tudor, leading to the horse’s humane euthanasia after being assessed by on-course veterinarians. Two other horses, Quai de Bourbon and Mr Vango, were hospitalized following falls, while Robbie Dunne required medical attention after a tumble on Stellar Story.

With sixteen of the thirty-four starters completing the race, the 2024 edition saw its share of drama and heartbreak, cementing its place as a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. The results also set the stage for future contenders, as Mullins, having trained the top three finishers in last year’s race, remains a formidable force in the sport.

Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus as Two-Time Winner

As the 2026 Grand National approaches, the focus remains on Mullins’s potential to extend his winning streak. The trainer’s confidence in his horses, combined with McManus’s strategic ownership, has already positioned I Am Maximus as a strong favorite for another title.