Jockey Paul Townend Secures Second Grand National Win on I Am Maximus
I Am Maximus became the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to reclaim the Grand National title, as trainer Willie Mullins celebrated his third consecutive victory at Aintree.
The 2024 winner and last year's runner-up entered the race as the 9-2 favourite and confirmed his status by finishing ahead of Iroko, Jordans, and Johnnywho.
This victory marked Irish trainer Mullins' fourth overall Grand National win, making him the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien, who won between 1953 and 1955, to achieve three successive wins in the race.
Owner JP McManus also reached a milestone, becoming the leading owner in Grand National history with four wins, adding to his previous victories with Don't Push It in 2010, Minella Times in 2021, and I Am Maximus in 2024.
McManus owned three of the top four finishers in Saturday's race, with only Jordans not part of his stable.
Red Rum’s second and third Grand National victories came in 1974 and 1977, and I Am Maximus is the first horse since to win the race in non-consecutive years.
Further history was made as I Am Maximus, carrying a handicap of 11st 12lbs, became the first top-weighted horse to win since Red Rum, who carried 12 stone to victory in 1974.
Jockey Paul Townend Praises I Am Maximus
"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.
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.
Grand Nationals and Gold Cups are the pinnacle of the sport and I have them both."
Mullins Reflects on Historic Grand National Win
In a dramatic start to the race, last year's winning jockey Patrick Mullins was unseated on the fancied Grangeclare West at the second fence, while the only mare and second favourite Panic Attack fell at the third fence.
Ben Jones made a late move on Jordans, a 28-1 outsider, around the final bend, but Townend stayed close to the leading pack on I Am Maximus before making his decisive push for the lead.
Out of 34 starters, sixteen horses completed the race. Mr Vango was taken to an equine hospital after falling and being walked into an ambulance for further tests.
Quai de Bourbon and Top of the Bill were assessed by Aintree veterinarians and cleared to return home.
Top of the Bill’s jockey, Toby McCain-Mitchell, received a 10-day ban from stewards for failing to pull up his mount, which was visibly tiring before falling at the last fence.
Jockey Robbie Dunne was hospitalized for assessment after falling from Stellar Story but was reported conscious and responsive.
Trainer Dan Skelton Dominates Other Races at Aintree
Trainer Dan Skelton achieved four wins in the day's seven races with Mirabad, Bossman Jack, Mr Hope Street, and Forthfactor.
In the second race, Get On George was pulled up and dismounted by jockey Jack Tudor. Following veterinary assessment, the six-year-old was humanely euthanised, marking the second equine fatality at this Aintree meeting after Gold Dancer.
Grand National 2026 Results: Full Standings
Mullins Credits McManus for Choosing Grand National
Having trained the top three finishers in last year's race, Mullins was confident about his chances again in the world's most popular steeplechase.
However, Mullins revealed that without owner JP McManus, he might have directed I Am Maximus towards the Gold Cup instead.
"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.
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."
