I Am Maximus made history at Aintree on Saturday by becoming the first horse to regain the Grand National since Red Rum in the 1970s. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, ridden by Paul Townend, stormed past Jordans at the elbow to secure his second National victory, having previously won in 2024. The win marked Mullins’ third consecutive Grand National triumph, following Nick Rockett’s victory in 2025.
The race was marred by the deaths of two horses. Top Of The Bill, ridden by Toby McCain-Mitchell and trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, suffered a fatal fall while among the leaders. Quai De Bourbon, ridden by Donagh Meyler and trained by Willie Mullins, also died after being taken into a horse ambulance. Jockey Robbie Dunne was unseated from Stellar Story and taken to hospital for assessment after a heavy fall.
Jordans, ridden by Ben Jones, led for much of the race but was overtaken by I Am Maximus in the final strides. Jones described his ride as “unbelievable” and “magical,” noting that a near-bringing-down incident early on helped him settle the horse. “After I jumped the Canal Turn for the last time he just lit up,” Jones told the Racing Post.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins praised the decision to target the National over the Gold Cup, crediting owner JP McManus for insisting the horse was well handicapped. “It’s the race you want to win and grow up watching,” Mullins said. “I Am Maximus is just a superstar.” Paul Townend, the winning jockey, credited the cheekpieces for helping the horse’s performance.
Look Me finished second, with Merlin Allen third. The bumper race, the final event of the Aintree festival, was won by Bass Hunter, who set the pace for much of the contest. The meeting saw a total of two equine fatalities, with both horses confirmed dead after the race.
