Forget the form guides. Ignore the weight charts. The Grand National‘s most fiendish handicap puzzle now has a simple solution: back Willie Mullins. On a chaotic Saturday at Aintree, the master trainer delivered a third consecutive victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase, as I Am Maximus powered home to etch another chapter in racing history.
A packed crowd of 59,962 held its breath when Jordans surged to a seven-length lead turning for home, threatening a 28-1 upset. But then I Am Maximus began to purr. Jockey Paul Townend, cool under fire, navigated traffic jams and shifting tactics to find a gap. “Paul gave it a fantastic ride around the inside and then he had to change tack,” Mullins said. “First Champ Kiely was in his way and then everywhere he went one of my horses was in his way.”
When the opening appeared, the race was over. “When he got out, I thought, ‘wow’,” Mullins admitted. “You could see it was all over, unless something came from the clouds.” The 9-2 favorite crossed the line, securing Mullins his fourth Grand National win overall—tying the records of Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.
This wasn’t just another trophy. It was a historic treble. Mullins becomes the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien (1953-1955) to win three Nationals in a row. Owner JP McManus also notched his fourth victory, a new record for an owner. “He is just a superstar,” Mullins said of I Am Maximus. “He comes out and does what he has to do. He jumps and gallops and stays. Nothing fazes him.”
Townend, who piloted I Am Maximus to victory in 2024 as well, echoed the praise. “It’s some performance to get the horse to turn up three years in a row,” he said. “I am a lucky man to be riding for Willie Mullins.” Describing the champion, Townend added: “He is a quirky devil, but he is a brave horse and very clever. He’s been very good to me.”
The betting markets told their own story. In a frenetic final 30 minutes before the off, I Am Maximus’s odds plummeted from 7-1 to 9-2 favorite. One punter placed £100,000 at 8-1. The Guardian’s report on Quare Times’ win in 1955 noted it “filled the pockets of an uncommon lot of people.” History repeated on Saturday.
And the bookies’ pain might not be over. McManus confirmed plans to target Red Rum’s record of three National victories. “We’ve a bit to do to catch up, but we will definitely try,” he said. “Red Rum is the figurehead of the National and it is nice to be mentioned in the same breath.” The legendary punter, nicknamed The Sundance Kid in Ireland’s 1970s betting rings, was coy about his own wager: “I had a little on.”
At 69, with his 70th birthday approaching in September, Mullins shows no signs of slowing. He credited his team for navigating the wettest winter he’s seen in 40 years to prepare his horses. “I am buying horses and trying to build,” he stated. “I love racing. I love the people in racing. I like people in sport. Racing is a game of disappointments. You lose more than you win. It’s a great leveller. So when you have a good day you really enjoy it.”
The smile on his face said it all—reveling in glory, yet hungry for more. With I Am Maximus aimed at equaling Red Rum’s triple, Mullins’ lust for history remains unsated. The Grand National’s puzzle just got simpler: trust in Willie.
