The Grand National 2026 concluded with a thrilling victory for I Am Maximus, who became the first horse since Red Rum to regain his title. The race took place at Aintree on a Saturday, and I Am Maximus finished ahead of his competitors by a margin of 2.5 lengths.
With a total of 34 runners in the race, only 16 managed to complete the course. I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, was the race favorite at 9/2 odds, following a second-place finish in the previous year’s Grand National.
In a remarkable achievement, Willie Mullins became the first trainer to win three successive Grand Nationals since Vincent O’Brien. Meanwhile, owner JP McManus celebrated his fourth win in the Grand National, making him the most successful owner in the event’s history.
Iroko finished in second place, while Jordans and Johnnywho claimed third and fourth, respectively. The performance of I Am Maximus not only solidifies his status but also places him among the legends of the sport.
Reflecting on the victory, Willie Mullins remarked, “It was a good call from JP, I’d been going down the Gold Cup route with him, but he said to stay in Aintree with him as he felt he was well handicapped.”
Paul Townend expressed his admiration for the horse, stating, “He’s tough, isn’t he? He’ll gallop to the end of the world for you.” The anticipation for next year’s race is already building, with Mullins adding, “Hopefully he’ll be here next year, JP is very keen on the National for I Am Maximus, he says he loves the place and jumps the fences so well.”
I Am Maximus is now considered “Aintree royalty,” a title that reflects his impressive achievements and the legacy he is building in the world of horse racing.