The Grand National’s chaotic puzzle just got a masterclass solution from Willie Mullins. Forget the handicaps, the form guides, the 34-runner field—just back the Irish trainer and watch history unfold. On a day when 59,962 fans packed the stands, I Am Maximus delivered Mullins his third straight National victory, a feat last achieved by Vincent O’Brien from 1953 to 1955.
This wasn’t just another win. It marked Mullins’ fourth Grand National triumph overall, tying him with legends Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain. For owner JP McManus, it was a record-breaking fourth victory. “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.”
But the path to glory was anything but smooth. As Jordans surged to a seven-length lead turning for home, a 28-1 upset seemed imminent. Then I Am Maximus kicked into gear, the crowd roared, and chaos turned to clarity. Jockey Paul Townend faced a tactical nightmare, blocked repeatedly on the second circuit and again when Jordans made his move. “Paul gave it a fantastic ride around the inside and then he had to change tack,” Mullins noted. “First Champ Kiely was in his way and then everywhere he went one of my horses was in his way.”
When Jordans blasted off the third-last fence, Mullins admitted, “I was thinking ‘Has he stolen it?’ But you can’t, unless you have Arkle.” Townend stayed ice-cool. “Paul didn’t get flustered. He just sat and sat and tried to pick out the gap. When he got out, I thought, ‘wow’. You could see it was all over, unless something came from the clouds.”
Townend, who also piloted I Am Maximus to victory in 2024, praised the horse’s resilience. “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, he 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. I Am Maximus’ odds crashed from 7-1 to 9-2 favorite in a frenetic final 30 minutes before the race. One punter landed £100,000 at 8-1. Back in 1955, when Quare Times completed O’Brien’s treble, the Guardian reported it “filled the pockets of an uncommon lot of people.” History repeated on Saturday.
Now, the focus shifts to immortality. McManus confirmed he wants I Am Maximus back next year to chase Red Rum’s record of three National wins. “We’ve a bit to do to catch up, but we will definitely try,” McManus said. “Red Rum is the figurehead of the National and it is nice to be mentioned in the same breath.” Asked if he backed the winner, the legendary punter—nicknamed The Sundance Kid in Ireland’s 1970s betting rings—offered a coy reply: “I had a little on.”
At 69, with his 70th birthday approaching in September, Mullins shows no signs of slowing down. He credited his team for navigating the wettest winter he’s seen in 40 years to keep horses fit. “I am buying horses and trying to build,” he declared. “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 another glorious day, yet hungry for more history. With I Am Maximus poised for a Red Rum chase, Mullins’ dynasty is far from finished.
