The 2026 Grand National, run on good to soft going on April 11, 2026, proved to be a momentous occasion for the winner, I Am Maximus, his connections and the leading bookmakers. Owned by John Patrick ‘J.P.’ McManus, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his stable jockey, Paul Townend, I Am Maximus had already won the Grand National in 2024 and finished a creditable second, behind stable companion Nick Rockett, under 11st 12lb, in 2025.
Thus, in coming from off the pace to win his second Grand National in three years, I Am Maximus became the first horse to regain his crown since Red Rum recorded his unprecedented third win in 1977. Likewise, in shouldering the welter burden of 11st 12lb to victory, he put up the best weight-carrying performance since Red Rum won his second National, under 12st 0lb, in 1975.
I Am Maximus was also a record fourth Grand National winner for McManus – whose familiar green and gold silks were also carried by the second and fourth horses home, Iroko and Johnnywho – after Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021) and I Am Maximus himself (2024). Similarly, Mullins, with four winners, joined Fred Rimmell and Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain as the leading trainer in the history of the Grand National. He also became the first trainer since compatriot Vincent O’Brien, in 1955, to win the world-famous steeplechase three years running.
A renowned professional gambler, McManus confessed to having “little bit” on I Am Maximus, but the 10-year-old was the subject of a wholesale gamble before the ‘off’ – including a single bet of £100,000 at 8/1, on-course – forcing his starting price into 9/2 favourite. He thus became the shortest-priced winner since Tiger Roll won his second National in 2019. A spokesman for bookmaker William Hill said, “Him [I Am Maximus] winning was one of our worst-case scenarios, and with well-fancied horses such as Iroko and Johnnywho in the places, we’re facing up to a payout of north of £10 million in the race.”
Invariably modest, despite his unprecendented success, Mullins was full of praise for owner and jockey. He said, “It was a good call from J.P. [McManus], 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] just executed it so well.