Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, under the auspices of Michael O’Leary, and trained by Michael ‘Mouse’ Morris in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Rule The World had the distinction of winning the 2016 Grand National not only as a novice, but also as a maiden over regulation fences. That said, he had won his sole point-to-point start as Affmore as a four-year-old and five times over hurdles, as well as performing with credit in the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle and the Stayers’ Hurdle at consecutive Cheltenham Festivals in 2013 and 2014. He had also finished second in seven of his 13 steeplechases prior to the Grand National, including the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
In any event, Rule The World lined up at Aintree on April 9, 2016 as a largely unconsidered 33/1 chance as he attempted to become the first novice since Mr. What, 58 years earlier, to win the National. Win he did, though, and in so doing provided 19-year-old David Mullins with a dream first ride in the race. A dream first ride, that is, apart from a shuddering blunder at the open ditch, four from home, which briefly catapulted Mullins forward up the horses neck.
Nevertheless, Rule The World recovered to make headway from the third-last fence and passing the famous Elbow was one of three horses still in serious contention. Galvanised by Mullins, Rule The World came home by far the strongest of the trio and passed the past 6 lengths ahead of the joint favourite The Last Samuri with 100/1 chance Vics Canvas a weakening third, 8 lengths further behind. Rule The World ran just once more, finishing unplaced in the Grade 1 Champion Novice at Punchestown less than three weeks after his Grand National triumph and was retired from racing the following month.