Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus Makes History at Aintree
April 2026
The greatest steeplechase on earth just produced one of its greatest ever winners. Looking ahead, excitement is already building for the Grand national 2026.
On Saturday, 12 April 2026, I Am Maximus stormed to victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree, becoming the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to reclaim the title. It was a performance that silenced any doubters, rewrote the record books, and confirmed that horse racing’s most famous race still has the power to produce genuinely unforgettable moments.
I Am Maximus: A Legend in the Making
Trained by the masterful Willie Mullins and ridden with trademark coolness by Paul Townend, the ten-year-old bay gelding stormed home at odds of 9-2 in front of a roaring Aintree crowd. What made this win particularly extraordinary was that I Am Maximus carried top weight throughout, making him the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win the Grand National under those conditions.
The win was a deeply personal triumph for owner JP McManus, who now stands as the most successful owner in Grand National history with four wins. In a race that tests every horse and rider to their absolute limit across 4 miles, 2 and a half furlongs, and 30 fences, I Am Maximus looked entirely at home.
Mullins, who joins an elite group of four-time Grand National-winning trainers, was typically measured in his reaction. “He is just a superstar,” he said. “Nothing fazes him. He comes out, does what he has to do, and wins Nationals.”
Townend, who had already won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Gaelic Warrior just weeks earlier, delivered what many are already calling one of the great Grand National rides. Keeping to the inside path he knows well, he tracked the field patiently before unleashing I Am Maximus from the final fence, ultimately pulling clear to seal a historic victory.
How the 2026 Race Unfolded
The 178th running of the Grand National got off to a dramatic start. Last year’s third, Grangeclare West, parted company with Patrick Mullins at the very first fence, while Panic Attack fell at the third, removing two prominent contenders within seconds.
From that point, I Am Maximus tracked his rivals with remarkable composure. Ben Jones, fresh off a King George win on The Jukebox Man, made a bold bid to seize control of Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans after the second last. But the weight of JP McManus’s confidence and a well-placed gamble came true as the favourite surged to the front at the elbow and powered home.
Runner-up Iroko, also owned by McManus, finished second. It was the first time in Grand National history that one owner had the first two horses home.
The peak television audience on ITV reached 5.2 million viewers, a reminder that the Grand National remains Britain’s most-watched horse racing event.
Off-Track Controversy: Whip Rules and Bans
The post-race week was not without its talking points away from the winner’s enclosure.
A winner from earlier in the Grand National Festival, Laafi, was disqualified after jockey Patrick O’Brien was found to have used his whip four times above the permitted level of seven strikes after the second-last hurdle. O’Brien received a 28-day ban, one of the longest handed down under the British Horseracing Authority’s stricter whip regulations introduced in 2023. The race result was awarded to runner-up Melon.
Several other jockeys also faced penalties. Jonjo O’Neill Jr received a suspension for his ride on National runner-up Iroko, having used his whip once above the permitted level down the home straight. Darragh O’Keeffe was handed bans across two separate rides during the festival. Additionally, jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell received a ten-day ban for failing to pull up Top Of The Bill after it became clear the horse had fallen well behind and sustained an injury at the final fence.
Separately, two horses lost their lives during the three-day Grand National Festival: Get On George was put down after pulling up in Saturday’s second race, and Gold Dancer suffered a fatal injury while winning the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday. Both incidents will keep animal welfare debates firmly in the spotlight heading into next year’s event.
What the Record Books Say
For those who love the history of this great race, the 2026 result places I Am Maximus firmly in elite company. Red Rum, the three-time winner whose name is still spoken with reverence decades on, is the gold standard for Grand National greatness. I Am Maximus now sits level with Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019) as a two-time winner in the modern era and shows no sign of slowing down.
The BHA handicapper has already described him as “perhaps the best National winner of them all”, and bookmakers have him as an 8-1 shot for next year’s race as connections eye an unprecedented third victory that would match Red Rum’s record.
If you want to see how I Am Maximus compares to the greats of Grand National history, you can explore a full archive of past Grand National events at Prestige Corporate Events and relive the moments that made this race what it is today.
Looking Ahead: Grand National 2027
The conversation has already begun about whether I Am Maximus can line up at Aintree for a third time in 2027. Willie Mullins has hinted at the possibility, and owner JP McManus has made no secret of his affection for the race.
Should I Am Maximus return and win, he would become only the second horse in history to win three Grand Nationals, equalling Red Rum’s unbeaten record and cementing his place as the greatest horse to ever jump those famous fences.
If this year’s race has you dreaming about experiencing the Grand National in style, now is the time to start planning. Browse Grand National hospitality and corporate event packages and secure your place at Aintree before availability runs out.
For now, racing fans can enjoy what was an exceptional renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase, with a worthy champion at the top of the sport.
Keep up to date with all the latest Grand National news, runners and riders, and expert tips throughout the season. Whether you are new to the race or a seasoned follower of Aintree, our Grand National event packages cover everything you need to experience the world’s greatest steeplechase in style.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grand National 2026
Who won the Grand National 2026?
I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, who won the 2026 Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, 12 April 2026. The ten-year-old bay gelding started as the 9-2 favourite and won carrying top weight, making him the first horse since Red Rum to reclaim the Grand National title.
What horse has won the Grand National the most times?
Red Rum holds the record with three Grand National victories, winning in 1973, 1974, and 1977. I Am Maximus, with wins in 2024 and 2026, is now among the most successful modern-era horses in the race’s history and is being talked about as a potential contender for a record-equalling third win in 2027.
Who trains I Am Maximus?
I Am Maximus is trained by Willie Mullins, the acclaimed Irish trainer who is now a four-time Grand National-winning handler. The horse is owned by JP McManus, who became the most successful owner in Grand National history with this victory.
Where is the Grand National held?
The Grand National is held at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. The race covers 4 miles 2 and a half furlongs and features 30 fences, making it one of the most demanding horse races in the world.
When is the Grand National 2027?
The 2027 Grand National has not yet been officially scheduled, but the race traditionally takes place on a Saturday in early April each year. Based on the current calendar pattern, the 2027 running is expected in April 2027 at Aintree.
How many horses ran in the Grand National 2026?
34 horses started the 2026 Grand National, in line with the maximum field size introduced as part of ongoing horse welfare reforms in recent years.
Was anyone disqualified from the Grand National 2026?
No horse was disqualified from the Grand National race itself. However, a separate race during the Grand National Festival saw Laafi disqualified after jockey Patrick O’Brien was found to have used his whip four times above the permitted level. O’Brien received a 28-day ban as a result.
How can I attend the Grand National?
The Grand National is one of the most popular sporting events in the UK, and hospitality packages sell out well in advance. If you want to experience the race in style, view our 2026 Grand National event packages at Prestige Corporate Events. Follow our channels to get up-to-date and the latest tickets to all major horse racing events
