I Am Maximus Becomes Two-Time Grand National Winner, Matching Red Rum's Historic Feat

The victory at Aintree delivered a piece of racing history that seemed almost impossible in the modern era. I Am Maximus joined an elite group of just eight horses to win multiple Grand Nationals, with his non-consecutive victories mirroring the achievement of the legendary Red Rum, whose wins came in 1974 and 1977.

For jockey Paul Townend, the triumph marked his second Grand National victory aboard I Am Maximus. "He's tough. He's a really, really good horse," Townend told ITV after the race. "He is so good and has such an engine. He will gallop to the end of the world for you. I am really privileged. What a horse."

The race unfolded dramatically from the start, with last year's winning jockey Patrick Mullins unseated on the fancied Grangeclare West at the second fence. The only mare in the field, second favourite Panic Attack, fell at the third fence, opening up the race for the eventual winner.

I Am Maximus carried the burden of being top weight at 11st 12lbs — the heaviest load to win the Grand National since Red Rum's 12-stone triumph in 1974. That historical parallel wasn't lost on the racing world, as the gelding's victory completed a remarkable redemption story following his second-place finish last year behind Nick Rockett.

The victory was particularly sweet for owner JP McManus, who now holds the record as the most successful Grand National owner with four victories. McManus owned three of the top four finishers on Saturday — I Am Maximus, Iroko, and Johnnywho — with only fourth-placed Jordans outside his stable.

Ben Jones made a bold move on 28-1 shot Jordans around the final bend, but Townend had been stalking the leaders throughout the race. When the moment came, I Am Maximus found another gear, pulling clear to win convincingly from Iroko, with Jordans and Johnnywho completing the frame.

The day belonged to the Mullins stable in more ways than one. Trainer Dan Skelton also enjoyed a stellar afternoon, landing four winners from seven races at Aintree with Mirabad, Bossman Jack, Mr Hope Street, and Forthfactor.

However, the meeting was marred by tragedy in the second race when Get On George was pulled up and subsequently had to be humanely euthanised after assessment by on-course veterinary experts. It marked the second fatality of the Aintree meeting following Gold Dancer's death earlier in the festival.

For Mullins, the victory represented the pinnacle of a training career that has seen him dominate both sides of the Irish Sea. "This is the race we all aspire to when we get into racing," he told ITV. "Just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation."

The Irishman revealed that the decision to target Aintree again wasn't entirely his own. "It was a good call from JP [McManus]. I'd have gone down the Gold Cup route with him, but he wanted to run him at Aintree. This horse is just a superstar. Nothing fazes him and he does what he has to do — runs, jumps and wins Nationals."

The comparison to Red Rum is inevitable and apt. The Ginger McCain-trained legend remains the only horse to win three Grand Nationals, with victories in 1973, 1974, and 1977. I Am Maximus, with his wins in 2024 and 2026, has now matched Red Rum's feat of non-consecutive victories, though the modern horse would need to return and win again to equal the all-time record.