I Am Maximus made history by winning the Randox Grand National at Aintree, becoming the first horse since the iconic Red Rum to achieve this feat. The heavily backed 9-2 favorite secured victory after a significant £100,000 bet was placed at odds of 8-1, resulting in an impressive £800,000 win for the undisclosed punter.
Trained by Willie Mullins, I Am Maximus had previously won the race in 2024 and finished as the runner-up the year before. Red Rum had been the last horse to reclaim the Grand National title, accomplishing this in 1977, three years after his second victory.
During the race, I Am Maximus caught up with Jordans, who had initially taken the lead but was overtaken just before the finish line. Under jockey Paul Townend, the horse secured a one-two-four finish for owner JP McManus, with Iroko coming second and Johnnywho in third place.
This victory marked Mullins’s third consecutive Grand National win, placing him alongside legends like Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as the most successful trainers in the history of the race. Townend credited the use of cheekpieces for aiding him during the race and expressed satisfaction with his strategic decisions.
Following the win, McManus expressed pride in the achievement, noting the horse’s exceptional performance and suitability for the National. The owner also praised Townend’s skilled ride and acknowledged the significance of winning the prestigious race.
The thrilling race saw some early exits, including Panic Attack, while Jordans briefly led the pack before fading towards the end. Mullins commended the exceptional ride given to I Am Maximus and highlighted the horse’s resilience and talent in challenging conditions.
As the celebrations unfolded, McManus revealed that he had placed a bet on I Am Maximus, adding to the excitement of the victory. The event drew attention to the remarkable performance of the winning horse and the skillful execution by the jockey and trainer.