I Am Maximus wins Grand National again, first repeat since Red Rum

I Am Maximus, a French-bred bay gelding foaled 27 March 2016, surged late under Paul Townend to win the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 11, 2026, carrying top weight of 11st 12lb and starting at 9/2 favourite. The 10-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by John P. (JP) McManus, reclaimed the famous 4m2½f steeplechase and, in doing so, became the first horse since Red Rum to lose the title and then regain it. ([espn.com](espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/48456935/grand-national-2026-result-maximus-regains-title-makes-horse-racing-history-aintree))

The renewal started 34 runners and finished with 16 completing the course; official finishing positions placed Iroko second (Jonjo O'Neill Jr.), Jordans third (Ben Jones), Johnnywho fourth (Richie McLernon) and High Class Hero fifth (James Bowen). I Am Maximus carried an official rating of 168 and produced a performance noted by the Jockey Club as a record winning burden this century at Aintree. After the race Willie Mullins said, "He is just a superstar, nothing fazes him, he comes out, does what he has to do and wins Nationals," and Townend added, "He's tough isn't he." ([racingpost.com](racingpost.com/news/reports/tragic-end-to-mildmay-novices-chase-as-winner-gold-dancer-is-euthanised-with-broken-back-aPRJh9g1cohj/))

The result extended a remarkable run for connections: JP McManus recorded a record fourth Grand National victory as an owner, while Willie Mullins notched his fourth National winner and his third successive Grand National training success in 2024, 2025 and 2026, a sequence unmatched since the Vincent O'Brien era. Those milestones reinforce the international shift in National Hunt prize distribution toward Irish trainers and major owners based in Ireland, and they underline Mullins' Closutton operation as a dominant economic actor in the jumps market. ([news.bet365.com](news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/grand-national-2026-official-result-i-am-maximus-wins-at-aintree/2026041114354255150))

Financially the meeting mattered: the Randox Grand National carried a £1,000,000 prize fund with an approximate £500,000 winner's share, while bookmakers reported heavy late liabilities and large on-course wagers, including reports of a single £100,000 bet on the winner. Market desks described the book as "tough" after significant support for I Am Maximus shortened his price, a reminder that marquee sporting outcomes concentrate liquidity and risk for bookmakers and on-course tote operators. ([news.bet365.com](news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/grand-national-2026-official-result-i-am-maximus-wins-at-aintree/2026041114354255150))

The festival's sporting high was shadowed by two equine fatalities that focused attention on welfare and regulation: Gold Dancer was euthanised after suffering a broken back in the Mildmay Novices' Chase on April 10, and Get On George was later put down after being pulled up injured on Grand National day. Aintree and racing authorities issued veterinary and condolence statements while animal-welfare groups called for stronger measures, signalling renewed pressure for safety reviews and possible policy adjustments from the Jockey Club and the British Horseracing Authority. ([rte.ie](rte.ie/sport/racing/2026/0410/1567609-gold-dancer-euthanised-after-breaking-back-in-aintree-win/))

Beyond folklore, I Am Maximus's win has market implications for breeding and training strategy: carrying near-12st to victory will feed demand for stamina and weight-carrying credentials in pedigrees and affect how owners and trainers target entries for high-value handicap prizes. The race crystallised a central tension for the sport: Aintree's commercial and cultural value is immense, but sustaining that value will depend on how the industry addresses welfare and regulatory expectations in the years ahead. ([espn.com](espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/48410090/i-maximus-beginner-guide-2026-grand-national-favourite-aintree-red-rum))