Written by Charlotte Coates. Journalist for BBC Sport, based at Aintree. 13 aprilie 2026. Irish trainer Willie Mullins savored a memorable Grand National, securing his third straight win with I Am Maximus and matching the legendary Vincent O’Brien’s achievement. From 1953 to 1955, O’Brien was the first to claim the prestigious race three years running, with Early Mist, Royal Tan, and Quare Times victorious. Mullins has now cemented his place in Aintree history and said to BBC Radio 5 Live: “That’s some company to be keeping with Vincent O’Brien.” He’s a legend among legends in the game. “To even be mentioned alongside him is absolutely unreal.” You never dream of things like that. The 69-year-old’s path has been far from straightforward. After securing his initial National victory with Hedgehunter in 2005, Mullins endured a 19-year wait before I Am Maximus delivered his first of two triumphs in 2024. He has since taken control with Nick Rockett (2025) and I Am Maximus (2026), bringing his total to four and matching the records held by George Dockeray, Fred Rimell, and Ginger McCain. Ridden by Paul Townend, the 9-2 favorite I Am Maximus—bolstered by heavy late betting support—became the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to reclaim the Grand National title. Adding to its legacy, I Am Maximus, saddled with a 12-4 handicap, marked the first top-weighted winner since Red Rum shouldered 12-0 in 2004. As Ben Jones surged on 28-1 longshot Jordans around the final turn, Townend tracked the frontrunners aboard I Am Maximus before powering clear near the iconic Aintree elbow. The rest is history. The achievement also makes JP McManus the top owner in the race’s history with four victories—following wins by Don’t Push It in 2003, Minella Times in 2021, and I Am Maximus in 2024. Mullins, a 25-time Irish National Hunt Champion trainer, mounted late surges in the past two years to claim the British title for the first time. He’s poised to relinquish it this year, despite pocketing £500,000 from I Am Maximus’s win, as Dan Skelton—who took four races at Aintree on Saturday—has made history as the first trainer to exceed £4m. Mullins is locked in a tussle with Gordon Elliott for the Irish title, but with the Punchestown Festival upcoming from 28 April to 2 May, he’s favored to prevail. I Am Maximus triumphs in Grand National for trainer Mullins.
