I Am Maximus has won the 2026 Randox Grand National at Aintree, reclaiming his title in a historic performance that saw the 9/2 favorite power past the field. Ridden by jockey Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, the horse delivered a late surge to finish ahead of Iroko (18-1) and Jordans (28-1). The victory comes as the horse racing industry faces ongoing pressure over animal welfare, following major safety overhauls in 2024 that reduced the field to 34 runners to prevent the kind of collisions seen in previous years.
The race started at 4:00 PM local time and quickly turned into a test of survival. Multiple horses fell during the early stages, including Gerri Colombe, who unseated Jack Kennedy. Despite the “carnage” described by spectators at the fences, I Am Maximus stayed in contention before making his move after the final jump. This win makes him the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to regain the Grand National title after a previous victory, according to live coverage by The Guardian. He first won the race in 2024.
The leaderboard was dominated by owner JP McManus. His green and gold colors were carried by three of the first four horses to finish. Johnnywho took fourth place at 12-1, while High Class Hero rounded out the top five. Paul Townend is now the star of the season. He completed the elite double of winning both the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year. Speaking to reporters immediately after the finish, Townend credited the horse’s stamina for the victory. He said the horse found another gear exactly when it mattered.
But the day was not without loss. A horse named Get On George died earlier on Saturday afternoon. The incident happened at 1:46 PM during one of the preliminary races before the main event. A report from the Express confirmed the death, which has reignited debates about the risks of the Aintree course even after recent modifications. Officials noted that the 2026 field size of 34 was kept strictly in place to manage these risks.
The win is a massive achievement for trainer Willie Mullins. He continues his reign as the dominant force in jumps racing. Analysts noted that the ground conditions favored the stronger stayers, and I Am Maximus proved he had the most left in the tank. You can see the full list of finishers and where every horse ended up in the official results published by the Racing Post. The 2026 race will be remembered for its mix of sporting history and the somber reminder of the sport’s inherent dangers.
The Townend-Mullins Era and the Red Rum Parallel
The 2026 victory for I Am Maximus is more than just a single race win; it signals the absolute peak of the Willie Mullins and Paul Townend partnership. By winning both the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season, Townend has entered a tier of jockeys rarely seen in the history of the sport. This achievement mirrors the dominance seen in the 1970s, specifically the era of Red Rum. I Am Maximus is now the only horse in nearly 50 years to lose his title and then win it back. This suggests a level of longevity and tactical management by Mullins that separates his stable from rivals like Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson. For the racing industry, this result proves that the safety-driven reduction to 34 runners has not diminished the drama of the finish, though the death of Get On George earlier in the day ensures that regulatory scrutiny will remain intense for the 2027 season.