I Am Maximus Emulates Red Rum by Regaining Grand National Crown
I Am Maximus made history at Aintree by becoming the first horse to win the Grand National twice since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s. The top-weight favorite, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, secured a dramatic victory in an incident-packed 2026 race. Despite early drama that saw several contenders fall or unseat their jockeys, I Am Maximus tracked the inside path effectively before storming home to win. This triumph marked a record fourth Grand National victory for owner JP McManus, whose horses also finished second and third, achieving a historic one-two finish. Jockey Paul Townend praised the horse's toughness and engine, while trainer Willie Mullins highlighted the strategic decision to keep the horse at Aintree rather than pursuing the Gold Cup route. The win solidified I Am Maximus's status as a modern superstar of jump racing, joining an elite group of repeat winners and cementing Mullins's reputation as one of the sport's most successful handlers.
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I Am Maximus Emulates Red Rum by Regaining Grand National Crown
I Am Maximus made history at Aintree by becoming the first horse to win the Grand National twice since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s. The top-weight favorite, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, secured a dramatic victory in an incident-packed 2026 race. Despite early drama that saw several contenders fall or unseat their jockeys, I Am Maximus tracked the inside path effectively before storming home to win. This triumph marked a record fourth Grand National victory for owner JP McManus, whose horses also finished second and third, achieving a historic one-two finish. Jockey Paul Townend praised the horse's toughness and engine, while trainer Willie Mullins highlighted the strategic decision to keep the horse at Aintree rather than pursuing the Gold Cup route. The win solidified I Am Maximus's status as a modern superstar of jump racing, joining an elite group of repeat winners and cementing Mullins's reputation as one of the sport's most successful handlers.
The Guardian