Nick Rockett emerged victorious at the Grand National 2025 under the training of Willie Mullins, with his son, amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, securing the win. The Mullins team dominated the race with I Am Maximus finishing second and Grangeclare West coming in third, ensuring five of the top seven spots were claimed by Mullins-trained horses.
I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, aimed to replicate his 2024 success by hugging the rail throughout the race but was ultimately outpaced by Nick Rockett, leading to an emotional victory for the Mullins family.
Willie Mullins struggled to contain his emotions as he watched his son triumph, shedding tears of joy after the race. Patrick Mullins expressed his elation at fulfilling a childhood dream at Aintree, stating, “It’s incredible. I had to pull him back at the start, but he jumped superbly. This is very special to me. He may not be big, but he’s as brave as a lion.”
Despite being the favorite, I Am Maximus fell short of a repeat victory, while Iroko, who finished fourth, was considered a strong contender at the start. The early frontrunner, Broadway Boy, faded as only 16 horses completed the challenging course at Aintree.
The Grand National, a highlight of the three-day festival, captivated audiences worldwide with 34 runners navigating 16 fences. The race featured compelling storylines, including JP McManus vying for a fourth win as an owner and Nicky Henderson seeking his first victory.
While the Grand National remains a popular event, there are ongoing calls to ban it due to safety concerns raised by animal rights activists. Despite past controversies, recent safety improvements, such as lower fences and reduced runner numbers, have been implemented to safeguard both horses and riders.
The race results were as follows: Nick Rockett claimed first place at 33/1 odds, followed by I Am Maximus at 7/1 in second and Grangeclare West at 33/1 in third. Other notable finishers included Iroko at 13/2 in fourth and Meetingofthewaters at 20/1 in fifth.