'The older I get, the more I enjoy it' - Mullins joins 'legends'

Media caption,

I Am Maximus trainer Mullins reflects on Grand National win

It was a Grand National to savour for Irish trainer Willie Mullins as he celebrated his third consecutive victory thanks to I Am Maximus - equalling the feat achieved by the legendary Vincent O'Brien.

Between 1953 and 1955, O'Brien became the first trainer to win the iconic race three times in a row as Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times triumphed.

Mullins has now etched his name in Aintree folklore and told BBC Radio 5 Live: "That is some company to be up there with Vincent O'Brien. He is a legend of legends in the game.

"To be lucky enough to be mentioned in the same breath as him is just off the charts. You never dream of that sort of thing."

It has not come easy for the 69-year-old, though.

After winning his first National with Hedgehunter in 2005, Mullins had to be patient for 19 years until I Am Maximus landed the first of his two victories in 2024.

He has since dominated with Nick Rockett (2025) and I Am Maximus (2026) making it four in total - equalling the records of George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.

I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, went into the race 9-2 favourite after significant late support by punters and became the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to regain the Grand National.

There was further history for I Am Maximus, with a handicap of 11st 12lb, becoming the first top weight to triumph since Red Rum carried 12st in 1974.

When Ben Jones made his move on 28-1 shot Jordans around the final bend, Townend stalked the leaders on I Am Maximus and finally burst for the front near the famous Aintree elbow. The rest is history.

The feat also meant JP McManus is the leading owner in the history of the race with four wins - backing up the victories of Don't Push It in 2010, Minella Times in 2021 and I Am Maximus in 2024.

Mullins is a 19-time Irish National Hunt Champion trainer and launched late charges in the past two years to take the British title for the first time.

He is set to lose that crown this year, despite winning £500,000 with I Am Maximus, as Dan Skelton - who won four races at Aintree on Saturday - has created history by becoming the first trainer to pass the £4m mark.

Mullins is also in a battle with Gordon Elliott for the Irish title, but with the Punchestown Festival to follow between 28 April and 2 May, he is expected to come out on top.

Despite conquering all in the sport, a humble Mullins praised the team behind him.

"I am very simple - it is about earning a living," he added on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Every year I spend more money on the gallop. I enjoy it. I enjoy the people in racing. I enjoy the people in sport. Sportspeople are fantastic, they have a great outlook on life.

"We are all well used to getting beaten in finals, semi-finals or whatever and to me, that passion is wonderful.

"To be able to take those knocks and pat the next guy on the back - I love all that. The older I get, the more I enjoy it.

"When I was younger it was more about winning and wanting to win and needing to win but now I can see the bigger picture of sport and I enjoy it and I am very lucky. I have a team that do everything for me.

"Those guys take over and I try and not get in the way. They do their job fantastically. Where would we be without our staff?"

Speaking in a press conference afterwards, Mullins said: "This year, training horses was so difficult. It was the wettest winter I've had in 40 years. I have the hardiest staff in the British Isles.

"I love having happy horses and having happy staff."

'Jockeys are superheroes and I'm in that big circle now'

For Townend, who is Mullins' stable jockey and had a choice from his eight horses in the race, his decision to ride I Am Maximus over Grangeclare West and last year's winner Nick Rockett paid off.

Nick Rockett was a non-runner, while 9-1 shot Grangeclare West unseated Patrick Mullins at the first fence.

One punter had £100,000 on I Am Maximus to win £900,000 while Betfred's Fred Done called the result a "gladiatorial bloodbath for bookies".

On winning for a second time on I Am Maximus, the 35-year-old Townend told BBC Radio 5 Live: "What a horse. He's so good, so tough.

"To carry that much weight and come back here twice was hard and to come back here a third time, it is surreal.

"How lucky am I to be riding these horses? It is definitely not wasted on me. I probably can't do it justice to be honest because it is just surreal now.

"When I grew up, jockeys were superheroes to me and I can't believe I am part of that big circle now."