The Irish Grand National once again delivered its trademark blend of drama, stamina, and sheer unpredictability, as Soldier In Milan surged to glory at Fairyhouse.
In a race where reputations are tested and legends are born, it was the well-backed and lightly raced contender who rose above the chaos to etch their name into one of National Hunt racing’s most coveted honours.
Run at a relentless tempo and packed with turning points from flagfall to finish, this year’s renewal proved why the Irish Grand National remains one of the most fiercely contested handicaps of the season.
But when it mattered most, Soldier In Milan found that extra gear up the famous Fairyhouse straight, holding off Showurappreciation and The Enabler to claim a memorable victory for Emmet Mullins.
How The Race Was Won
Monbeg Genius led from the off, and with all runners over the first safely, the race was on.
By fence four, Monbeg Genius, Soldier in Milan, and The Jukebox Kid were leading the field.
The race played out perfectly for the first circuit with no fallers or runners being pulled up, so with 11 fences to jump, all were still in contention – though some a little more than others.
With ten fences to go, Monbeg Genius was still doing all of the running with Shanbally Kid and The Jukebox Kid keeping him company.
With six fences to go, race favourite, The Jukebox Kid, made a howler of a mistake, and from there his chances of winning appeared to fade as he drifted back into the field.
A half mile to go and Jonjo O’Neill Jr found himself having to rally Monbeg Genius as the rest of the field picked up the pace.
Two fences to go, Paul Townend and Kiss Will parted ways, and suddenly the race was wide open, leaving the door open for Soldier In Milan to clear the last and make all in the run-in.
With jockey Donagh Meyler on board, Soldier In Milan romped home, giving Emmet Mullins his first win in the race – and incidentally, his owner’s first ever runner in the race!
Now he can add the Irish Grand National to the Aintree Grand National he won with Noble Yeats in 2022.
The Rest Of The Field
In second place was Showurappreciation for trainer Jonathan Sweeney, jockey Mark Walsh, and owner JP McManus, whose wife, Noreen, bred the horse.
Not far behind, in third place, was The Enabler for Gordon Elliott, jockey Danny Gilligan, and owners Gigginstown.
Fourth went to Argento Boy for Willie Mullins, and despite leading the field for most of the race, Monbeg Genius had to settle for fifth place.
A Future Aintree National Contender?
Few victories in modern Irish racing will resonate quite like this, as Soldier In Milan delivered a career-defining performance to hand Emmet Mullins yet another major staying prize.
Always a trainer renowned for plotting big-race successes, Mullins once again showcased his knack for timing, preparation, and placing, bringing his charge to Fairyhouse in peak condition for the ultimate test of stamina and resolve.
In the saddle, Donagh Meylor produced a ride of real composure and intelligence, judging the pace to perfection before asking for maximum effort at precisely the right moment.
As others faltered in the closing stages, Meylor kept Soldier In Milan balanced and driven, forging clear when it mattered most to seal a landmark success for both horse and rider.
For connections, it was the culmination of patience and belief—rewarded in the most emphatic fashion on one of racing’s biggest stages.
Undoubtedly, we will be seeing him at Aintree, possibly even next year, where we all get to hopefully watch him run another incredible race.
Well done to all the runners and riders for another fantastic race, and congratulations to the 2026 Irish Grand National winner, Soldier In Milan, Emmet Mullins, and Donagh Meylor.
BETFRED
