The 2025 Grand National will be remembered as the day the Mullins dynasty etched its name into Aintree history. On a sunlit Saturday, April 5th, as the world watched, a 33-1 outsider named Nick Rockett, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins and ridden by his son, amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, stormed to victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
But this was more than just a win; it was a family triumph, a clean sweep of the podium, and a race that sent shockwaves through the horse racing betting world. Whether your horse finished in glory, heartbreak, or somewhere in between, this Grand National was a spectacle for the ages.
How The Race Unfolded
The 177th running of the Grand National unfolded over four miles and thirty fences, with 34 of the best chasers from Britain and Ireland tackling Aintree’s legendary course. The ground was good to soft, the field was stacked with talent, and anticipation was sky-high.
One of the pre-race favourites was last year’s champion, I Am Maximus, who carried the weight of expectation for Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. Yet, as the race developed, it became clear this would be no repeat; this was to be a coronation for a new hero.
Nick Rockett, who had already impressed in Ireland’s top staying chases, was always prominent. As the field thinned, fences claimed fallers, and the relentless pace forced many to pull up. The Mullins-trained trio of Nick Rockett, I Am Maximus, and Grangeclare West emerged from the chaos.
At the last fence, Nick Rockett jumped to the front, holding off a determined I Am Maximus on the run-in, with Grangeclare West rallying for third after a mistake at the last. The 13/2 favourite Iroko finished a gallant fourth, but the day belonged to the Mullins team.
Behind the leaders, only 16 horses completed the course, a testament to the Grand National’s enduring challenge. There were moments of drama and concern – Broadway Boy fell heavily while leading, and Celebre d’Allen collapsed after the last, sadly succumbing to a lung infection days later.
Grand National 2025 Finishing Order
It was another terrific race, and with so many of us having a flutter, we were all keen to find out where our hopefuls finished. Only 16 completed the course, with the rest falling, being pulled up, brought down, or unseating their riders:
| Position | Horse | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Rockett | 33/1 | W P Mullins | Mr P W Mullins |
| 2 | I Am Maximus | 7/1 | W P Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 3 | Grangeclare West | 33/1 | W P Mullins | Brian Hayes |
| 4 | Iroko | 13/2F | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero | Jonjo O’Neill Jr |
| 5 | Meetingofthewaters | 20/1 | W P Mullins | Danny Mullins |
| 6 | Senior Chief | 40/1 | Henry De Bromhead | Darragh O’Keeffe |
| 7 | Minella Cocooner | 18/1 | W P Mullins | Jonathan Burke |
| 8 | Hewick | 14/1 | John Joseph Hanlon | Gavin Sheehan |
| 9 | Minella Indo | 20/1 | Henry De Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore |
| 10 | Twig | 50/1 | Ben Pauling | Beau Morgan |
| 11 | Three Card Brag | 16/1 | Gordon Elliott | Sean Bowen |
| 12 | Beauport | 33/1 | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Sam Twiston-Davies |
| 13 | Horantzau d’Airy | 150/1 | Michael Keady | Ciaran Gethings |
| 14 | Vanillier | 12/1 | Gavin Cromwell | Sean Flanagan |
| 15 | Bravemansgame | 40/1 | Paul Nicholls | James Reveley |
| 16 | Chantry House | 66/1 | Nicky Henderson | James Bowen |
| BD | Appreciate It | 28/1 | W P Mullins | Sean O’Keeffe |
| F | Kandoo Kid | 25/1 | Paul Nicholls | Harry Cobden |
| F | Perceval Legallois | 10/1 | Gavin Cromwell | Mark Walsh |
| F | Broadway Boy | 66/1 | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Tom Bellamy |
| PU | Celebre d’Allen | 125/1 | Philip Hobbs & Johnson White | Micheal Nolan |
| PU | Royale Pagaille | 100/1 | Venetia Williams | Charlie Deutsch |
| PU | Conflated | 100/1 | Gordon Elliott | Jordan Gainford |
| PU | Coko Beach | 40/1 | Gordon Elliott | Jody McGarvey |
| PU | Idas Boy | 100/1 | Richard Phillips | Harry Bannister |
| PU | Threeunderthrufive | 40/1 | Paul Nicholls | Harry Skelton |
| PU | Hitman | 28/1 | Paul Nicholls | Freddie Gingell |
| PU | Monbeg Genius | 50/1 | Jonjo & A J O’Neill | Nick Scholfield |
| PU | Stumptown | 10/1 | Gavin Cromwell | Keith Donoghue |
| PU | Intense Raffles | 14/1 | Thomas Gibney | J J Slevin |
| PU | Fil Dor | 50/1 | Gordon Elliott | Sam Ewing |
| PU | Hyland | 22/1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| PU | Stay Away Fay | 66/1 | Paul Nicholls | Paul O’Brien |
| PU | Duffle Coat | 33/1 | Gordon Elliott | Danny Gilligan |
Mullins’ Magnificent 1-2-3: A Family Affair
Willie Mullins has long been a titan of National Hunt racing, but his achievement at Aintree in 2025 was unprecedented. Not only did he train the winner, but he saddled the first three home, a feat never before accomplished in the Grand National’s history. Five of the top seven finishers hailed from his Closutton yard, underlining the depth and quality of his operation.
The victory was made even sweeter by the family connection. Patrick Mullins, riding his father’s horse to Grand National glory, fulfilled a lifelong dream. The emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure – Willie Mullins, usually the epitome of composure, in tears as he embraced his son – captured the hearts of racing fans everywhere.
“To win a Grand National is one thing. To win it for my dad? That’s everything.” – Patrick Mullins
The Mullins dominance has sparked debate about the changing nature of the “people’s race,” but few could begrudge the family their moment in the spotlight after such a display of preparation, talent, and timing.
Betting Bonanza: Big Wins and Long Odds
The betting world was set alight by the 2025 result. Nick Rockett was sent off at 33/1, overlooked by many punters in favour of more fancied runners like I Am Maximus and Iroko. But those who kept faith in the Mullins stable, or who played the forecast and tricast markets, were richly rewarded.
One punter reportedly turned an £8 each-way tricast into over £61,000 by correctly predicting the Mullins 1-2-3 in the exact order, a life-changing return on a small stake. The result also saw bookmakers scrambling, as the dominance of a single yard upended many markets and led to some hefty payouts.
Even those who backed I Am Maximus, or the popular outsider Grangeclare West, were able to find place returns, as the field’s high attrition rate meant each-way bets paid handsomely down to sixth, and in some cases, seventh place.
Sadie and Stewart Andrew – An Emotional Win For Owners
The story of Sadie Andrew and Nick Rockett is one of hope, heartbreak, and ultimately, triumph against the odds. Sadie, who grew up near Willie Mullins in Ballyellen, always dreamed of having a horse in training with the legendary Closutton handler.
That dream became reality when, after a chance meeting with Mullins at the Cheltenham Sales, she and her husband, Stewart, decided to buy a horse together and send it to Willie. The horse they chose was Nick Rockett, and from the very beginning, Sadie was convinced he was something special.
Tragically, just as Nick Rockett was beginning his racing career, Sadie was diagnosed with terminal cancer in November 2022. Determined to see her horse run, she asked Mullins to give Nick Rockett an early outing.
Five days before she passed away in December 2022, she watched him finish fourth in a bumper at Fairyhouse. Despite his inexperience, Sadie remained optimistic, telling Stewart, “He’s not fit, but when we get him fit, he will win.” Her faith was unwavering, even as her time was running out.
When Nick Rockett lined up for the 2025 Grand National, it was with Sadie’s memory at the heart of the story. As the outsider surged to an unforgettable victory, Stewart paid tribute to his late wife, saying, “Nick Rockett wasn’t my horse, it was my wife’s horse. She wanted a horse in training with Willie.
“When we found out that she had terminal cancer, Willie ran him just to let Sadie see him. He finished fourth. He’s just done unbelievable.” Stewart added, “Sadie would have loved today – she was up there, she’ll have had a tenner each-way, I guarantee you”.
Conclusion: A Grand National for the Ages
The 2025 Grand National delivered everything fans could hope for. It had drama, emotion, and a story for the ages. Willie Mullins’ historic clean sweep, capped by his son Patrick’s ride to glory, will be talked about for generations.
Whether you cheered home the winner, groaned as your horse pulled up, or simply marveled at the spectacle, this was a Grand National that captured the imagination and reminded us why this race stands alone.
As the dust settles and the celebrations continue in the Mullins household, the rest of the racing world is left to wonder: can anyone stop the Closutton juggernaut?
For now, the answer is clear: Aintree 2025 belonged to the Mullins family, and to Nick Rockett, the horse that turned dreams into reality.
