Aintree Racecourse, April 11th 2026, the day the historic Grand National makes its return. The ultimate test of resilience, courage, and horse racing mastery, where the best racers in the world come together to see who is the best horse and the best jockey in the world.
Although we are a few months away from the 2026 Grand National, it’s never too early or too late to talk about the racers who came on top in past editions and, of course, those individuals who are breaking through amongst the best racers in the world.
Previous Years: The Hall of Fame
The Grand National is still the stage where legends are established, where the top people in the world earn such a name.
The most recent winners, ranging from real legends to budding stars, show how horse racing continues to develop.
Nick Rockett
The 2025 winner, the last star to be crowned, Nick Rockett’s win is one to remember.
Anyone that likes to bet on horse racing will tell you that odds and form go out of the window at the Grand National, and what better proof than the upset win for this horse.
With Patrick Mullins as his jockey and Willie Mullins as his trainer, Nick Rockett defied 33/1 odds and beat highly rated competition in a true underdog victory.
I Am Maximus
2024 was a different story, as I Am Maximus was the winning horse. Maximus was the clear favourite of the bunch with 7/1 odds.
Although his jockey, Paul Townsend, delivered an astonishing ride, Maximus had all eyes on him and delivered.
Corach Rambler
Another favorite who, of course, won was Corach Rambler in 2023. Rambler had all the hype around him, and he didn’t fail to deliver.
With Derek Fox as his jockey, Rambler put the race to bed early, dominating the race.
Noble Yeats
If Rockett’s 2025 win was epic, then Noble Yeats’ win in 2022 was arguably one of the most surprising wins in Grand National history.
On his final race before retirement, and with Sam Waley-Cohen as the jockey, Noble Yeats pulled off a miracle and won the whole thing with 50/1 odds, a remarkable achievement.
Minella Times
2021 was one to remember, not only because Minella Times made a tremendous run to claim the Grand National, but because jockey Rachel Blackmore became the first female to win the Grand National in history, a landmark she has achieved in horse racing.
Potential New Threats to Watch in 2026
Although past champions often return to defend their title, the greatest dangers tend to come from horses and riders who are steadily progressing during the season.
There is no shortage of interesting selections, from up and coming chasers moving up from Grade 2 events, as well as horses enjoying success beyond three miles.
There are a few interesting selections that could possibly upset the 2026 Grand National.
I Am Maximus: The 2024 winner can well and truly make a surprise return to the top. After ending second in 2025, coming very close to winning yet again in 2026.
Maximus has shown itself to be one of the best horses in long distances; it only needs a jockey and a manager who can manage it at an older age.
Haiti Couleurs: A true one to watch for 2026, Haiti Couleurs has turned into one of the heavy favourites for the 2026 Grand National.
With early odds that put him at 16/1, the Irish Grand National winner has proven to be excellent in long distances.
Iroko: Coming short of a podium in 2025, Iroko looks to be the future of horse racing.
At a very young age, there’s still much room to improve, but if an elite manager manages him and has an elite jockey, he can well and truly become champion in 2026.
Monty’s Star: If we had to talk about a dark horse, Monty’s Star is one of the best choices.
Named as one of the “Five To Follow” in 2026, if he’s able to stay in good health and improve his stamina, who knows if he can be the surprise for the 2026 Grand National?
2026: Where Legends Are Made
The clock is ticking, the 2026 Grand National is closer and closer. Some horses are clearly going to be favorites, while many will try their best to surprise us all.
It will be a race that will require mental and physical stamina and a fair amount of management to win.
But in all honesty, the best part of the Grand National is the unpredictability of the result, as winners can range from favored horses to dark horses.
The Grand National typically provides the best opportunity for punters to win as well, but part of the secret to success is to be cautious and conduct a lot of research in order to find the horses who might be able to race extremely well for long distances, because the Grand National is not your standard race.
As we sit here in early October, April may feel like a long time away, but the Grand National in 2026 promises to be one of the most thrilling editions in its long history.
