The 2025 Grand National, the 177th running of this iconic steeplechase, took place at Aintree near Liverpool on 5 April, 2025.
The race featured a maximum field of 34 runners tackling a demanding course of four miles and two and a half furlongs with 30 jumps.
Known for its unpredictability and challenge, the event attracts considerable attention across the UK. This year, 16 horses completed the course, with Nick Rockett, an outsider, producing a memorable victory.
The Winning Team: Nick Rockett and the Mullins Family
Nick Rockett, starting at 33/1 odds, was ridden to victory by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, son of the celebrated trainer Willie Mullins.
This marked Patrick’s first Grand National win, an important milestone in his career.
Despite his smaller stature, Nick Rockett demonstrated remarkable courage and stamina.
Willie Mullins also celebrated an extraordinary achievement, with his horses Nick Rockett, I Am Maximus (second), and Grangeclare West (third) completing a clean sweep of the podium. This dominance underlined Mullins’ impressive hold over the race.
Nick Rockett’s unexpected victory at 33/1 odds is a perfect reminder of how quickly things can change in the Grand National — a race where unpredictability is part of the thrill.
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Other Key Highlights and Results
Finishing second was I Am Maximus, the previous year’s winner, who nearly defended his title with a strong performance.
Third place went to Grangeclare West, also trained by Mullins, further emphasising his influence.
The race favourite, Iroko, came fourth, while Meetingofthewaters, another horse trained by Mullins, finished fifth. In total, five of the top seven finishers represented Mullins’ stable.
Patrick Mullins also became the 43rd amateur to win the Grand National and the first since Sam Waley-Cohen on Noble Yeats (2022).
The course proved demanding as usual, with three horses falling, one brought down, and another unseating its rider.
Fortunately, serious injuries during the race were avoided; Broadway Boy, who fell heavily, was later reported to be safe. The winning jockey received a brief suspension for exceeding the whip usage limit after the final fence.
And sadly, Celebre d’Allen passed away two days after the race, following his fall after the last fence and subsequent lung infection.
Lessons from the 2025 Grand National
The 2025 race reinforced the importance of thorough preparation, skilled riding, and determination in overcoming the challenges of one of the toughest steeplechases.
It showed that stamina and fitness play key roles in finishing, and that outsiders can triumph against the odds. Strategic riding and endurance can defy market expectations in this contest.
From a betting perspective, the results remind punters to look beyond the favourites. The favourite Iroko finishing fourth demonstrated that favourites have odds on success but are far from guaranteed winners.
Considering a horse’s form, suitability to the course, and positioning in the market remains crucial for making well-informed bets.
Looking Ahead to 2026
For the 2026 Aintree Grand National, there are no significant changes or new measures announced as of October 2025, following the major welfare updates and reduction to a 34-runner field introduced after the 2024 renewal.
The race remains scheduled for Saturday, April 11th, with the three-day festival starting Thursday, April 9th.
However, an interesting scheduling note is that the Irish Grand National in 2026 will take place first, as it runs on Easter Monday, April 6th, just five days before the Aintree highlight, giving Irish racing fans an early major spring spectacle before the action heads to Liverpool.
Willie Mullins’ dominance in 2025 presents a challenge to other trainers, though the course will continue to favour those with stamina and experience.
Patrick Mullins’s success as an amateur may encourage greater attention to emerging riding talent beyond the established professionals.
Betting markets will likely continue to balance respect for proven form with the possibility of surprise outcomes, reflecting the enduring unpredictability of the Grand National.
