I Am Maximus secured victory in the 2026 Grand National with a time of 9 minutes and 9.68 seconds. This win marks the horse’s second consecutive title under the ownership of JP McManus, making I Am Maximus a two-time champion alongside Tiger Roll at this prestigious racing event.
JP McManus now holds the record for the most wins by an owner in the history of the Grand National, with four victories to his name. Trainer Willie Mullins also celebrated his second consecutive triumph, having guided Nick Rockett to victory in the previous year.
Following the race, jockey Paul Townend, who achieved a Gold Cup and Grand National double this season, praised I Am Maximus’s resilience, stating, “He’s tough, isn’t he? He’s a really exceptional horse with a strong engine that will give its all until the finish line.”
Mullins commended the horse’s performance, mentioning, “He received an excellent ride. Opting for Aintree over the Gold Cup proved to be the right decision. Perhaps the dynamics of the National are evolving, and we need to approach it differently. This race is the pinnacle of our ambitions in the racing world.”
In addition to I Am Maximus, here are the placements of the other horses in the Grand National:
1st: I Am Maximus
2nd: Iroko
3rd: Jordans
4th: Jonnywho
5th: High Class Hero
6th: Favori De Champdou
7th: Final Orders
8th: Champ Kiely
9th: Three Card Brag
10th: Monty’s Star
11th: Answer To Kayf
12th: Gorgeous Tom
13th: Imperial Saint
14th: Haiti Couleurs
15th: Twig
16th: Firefox
Several riders unseated during the race, including Bainbridge, Grangeclare West, Oscars Brother, Beauport, Captain Cody, Jagwar, and Perceval Legallois. Others such as Gerri Colombe, Mr Vango, Stellar Story, Quai De Bourbon, Marble Sands, Panic Attack, and Top Of The Bill fell during the event. Horses like Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson, The Real Whacker, and Amirite were pulled up, while Nick Rockett, Spillane’s Tower, and Pied Piper were non-runners.
