Mullins is Maximus with Grand National training treble

I Am Maximus has become the first horse since Red Rum to regain the Grand National while Irish trainer Willie Mullins also enjoyed a history-making afternoon with his third-straight triumph in racing's greatest steeplechase.

Mullins' 2024 winner prevailed again at Aintree in Liverpool, England, after a valiant battle in the final strides of Saturday's race, cementing the J.P McManus-owned mount his place in history as one of the greatest steeplechasers.

I Am Maximus, who went off 9/2 favourite, defied his top weight in the closing stages under a superb ride from Paul Townend, accelerating towards the winning post from well back to beat fellow JP McManus runner Iroko.

I Am Maximus's success cements Mullins' place as one of the race's most successful trainers, taking his tally of wins to four, equalling the record set by Red Rum trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell.

Despite multiple successes, Mullins, who also trained this year's Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior and still holds the ambition of saddling a Melbourne Cup champion, said the race was still the one everyone wanted to win.

"It's very hard to win off top weight," said Mullins. "It is the first race we all watch on television, it is the one we all aspire to win when we go into racing."

I Am Maximus is the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to win, then lose, then win another Grand National.

He won the race in 2024 before finishing second to Nick Rockett in 2025 and as a dual winner he stands next to Tiger Roll with the rare accolade of winning more than once.

"He's so good, he's got such an engine, he'd gallop to the end of the world for you. I'm privileged to have anything to do with him. It is right up there, it is Grand National and Gold Cups, they are the pinnacle of our sport and I've got them both," said Townend.

McManus, who had three of the first four home, is now the Grand National's most successful owner, having won the race four times -- with Don't Push It, Minella Times and twice with I Am Maximus.

Despite efforts to improve the safety of the race, there were a high number of fallers. Of the 34 runners, 16 finished and seven fell compared to three in 2025 and none in 2024. It is the highest number of fallers since at least 2015.

Animal rights activists have blasted the running of the Grand National and criticised the two fatalities recorded in 2026.