'The older I get, the more I enjoy it' - Mullins etches name in Aintree folklore

I Am Maximus trainer Mullins reflects on Grand National win

>It was a Grand National to savour for Irish trainer Willie Mullins as he celebrated his third consecutive victory thanks to I Am Maximus - equalling the feat achieved by the legendary Vincent O'Brien.

>Between 1953 and 1955, O'Brien became the first trainer to win the iconic race three times in a row as Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times triumphed.

>Mullins has now etched his name in Aintree folklore and told BBC Radio 5 Live: "That is some company to be up there with Vincent O'Brien. He is a legend of legends in the game.

>"To be lucky enough to be mentioned in the same breath as him is just off the charts. You never dream of that sort of thing."

>It has not come easy for the 69-year-old, though.

>After winning his first National with Hedgehunter in 2005, Mullins had to be patient for 19 years until I Am Maximus landed the first of his two victories in 2024.

>He has since dominated with Nick Rockett (2025) and I Am Maximus (2026) making it four in total - equalling the records of George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.

>I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, went into the race 9-2 favourite after significant late support by punters and became the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to regain the Grand National.

>There was further history for I Am Maximus, with a handicap of 11st 12lb, becoming the first top weight to triumph since Red Rum carried 12st in 1974.

>When Ben Jones made his move on 28-1 shot Jordans around the final bend, Townend stalked the leaders on I Am Maximus and finally burst for the front near the famous Aintree elbow. The rest is history.

>The feat also meant JP McManus is the leading owner in the history of the race with four wins - backing up the victories of Don't Push It in 2010, Minella Times in 2021 and I Am Maximus in 2024.

>Mullins is a 19-time Irish National Hunt Champion trainer and launched late charges in the past two years to take the British title for the first time.

>He is set to lose that crown this year, despite winning £500,000 with I Am Maximus, as Dan Skelton - who won four races at Aintree on Saturday - has created history by becoming the first trainer to pass the £4m mark.

>Mullins is also in a battle with Gordon Elliott for the Irish title, but with the Punchestown Festival to follow between 28 April and 2 May, he is expected to come out on top.

>I Am Maximus wins Grand National for trainer Mullins

>Grand National 2026 result: Where your horse finished

>Willie Mullins' success made him the joint most successful Grand National trainer with four wins alongside George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain

>Despite conquering all in the sport, a humble Mullins praised the team behind him.

>"I am very simple - it is about earning a living," he added on BBC Radio 5 Live.

>"Every year I spend more money on the gallop. I enjoy it. I enjoy the people in racing. I enjoy the people in sport. Sportspeople are fantastic, they have a great outlook on life.

>"We are all well used to getting beaten in finals, semi-finals or whatever and to me, that passion is wonderful.

>"To be able to take those knocks and pat the next guy on the back - I love all that. The older I get, the more I enjoy it.

>"When I was younger it was more about winning and wanting to win and needing to win but now I can see the bigger picture of sport and I enjoy it and I am very lucky. I have a team that do everything for me.

>"Those guys take over and I try and not get in the way. They do their job fantastically. Where would we be without our staff?"

>Speaking in a press conference afterwards, Mullins said: "This year, training horses was so difficult. It was the wettest winter I've had in 40 years. I have the hardiest staff in the British Isles.

>"I love having happy horses and having happy staff."

>For Townend, who is Mullins' stable jockey and had a choice from his eight horses in the race, his decision to ride I Am Maximus over Grangeclare West and last year's winner Nick Rockett paid off.

>Nick Rockett was a non-runner, while 9-1 shot Grangeclare West unseated Patrick Mullins at the first fence.

>One punter had placed a £100,000 bet on the course on I Am Maximus at odds of 8/1 to claim £900,000 in winnings.

>Betfred's Fred Done called the race result a "gladiatorial bloodbath for bookies" with the heavily-backed favourite winning.

>On winning for a second time on I Am Maximus, the 35-year-old Townend told BBC Radio 5 Live: "What a horse. He's so good, so tough.

>"To carry that much weight and come back here twice was hard and to come back here a third time, it is surreal.

>"How lucky am I to be riding these horses? It is definitely not wasted on me. I probably can't do it justice to be honest because it is just surreal now.

>"When I grew up, jockeys were superheroes to me and I can't believe I am part of that big circle now."