I Am Maximus repeats

I Am Maximus won the 2026 Grand National at Aintree, becoming the first horse since Red Rum to regain the race after losing it. (bbc.com) The 9-2 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, beat Iroko by 2½ lengths on Saturday, April 11. Jordans finished third and Johnnywho was fourth. (rte.ie) I Am Maximus had won the National in 2024 and finished second in 2025, when stablemate Nick Rockett took the race. This year’s win gave owner J P McManus a record fourth National victory. (independent.co.uk) (rte.ie) The Grand National is the best-known jumps race in Britain, run over 4 miles 2½ furlongs and 30 fences at Aintree. Repeat winners are rare because the race is a handicap, which is designed to level the field by assigning horses different weights. (racingpost.com) (rte.ie) Willie Mullins also added another piece of history. RTÉ reported that he became the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three straight editions of the race. (rte.ie) The finish turned late when Jordans moved into the lead after two out, but I Am Maximus stayed on strongest from the elbow to the line. Townend said afterward that the horse is “tough” and will “gallop to the end of the world for you.” (rte.ie) The race also had early disruption. Grangeclare West unseated Patrick Mullins at the first fence, Panic Attack fell at the third, and several other runners failed to finish. (rte.ie) (racingpost.com) Aintree’s 2026 festival was also overshadowed by two equine deaths reported during the meeting. The Independent said Gold Dancer was put down on Friday after the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, and Get On George was euthanised after pulling up on Saturday. (independent.co.uk) For now, the record book shows I Am Maximus alongside Red Rum in the small group of horses to win the National more than once. Mullins said he hopes the horse will be back at Aintree again next year. (bbc.com) (rte.ie)