The last five winners of the Grand National
The Grand National has an extraordinary ability to generate stories that transcend sport. Whether it is an amateur jockey fulfilling a lifelong dream, a female rider making history, or a 50/1 outsider defying every expectation, Aintree has a way of producing moments that linger.
If you are looking for Grand National betting inspiration ahead of the next renewal, studying recent winners is always a sensible starting point. Here is a look back at the five horses who have claimed jump racing's greatest prize since 2021.
2025: Nick Rockett
Nick Rockett, a 33-1 outsider, was guided to victory by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins in a race that produced a remarkable one-two-three for trainer Willie Mullins.
Defending champion, I Am Maximus, ran a valiant race under Paul Townend but could not hold off his stablemate in the closing stages, with Grangeclare West completing the clean sweep in third.
For Patrick Mullins, it was the pinnacle of his amateur career, and for Willie Mullins, a third Grand National victory and second in consecutive years.
Winning owner Stewart Andrew dedicated the victory to his late wife, Sadie, who passed away in December 2022, just days after watching Nick Rockett make his debut.
The horse had arrived at Aintree off the back of wins in the Thyestes and Bobbyjo Chases, making him thoroughly prepared if underestimated.
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2024: I Am Maximus
Also trained by Mullins and ridden by Townend for owner JP McManus, I Am Maximus won by seven and a half lengths as the 7/1 joint-favourite.
Townend rode him with assured patience, finding another gear between the final two fences to sweep clear of Delta Work and Minella Indo.
Defending champion Corach Rambler had been unseated at the very first fence, removing a key rival before the race had truly begun.
It was a first Grand National win for Townend and a third for McManus, following Don't Push It in 2010 and Minella Times in 2021.
2023: Corach Rambler
The 2023 renewal was delayed by 14 minutes after protesters staged an incursion at Aintree, but once underway, Corach Rambler produced a performance of real authority, winning by two and a quarter lengths from Vanillier.
Trained by Lucinda Russell and ridden by Derek Fox, it was their second Grand National success together following One For Arthur in 2017, making Russell the only female trainer to have won the race more than once in the modern era.
2022: Noble Yeats
Few Grand National stories have matched the romance of Noble Yeats.
Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who had announced that the race would be the final ride of his career, partnered the 50/1 outsider trained by Emmet Mullins to a stunning victory.
Noble Yeats became the first seven-year-old to win since Bogskar in 1940, doing so with limited experience, having only won a beginners' chase at Galway earlier that season.
It was a perfect farewell for Waley-Cohen and a brilliant training achievement from Emmet Mullins.
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2021: Minella Times
The 2021 Grand National made history when Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the race, partnering Minella Times to victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner JP McManus.
Sent off at 11/1, Minella Times had a trouble-free passage throughout, took the lead on the turn for home, and ran on strongly to the line. He was brought down at just the ninth obstacle when trying to defend his title 12 months later.
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Who will add their name to the roll of honour this year? As we approach the big race, the Grand National 2026 tips sites are starting to struggle to decide between I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, Jagwar and Iroko.
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