I Am Maximus Regains Grand National Title

I Am Maximus made history at the 2026 Randox Grand National by becoming the first horse to reclaim the title since the legendary Red Rum. The race was marred by early drama, including the departure of last year's third-place finisher Grangeclare West and Panic Attack. However, I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, tracked the inside path and emerged victorious, storming home to win the race for the second time. This victory marked a record fourth win in the race for owner JP McManus, who also saw his horse Iroko finish second. Trainer Willie Mullins, who joins Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as a four-time National-winning handler, praised the horse and the jockey, saying, 'He's a superb horse who got a fantastic ride.' Mullins also credited the owner's decision to keep the horse in Aintree, saying, 'It was a good call from JP, I'd been going down the Gold Cup route with him, but he said to stay in Aintree with him as he felt he was well handicapped.' The victory was a testament to the horse's exceptional ability and the team's strategic planning. I Am Maximus's win has sparked discussions about the horse's potential to emulate Red Rum's historic third success in the future.