The 2025 Randox Grand National, run on Saturday, April 5, at Aintree Racecourse, delivered a dramatic renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase. With a reduced field of 34 runners due to safety changes, the race saw a 33-1 upset victory, multiple leading contenders in the frame, and a dominant performance by Irish-trained horses. This guide provides a complete breakdown of every horse that ran, the official results, and the key context for the 2025 edition.
What Horse Won the Grand National 2025?
Nick Rockett, an 8-year-old gelding, won the 2025 renewal at starting odds of 33-1, according to the official results published by The Jockey Club. Trained by W.P. Mullins in Ireland and ridden by Patrick Mullins, the horse is owned by Stewart & Sadie Andrew.
The victory marked a significant upset, as the horse was not among the pre-race favorites. The defending champion, I Am Maximus (7-1), finished second, while stablemate Grangeclare West (33-1) took third. The pre-race favorite, Iroko (13/2), finished fourth.
Nick Rockett
5 April 2025
34
Aintree Racecourse
- Nick Rockett’s victory continues the trend of Irish-trained winners in recent years.
- The 2025 renewal saw a tightly packed finish with several leading contenders falling or being pulled up.
- Only a minority of the 34 starters completed the race, highlighting the course’s difficulty.
- Trainer W.P. Mullins saddled three of the top four finishers.
- The winning horse carried 11 stone 8 pounds.
- This was Patrick Mullins’ first Grand National victory.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Nick Rockett |
| Jockey | Patrick Mullins |
| Trainer | W.P. Mullins (Ireland) |
| Distance | 4 miles 2½ furlongs |
| Official Source | The Jockey Club – 2025 Official Results |
Complete List of Grand National 2025 Runners
The field of 34 runners was finalized from 38 initial declarations. The following list of confirmed starters has been cross-referenced from the Jockey Club, ESPN, and Oddschecker.
Pre-Race Runners (Alphabetical by Horse Name)
- Appreciate It – Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
- Beauport – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- Bravemansgame – Jockey: James Reveley
- Broadway Boy – Jockey: Tom Bellamy
- Celebre D’Allen – Jockey: Micheal Nolan
- Chantry House – Jockey: James Bowen
- Coko Beach – Jockey: Jody McGarvey
- Conflated – Jockey: Jordan Gainford
- Duffle Coat – Jockey: Danny Gilligan
- Fil Dor – Jockey: Sam Ewing
- Grangeclare West – Jockey: Brian Hayes
- Hewick – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- Hitman – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
- Horantzau d’Airy – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
- Hyland – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- I Am Maximus – Jockey: Paul Townend
- Idas Boy – Jockey: Harry Bannister
- Iroko – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. (Pre-race favorite)
- Meetingofthewaters – Jockey: Danny Mullins
- Minella Cocooner – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- Minella Indo – Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- Monbeg Genius – Jockey: Nick Scholfield
- Nick Rockett – Jockey: Patrick Mullins (Winner)
- Royale Pagaille – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- Senior Chief – Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- Stay Away Fay – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
- Stumptown – Jockey: Keith Donoghue
- Three Card Brag – Jockey: Sean Bowen
- Twig – Jockey: Beau Morgan
- Vanillier – Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Other runners completing the 34-horse field included additional horses from the Jockey Club final declaration list, such as a small number of reserves who gained a place due to late withdrawals.
Key Pre-Race Context
Notable pre-race storylines included the dominance of trainer Willie Mullins, who had 7 probable runners. Owner JP McManus also held a strong hand, owning several contenders including the eventual runner-up I Am Maximus and the favorite Iroko.
The 2025 Grand National field was limited to 34 runners, a reduction from the 40 that ran in 2024. This change was made for safety reasons following a review by the Jockey Club and the British Horseracing Authority.
Grand National Winners History
The 2025 result fits into a broader pattern of Irish-trained success in the world’s most famous chase. Nick Rockett’s win follows victories by I Am Maximus (2024) and other recent Irish-trained winners, reinforcing the dominance of the Irish stallions in the Aintree marathon.
Surprise winners are a hallmark of the Grand National. Nick Rockett, starting at 33-1, adds to a long list of upsets that includes names like Mon Mome (100-1) and Foinavon (100-1). The unpredictability of the race, with its 30 unique fences and grueling distance, remains its defining characteristic.
For a deeper dive into the sport’s most famous events, read our Grand National History Guide.
What to Expect from the Grand National 2026
As of now, no official runners, jockeys, or race time have been confirmed for the 2026 Grand National. Early ante-post predictions, however, have begun to surface in preview media.
Early Speculation and Key Unknowns
Some betting sites and preview articles have listed I Am Maximus among early contenders for 2026, given his strong performance in both 2024 and 2025. However, this remains entirely speculative.
No official declarations, weights, or final acceptances will be released until early 2026. All current “lists of runners” for the 2026 race are speculative and based on ante-post odds, not confirmed entries.
Key Timeline: Recent Grand National History
- 2024: I Am Maximus wins the Grand National at 7-1.
- 2025: Nick Rockett wins the Grand National at 33-1.
- 2026: Date, time, and field are not yet confirmed. Official details expected in early 2026.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What We Know and What We Don’t
| Established Information (High Certainty) | Information That Remains Unclear (Low Certainty) |
|---|---|
| 2025 winner is Nick Rockett, ridden by Patrick Mullins and trained by W.P. Mullins. | The 2026 winner and list of runners are entirely speculative until official entries are released. |
| The race took place on 5 April 2025 at Aintree Racecourse. | Specific times, jockeys, and trainers for the 2025 race were not fully confirmed from all sources (though the Jockey Club provides the definitive results). |
| The full list of 34 runners is available from the Jockey Club. | The exact time of the 2026 Grand National has not been announced. |
For the most accurate and timely information on the 2026 Grand National, refer to the Jockey Club’s official website and the Racing Post. Ante-post odds and preview lists should be treated as speculation until formal declarations are made.
How the 2025 Race Fits into Grand National History
The 2025 renewal reinforces the modern character of the Grand National: Irish-trained horses have now dominated three consecutive runnings (2023–2025). Nick Rockett’s victory, at 33-1, also proves that the race remains one of the most open and unpredictable in all of sports.
The Aintree fences, including the notorious Becher’s Brook and The Chair, continue to take their toll. As is common in the National, a significant number of runners failed to complete the course due to falls, unseated riders, or being pulled up by their jockeys.
Official Sources and Key Quotes
The primary source for the 2025 results is the official race results page published by The Jockey Club, the organizers of the event at Aintree.
The official results for the 2025 Randox Grand National are published on the Jockey Club website, listing the full finishing order, weights, jockeys, and trainers. – The Jockey Club
For historical runner data and ante-post news, the Racing Post is a standard reference point. The Grand National Guide also provides a useful compilation of runners and winners across multiple years.
Summary: The 2025 Grand National at a Glance
The 2025 Randox Grand National was won by Nick Rockett, an 8-year-old trained by W.P. Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins, at odds of 33-1. The race saw a strong showing from the Irish stable, with I Am Maximus finishing second and Grangeclare West third. The field was reduced to 34 runners for safety reasons.
For more detail on prior years, see our Grand National 2024 Winner Recap.
Who rode Nick Rockett in the 2025 Grand National?
Nick Rockett was ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins in the 2025 race, as confirmed by the official Jockey Club results.
Who trained the winner of the 2025 Grand National?
The winner, Nick Rockett, was trained by W.P. Mullins in Ireland.
What time is the Grand National 2026?
The 2026 race time has not been announced. Historically, the Grand National starts around 5:15 PM BST, but check official sources closer to the date.
What are the Grand National 2026 predictions?
Early predictions often list I Am Maximus as a possible strong contender, but no official runners have been confirmed. Odds may change.
How many horses ran in the 2025 Grand National?
The 2025 Grand National had 34 runners, a reduction from 40 in 2024 for safety reasons.
Where can I find a printable list of Grand National 2025 runners?
The list of 34 runners can be found on the official Jockey Club website for the 2025 event.
Who was the favorite for the 2025 Grand National?
The pre-race favorite was Iroko, at odds of 13/2. He finished fourth.
Was the 2025 Grand National won by an Irish-trained horse?
Yes, Nick Rockett was trained in Ireland by W.P. Mullins, continuing a recent trend of Irish-trained winners.
How long is the Grand National course?
The Grand National is run over 4 miles and 2½ furlongs.
How many fences are in the Grand National?
The course features 30 fences, which are jumped twice (except for The Chair and the Water Jump).
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Kieran Doherty covers councils, planning and local transport across Edinburgh and Scotland.