Grand National results LIVE: Winner reaction as outsider Nick Rockett beats I Am Maximus in thrilling race
Trainer Willie Mullins takes a remarkable one-two-three as son Patrick Mullins is the winning jockey at Aintree
Outsider Nick Rockett won a thrilling 2025 Grand National , defeating last year’s winner I Am Maximus in a dramatic head to head down the home straight at Aintree Racecourse.
Nick Rockett was a 33-1 shot ahead of the race and his victory left trainer Willie Mullins visibly emotional, with his son Patrick Mullins the winning jockey. “Some result,” said Willie Mullins. “It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it is unbelievable.”
In fact, it was a dream race for Mullins as he secured a 1-2-3, with Nick Rockett, favourite I Am Maximus – who defied the top weight of 11st 12lbs with a brilliant run – and third-placed Grangeclare West (also 33-1) all trained by the dominant 68-year-old trainer. In fact, of the six horses he saddled, five of them finished in the top seven.
Follow all the Grand National action with The Independent’s blog, live from Aintree:
Patrick Mullins talks us through the closing stages
And some reaction from Mullins’ son, Patrick!
Nick Rockett wins the Grand National
Here’s the highlight of the biggest race of the year!
Full day's results from Aintree
1.20pm - Deep Cave wins William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
1.55pm - Honesty Policy wins Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
2.30pm – Cruz Control wins William Hill Handicap Chase
3.05pm – Hiddenvalley Lake wins Ivy Liverpool Hurdle
4pm – Nick Rockett wins the Grand National
5.05pm - Kalif Du Berlais wins the Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase
5.35pm – Green Splendour wins the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Positive update on Broadway Boy after horror fall during Grand National
A tentatively positive update was offered on Broadway Boy after the horse suffered a horror fall during the 2025 Grand National at Aintree.
In total, only 16 of the 34 horses finished the always controversial race – where conversations around horse welfare only grow louder with each passing year – as 18 were either pulled up, unseated their rider or fell.
The most serious of those appeared to be Broadway Boy and Celebre d'Allen, who were both assessed on course by the vets. The fall of Broadway Boy, owned by Nigel Twiston-Davies, looked particularly sickening as he landed hard on his head and neck when tumbling awkwardly forwards at the 25th fence, Valentine’s Brook, having been leading the race by a length.
Positive update on Broadway Boy after horror fall during Grand National
The special meaning behind Willie Mullins dominance at the Grand National
Look up ‘Dominance’ in the English Dictionary these days and the name W P Mullins could well be found.
The phenomenon of modern day National Hunt racing continues to rewrite the record books courtesy of an emotional victory for Nick Rockett, with son Partick aboard, in the 2025 Grand National, sending a meteoric training career stratospheric.
Not content with simply training the winner of the National, Mullins despatched the 1-2-3 with last year’s hero I Am Maximus carried out on his shield in second under Paul Townend two-and-a-half lengths behind, while another Closutton inmate Grangeclare West was third for rider Bryan Hayes a further half-length adrift.
The special meaning behind Willie Mullins dominance at the Grand National
Nick Rockett owner reveals emotional story behind Grand National winner
The owner of the Grand National winner Nick Rockett revealed the emotional story behind his victory as he paid tribute to his late wife who had dreamed of conquering the world-famous Aintree course.
Stuart Andrew said his wife Sadie would have been watching Nick Rockett’s victory with a “tenner each-way” and revealed how the horse had brought “joy” from “such sadness” after she died of cancer in December 2022.
Nick Rockett owner reveals emotional story behind Grand National winner
Willie Mullins overcome with emotion as son Patrick rides Grand National winner Nick Rockett
An emotional Willie Mullins was unable to speak after his son Patrick rode home 33-1 outsider Nick Rockett to victory at the Grand National at Aintree as part of a one-two-three for the champion trainer.
Amateur jockey Patrick Mullins guided Nick Rockett to victory over his stablemate and last year’s champion I Am Maximus, who was denied back-to-back victories at Aintree despite a valiant attempt.
Willie Mullins overcome with emotion as son Patrick rides Grand National winner
Who won the Grand National 2025?
Nick Rockett won the 2025 edition of the Grand National in thrilling fashion, beating defending champion I Am Maximus to the finish post to claim glory in the world’s greatest horse race.
Thousands of spectators watched on at Aintree Racecourse and millions more from their television screens at homes and pubs around the country as Nick Rockett made history on Saturday afternoon.
Mullins calls today his 'greatest afternoon in the sport'
More from Mullins here, as he continued speaking to BBC.
“Patrick just kept the whole thing together and was as cool as ice and it was just like something out of a Disney film - you just see and know what is going to happen. It was just surreal.
“He knows what to do and when to do it. I am absolutely delighted for him.
When asked if getting 1-2-3 was his greatest afternoon in the sport, he replied: "It has to be. I actually wasn't thinking about the 1-2-3 - I was single-mindedly thinking about Patrick riding the winner and about Stewart and Sadie.
“I didn't realise that we'd finished third or fifth - I didn't look any further. Once we passed the winning post in front the rest didn't matter."
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