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:
Grand National LIVE
- 33-1 outsider Nick Rockett wins the Grand National after thrilling battle with I Am Maximus
- Trainer Willie Mullins takes emotional 1-2-3, with son Patrick Mullins the winning jockey
- I Am Maximus narrowly denied in head to head after winning last year's race
- Positive update issued on Broadway Boy after horror fall
- 2025 Grand National full results
The special meaning behind Willie Mullins dominance at the Grand National
18:58 , Sam TurnerLook 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
18:50 , Chris WilsonThe 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
18:40 , Chris WilsonAn 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?
18:30 , Chris WilsonNick 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'
18:17 , Chris WilsonMore 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."
More from Mullins
18:10 , Chris Wilson"To have one horse run in the National, but then to have one your son can ride is millions, millions, millions to one what happened today.
“It is just something else to be able to leg up your son in the greatest race of all time. You dream of winning it yourself but to dream of putting your son up - when he was born I said he couldn't be the jockey the size of him, but he's turned out to be a fantastic jockey.
“You dream about winning big races here and there but the first race we saw growing up was the Grand National in black and white. We all lived every year for the horse you were going to back in the National - and the owners and trainers of the National runners were heroes in our game.
Mullins reacts
18:05 , Chris WilsonSome quotes from Willie Mullins here, as he spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after the conclusion of the Grand National.
“I am just about recovering. I am hoping to win the Grand National and hoping to get a horse your son can ride because he's such a tall, heavy guy so he can only ride about five horses in the race and one of them came free. I never for a moment dreamt that he'd win the race. I hoped that he won but I never put together what it would be like if he did win.
"From the third last fence onwards I thought it was on and coming towards the elbow I thought he was going to be beaten but Patrick told me afterwards that he didn't want to hit the front too soon because the soon gets very lazy in front. I was just speechless. I don't know if I gave him a cheer, I was just speechless. I just broke down completely. I did for about 20 minutes after. I just couldn't help it, I just completely lost it.”
Green Splendour wins Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
17:54 , Chris WilsonHere’s the result from the last race of the 2025 Festival then
1 - Green Splendour - 10/3
2 - Destination Dubai - 10/1
3 - Koktail Brut - 11/2
Green Splendour wins Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
17:49 , Chris WilsonA brilliant day for the Mullins family, but Patrick and Willie in particular!
We’ll have reaction and the result soon.
Green Splendour wins Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
17:48 , Chris WilsonA brilliant race from Green Splendour and he takes the lead before romping home to a win by over a length.
Another win for Mullins and three for Patrick!
Eight in total for the stable.
Kalid Du Berlais wins Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase
17:26 , Chris WilsonHere's the result from race six of the day.
1 - Kalif Du Berlais - 15/8
2 - Brookie - 25/1
3 - L'eau Du Sud - 5/4
Update on Broadway Boy
17:22 , Chris WilsonBroadway Boy has walked onto the horse ambulance and will return to the stables for further assessments, so hopefully there’s good news there.
Kalid Du Berlais wins Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase
17:18 , Chris WilsonAnd that mistake at the penultimate fence from Touch Me Not has allowed Kalif Du Berlais to stroll to the win!
He fought off a late challenge after Brookie came into contention with the mistake from Touch Me Not, but he left it too late and finished second.
Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase
16:55 , Chris WilsonThere is an update from Aintree on the two horses that fell, with both being assessed.
"Broadway Boy and Celebre d'Allen are being assessed on course by the vets,” says Sam Turner.
Broadway Boy, who had been in the lead at the time, looked like he took a nasty fall, while Celebre was pulled up in the run-in.
A Mullins family affair at the Grand National
16:50 , Sam TurnerWillie Mullins saddled 6 horses and five of them finished in the first 7!
The Irishman won £860,000 in prize money and is now odds on to win the trainer's title for the second year running.
In addition, his son Patrick is the winning jockey!
Willie Mullins overcome with emotion as son Patrick rides Grand National winner Nick Rockett
16:47 , Chris WilsonAn 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
Bookmakers' reaction
16:43Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, reacts to the race: “It was a fantastic week for Willie Mullins already, but to win the biggest race of all on Saturday is the icing on the cake.
“His son Patrick has done us a bit of a favour on Nick Rockett by beating I Am Maximus to the line as last year’s winner was so well backed, but there’s plenty to celebrate again for those who sided with the Mullins battalion.”
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:40 , Chris WilsonHere’s an emotional reaction from the owner of Nick Rockett, Stewart Andrew.
"Out of such sadness, joy has been born. Nick Rockett has done it all for me." ❤️
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 5, 2025
Stewart Andrew on the loss of his wife, Sadie #ITVRacing | #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/K6UOgWDyYe
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:30 , Chris WilsonAnd some words from an emotional Willie Mullins...
A 1,2,3 and 5 for Willie Mullins in the Grand National 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 5, 2025
But most importantly, a win with his son onboard Nick Rockett ❤️#ITVRacing | #GrandNational | @MCYeeehaaa | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/Aa807TLofM
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:26 , Chris WilsonHere’s the highlight of that last minute or so of the 2025 Grand National!
🏆 Nick Rockett wins the Randox Grand National! 🏆#ITVRacing | #GrandNational | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/cIsnqScqpQ
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 5, 2025
Grand National 2025 results
16:22 , Chris WilsonHere are the results from the 2025 Grand National then:
1- Nick Rockett - 33/1
2 - I Am Maximus - 6/1
3 - Grangeclare West - 33/1
4 - Iroko - 13/2
5 - Meetingofthewater - 20/1
6 - Senior Chief - 40/1
7 - Minella Cocooner - 18/1
8 - Hewick - 14/1
9 - Minella Indo - 20/1
10 - Twig - 50/1
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:17Patrick Mullins becomes the 33rd amateur to win the National.
Full results to come.
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:16 , Chris Wilson“He jumped fantastic. It’s been my dream since I was a kid, when I was five or six, reading books about the Grand National,” says winning jockey Patrick Mullins.
“He’s a brilliant horse, and he’s braver than I am,” he adds.
“Some result,” says Willie Mullins, who had number 1, 2, 3 and 5 there.
He’s very emotional as he’s interviewed.
“It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it is unbelievable.”
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:13 , Chris Wilson1, 2 and 3 for Willie Mullins!
And his son has won the National as a jockey!
Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus cleared the alt fence in the lead and it was a straight out battle down the last straight.
The former led but it looked like I Am Maximus was finishing the better of the two, before Nick Rockett finished strong to win by over a length.
NICK ROCKETT WINS THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL!
16:11 , Chris WilsonAnd it’s Nick Rockett who takes it!
Grand National 2025
16:10 , Chris WilsonIt’s going to be a two-way battle between I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett!
Fence 30
The last fence is cleared!
Minella Cocooner, Iroko and I Am Maximus are entering the chase!
Grand National 2025
16:09 , Chris WilsonFence 27
Three Card Brag is in the lead now, with Grangeclare West following and Hewick behind.
Grand National 2025
16:08 , Chris WilsonFence 25 – Valentine’s Brook – has been cleared – but not by Broadway Boy, who falls!
Grand National 2025
16:07 , Chris Wilson20 fences down, with I Am Maximus taking in in seventh or eighth there.
Broadway Boy has the lead over Three Card Brag, with Hewick and Brave Man’s Game still chasing.
Kandoo Kid is gone and he’s taken someone else down.
Grand National 2025
16:06 , Chris WilsonHalfway through the fences and still Broadway Boy leads, with Three Card Brag in third now.
Hewick is still in the mix, with Iroko in midfield.
Royal Pagaille is out now.
Grand National 2025
16:04 , Chris WilsonBroadway Boy still leading here, though there’s a pack right behind him as we cross fence number 13.
Hewick, Brave Man’s Game and Three Card Brag are in the chasing pack.
Grand National 2025
16:03 , Chris WilsonA third of the way through in terms of fences as they go over number 10, and we’ve lost Perceval Legallois!
Grand National 2025
16:02 , Chris WilsonOne lost already as Duffel Coat has unseated his rider!
Over fence number six and Broadway Boy takes it in a clear lead.
Grand National 2025
16:01 , Chris WilsonAnd we’re off!
The biggest race of the year is underway at Aintree, and there was a new favourite as they began, with Iroko moving just ahead of I Am Maximus.
Hiddenvalley Lake wins Ivy Liverpool Hurdle
15:20 , Chris WilsonHere’s the top __ from the 3.05 then!
1 - Hiddenvalley Lake - 12/1
2 - Strong Leader - 5/1
3 - Jetara - 15/2
Hiddenvalley Lake wins Ivy Liverpool Hurdle
15:14In the end slightly less dramatic once again, as Hiddenvalley Lake comes to win by over a length.
He took the lead over the penultimate hurdle and then skipped the last to ease to victory on the final straight.
Cruz Control wins William Hill Handicap Chase!
14:45 , Chris WilsonThe results from race three are below:
1 - Cruz Control - 10/1
2 - Imperial Saint - 11/4
3 - Erne River - 25/1
4 - Weveallbeencaught - 17/2
Cruz Control wins William Hill Handicap Chase!
14:38 , Chris WilsonAnd in the end it’s slightly less dramatic and Cruz Controls leaps the last fence and drives into a commanding lead, eventually finishing several lengths ahead of second.
Full results to come.
Honesty Policy wins Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
14:18 , Chris WilsonHere’s the top three from race number two then.
1 - Honesty Policy - 5/1
2 - Regent’s Stroll - 9/1
3 - Funiculi Funicula - 12/1
Honesty Policy wins Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
14:04 , Chris WilsonDown the final straight it looked like Regent’s Stroll had won it, but Honesty Policy runs him down to finish half a length ahead!
Deep Cave wins William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
13:34 , Chris WilsonHere’s the full top five from the opening race then.
1 - Deep Cave - 28/1
2 - Timmy Tuesday - 11/2
3 - Double Powerful - 7/1
4 - Park of Kings - 12/1
5 - Catch Him Derry - 5/1
Deep Cave wins William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
13:29 , Chris WilsonOut of nowhere in the middle of the chasing pack, Deep Cave makes plenty of ground before hurdling the last to get into second.
On the final straight he chases down Timmy Tuesday before finishing half a length ahead!
