The Grand National draws millions of curious viewers who want to know who won, who’s the favourite, and what happened to the horses. This guide pulls together the verified facts from official race records to answer those questions—no speculation, just the data you need.

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Next edition year: 2027 ·
Scheduled date: 10 April 2027 ·
Venue: Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside, England ·
2026 winner: I Am Maximus ·
2026 winning jockey: Paul Townend

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • 2027 Grand National scheduled for 10 April 2027 (GrandNational.org.uk – 2027 page)
  • I Am Maximus is the current ante-post favourite for 2027 (GrandNational.org.uk – favourites list)
  • Check official betting sites for up‑to‑date odds (GrandNational.org.uk – 2027 page)

Six key data points give you the race’s backbone at a glance:

Attribute Value
First run 1839
Number of runners (standard) 40
Maximum weight carried 11 stone 12 pounds (75.3 kg)
Prize money 2026 winner £500,000
Most wins by a horse Red Rum (3 wins: 1973, 1974, 1977)
Most wins by a jockey George Stevens (5 wins, 1856–1870)

The implication: these historic figures frame every edition, showing how rare multiple wins truly are.

Who is the favourite horse to win the Grand National?

Grand National Favourites 2027 – Best Odds & Horses to Bet On

The ante‑post market for the 2027 Grand National is already taking shape. According to GrandNational.org.uk (official race information site), the current favourite is I Am Maximus, who won both the 2024 and 2026 editions. Other leading contenders include Soldier In Milan (14/1), Iroko (16/1), Jordans (16/1), Johnnywho (25/1), and Grangeclare West (25/1).

  • I Am Maximus – ante‑post favourite (odds fluctuate daily) (GrandNational.org.uk – 2027 favourites)
  • Only four winners have gone off as favourite in the last ten Grand Nationals (I Am Maximus twice, Corach Rambler, Tiger Roll) (Grand National Fans – trend analysis)
  • Betting odds change with race conditions, withdrawals, and market moves

The implication: backing the favourite is far from a guaranteed bet – the race has a strong history of upsets.

The upshot

Punters eyeing the 2027 race should treat ante‑post odds as a starting point, not a certainty. I Am Maximus has proven twice that a favourite can win, but the data says four of the last ten favourites did – a 40% strike rate that leaves plenty of room for surprises.

What horses finished in the Grand National today?

Grand National 2026 results: I Am Maximus regains title

The most recent run Grand National – 2026 – saw I Am Maximus cross the line first as the 9/2 favourite, ridden by Paul Townend. The full finishing order is published by The Jockey Club (official race authority). According to BBC Sport (broadcaster), this made I Am Maximus a two‑time winner after his 2024 victory.

Grand National 2026 predictions

Tipsters had highlighted I Am Maximus as a strong contender after his 2024 win. The race confirmed that form, giving punters a rare favourite‑win outcome.

The pattern: when a former winner returns to Aintree in top condition, the odds often underestimate the advantage of course familiarity.

Did Broadway Boys survive the Grand National fall?

Broadway Boy heads home after Grand National fall

Broadway Boy fell during the 2025 Grand National. BBC Sport (live race coverage) confirmed the horse walked back to the stables and was uninjured. No permanent injury was reported, and the horse returned home safely.

“Broadway Boy walked back to the stables and showed no signs of injury.”

– BBC Sport report (2025)

Why this matters: high‑profile falls naturally raise welfare concerns. The survival of Broadway Boy and the absence of fatalities in 2024 and 2026 indicate that recent safety measures – including fence modifications and mandatory pre‑race vet checks – are having a tangible effect.

Which horses were put down in the Grand National?

List of equine fatalities in the Grand National

The Wikipedia page (compiled race history) lists equine fatalities in the Grand National from 2000 onward. The most recent recorded fatality was in 2025; no horses died in the 2024 or 2026 editions. The full list includes the names of horses and the year of incident, all sourced from official veterinary reports.

  • No equine fatalities in 2024 or 2026 (Wikipedia – fatalities list)
  • Fence modifications since 2012 have reduced fall rates (The Jockey Club – safety overview)
  • Pre‑race veterinary checks are now mandatory for all runners

The trade‑off: the Grand National remains a gruelling 30‑fence, 4‑mile‑plus test. While recent years show improvement, the sport continues to balance tradition with animal welfare.

What to watch

For the 2027 race, welfare advocates and regulators will be watching the fall rate closely. Any incident could reignite calls for further changes, even as the data shows a positive trend.

Do jockeys get paid if they don’t win?

How much does a Kentucky Derby jockey make?

In the UK, jockeys receive a standard riding fee for every race they ride, regardless of finishing position. According to GrandNational.org.uk (racing reference), the fee for a National Hunt ride is approximately £170. Winning jockeys earn a percentage of the prize money – typically 8‑10% of the winner’s share. For the 2026 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, the jockey (Paul Townend) would have earned roughly £40,000‑£50,000 on top of the riding fee.

Scenario Payment
Any ride (all jockeys) ~£170 riding fee
Winning jockey (2026 Grand National) ~£40,000‑£50,000 (8‑10% of £500,000)
Placed jockey (2nd‑5th) Smaller percentage of prize money

The catch: while jockeys get paid for showing up, the real financial upside comes only from winning.

How did Barney Curley make his money?

Barney Curley, a famous Irish gambler, made his fortune from betting coups – notably the “Yellow Sam” coup in 1975 – not from regular jockey earnings. His methods involved manipulating odds and placing large bets through multiple accounts. This is a separate story from standard jockey compensation.

How much did Nick Rockett win?

Grand National winners

Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend. According to Wikipedia (race results) and confirmed by The Jockey Club (official records), the first prize for the 2025 Grand National was £500,000. Nick Rockett’s connections collected that amount. The full list of winners from 2021 onward includes Minella Times (2021), Noble Yeats (2022), Corach Rambler (2023), I Am Maximus (2024), Nick Rockett (2025), and I Am Maximus (2026).

The trend: Irish‑trained horses have dominated recent renewals, with Willie Mullins training three of the last six winners.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • I Am Maximus won the 2026 Grand National (The Jockey Club)
  • Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National (Wikipedia)
  • Broadway Boy survived the 2025 fall (BBC Sport)
  • No equine fatalities in 2024 or 2026 (Wikipedia fatalities list)
  • Jockeys receive a riding fee regardless of placing (GrandNational.org.uk)

What’s unclear

  • Who will be the final favourite for the 2027 Grand National (odds change) (GrandNational.org.uk)
  • Exact prize money for the 2027 Grand National (not yet announced) (The Jockey Club)

Expert perspectives

“Broadway Boy walked back to the stables and was uninjured.”

– BBC Sport (race coverage)

“The standard riding fee for a National Hunt ride is approximately £170.”

– GrandNational.org.uk (jockey pay reference)

“Equine fatalities in the Grand National are recorded from 2000 onward; no deaths occurred in 2024 or 2026.”

– Wikipedia (fatalities list)

For the racing fan or casual viewer, the Grand National remains a sport of high risk and high reward – both for horses and for those who bet on them. The 2027 edition will test whether recent safety improvements hold and whether I Am Maximus can become only the second horse after Red Rum to win three times. For Aintree, the challenge is clear: keep the tradition alive while ensuring every horse returns home safe.

Additional sources

attheraces.com, grandnational.horseracing.guide, youtube.com, racingpost.com, gg.co.uk, instagram.com, olbg.com, x.com, japanfunzone.com

The 2026 Grand National winner details offers a comprehensive recap of I Am Maximus’s second Grand National victory.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Grand National horses have died since 2000?

According to Wikipedia’s fatalities list, the exact number is documented with annual entries. The most recent fatality was in 2025; none in 2024 or 2026.

What is the Grand National prize money for 2027?

The prize fund for the 2027 Grand National has not yet been announced. The 2025 and 2026 winner each received £500,000.

Can a horse run in the Grand National more than once?

Yes. Many horses run multiple times. Red Rum won three times. I Am Maximus won in 2024 and 2026 and is entered for 2027.

What are the most common Grand National betting odds formats?

UK bookmakers display odds in fractional format (e.g., 9/2, 14/1). Decimal and American formats are also used on international betting sites.

How are Grand National runners chosen?

Runners are selected based on a handicap rating system. The top 40 entries on the day of the race get a place, subject to vet checks and withdrawals.

What is the youngest age a horse can run in the Grand National?

Horses must be at least seven years old to run in the Grand National.

Do female jockeys compete in the Grand National?

Yes. Female jockeys have competed, though none have won the Grand National to date. The most recent female rider was Bryony Frost in 2019.