April is a prominent time for horse racing fans around the world as all eyes venture to Aintree in Liverpool for the Grand National. Often referred to as the most prestigious horse racing event in history, the Grand National is run every year, with the 2025 iteration featuring 34 different horses for punters to pick from.
On this page, you can find a comprehensive history of the race, as we look at the winning horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners, alongside the Grand National betting odds for each runner at the start of the race!
What is the Grand National?
The Grand National stands as Britain’s most famous horse racing event, held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool.
This prestigious race stretches about 4 miles and 2.5 furlongs, making it one of the longest steeplechase events in the world. The race began in the early 1800s and has grown into a global sporting spectacle that captures millions of viewers’ attention each year.
Around 34 horses typically compete in this challenging contest, jumping over 30 fences across two laps of the track.
Full Grand National Winners History
The most famous Grand National winning horse of all time is Red Rum, who won the race a total of three times during his career. In fact, Red Rum has become so synonymous with the Grand National, he was buried at the winning post with his head facing the finish line.
I Am Maximus is the current defending champion, winning in 2024 after the favourite, Corach Rambler, unseated his rider on the very first fence. Here’s a look at a history of Grand National winners, dating all the way back to 1950, a year in which the favourite, Freebooter, found glory.
| Year | Horse | Age | Weight | Trainer | Jockey | Starting Price (SP) |
| 2024 | I Am Maximums | 8 | 11-6 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend | 7/1 JF |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | 9 | 10-5 | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox | 8/1 F |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | 7 | 10-10 | Emmet Mullins | Sam Waley-Cohen | 50/1 |
| 2021 | Minella Times | 8 | 10-03 | Henry De Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore | 11/1 |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | 9 | 11-5 | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell | 4/1 F |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | 8 | 10-13 | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell | 14/1 |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | 8 | 10-11 | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox | 14/1 |
| 2016 | Rule The World | 9 | 10-07 | Mouse Morris | David Mullins | 33/1 |
| 2015 | Many Clouds | 8 | 11-09 | Oliver Sherwood | Leighton Aspell | 25/1 |
| 2014 | Pineau De Re | 11 | 10-06 | Dr Richard Newland | Leighton Aspell | 25/1 |
| 2013 | Auroras Encore | 11 | 10-03 | Mrs S Smith | Ryan Mania | 66/1 |
| 2012 | Neptune Collonges | 11 | 11-06 | P Nicholls | D Jacob | 33/1 |
| 2011 | Ballabriggs | 10 | 11-00 | D McCain | J Maguire | 14/1 |
| 2010 | Don’t Push It | 10 | 11-05 | J O’Neill | AP McCoy | 10/1 JF |
| 2009 | Mon Mome | 9 | 11-00 | Miss V Williams | L Treadwell | 100/1 |
| 2008 | Comply Or Die | 9 | 10-09 | D E Pipe | T Murphy | 7/1 JF |
| 2007 | Silver Birch | 10 | 10-06 | G Elliott | R M Power | 33/1 |
| 2006 | Numbersixvalverde | 10 | 10-08 | M Brassil | N P Madden | 11/1 |
| 2005 | Hedgehunter | 9 | 11-01 | W P Mullins | R Walsh | 7/1 F |
| 2004 | Amberleigh House | 12 | 10-10 | D McCain | G Lee | 16/1 |
| 2003 | Monty´s Pass | 10 | 10-07 | JJ Mangan | B J Geraghty | 16/1 |
| 2002 | Bindaree | 8 | 10-04 | N A Twiston-Davies | J Culloty | 20/1 |
| 2001 | Red Marauder | 11 | 10-11 | N B Mason | Richard Guest | 33/1 |
| 2000 | Papillon | 9 | 10-12 | T M Walsh | R Walsh | 10/1 |
| 1999 | Bobbyjo | 9 | 10-00 | T Carberry | P Carberry | 10/1 |
| 1998 | Earth Summit | 10 | 10-05 | N A Twiston-Davies | C Llewellyn | 7/1 F |
| 1997 | Lord Gyllene | 9 | 10-00 | S A Brookshaw | A Dobbin | 14/1 |
| 1996 | Rough Quest | 10 | 10-07 | T Casey | M A Fitzgerald | 7/1 F |
| 1995 | Royal Athlete | 12 | 10-06 | Mrs J Pitman | J F Titley | 40/1 |
| 1994 | Miinnehoma | 11 | 10-08 | M C Pipe | R Dunwoody | 16/1 |
| 1992 | Party Politics | 8 | 10-07 | N A Gaselee | C Llewellyn | 14/1 |
| 1991 | Seagram | 11 | 10-06 | D H Barons | N Hawke | 12/1 |
| 1990 | Mr Frisk | 11 | 10-06 | K C Bailey | Mr M Armytage | 16/1 |
| 1989 | Little Polveir | 12 | 10-03 | G B Balding | J Frost | 28/1 |
| 1988 | Rhyme ´N´ Reason | 9 | 11-00 | D R C Elsworth | B Powell | 10/1 |
| 1987 | Maori Venture | 11 | 10-13 | A Turnell | S Knight | 28/1 |
| 1986 | West Tip | 9 | 10-11 | M Oliver | R Dunwoody | 15/2 |
| 1985 | Last Suspect | 11 | 10-05 | T Forster | H Davies | 50/1 |
| 1984 | Hallo Dandy | 10 | 10-02 | G Richards | N Doughty | 13/1 |
| 1983 | Corbiere | 8 | 11-04 | Mrs J Pitman | B de Haan | 13/1 |
| 1982 | Grittar | 9 | 11-05 | F Gilman | Mr R Saunders | 7/1 F |
| 1981 | Aldaniti | 11 | 10-13 | J Gifford | R Champion | 10/1 |
| 1980 | Ben Nevis | 12 | 10-12 | T Forster | Mr C Fenwick | 40/1 |
| 1979 | Rubstic | 10 | 10-00 | S J Leadbetter | M Barnes | 25/1 |
| 1978 | Lucius | 9 | 10-09 | G W Richards | B R Davies | 14/1 |
| 1977 | Red Rum | 12 | 11-08 | D McCain | T Stack | 9/1 |
| 1976 | Rag Trade | 10 | 10-12 | T F Rimell | J Burke | 14/1 |
| 1975 | L’Escargot | 12 | 11-03 | D Moore | T Carberry | 13/2 |
| 1974 | Red Rum | 9 | 12-00 | D McCain | B Fletcher | 11/1 |
| 1973 | Red Rum | 8 | 10-05 | D McCain | B Fletcher | 9/1 |
| 1972 | Well To Do | 9 | 10-01 | Capt. T A Forster | G Thorner | 14/1 |
| 1971 | Specify | 9 | 10-13 | J Sutcliffe | J Cook | 28/1 |
| 1970 | Gay Trip | 8 | 11-05 | T F Rimell | P Taaffe | 15/1 |
| 1969 | Highland Wedding | 12 | 10-04 | T Balding | E Harty | 100/9 |
| 1968 | Red Alligator | 9 | 10-0 | D Smith | B Fletcher | 100/7 |
| 1967 | Foinavon | 9 | 10-0 | J Kempton | J Buckingham | 100/1 |
| 1966 | Anglo | 8 | 10-0 | F Winter | T Norman | 50/1 |
| 1965 | Jay Trump | 8 | 11-05 | F Winter | T Smith | 100/6 |
| 1964 | Team Spirit | 12 | 10-03 | F Walwyn | W Robinson | 18/1 |
| 1963 | Ayala | 9 | 10-00 | K Piggott | P Buckley | 66/1 |
| 1962 | Kilmore | 12 | 10-04 | R Price | F Winter | 28/1 |
| 1961 | Nicolaus Silver | 9 | 10-01 | F Rimell | B Beasley | 28/1 |
| 1960 | Merryman II | 9 | 10-12 | N Crump | G Scott | 13/2 F |
| 1959 | Oxo | 8 | 10-13 | M Scudamore | W Stephenson | 8/1 |
| 1958 | Mr. What | 8 | 10-06 | T Taaffe, Sr | A Freeman | 18/1 |
| 1957 | Sundew | 11 | 11-07 | F Hudson | F Winter | 20/1 |
| 1956 | ESB | 10 | 11-03 | F Rimell | D Dick | 100/7 |
| 1955 | Quare Times | 9 | 11-00 | V O’Brien | P Taaffe | 100/9 |
| 1954 | Royal Tan | 10 | 11-07 | V O’Brien | B Marshall | 8/1 |
| 1953 | Early Mist | 8 | 11-02 | V O’Brien | B Marshall | 20/1 |
| 1952 | Teal | 10 | 10-12 | N Crump | A Thompson | 100/7 |
| 1951 | Nickel Coin | 9 | 10-01 | J O’Donoghue | J Bullock | 40/1 |
| 1950 | Freebooter | 9 | 11-11 | B Renton | J Power | 10/1 F |
Most Famous Grand National Wins
While winning at Aintree is no mean feat, these three horses stand out among all Grand National winners for their impressive performances:
Red Rum – A Triple Grand National Champion
Red Rum secured three Grand National victories and never fell in over 100 races. His legendary wins in 1973 and 1977 are still celebrated. In 1973, he made a breathtaking comeback from a 30-length deficit, and in 1977, he won by a staggering 25 lengths at the age of 12. Red Rum is the only horse to achieve this feat.
Tiger Roll – Consecutive Wins in 2018 and 2019
Tiger Roll, following in Red Rum’s footsteps, ended a 45-year drought for back-to-back Grand National victories. He won in 2018 with a narrow margin and claimed a comprehensive victory in 2019. These consecutive wins place him among the elite group of only four horses to achieve this feat. A third successive victory was within reach, but the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the attempt.
Mr. Frisk, 1990 – The Fastest Grand National Winner
In 1990, Mr. Frisk set a record by completing the Grand National in just 8 minutes and 47.8 seconds, making him the fastest winner in the race’s history. He set a relentless pace from the start, and his victory was all the more astonishing as his rider, Marcus Armytage, was an amateur jockey, becoming the last to win the race in such fashion.
Who has won the most Grand Nationals?
Red Rum holds the record for the most Grand National victories by a horse, having won the prestigious race three times in 1973, 1974, and 1977. In addition to these three wins, he also secured second place in 1975 and 1976, cementing his status as one of the most legendary horses in Grand National history.
Who is the only woman to win the Grand National?
In 2021, Rachael Blackmore, an Irish jockey, made history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National, riding Minella Times to victory at Aintree. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Grand national results and showcased her exceptional talent and skill. Rachael Blackmore has broken down barriers and inspired a new generation of female jockeys with her remarkable success. She is highly regarded in the racing world and is considered one of the top jockeys globally.
How often do mares win at the Grand National?
Finding mares among the Grand National past winners is a rare occurrence. In the history of the race up to 2019, only 13 mares have claimed victory, with none winning between 1951 and 2019. The low number of mare winners can be attributed to several factors. First, the majority of racehorses are male, with 63% being stallions, geldings, or colts. In 2019, just one mare, Magic of Light, participated in a field of 40 horses. The Grand National’s demanding nature and the limited representation of mares in the race contribute to their lower chances of winning.
Which horse had the longest odds at the Grand National?
The longest Grand National odds for a winning horse have been 100/1. This remarkable feat was achieved by five horses: Tipperary Tim in 1928, Gregalach in 1929, Caughoo in 1947, Foinavon in 1967, and Mon Mome in 2009.
Bet on the Grand National Online with BetVictor
If you want to bet on the Grand National online, here’s a guide that you can use to get started:
1. Sign in to your BetVictor account. If you’re not registered with us already, simply click or tap on the green ‘Sign Up’ button in the top right corner and fill in the various fields that appear. From here, simply confirm your details and make a deposit to bet on the Grand National with real funds.
2. Head to the sports betting page.
3. Click on ‘Horse Racing’ and find the ‘Future’ tab.
4. From here, tap on ‘Aintree Ante Post 2025’ to bring up a list of all horses that may be running in the Grand National.
5. Click the horse you’d like to wager on to add it to the bet slip.
6. Type in a stake size and decide whether you want a single bet or an each way wager.
7. All that’s left to do then is confirm the bet!
Here at BetVictor, we have comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Grand National, alongside a variety of other horse races from around the world. You can also find a huge selection of horse racing betting bonuses on the offers page, with options for both new and existing customers!
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand National Winners
The most successful horse of all time in the Grand National is Red Rum, who won it a total of three times. Many argue that his third Grand National victory was the most impressive, as Red Rum was 12 at the time of the race.
I Am Maximus won the 2024 iteration of the Grand National after the favourite Corach Rambler unseated his rider on the first fence.
The best place to bet on the Grand National online is right here at BetVictor. We offer a variety of bonuses for the Grand National, including ‘Run For Your Money’, where all bets will be refunded should the horse not start the race. We also have a ‘Best Odds Guaranteed’ bonus, meaning that if you take the early price of any horse and the start price is higher, the potential winnings will be awarded at the higher odds, should the horse win.
