It’s almost time for the 2026 edition of the World’s Greatest Steeplechase but before the Merseyside Marathon gets underway, bettors will be keen to take a deep-dive into Willie Mullins’ Grand National record.
The legendary Irish trainer is often regarded as the king of the Cheltenham Festival but how does his Aintree record hold up and how many winners can the 69-year-old boast in the biggest jumps race in the world? BetVictor News takes a closer look.
Willie Mullins Grand National Record: Triumphs And Turmoil
Since 2000, Willie Mullins has saddled 69 Grand National runners which has brought about mixed fortunes. Interestingly, his first four horses failed to complete the National. Micko’s Dream – his first entry – fell at the first. Not the ideal start for Mullins but improvements would soon be seen.
Hedgehunter and Alexander Banquet both fell in 2004 with the latter unseating the rider in 2002. However, Mullins would taste glory in 2005 when Hedgehunter crossed the line with a time of 9m 20.8s. The gelding went off as the 7/1 JF.
In the 2006 renewal, Hedgehunter finished second and Mullins also had another placed finish in 2008 with Snowy Morning, finishing third. A series of more misfortunes occurred between the 2009 and 2013 editions but in 2014, Mullins earned another runner-up berth with On His Own.
The champion Irish trainer would earn more placed finishes in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023. In 2024 and 2025, Mullins landed back-to-back wins with I Am Maximus (7/1 JF) and Nick Rockett (33/1). His trio of successes means he is on par with Gordon Elliott with Fred Rimmell, Ginger McCain and George Dockeray leading the way in terms of being the most successful Grand National trainers with four wins apiece.
All Of Willie Mullins’ Grand National Runners Since 2000
For those who want a full list of every Willie Mullins Grand National runner since the turn of the century, scroll down for all of his entries with they year they ran and their final placement at Aintree:
2000
- Micko’s Dream – Fell (1st)
2001
- No runner listed
2002
- Alexander Banquet – Unseated rider
2003
- No runner listed
2004
- Hedgehunter – Fell
- Alexander Banquet – Fell
2005
- Hedgehunter – Winner
2006
- Hedgehunter – 2nd
2007
- No runner listed
2008
- Snowy Morning – 3rd
- Hedgehunter – Pulled up
- Hi Cloy – Fell
- Chelsea Harbour – Unseated rider
2009
- Snowy Morning – 9th
- Irish Invader – 11th
- Milan Deux Mille – Pulled up
- Hedgehunter – Pulled up
2010
- Snowy Morning – Pulled up
- Irish Invader – Pulled up
- Ballytrim – Unseated rider
- Hedgehunter – Pulled up
2011
- The Midnight Club – 6th
- Dooneys Gate – Fell
- Arbor Supreme – Unseated rider
- Snowy Morning – Pulled up
2012
- On His Own – Fell
- The Midnight Club – Pulled up
- Scotsirish – Pulled up
- Vic Venturi – Pulled up
2013
- On His Own – Fell
- Quel Esprit – Pulled up
- Tidal Bay – Pulled up
- Colbert Station – Unseated rider
2014
- Prince De Beauchene – Pulled up
- On His Own – 2nd
- Boston Bob – Fell
- Vesper Bell – Pulled up
2015
- Ballycasey – Pulled up
- Boston Bob – Fell
- On His Own – Fell
- First Lieutenant – Pulled up
2016
- Sir Des Champs – Fell
- Boston Bob – Pulled up
- On His Own – Pulled up
- Ballycasey – Pulled up
2017
- Pleasant Company – 9th
- Rogue Angel – Pulled up
- Ucello Conti – Unseated rider
- Ballycasey – Pulled up
2018
- Pleasant Company – 2nd
- Total Recall – Pulled up
- Ucello Conti – Unseated rider
- Rogue Angel – Pulled up
2019
- Rathvinden – 3rd
- Pleasant Company – Fell
- Up For Review – Fell
- Livelovelaugh – 11th
2020
(Race cancelled due to COVID‑19)
2021
- Burrows Saint – 4th
- Acapella Bourgeois – 17th
- Class Conti – Pulled up
- Cabaret Queen – Pulled up
2022
- Burrows Saint – Pulled up
- Class Conti – Pulled up
- Brahma Bull – Pulled up
- Agusta Gold – Pulled up
2023
- Gaillard Du Mesnil – 3rd
- Recite A Prayer – Pulled up
- Mr Incredible – Unseated rider
- Capodanno – Pulled up
2024
- I Am Maximus – Winner
- Mr Incredible – Pulled up
- Adamantly Chosen – Pulled up
- Meetingofthewaters – 7th
- Minella Cocooner – Pulled up
- Capodanno – Pulled up
- Energumene – Fell
- Janidil – Pulled up
2025
- Nick Rockett – Winner
- I Am Maximus – 2nd
- Grangeclare West – Placed
- Appreciate It – Ran
- Capodanno – Ran
- Minella Cocooner – Ran
- Meetingofthewaters – Ran
Willie Mullins Grand National Winners
When it comes to the 2026 Grand National odds, Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus is the current favourite to win the Merseyside Marathon at 8/1. And horse racing enthusiasts will be well aware that Maximus is one of three National winners for Mullins.
His first came in 2005 when Hedgehunter romped home by 14 lengths. Mullins would have to wait 19 years before his second success with I Am Maximus before completing back-to-back wins last year with 33/1 shot Nick Rockett.
Can Mullins become the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to complete a historic three-peat? Only time will tell.
Willie Mullins Potential 2026 Grand National Runners
- I Am Maximus – 7/1
- Grangeclare West 9/1
- Nick Rockett – 14/1
- Captain Coady – 20/1
- Quai De Bourbon – 33/1
- Lecky Watson – 40/1
- Spanish Harlem – 50/1
- Champ Kiely – 50/1
- High Class Hero 50/1
- Shanbally Kid – 100/1
If you intend to bet on the 2026 Grand National, then please take the time to read through BetVictor’s safe and responsible gambling page which will provide good advice on how to stay in control when betting on horse racing.
Any betting decisions should be made responsibly and there are no guarantees when it comes to outcomes. Odds correct as of 3:30pm March 27, 2026.
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