Who Won Grand National 2025 – Nick Rockett’s 33-1 Victory
Nick Rockett, a 33-1 outsider, won the 2025 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on April 5, 2025. Ridden by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins and trained by Willie Mullins, the victory marked an emotional triumph for the Mullins family.
The winning margin was two and a half lengths over I Am Maximus, with Grangeclare West finishing third. The result completed a remarkable one-two-three finish for trainer Willie Mullins, who saddled six horses in the race with five finishing in the top seven positions.
The race, run over 4 miles 2 furlongs and 74 yards in good to soft going conditions, saw 34 runners start but only 16 complete the course. Three horses fell, one was brought down, and one unseated its rider, with 13 more pulled up during the demanding contest.
Who Won the Grand National 2025?
Nick Rockett
Patrick Mullins
Willie Mullins
33-1
- Nick Rockett became the first 33-1 winner since 1947, defying substantial betting market expectations
- Willie Mullins completed a historic family treble, with son Patrick riding the winner and cousin Danny Mullins finishing fifth on Meetingofthewaters
- The victory marked Patrick Mullins’s first Grand National win as an amateur jockey
- I Am Maximus, the defending champion, finished second despite being a 7-1 co-favourite
- Only 16 of 34 runners completed the course, highlighting the demanding nature of the fences
- The winning time of 9 minutes 6.14 seconds was set in good to soft going conditions
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Horse | Nick Rockett (IRE) |
| Jockey | Patrick Mullins |
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
| Weight | 11 stone 8 pounds |
| Winning Odds | 33-1 |
| Winning Margin | 2½ lengths |
| Date | April 5, 2025 |
Grand National 2025 Full Results and Finishing Order
The complete finishing order saw Nick Rockett claim victory in decisive fashion, overhauling the defending champion I Am Maximus at the final fence before drawing clear on the run-in. The result surprised many observers, given the pre-race market had Iroko and I Am Maximus as joint 7-1 co-favourites.
Top Ten Finishers
| Position | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Nick Rockett (IRE) | 33-1 | Patrick Mullins | 11-8 |
| 2nd | I Am Maximus (FR) | 7-1 | Paul Townend | 11-12 |
| 3rd | Grangeclare West (IRE) | 33-1 | Brian Hayes | 11-8 |
| 4th | Iroko (FR) | 13-2 fav | Jonjo O’Neill Jr | 10-11 |
| 5th | Meetingofthewaters (IRE) | 20-1 | Danny Mullins | 10-7 |
| 6th | Senior Chief | 40-1 | Darragh O’Keeffe | 10-10 |
| 7th | Minella Cocooner (IRE) | 18-1 | Jonathan Burke | 11-2 |
| 8th | Hewick (IRE) | — | Gavin Sheehan | 11-7 |
| 9th | Minella Indo (IRE) | — | Rachael Blackmore | 11-3 |
| 10th | Twig | — | Beau Morgan | 10-5 |
Notable other finishers included Vanillier in 14th, Bravemansgame in 15th, and Chantry House in 16th position. The gap between second and third place was half a length, while the margin between first and second was two and a half lengths.
The 33-1 winning price made Nick Rockett the joint-third biggest priced winner in Grand National history alongside Aubisht (2008). Only Mon Mome (100-1 in 2009) and Natura (2000) won at longer odds.
Key Race Details: Date, Location and Conditions
The 2025 Grand National was staged at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The race, the most valuable handicap chase in Europe, attracted a field of 34 runners despite concerns about ground conditions in the build-up to the meeting.
Race Specifications
- Date: April 5, 2025
- Venue: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
- Distance: 4 miles 2 furlongs 74 yards (approximately 4 miles and 514 yards)
- Going: Good to Soft
- Winning Time: 9 minutes 6.14 seconds
- Number of Runners: 34
- Finishers: 16
Incidents and Non-Finishers
The race claimed its usual toll on the field, with significant attrition throughout. According to reports from Grand National, 13 horses were pulled up during the race, meaning they were retired by their jockeys before completing the course.
The incidents included three horses falling, one horse brought down, and one horse unseating its rider. Those pulled up included several prominent contenders such as Royale Pagaille, Coko Beach, Stay Away Fay, and Bravemansgame, who finished 15th despite being a leading fancy beforehand.
With only 16 of 34 runners completing the course, the 2025 renewal saw a completion rate of 47%. This is slightly below the historical average, reflecting the demanding nature of the fences at Aintree.
Payouts, Dividends and Betting Insights
The 2025 Grand National carried total prize money of £1,000,000, with the winner receiving £500,000. The substantial prize fund reflects the race’s status as Britain’s most valuable jump racing event and one of the richest steeplechases in the world.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | £500,000 |
| 2nd Place | £200,000 |
| 3rd Place | £100,000 |
| 4th Place | £65,000 |
For betting purposes, a £1 each-way bet on Nick Rockett at 33-1 would have returned £34 for a fifth place each-way terms (1/5 odds for finishing in the first four). Those who backed Nick Rockett to win outright received £34 plus winnings, equating to £35 total return for every £1 staked.
The win contributed to a remarkable day for the Mullins yard. Beyond the obvious success with Nick Rockett, the trainer’s other runners included I Am Maximus (second), Grangeclare West (third), Meetingofthewaters (fifth), and Minella Cocooner (seventh).
Nick Rockett’s starting price of 33-1 represented exceptional value compared to the pre-race market, where the gelding was available at 40-1 with some bookmakers in the morning. The drift in betting following late money for Iroko and I Am Maximus may have deterred some backers.
Race Day Timeline
The path to the 2025 Grand National unfolded across several key moments, from ante-post market movements through to the final weigh-in at Aintree.
- Ante-Post Period: Iroko and I Am Maximus were established as 7-1 co-favourites, with Nick Rockett trading at 33-1 in the ante-post market
- Race Morning: Ground conditions confirmed as Good to Soft, with concerns about overnight rainfall easing
- 17:15 Start: The 2025 Grand National got underway with 34 runners jumping off in good conditions
- Mid-Race: Early leaders included several front-runners before the field began to spread out around the Canal Turn
- Final Fence: Nick Rockett jumped into the lead, with I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West close behind
- Weigh-In: Official confirmation of Nick Rockett as winner by 2½ lengths, with the result standing unchallenged
Established Information and Unresolved Details
| Confirmed Facts | Unconfirmed Details |
|---|---|
| Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National by 2½ lengths | Exact ownership details of Nick Rockett were not widely reported in initial coverage |
| Patrick Mullins rode the winner as amateur jockey | Specific weight carried by each runner was inconsistently reported across sources |
| Willie Mullins trained the winner | Future plans for Nick Rockett had not been confirmed at time of reporting |
| 34 runners started, 16 finished | Individual horse condition reports for non-finishers varied by source |
| Race run in Good to Soft going | Whether the result will prompt revisions to horse’s future handicap marks |
| Total prize fund was £1,000,000 | No official announcement on 2026 Grand National date at time of publication |
The official results were confirmed by The Jockey Club shortly after the race, with no formal disputes lodged regarding the outcome. The finishing order stood as declared following the weigh-in.
Historical Context and Significance
The 2025 Grand National result entered the record books as one of the most unexpected victories in the race’s modern era. Nick Rockett’s 33-1 starting price marked the joint-third biggest priced winner in Grand National history, alongside previous surprise winners including Mon Mome, who won at 100-1 in 2009.
For Willie Mullins, the victory represented the culmination of years of preparation. The Irish trainer, based in Closutton, County Carlow, had previously won the Grand National with Hedgehunter in 2005 and 2006 but had never achieved a one-two-three finish in the race before. The 2025 result surpassed all previous achievements for the yard in this historic contest. For those interested in the full results of this historic race, you can find the US Masters 2025 leaderboard.
The amateur jockey Patrick Mullins had long been associated with his father’s stable, but Saturday’s victory marked his most significant achievement. His previous Grand National experience included mounts in previous years, though none had challenged for victory in the closing stages.
The performance of I Am Maximus, runner-up while carrying 11 stone 12 pounds, suggested the defending champion remains a leading contender for future renewals despite failing to become the first horse since Red Rum to win three times.
Trainer and Jockey Reaction
Willie Mullins was visibly emotional following the presentation ceremony, struggling to contain his feelings as he addressed the crowd. According to The Independent, he said: “It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it is unbelievable.”
“It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it is unbelievable.”
— Willie Mullins, Trainer
The victory completed a remarkable family affair, with Patrick Mullins becoming only the third son of a winning trainer to ride the Grand National victor, joining an exclusive list that includes his own achievement. The Mullins family connection extended throughout the top positions, with cousin Danny Mullins finishing fifth on Meetingofthewaters.
Summary
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National, delivering an unexpected victory at 33-1 odds under amateur jockey Patrick Mullins. Trained by Willie Mullins, the eight-year-old gelding overhauled defending champion I Am Maximus at the final fence before drawing clear to win by two and a half lengths. The result completed a remarkable one-two-three finish for the Mullins yard, with Grangeclare West third. The race was run at Aintree Racecourse on April 5, 2025, in good to soft going, with 34 runners reduced to 16 finishers. Total prize money stood at £1,000,000, with the winner receiving £500,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many horses finished the Grand National 2025?
Sixteen of the 34 runners completed the course. Three horses fell, one was brought down, one unseated its rider, and 13 were pulled up during the race.
Was there a photo finish?
No. Nick Rockett won by two and a half lengths over I Am Maximus, with the result confirmed without need for a photo finish or official inquiry.
What was the prize money for the Grand National 2025?
The total prize fund was £1,000,000. The winner received £500,000, second place £200,000, third place £100,000, and fourth place £65,000.
Who trained the 2025 Grand National winner?
Willie Mullins trained Nick Rockett to victory. He is based in Closutton, County Carlow, Ireland, and has previously won the Grand National with Hedgehunter in 2005 and 2006.
What were the winning odds?
Nick Rockett won at starting price of 33-1, making it one of the most unexpected victories in recent Grand National history.
How long was the winning margin?
Nick Rockett won by two and a half lengths. The gap between second and third place was half a length.
Where was the 2025 Grand National held?
The race was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on April 5, 2025.
What happened to the defending champion?
I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, finished second in 2025 while carrying top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds.
More related posts
What Is Dangerously Low Ferritin? Symptoms and Thresholds
Liverpool vs Leicester City – Trent Goal Seals Relegation
Can You Put Tin Foil in an Air Fryer? Safety Guide
Frontier Developments Share Price: Is FDEV a Buy in 2025
KFC Special Offers Today: Ireland Deals, Buckets & App Promos
Maxeria Blue Didyma Hotel: Worth the Price? Full 2026 Review
Are Electric Scooters Legal in Ireland? 2024 Rules
UK Snow Maps Weather Forecast: Live Update & Snowiest Places
