Past Grand National Winners and What They Tell Us Ahead of the 2026 Race
Every year, as April approaches, the thoughts of the racing community turn to picking a Grand National Winner.
Possibly the greatest steeplechase in the world, the race was established in 1839 and is held annually at Aintree Racecourse.
For months before the race, the build-up is incredible. The entries for 2026 were announced at the start of February, with the allocation of weights revealed two weeks later.
This is generally followed by a series of scratching stages, during which potential runners are either withdrawn or declared.
When the Aintree Festival begins in April, everyone talks about the Grand National and the 34 runners and riders.
On race day, the excitement can be felt across the country as the jockeys tussle for a position in the lineup before the race begins.
The tape goes up, and the thunder sounds as the pack hurtles to the first fence. The Grand National has a reputation that, more than any other race, brings the nation together for a collective flutter on the outcome.
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In fact, the total gambling on the event every year is a staggering £250,000,000.
How to Pick a Grand National Winner
With that in mind, how do you choose a winner? I mean, horses like Red Rum and Tiger Roll are extremely rare.
At the top of this year's ante-post lists is Iroko, sitting as the current favourite after a strong showing last season and a big win over fences this winter.
I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner and 2025 runner-up, is not far behind and genuinely cannot be discounted given his history in the race.
Another key name in the early market is Haiti Couleurs, winner of the Welsh Grand National in December; however, he also has a Gold Cup entry with no decision yet as to which direction he will go in.
Other hopefuls such as Panic Attack and Grangeclare West are also attracting support further down the list, so sometimes it feels that picking a Grand National winner can be a bit of a lottery; even the first winner of the National was called ‘Lottery.
So, here is our simple guide to picking a Grand National winner.
Age of the Horse
One of the clear statistics that stands out when looking at past winners of the Grand National is age.
For example, nine of the winners over the last ten years have been either 8 or 9 years old.
In fact, only one seven-year-old has won the Grand National since 1940, and that was Noble Yeats in 2022.
On top of that, there is a significant number of younger horses who just don't finish the race.
Previous History
The Grand National throws up obstacles unlike most other races. Big banks, sharp turns, and massive crowds all test a horse’s stamina, bravery, and jumping ability.
Past winners nearly always have solid form over tough fences before stepping up for the National.
Horses that have run in long-distance races like the Irish Grand National or Cheltenham Festival staying races often attract extra interest at Aintree.
That doesn't mean they always win, but the 2025 winner, Nick Rockett, had won the Thyestes Chase and the Bobbyjo Chase in the months leading up to Aintree, which, in hindsight, makes you wonder why he went off at odds of 33/1!
Weight and Stamina
Let's not beat about the bush here, the Grand National is a brutal race and a significant test of the horse and rider. Think of it as being like an ultra marathon.
It is clear that if a horse is not a strong stayer, it doesn't stand a chance over four miles.
However, a horse may have a lot of stamina, but if the weight they carry exceeds eleven stone, the stats are not good at all.
Yes, there has been an odd exception, like the Gordon Elliott trained Tiger Roll, who carried 11-05 in 2019, as well as both I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025), who carried 11-06 and 11-08 respectively.
The Grand National Winners 2000 – 2025
- 2025: Nick Rockett (Weight: 11-08, Odds: 33/1)
- 2024: I Am Maximus (Weight: 11-06, Odds: 7/1 JF)
- 2023: Corach Rambler (Weight: 10-5, Odds: 8/1F)
- 2022: Noble Yeats (Weight: 10-10, Odds: 50/1)
- 2021: Minella Times (Weight: 10-3, Odds: 11/1)
- 2019: Tiger Roll (Weight: 11-5, Odds: 4/1F)
- 2018: Tiger Roll (Weight: 10-13, Odds: 14/1)
- 2017: One For Arthur (Weight: 10-11, Odds: 14/1)
- 2016: Rule The World (Weight: 10-07, Odds: 33/1)
- 2015: Many Clouds (Weight: 11-09, Odds: 25/1)
- 2014: Pineau De Re (Weight: 10-06, Odds: 25/1)
- 2013: Auroras Encore (Weight: 10-03, Odds: 66/1)
- 2012: Neptune Collonges (Weight: 11-06, Odds: 33/1)
- 2011: Ballabriggs (Weight: 11-00, Odds: 14/1)
- 2010: Don’t Push It (Weight: 11-05, Odds: 10/1JF)
- 2009: Mon Mome (Weight: 11-00, Odds: 100/1)
- 2008: Comply Or Die (Weight: 10-09, Odds: 7/1JF)
- 2007: Silver Birch (Weight: 10-06, Odds: 33/1)
- 2006: Numbersixvalverde (Weight: 10-08, Odds: 11/1)
- 2005: Hedgehunter (Weight: 11-01, Odds: 7/1F)
- 2004: Amberleigh House (Weight: 10-10, Odds: 16/1)
- 2003: Monty´s Pass (Weight: 10-07, Odds: 16/1)
- 2002: Bindaree (Weight: 10-04, Odds: 20/1)
- 2001: Red Marauder (Weight: 10-11, Odds: 33/1)
- 2000: Papillon (Weight: 10-12, Odds: 10/1)
Now, some may still pick a Grand National winner just on name alone.
One thing all Grand National fans know is that nothing is guaranteed. Even the most fancied horses can meet trouble on the big fences, and outsiders can carve their own place in legend.
Looking at the past, from Red Rum through Tiger Roll to recent winners like Nick Rockett, shows that grit and determination often shine through when the going gets tough.
That mix of history and unpredictability is what draws millions of eyes to Aintree each April.
