Check out our Grand National Runners A-Z Guide or our Grand National Runners hub with star ratings to help you find the horse to back.
Most Successful Grand National Winners: Legendary Horses at Aintree
The Grand National at Aintree Racecourse has a rich history of horses who have etched their names into racing folklore. While every National winner is celebrated, a select few have achieved multiple victories or become legends because of the nature of their win We take a look at the most successful Grand National winners, highlighting horses with multiple wins, historic feats, and remarkable achievements.
Paddy Power RACING OFFER
GET £5 IN FREE BET BUILDER BETS WHEN YOU PLACE A £10 BET ON RACING
CLAIM OFFERNew customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.
Horses with Multiple Grand National Wins
Winning the Grand National even once is extraordinary, given the race’s 4 miles 2½ furlongs distance, 30 fences, and huge field. Only a handful of horses have managed two victories, and only one has managed three.
Red Rum – The Greatest Legend
- Wins: 3 (1973, 1974, 1977)
- Trainer: Ginger McCain
- Jockeys: Brian Fletcher (1973–74), Tommy Stack (1977)
Notable fact: Red Rum remains the only three-time winner in modern Grand National history. He also finished second twice, underlining his unparalleled consistency.
Red Rum’s dominance in the 1970s made him a household name and a symbol of National Hunt racing. His stamina, jumping ability, and rivalry with Crisp in 1973 are among the race’s most famous moments.
Tiger Roll – Modern Back-to-Back Hero
- Wins: 2 (2018, 2019)
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Jockey: Davy Russell
Notable fact: Tiger Roll's back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019 made him the first multiple winner since Red Rum's dominance. He achieved something many thought might not happen again when following up in 2019 and immediately became a cult hero within racing.
Notable Single-Time Winners
Some winners are remembered for their story, odds, or dramatic finishes: •
Foinavon (1967)
Won at 100/1 after a huge pile-up at the 23rd fence that led to nearly the entire field being severly hampered, refusing to race, or unseating. The 23rd fence is named after him after this extraordinary moment. Despite the chaos ahead of him, he sprang over the fence and continued over the last 7 fences by himself to land the Grand National at a huge price.
Noble Yeats (2022)
Noble Yeats threw out the rulebook when it came to picking a Grand National winner. The first seven-year-old to win the race since 1940, on his 8th career start over fences as a novice chaser was simply not on the cards for most people.
He went off 50/1 and took the lead from the favourite, Any Second Now, at the elbow, showing exceptional stamina to fend off the challenge
I Am Maximus (2024)
I Am Maximus may look like an unsurpising champion given he was sent off 7/1 favourite for the 2024 renewal. However, he had unfortunatley built up a narrative of poor jumping thorughout the season. He settled into the race and jumped fluidly the whole way round.
I Am Maximus' win may continue to gain importance in a rewritting of the Grand National rules, with the new rules and regulations focussing on safety and welfare decreasing the emphasis and pace of the race, allowing a different style of Grand National winner to emerge that is less of a technical jumping task.
.jpg)
Patterns Among Successful Winners
Analysis of multiple and notable winners shows several common traits:
- 1. Stamina and course experience: Horses with prior long-distance racing and fence experience perform consistently well.
- 2. Strong trainer-jockey partnerships: Repeat-winning combinations often include trusted trainers and seasoned jockeys.
- 3. Ability to handle large fields: Horses able to navigate Aintree’s crowded races are more likely to succeed multiple times.
- 4. Unpredictable odds: Even champions have sometimes started at long odds, proving the National’s challenging nature.
Why These Winners Matter
Legacy
Horses like Red Rum and Tiger Roll have become icons, their stories inspiring both fans and racing communities.
Historical impact
Multiple winners demonstrate extraordinary resilience and capability over a notoriously tough course.
Cultural significance
Many winners are remembered not just for the race but for the stories behind them — comebacks, tactical triumphs, or market surprises.
Final Word
The most successful Grand National winners combine talent, stamina, and courage. From Red Rum’s three historic victories to Tiger Roll’s modern back-to-back triumphs, these horses define what it means to excel at Aintree. Notable single-time winners also contribute to the race’s enduring legacy, making the Grand National a true test of horse, jockey, and strategy.
.jpg)
.jpg)
