The 2025 Grand National was won by 33/1 shot Nick Rockett in an emotional father and son win after the heartbreaking death of owner Stewart Andrew’s wife Sadie
Nick Rockett was a worthy winner of the 2025 Grand National in one of Aintree’s most poignant races.
The 33/1 shot held off last year’s winner I Am Maximus to pass the post first and land Patrick Mullins victory for his dad Willie in a special father and son triumph.
Nick Rockett’s win played out behind a heartbreaking story following the death of owner Sadie Andrew, who owned the horse with her husband Stewart.
Before she died, Sadie told Stewart to take Nick Rockett to Mullins’ yard, and the rest is history.
Following the race, Willie Mullins broke down in tears as he was interviewed after the hugely emotional win.
Willie Mullins choked back tears before crying and having to cut short an interview as he told ITV Racing: “That was some result. It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it, it’s unbelievable.”
Patrick Mullins said: “I had too good a start and was having to take him back all the way. I was wondering at Canal Turn had I lost too much ground, but he just jumped fantastic.
“Then I was there too soon and it is a long way from the back of the last with Paul Townend (on I Am Maximus) on my outside.
“It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, I know it’s a cliche but when I was five or six years old, reading books about the National and watching black and white videos of Red Rum. To put my name there is very special.”
Willie Mullins made Grand National history with a 1-2-3 as Nick Rockett held off I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West. Patrick became the first amateur jockey to win the race since Sam Waley-Cohen on Noble Yeats in 2022.
Iroko came home fourth for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero in the Brits’ highest finish ahead of Meetingofthewaters in fifth.