Willie Mullins looking to end 70-year record after Grand National 2024 success

Willie Mullins won the National for a second time thanks to I Am Maximus' comfortable win at Aintree on Saturday, and now the Irish trainer has his sights set on another title

Willie Mullins is aiming to become only the second Irishman to win the British trainers’ championship after I Am Maximus’ victory in yesterday’s Grand National put him in pole position.

The 67-year-old now leads Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls in the race to be crowned king of the jumps after landing the £500,000 prize at Aintree, with only two weeks to go.

Ireland’s only other trainer to claim the British championship is Vincent O’Brien, who won the second of his titles 70 years ago.

"I would love to win the British championship, it would be something different," Mullins said after I Am Maximus romped home by seven and a half lengths ahead of Delta Work. Minella Indo came third, with Galvin next best as Irish horses claimed the top four spots.

Skelton and Nicholls have had significantly more winners but the title is based on prize money. Nicholls has won 14 of the past 18 championships, with the other four claimed by Nicky Henderson.

The triumph of I Am Maximus, who won last year’s Irish National, means Mullins is now £50,000 ahead of second-placed Skelton. It is the trainer’s second Grand National win after Hedgehunter in 2005.

"Sandown, Ayr, Perth, wherever we can see a prize - I think we have to go for it now," he added. "We needed to have a really good National and we got it. It's game on I think, isn't it?"

Mullins became the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history last month by bringing his total to 103. He has won the Irish trainers’ title a record 17 times.

And asked if he could have expected such success at the start of the season, Mullins added: "I would have thought you were mad. We are gobsmacked looking at the talent in the yard."

I Am Maximus is now expected to target next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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