Willie Mullins ends 19-year wait for Grand National triumph - just weeks after mum's death

Willie Mullins was full of praise for jockey Pete Townend after he rode I Am Maximus to glory in Saturday afternoon's Grand National - ending Mullins' 19-year wait for a winner in the blue-ribbon event

Legendary trainer Willie Mullins toasted his first Grand National win for 19 years courtesy of I Am Maximus, just weeks after losing his mother at the age of 94.

Maureen Mullins, known as the 'First Lady' of Irish racing, sadly passed away back in February after a short illness. She was married to multi-time champion trainer Paddy Mullins and had five children, including Mullins.

Mullins, 67, last triumphed in the Grand National back in 2005 with Hedgehunter. But I Am Maximus, ridden by Pete Townend, eclipsed both Delta Work and Minella Indo to storm past the post following a late surge.

The eight-year-old went off as joint-favourite for the race, which was contested by 34 horses at an earlier 4pm start time. Proceedings started with a major shock as defending champion Corach Rambler fell at the first fence, paving the way for a new winner.

Reacting after the race, Mullins lauded Townend for the job he did. He told ITV : “Paul Townend was super on him, the horse wasn't giving him a lot of help. We saw last year in the Irish Grand National we had supreme confidence in the horse that he had a bit in the tank. He was biding his time and he delivered.

“I didn't say anything until the last fence but then I let go. I love it, I'm buzzing, it's huge. As far as I know all of our team are back in good order so I'm very happy with that.”

Townend basked in the glory of his first triumph at Ainstree after the race. He declared: “It’s an unbelievable race and an unbelievable horse and it’s a bit surreal to be honest!"

He continued: “It wasn’t a great start, but the volume of horses pushed him down over the first three and he got a bit careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve as much as I could as well.

“He didn’t get the clearest run from the second last to the last, but it kind of helped me and I had a feeling when I got him out he was going to start motoring in the clear air and he did. The ones in front of me, I’m sure they weren’t looking for me but I had them well in my sights. I was hoping he would respond like I thought he would.

“Gold Cups are Gold Cups and Grade Ones are hard to win. But Grand Nationals are just a bit different. You just need so much luck and I can’t believe it, I’m a lucky boy.”