You’ll Be Shocked At The Overall Willie Mullins Grand National Record – EVERY Runner Listed Since 2000

There is no denying top Irish trainer Willie Mullins is the king of the Cheltenham Festival – however, despite winning the Grand National last year (2024) – his overall record in the Merseyside Marathon doesn’t make great reading.

Willie Mullins Has Saddled 61 Grand National Runners Since 2000 – With Only EIGHT Placed (2 Winners)

Of course, as a horse racing trainer – then having two Grand National wins on your CV is the stuff of dreams – which is exactly what WILLIE MULLINS can claim heading into the 2025 renewal.

His two wins came in 2005 with Hedgehunter and just last year in 2024 with I Am Maximus.

However, despite this brace of wins in the world’s biggest steeplechase – the overall Willie Mullins Grand National record is not as good as some might think.

In total, since 2000, Mullins has sent 61 horses to post in the National and seen just EIGHT of those finish in the first four – equating to a 13% strike-rate.

While his ‘wins-to-runs’ return in the famous race is just 3%.

The First Four Mullins National Runners ALL Failed To Complete

The Willie Mullins first Grand National runner came with a horse called Micko’s Dream in 2000.

Unfortunately, the horse fell at the first.

In fact, the first four runners in the race for Mullins ALL failed to complete – including one of his winners Hedgehunter, who fell in 2004 the year before he made amends.

His other early runner was Alexander Banquet, who unseated in 2002 and fell in 2004.

Read on as we list EVERY Willie Mullins Grand National runner and their finishing position since 2000.

Willie Mullins Grand National Winners – Two Successes For The Irish Champion Trainer

Grand National Placed Horses For Willie Mullins

EVERY Willie Mullins Grand National Runner Since 2000

Since 2000, Willie Mullins has had 61 Grand National runners over the years – see below the full list and where they finished in the race.

54% Of Willie Mullins National Runners DIDN’T Finish The Race

Willie Mullins Won His First Grand National With Hedgehunter In 2005

Whizz back to 2005 and you’ll find the first Willie Mullins Grand National winner – which was Hedgehunter, who was owned by Trevor Hemmings, who also went onto win the race with Ballabriggs and Many Clouds.

It was the second time he’d run in the race – having falling the previous year in 2004.

The horse was aged 9 at the time and took up the running after the AP McCoy-ridden Clan Royal was hampered at Bechers by a loose horse.

He stayed there for the remainder of the race – travelling well and jumping with aplomb – to eventually land the spoils by 14 lengths from Royal Auclair.

Hedgehunter also returned as the 7/1 favourite that year and was the first winning market leader since Earth Summit in 1998.

Grand National Result 2005

Hedgehunter’s win also gave Walsh his second Grand National win – having landed the prize money in 2000 with Papillon, who was trained by his father Ted Walsh.

These two National successes remained the only two for Ruby Walsh, since he retired in 2019.

Hedgehunter went onto run second in the National in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde.

Plus was also 9th in 2007, while his last National appearance came in 2008 aged 12, but was only 13th (of 40) to the David Pipe-trained Comply Or Die.

I Am Maximus GaveWillie Mullins With A Second Grand National Winner In 2024

Willie Mullins waited 19 years for his next Grand National winner – which came last year in 2024.

I Am Maximus, who also took the Irish National the season before, was guided home by jockey Paul Townend – who was winning the race for the first time.

Aged 8 in 2024, I Am Maximus, beat the Gordon Elliott-trained Delta Work by 7 1/2 lengths in 2024 (watch below) and was sent off as the joint 7/1 Grand National favourite with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.

I Am Maximus was also giving top owner JP McManus with his third National win – having won the race in the past with Don’t Push It and Minella Times.

He’ll be back for more in 2025, but rated 8lbs higher and with 6lbs more in racing weight to carry.

The Grand National trends suggest he’s got it all to do – with the last horse to win with 11st 12lbs or more Red Rum in 1974.

Grand National Result 2024

Who Are The Possible Willie Mullins Grand National Runners 2025?

You can read more about the Willie Mullins Grand National runners 2025 here and the possible jockey bookings.

Note: The final 2025 Grand National runners will be out on Thursday 3rd April

Grand National Winners (Since 2000)