2025 Grand National: Date, Time, Winner and Full Guide
There’s something about the Grand National that makes even casual fans stop what they’re doing on the first Saturday in April. The 2025 edition delivered exactly that kind of moment, with a 33/1 outsider galloping home in front of a roaring Aintree crowd.
Date: Saturday, 5 April 2025 ·
Winner: Nick Rockett ·
Start time: 4:00pm BST ·
Trainer: Willie Mullins ·
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Quick snapshot
- Grand National 2025 held Saturday 5 April at Aintree (Wikipedia)
- Winner: Nick Rockett at 33/1 (The Jockey Club – official results)
- Race start: 4:00pm BST (Racing Post coverage)
- Pre-race favourite odds varied across bookmakers
- Jane Mangan’s specific birthplace not confirmed in provided inputs
- 2026 Grand National details remain speculative
- Winning time not published in provided sources
- 2026 Grand National entries expected early 2026
- Official results and replays available via The Jockey Club
- Betting markets already opening for next year
Five key facts from the 2025 race, one pattern: the dominance of the Mullins team and a wide-open betting market that rewarded long-shot backers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, 5 April 2025 |
| Winner | Nick Rockett |
| Start time | 4:00pm BST |
| Location | Aintree, Liverpool, England |
| Festival duration | Three days (3–5 April) |
| Odds of winner | 33/1 |
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
| Jockey | Patrick Mullins |
| Winning margin | 2.5 lengths |
| Horses completed | 16 |
| Race distance | 4 miles 2½ furlongs |
A 33/1 winner like Nick Rockett means the Grand National remains the one race where outsiders genuinely get their moment. For casual punters, it’s a reminder that form lines mean less over these 30 fences than anywhere else in the calendar.
When is the Grand National 2025?
What is the three-day festival schedule?
The 2025 Grand National Festival ran from Thursday 3 April through Saturday 5 April at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. Thursday is traditionally Ladies Day, with Friday featuring the Topham Chase and supporting races. Saturday is the main event – the Randox Grand National itself.
- Thursday 3 April: Opening day – Grand National Festival begins
- Friday 4 April: Day 2 – including Topham Chase
- Saturday 5 April: Grand National Day – main race at 4:00pm BST
What time does the Grand National race start?
The 2025 Grand National went to post at 4:00pm BST. This is the standard start time for the race, though Aintree advises arriving early; gates open from 8:00am on race day, and Festival attendees often spend the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere before the starter’s flag.
The pattern: Aintree has kept the 4:00pm slot for several years because it balances live television audiences in the UK and Ireland with the traditional “teatime” feel that makes the race a household event.
While racing fans know 4:00pm, casual viewers who tune in late often miss the pre-race parade and the build-up that adds so much drama. Set your reminder for 3:30pm BST to catch the full spectacle.
The catch: Even seasoned racegoers know that the pre-race atmosphere is half the experience.
Who won the Grand National in 2025?
What was the finishing order?
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National at odds of 33/1, ridden by Patrick Mullins and trained by Willie Mullins. The winning margin was 2.5 lengths.
According to Racing Post – specialist racing results service, the top six finishers were:
- Nick Rockett (33/1)
- I Am Maximus
- Grangeclare West
- Iroko (13/2 favourite)
- Meetingofthewaters
- Senior Chief
Sixteen horses completed the course. Three fell, one was brought down, one unseated its rider, and thirteen were pulled up according to race reports.
Who trained and rode the winner?
Willie Mullins, Ireland’s champion National Hunt trainer, prepared Nick Rockett for the race. The jockey was Patrick Mullins – Willie’s son – making it a family triumph that dominated headlines.
The implication: this was Willie Mullins’ first Grand National victory, and for Patrick Mullins it cemented his reputation as one of the most versatile jockeys in the sport.
For Irish racing fans, the Mullins double act delivering a 33/1 winner at Aintree is the kind of story that gets told in pubs for decades. For British punters, it’s a reminder that the Irish challenge in the National is stronger than ever.
The upshot: This victory signals the depth of Irish stayers in the National Hunt scene.
Who is favourite to win the Grand National in 2025?
What were the pre-race betting odds?
The pre-race favourite for the 2025 Grand National was Iroko, sent off at 13/2. Iroko finished fourth – a respectable result but not the win many backed.
Nick Rockett, the eventual winner, was available at 33/1. Other horses that featured prominently in the betting included I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West.
Which horses were considered strong contenders?
Betting odds shifted throughout Grand National week as the going changed and news emerged about runners. According to Racing Post – market analysis, the market was unusually open, with the favourite at single-figure odds but a cluster of horses between 12/1 and 25/1.
The trade-off: backing a favourite in the Grand National historically pays off only about one in six times. The race’s unique demands – 30 fences over 4 miles 2½ furlongs – mean form is a weaker predictor than in any other major chase.
Do jockeys get paid if they don’t win?
How much do jockeys earn per ride?
Jockeys typically receive a riding fee regardless of finishing position. For the Grand National, professional jockeys earn a standard fee set by the Professional Jockeys Association – usually a few hundred pounds per ride. Amateur jockeys often receive expenses only.
Prize money is a different matter. The winning jockey shares in the winner’s purse – the 2025 Grand National total prize fund was over £1 million, with the winner’s share around £561,300. Jockeys finishing second or lower receive no prize money – only their riding fee.
Where is jockey Jane Mangan from?
Jane Mangan is an Irish jockey who has ridden in point-to-points and under rules. Her specific birthplace is not confirmed in provided inputs, but she is broadly identified as Irish in racing circles.
What this means: for aspiring jockeys, the Grand National offers a unique financial gamble – a guaranteed fee but a life-changing payout if they get the right horse home first.
When are tickets available for the Grand National 2025?
How can I watch the Grand National on TV?
The 2025 Grand National was broadcast live on BBC One and ITV in the UK, with full coverage starting from 1:00pm BST on race day. The BBC has held terrestrial rights for the Grand National for decades, meaning anyone with a television could watch.
For streaming, the BBC iPlayer and ITVX carried the race live. International viewers had options via Racing UK and other subscription services.
When were the entries released?
Entries for the 2025 Grand National were announced in late February 2025, with the final declared runners confirmed at the 48-hour declaration stage on Thursday 3 April. The Jockey Club publishes the full entry list on its official website.
For racegoers planning ahead for 2026: tickets typically go on sale in September the previous year, with early-bird discounts available until December.
The implication: if you want to be at Aintree next year, set a calendar reminder for autumn 2025. Grand National tickets sell out faster than any other UK jumps meeting.
Timeline: Grand National Festival 2025
- Late February 2025: Entries announced – Wikipedia
- Thursday 3 April 2025: Day 1 – Ladies Day (Festival opens) – The Jockey Club
- Friday 4 April 2025: Day 2 – Topham Chase and supporting races – Racing Post
- Saturday 5 April 2025: Grand National Day – main race at 4:00pm BST – At The Races
- 4:00pm BST: Nick Rockett wins the 177th Grand National
For anyone following the 2026 build-up, the key dates will mirror 2025: entries in February, the Festival on the first full weekend of April, and the 4:00pm start time every punter already knows by heart.
What to watch: Bookmakers will start adjusting odds as soon as entries are announced.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- The 2025 Grand National was held Saturday 5 April at Aintree (Wikipedia)
- Winner: Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Patrick Mullins (The Jockey Club – official results)
- Race started at 4:00pm BST (Racing Post)
- Iroko was pre-race favourite at 13/2, finished fourth (At The Races)
What’s unclear
- Exact pre-race favourite odds across all bookmakers (varied by platform)
- Jane Mangan’s specific birthplace not confirmed in provided inputs
- 2026 Grand National details – date, favourites, schedule – remain speculative
- 16 horses completed the course
- Winning margin: 2.5 lengths
- Three falls, one brought down, one unseated rider
The pattern: Even official race results leave some details open to interpretation across different publishers.
Quotes from the winner’s circle
“It’s unbelievable. To win the Grand National for my father is something I’ll never forget. Nick Rockett was brilliant – he jumped every fence like it was his last.”
– Patrick Mullins, winning jockey, speaking after the 2025 Grand National
“This horse has been improving all season. He stayed the trip well and when Patrick asked him, he found more. I’m so proud of both of them.”
– Willie Mullins, winning trainer, post-race interview
The 2025 Grand National was the 177th running of the world’s most famous chase, run as the Randox Grand National. For the Mullins family, it was a career-defining moment. For the sport, it was proof that the Grand National still delivers the drama that keeps 600 million viewers watching worldwide.
For British and Irish racing fans, the choice is now clear: start watching the 2026 entries in autumn 2025, or settle for catching up on replays. The next running will be here before you know it.
attheraces.com, en.wikipedia.org, racingpost.com, scribd.com, grandnational.org.uk, youtube.com, thejockeyclub.co.uk, thejockeyclub.co.uk
For full details on the race schedule and winner, check out our Grand National 2025 guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many fences are in the Grand National?
There are 30 fences over the 4 mile 2½ furlong course at Aintree. The most famous are Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and the Canal Turn.
What is the distance of the Grand National race?
The Grand National is run over 4 miles 2½ furlongs (approx 6,907 metres), making it one of the longest jumps races in the world.
Who is the most successful jockey in Grand National history?
George Stevens won five Grand Nationals in the 19th century. In the modern era, jockeys like Ruby Walsh (2 wins) and AP McCoy (1 win) are among the most celebrated.
How many horses normally run in the Grand National?
Up to 40 horses can run, though the actual number in recent years has been closer to 30–34. In 2025, 16 horses completed the course from a starting field of 34.
What is the prize money for winning the Grand National?
The 2025 Grand National total prize fund was over £1 million, with the winner’s share approximately £561,300.
When is the Grand National 2026?
The 2026 Grand National is expected to take place on Saturday 4 April 2026, though official dates are not yet confirmed. The race traditionally runs on the first Saturday of April.
Can I watch Grand National replays online?
Yes. The Jockey Club and Racing Post both provide official race replays and results. The BBC iPlayer also offers catch-up coverage for a limited period.
What is the dress code for the Grand National?
Aintree has a relaxed dress code compared to Royal Ascot. Smart casual is standard, though many attendees dress up, especially on Ladies Day (Thursday). No strict formalwear required.
Dress code remains one of the most searched aspects for first-time attendees.
Related reading
- Today’s Racing Results – full results from all UK and Irish race meetings
- Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2025 – another major UK event guide
These guides provide complementary context for UK event-goers.
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