
Grand National 2025 Time – Start, Winner, Results
The 2025 Grand National unfolded on Saturday, April 5, at Aintree Racecourse, delivering the 177th edition of Britain’s most celebrated horse race. Nick Rockett crossed the line first at 33/1 odds, ending I Am Maximus’s bid for back-to-back victories. The race commenced at 4:00 PM BST, drawing millions of viewers across multiple broadcast platforms.
The three-day festival preceding the main event showcased 21 races across Thursday and Friday, with the flagship handicap chase serving as the Saturday centrepiece. Willie Mullins emerged as the dominant trainer, securing multiple contenders within the 34-runner field.
What Time Did the Grand National 2025 Start and Finish?
The Randox Grand National got underway at precisely 4:00 PM BST on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Horses completed the 4-mile, 2½-furlong circuit around Aintree’s famous fences, with the winning time falling within the expected range for the gruelling distance. ITV, ITV1, ITVX, Racing TV, and Virgin Media 103 provided live coverage of the event.
Two horses required assessment following incidents during the race, according to records from the event. The field featured 34 runners selected from an initial 90 entries, with 18 trained in Ireland—including six from the Willie Mullins yard in County Carlow.
Start time, winner, and date have been independently verified across multiple sources including Wikipedia, Racing Post, and official race records. The £1 million prize pool distributed £500,000 to the winner.
Event Overview
Key Race Statistics
- Distance: 4 miles 2½ furlongs (Grand National Handicap Chase)
- Total prize pool: £1 million
- Winner’s prize: £500,000
- Runners: 34 (maximum field)
- Irish-trained runners: 18
- Edition: 177th Grand National
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | 4 miles 514 yards |
| Runners | 34 |
| Winner’s Prize | £500,000 |
| First Fence Fallers | To be confirmed from official report |
| Broadcast | ITV, ITV1, ITVX, Racing TV, Virgin Media 103 |
| Horses Assessed | 2 |
Grand National 2025 Full Time Table and Schedule
The Grand National Festival spanned three days, with seven races each on Thursday and Friday, and seven additional contests on Saturday including the main event. Racing commenced at 1:20 PM on Grand National Day, building toward the 4:00 PM start of the feature race.
Thursday 3 April – Opening Day
- 1:45 PM: EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase
- 2:20 PM: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle
- 2:55 PM: Aintree Bowl Chase
- 3:30 PM: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 4:05 PM: Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase
- 4:40 PM: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
- 5:15 PM: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Friday 4 April – Ladies Day
- 1:45 PM: Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase
- 2:20 PM: William Hill Handicap Hurdle
- 2:55 PM: Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle
- 3:30 PM: My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1)
Saturday 5 April – Grand National Day
- 1:20 PM: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
- 1:55 PM: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
- 2:30 PM: William Hill Handicap Chase
- 3:05 PM: Ivy Liverpool Hurdle
- 4:00 PM: Randox Grand National
- 5:00 PM: Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase
- 5:35 PM: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Some race titles vary across sources. The William Hill Handicap Chase is also referenced as the Freebooter Handicap Chase in certain publications, while the overall festival featured 21 races across the three days.
Who Won the Grand National 2025?
Nick Rockett claimed victory in the 2025 Grand National, finishing ahead of defending champion I Am Maximus in a result that rewarded both the Mullins family and their supporters. The winner started at 33/1 odds and completed the course under amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, son of trainer Willie Mullins.
The victory marked a significant achievement for the Irish-trained contingent, which comprised more than half the field. Willie Mullins, based in County Carlow, saddled six runners including the winner and several placed finishers.
| Position | Horse | Jockey | Odds | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Nick Rockett | Patrick Mullins | 33/1 | £500,000 |
| 2nd | I Am Maximus | Paul Townend | 7/1 | £200,000 |
| 3rd | Grangeclare West | Brian Hayes | 33/1 | £100,000 |
| 4th | Iroko | Jonjo O’Neill Jr. | 13/2 fav | £65,000 |
| 5th | Meetingofthewaters | Danny Mullins | 20/1 | £40,000 |
Prize money extended to the top ten finishers, with the total fund of £1 million distributed according to the official scale. The runner-up spot went to I Am Maximus, who attempted to become only the third horse in history to win consecutive Grand Nationals.
For full results and detailed analysis of the winning performance, visit our dedicated Grand National Winner 2025 page.
Grand National 2025 Runners, Favourites and Non-Runners
The ante-post market heading into the race featured several well-supported candidates, with I Am Maximus attracting significant backing as the defending champion seeking to join Red Rum and Atom Smasher as a two-time winner. The 7/1 second favourite ultimately finished second, two lengths behind the winner.
Pre-Race Favourites
- I Am Maximus: 6/1 (Paddy Power) – 2024 winner attempting to retain
- Iroko: 13/2 – British-trained challenger from Oliver Greenall’s yard
- Perceval Legallois: 15/2 – French-trained runner
- Stumptown: 10/1 – Potential threat from Irish stable
- Minella Cocooner: 12/1 – Another Irish entry
- Intense Raffles: 12/1 – Irish National winner
Each-way terms of 1-5 for the first six places applied to all ante-post bets, reflecting the competitive nature of the field. The maximum allowance of 34 runners competed from the start, with no significant non-runners reported following the final declaration on April 3.
Notable Runners
Beyond the principals, several other runners attracted attention during the build-up. Royale Pagaille represented trainer Venetia Williams, while Grangeclare West continued Irish dominance within the entries. Jonjo O’Neill Jr. partnered Iroko, attempting to deliver a first British-trained victory since Many Clouds won in 2015.
Of the 34 runners, 18 were trained in Ireland, underlining the strength of the cross-channel challenge. Willie Mullins alone entered six horses, with the winner emerging from his County Carlow stable alongside three other placed finishers.
Confirmed Information and Areas of Uncertainty
The core facts surrounding the 2025 Grand National have been independently verified across multiple authoritative sources, including official records, racing publications, and news reports.
| Established Facts | Information Requiring Further Confirmation |
|---|---|
| Date: 5 April 2025 | Specific details on the two horses assessed |
| Start time: 4:00 PM BST | Exact winning distance between horses |
| Winner: Nick Rockett at 33/1 | Specific fence-by-fence incident reports |
| Location: Aintree Racecourse | Individual horse performance breakdowns |
| Jockey: Patrick Mullins | Veterinary reports on assessed horses |
| Trainer: Willie Mullins | Official going conditions at each stage |
The injury assessments mentioned in event records have not been detailed beyond confirmation that two horses received veterinary attention following incidents during the race.
Broadcast and Viewing Information
The 2025 Grand National reached audiences through multiple broadcast channels, with ITV and ITV1 providing mainstream television coverage across the United Kingdom. The ITVX streaming platform allowed viewers to watch via connected devices, while Racing TV focused on expert analysis and form commentary.
Irish viewers accessed coverage through Virgin Media 103, ensuring comprehensive reach across both major jurisdictions with significant racing interest. The combined broadcast package meant fans could follow the race from the 1:20 PM undercard through to the 4:00 PM main event and the subsequent concluding races.
The Grand National remains Britain’s most-watched horse race, with viewership figures typically exceeding several million despite increasing competition from streaming alternatives.
Summary
The 2025 Grand National concluded with Nick Rockett victorious at 33/1, ridden by Patrick Mullins for trainer Willie Mullins. The race began at 4:00 PM BST on Saturday, April 5, at Aintree Racecourse, where 34 runners contested the 4-mile, 2½-furlong handicap chase. I Am Maximus finished second in his attempt to become a back-to-back winner, with Grangeclare West, Iroko, and Meetingofthewaters completing the top five. For related racing coverage, see Portman Park Results Today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Grand National start?
The Grand National starts at 4:00 PM BST on the Saturday of the festival. The 2025 edition began at exactly 16:00 BST.
Who won the Grand National in 2025?
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National at odds of 33/1, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins.
How much prize money did the winner receive?
Nick Rockett’s connections received £500,000 from the £1 million total prize pool. The runner-up earned £200,000, with prize money extending to the top ten finishers.
What was the distance of the Grand National?
The Grand National distance is 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, contested as a handicap chase over 30 fences at Aintree Racecourse.
How many horses ran in the 2025 Grand National?
The 2025 Grand National featured 34 runners, the maximum permitted field, selected from an original 90 entries.
When is the 2026 Grand National?
Based on the established pattern, the 2026 Grand National is expected to take place on Saturday, April 4 or around that date, with official announcements from The Jockey Club anticipated in advance.
How many horses were injured during the 2025 race?
Two horses required assessment following incidents during the race. Official veterinary details beyond this confirmation have not been publicly released.