As Willie Mullins surveys his Closutton yard ahead of the 2025 Grand National, his blueprint for I Am Maximus’s defence already taking shape, he stands as part of an illustrious lineage of training masterminds who have conquered Aintree’s formidable challenge.
The art of preparing a Grand National winner represents perhaps the ultimate test of a trainer’s craft – a delicate balance of conditioning, timing, and that indefinable ability to recognise a horse with the unique blend of attributes required for Liverpool glory.
The National is one of the most unpredictable and gruelling horse races in the world, but some trainers have mastered the challenge. Over the years, a select few have etched their names into history with multiple wins at Aintree. Here’s a look at some of the most successful Grand National trainers and the legends they guided to victory across different eras of racing.
Fred Rimell – Four Wins
Known reverentially as the ‘Master of Kinnersley’, Rimell’s mastery of the Grand National spanned three remarkable decades.
ESB’s 1956 triumph came through meticulous preparation of a relatively inexperienced horse. Nicolaus Silver (1961) demonstrated Rimell’s ability to rejuvenate seasoned chasers, while Gay Trip (1970) and Rag Trade (1976) reflected his talent for producing horses capable of carrying substantial weights to victory.
Rimell’s innovative training methods, particularly his emphasis on schooling over specially constructed fences that replicated Aintree’s unique obstacles, established principles that modern trainers still follow. His record speaks not just of quantity but of an adaptability that allowed him to succeed across changing eras of National Hunt racing.
Ginger McCain – Four Wins
Ginger McCain’s story embodies the romance of the Grand National. Operating from behind a car showroom in Southport, he revolutionised training methodology through his use of beach gallops – a technique that would prove transformative for his greatest champion, Red Rum.
His understanding of how to prepare horses for Aintree’s demands was unparalleled, demonstrated not just through Red Rum’s unprecedented hat-trick (1973, 1974, 1977) but also via Amberleigh House’s victory in 2004, which proved his methods remained effective in a modern racing context.
The genius of McCain lay in his ability to recognise potential National horses in unlikely candidates. Red Rum had been written off as a sprinter with chronic foot problems before McCain’s beach training regime transformed him into the greatest National performer in history with a statue to show for it.
Gordon Elliott – Three Wins
The modern master of Aintree preparation, Elliott’s approach combines traditional horsemanship with contemporary training innovations.
His first National victory with Silver Birch in 2007 announced his arrival as a force in staying chase preparation, but it was his handling of Tiger Roll a decade later that cemented his reputation as an Aintree specialist.
Preparing the diminutive Tiger Roll to achieve back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019 required exceptional skill in maintaining peak condition while protecting fragile confidence.
Elliott’s programme for National candidates typically involves careful race planning throughout the season, with horses trained to peak specifically for Aintree. His best Grand National runners 2025 include Conflated and Coko Beach, who could both be good outside shots.
Willie Mullins – Two Wins
Mullins is the modern benchmark for Irish training excellence, revolutionising Grand National preparation. His wins with Hedgehunter in 2005 and I Am Maximus last year highlight two decades of evolution.
Hedgehunter’s victory relied on traditional conditioning, while I Am Maximus benefitted from data-driven fitness tracking.
The Irishman seamlessly blends old-school horsemanship with cutting-edge scientific methods. His Closutton yard is a hub of modern training sophistication, yet individual horse understanding remains key. His Grand National triumphs prove that success comes from balancing tradition with innovation.
