The roar of the crowd, the thud of hooves, the sheer exhilaration of victory—these are the moments that define horse racing. For us in Ireland, few things resonate quite like a Grand National win, especially when it’s delivered by one of our own. So, when the news broke that I Am Maximus had once again conquered Aintree, it was clear a celebration was in order. Yesterday, that celebration came to pass as the two-time Grand National champion, I Am Maximus, returned to a hero’s welcome in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow.

Willie Mullins, the undisputed master of Closutton, has a knack for making history. He has now won the world’s most famous steeplechase three years in a row, a feat not seen since Vincent O’Brien achieved it back in the 1950s. Just last month, Mullins paraded his fifth Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in eight seasons. But yesterday, the spotlight was firmly on the returning star of Aintree, I Am Maximus. The atmosphere was electric, with Mullins, jockey Paul Townend, and owner JP McManus all on hand to soak in the adulation.

I Am Maximus became the first horse since the legendary Red Rum in 1977 to reclaim the National crown, having first struck Aintree gold in 2024. That’s a lineage to be proud of, a testament to the horse’s incredible spirit and the meticulous training behind him.

Mullins revealed that the Grand National had been the target for I Am Maximus since Christmas. “It was always the plan after Christmas, JP was very keen,” Mullins said. “We put him in the Gold Cup, but JP was very keen just to go for the Grand National and, even with top weight, he always had a great chance because of the way he handled the racetrack.”

The Grand National is a race like no other, a true test of nerve, skill, and a fair bit of luck. Mullins understands this better than anyone. “You never know in the Grand National, you have to take your chance on the day because you don’t know what’s going to happen, good or bad,” he mused. He even pointed to the unfortunate fall of Grangeclare West at the first fence this year, a horse they had high hopes for. “That’s the nature of racing and that’s the nature of the Grand National, so you need a lot of luck.”

After his second-place finish last year and now two monumental wins, I Am Maximus is building a formidable CV at Aintree. The talk around the stable, and indeed among racing enthusiasts across Ireland, is whether he can emulate Ginger McCain’s icon, Red Rum, and become a three-time Grand National winner next year.

Mullins, ever the pragmatist with a twinkle in his eye, confirmed the aspiration. “That’s plan A, to return to Aintree. All being well, we will try to do that next year,” he stated. Despite the murky evening weather, the spirits of those gathered were far from dampened. Owner JP McManus was among the many who celebrated this remarkable horse.

While the Aintree triumph is certainly sweet, Mullins is still locked in a fierce battle for the British trainers’ championship. He conceded that catching Dan Skelton might be out of reach, but he hasn't given up on catching Gordon Elliott for the domestic title. “It’s going to be tough. Gordon has set a fair pace this year, we are slowly, slowly catching up, but we need everything to go our way, so who knows. We’re going to give it our best shot,” he declared, showcasing his characteristic competitive drive.

The homecoming wasn't just about I Am Maximus. Also present was Soldier In Milan, the Boylesports Irish Grand National winner, trained by Mullins’ nephew and neighbour, Emmet Mullins. Emmet, no stranger to Aintree glory himself, having saddled Noble Yeats to win the 2022 National, hinted at future ambitions for Soldier In Milan. After his impressive 16-length victory in the Irish National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, Soldier In Milan could very well be heading for Merseyside.

“It’s amazing to win an Irish National in its own right, but we will probably aim for an English National next year,” Emmet Mullins said. “If he can put in the same jumping performance, he’ll go a long way.” He explained the strategy behind Soldier In Milan’s win: “We were always happy with the way we went about it. We knew it was a risk not having the handicap experience, but we just felt he was on a workable mark and we were getting a run.”

Jockey Donagh Meyler had been instructed to wait as long as possible in the Irish National, but Emmet Mullins admitted he was unfazed when his charge hit the front sooner than expected. “Judging by how Donagh was looking, he rode him with confidence and he was never in any doubt, and neither was I,” he added, a clear sign of the trust between trainer and jockey.

The atmosphere in Leighlinbridge was a powerful reminder of what these victories mean to communities across Ireland. It’s not just about the prize money or the prestige; it’s about the shared joy, the collective pride, and the stories that will be told for years to come. I Am Maximus has carved his name into racing history, and we, as a nation, were there to welcome him home. The prospect of him attempting a third Grand National win next year is already setting pulses racing. You can find more information about the history of the Grand National and its champions on the official Grand National website. We’ll certainly be watching with bated breath.