Grand National star as fiery as movie namesake – kicked 4 OAPs | UK | News
Owner JP McManus, jockey Townend, I Am Maximus and hatted trainer Mullins (Image: Getty)
The trainer of Grand National winner ‘I Am Maximus’ says he is such a fiery gladiator that he abandoned his own victory parade early after kicking four OAPs. 60,000 race participants on Saturday aintreeMerseyside cheer as a 10-year-old is named after Russell Crowe’s character in the series. Hollywood blockbuster ‘Gladiator’ triumphed at 9/2.
I Am Maximus becomes the eighth horse to win the Grand National twice, after the brave bay horse won the National in 2024 and finished second in 2025. But after Saturday’s victory, trainer Willie Mullins revealed the thoroughbred was just like Crowe’s fierce movie warrior and once took no prisoners at his 2024 victory parade in County Carlow, Ireland.
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Russell Crowe plays Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in ‘Gladiator’ (Image: Getty)
When asked about the character of Ben Maximus, Mullins joked: “You know that parade we have at our local pub (in Ireland) after big winners like the Grand National and the Gold Cup?
“Normally the horses come back to the parking lot and we have an ice cream truck for the kids – or more like the adults have all the ice cream – and people want to take pictures with the horse.
“Galopin Des Champs were there for about an hour and a half (after winning the Gold Cup) and I think Lossiemouth were probably there for two hours.
“But I’m Maximus; he ate about three babies and kicked about four pensioners! We had to load him up and bring him home five minutes later.”
“I am Maximus. He will eat you without salt. He is a character; do not get in his way!”
Explaining that this comes from his own pedigree, Mullins said that I Am Maximus’ sire is the Epson Derby winner and also an “interesting” thoroughbred Authorized.
Mullins said: “Competent horses have a bit of a quirk in them.
“You can call it immaturity, whatever, but they’re very nice – but they have their quirks. You don’t want to piss him off, you want to get on his right side.”
Just last week, retired Grand National-winning jockey Barry Geraghty urged Daily Express readers in an exclusive interview to rally top flyweight I Am Maximus for the win.
The horse ridden by Paul Townend put the punters to the sword with the victory; 40% of the £250 million bet on the 30-metre, four-and-a-half-mile marathon was on the 9/2 winner, leading to a £10 million payout loss.
Irish billionaire JP McManus is now the most successful owner in Grand National history – four wins with Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021) and I Am Maximus (2024 and 2026).
I Am Maximus is also the eighth horse to win the Grand National twice and the first since Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019). This includes three-time winner Red Rum.
This win also makes the retired horse Accredited as the most successful Grand National sire by default, as he is the sire of both Tiger Roll (two victories) and I Am Maximus (also two victories).
Jockey Paul Townend on I Am Maximus (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, Merseyside Police thanked the 140,000 racegoers of the three-day Randox Grand National Festival for their conduct after revealing they had made just 20 arrests in total.
On Thursday, April 9, police reported that 10 people were arrested, following two arrests on Women’s Day on Friday, for offenses including being drunk and disorderly, disturbing the peace, breaching public order, assault, assaulting an emergency worker and affray.
Then on Saturday, National Day, eight people were arrested on suspicion of offenses including being drunk and disorderly, breaching public order, assault and assaulting an emergency worker.
Chief Inspector Geoff Stewart said: “I would like to thank the vast majority of race participants for enjoying themselves safely and responsibly and helping to make this another successful event for the region.
“Over the three days our officers enjoyed engaging with and ensuring the safety of racegoers and we are pleased to report it was a great atmosphere with few incidents.
“Months of extensive planning with our partner agencies go into ensuring large-scale events like this go as smoothly as possible.
“Given the number of people who attended, I was delighted that once again the overwhelming majority of visitors acted responsibly and enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere.”
