Patrick Mullins reflects on ‘day of a lifetime’ at Aintree

Patrick Mullins had always dreamed of winning the Grand National, but 2025 proved the year he could stop thumbing through the history books as a memorable afternoon aboard Nick Rockett ensured his name will always be indelibly linked with the world’s most famous steeplechase.

An award-winning writer as well as accomplished amateur jockey, when Mullins turns his attention to his memoirs, the bumper chapter on how he mastered Aintree is sure to be must-read prose.

Of course there was a greater magnitude to the victory than just a 33-1 shot that defied the odds, as Nick Rockett led home an unprecedented one-two-three for Willie Mullins, a result that catapulted the master of Closutton to the cusp of a second UK trainers’ title.

However, for the Mullins in the saddle, it was a day he not only emulated the achievements of fellow Corinthians Marcus Armytage and Sam Waley-Cohen, as well as his cousin David and great friend Rachael Blackmore, but also joined the great father-and-son double acts already etched in National folklore.

Patrick Mullins salutes the Aintree crowd aboard Grand National winner Nick Rockett pic.twitter.com/ock6Xh7a8f

— PA Racing (@PAracing) April 5, 2025

“It’s rare that the reality is better than the dream, but it was – it was the day of a lifetime,” said Mullins.

“It’s the dream since you are a kid to win the Grand National and I’ve read all the stories with black-and-white pictures and watched all the grainy films. You think of the stories that are still told about Foinavon, Red Rum, Crisp and Devon Loch and even going back to Golden Miller.

“For my father growing up, there was no Irish winner from L’Escargot in 1975 to Bobbyjo in 1999 and, for him, it was still a rarity when he first won the race with Hedgehunter.

“Although myself, I’ve seen Rachael Blackmore do it, Paul Townend, David Mullins, all my friends and even family and you always want to try emulate them which made it special, too.

“I remember running out to Ruby (Walsh) on Hedgehunter and I was 15 at the time, so this time to be the man on the horse was something else. I remember Ruby and Ted Walsh and Tommy and Paul Carberry and now there’s Patrick and Willie Mullins.”

Although the famous birch had been conquered before when Livelovelaugh devoured one lap of the Merseyside turf in the 2021 Topham, the National itself had proven a cruel mistress for Mullins.

“The first year I rode in the National I fell at Becher’s, the second year I fell at the Chair, the third year I was last and the fourth year I finished fourth, so we were getting closer and you daydream it might happen but you never actually believe it will,” explained Mullins.

“With Burrows Saint I was second at Becher’s the second time and from there I’m taking him back and taking him back thinking I could win this, just don’t do anything stupid.

“But with Nick Rockett he had dropped it (the bridle) and I was back and lost a bit of ground between Becher’s and Canal Turn. I was squeezing on him and I hadn’t been thinking about winning, it was just for a while about hanging on to the others coat tails.

“As it turned out, it was almost at the exact same moment the dream with Burrows Saint died, it came alive with Nick Rockett and we winged the second-last and he landed in front. It was a complete reversal.”

There is always romantic licence that can be applied to the winner of the Grand National, but with Nick Rockett it was a triumph laced with raw emotion, as the typically considered Mullins senior gave a glimpse of his softer side in another defining moment in the family history.

And for Patrick, who although acknowledging his privileged position has far from felt the hand of nepotism, often waiting in line behind the likes of Ruby Walsh, Paul Townend and even cousin Danny Mullins for his chance to shine aboard the pick of the Closutton crop, it provided a moment to which all sons aspire.

He said: “Every son wants to make their father proud and Willie has probably said well done to me only five or six times after a race, so it added a lot to the occasion to see his reaction. I’m the only child and it was nice to see it meant so much to him.

“It was great to have my mother there, but it was a pity my grandmother wasn’t there as that would have made it extra special. She was missing and that was a shame.

“I’m the luckiest kid at Christmas and my father gives me unbelievable opportunities, but when I retire I want to retire knowing I’ve made the most of what I have had and that’s what I’m trying to do. It doesn’t always work, but sometimes it does and you get moments like the National.

“It’s always been a family thing for us I suppose, (uncle) Tony rode for my grandfather, Danny rides for us and David has ridden big winners and you see it with the Skeltons as well. It is always extra special when family is involved.”

With the page turned on 2025, thoughts refocus on the future and a return to Aintree with the defending champion in the spring.

Mullins added: “It was only a month after the race I realised I get to go back and ride him again round there and, touch wood, to be back there in April aboard a winner in the National is something I can’t wait for.

“I Am Maximus and Hedgehunter both went back and finished second and Tiger Roll of course won it again, so it can be done.

“To win two would be great – Ruby has done it, Derek Fox and Davy Russell as well, but to do that as an amateur would be some feat.

“Long-term, Willie never rode and trained a National winner and I think there is only Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter who have done that, so who knows, but that’s a few years away yet I’m sure!”