The Most Successful Grand National Horses in History

Some horses win races. Others become part of sporting history.

The Grand National has produced some of the most unforgettable names in racing, horses whose achievements still get talked about decades later. Winning at Aintree Racecourse is never straightforward. The race asks questions that very few horses can answer; stamina, bravery, jumping ability and the temperament to cope with one of the biggest occasions in the sport.

That is why multiple winners are so special.

To come back and win again, often carrying more weight and facing stronger competition, takes something exceptional. These are the horses that did exactly that and earned legendary status in the process.

Why Repeat Winners Are So Rare

The Grand National isn't a race that forgives mistakes.

Run over more than four miles and featuring 30 famous fences, it demands far more than simply just speed. Horses need to settle early, jump cleanly, conserve energy and still find enough strength for the closing stages.

Fences like Becher’s Brook and The Chair are famous for a reason. One poor jump can end the race instantly, while a strong round of jumping can turn an outsider into a genuine contender.

The handicap system also makes life harder for previous winners. A horse that wins one year will usually return carrying more weight the next time, making back-to-back victories much tougher to achieve.

That's why the list of multiple winners is so short and why the horses on it are remembered forever.

Red Rum – The Ultimate Grand National Legend

If one horse defines the Grand National, it's Red Rum.

He remains the only horse to win the race three times, with victories in 1973, 1974, and 1977. Even more impressively, he also finished second in 1975 and 1976, meaning he was first or second in five consecutive Nationals.

His first victory is one of the most famous finishes in racing history. Partnered by Brian Fletcher, Red Rum looked beaten as Crisp flew clear approaching the final fence. But Red Rum kept finding more and caught his rival close to the line in dramatic fashion.

He returned the following year and won again, this time carrying top weight, proving he was far more than a one-off champion.

Then, after two near misses, he came back in 1977 with Tommy Stack aboard to complete an incredible third success.

For many fans, Red Rum isn't just the greatest Grand National horse, he's the race itself.

Tiger Roll – A Modern Crowd Favourite

Modern racing rarely produces a horse that captures the public imagination like Tiger Roll did.

He won the Grand National in 2018 and 2019 under Davy Russell, becoming the first horse since Red Rum to land back-to-back victories.

What made him so popular was his size and attitude. He was smaller than most of his rivals but made up for it with relentless determination, clever jumping and endless stamina.

He never looked flashy but he always looked dangerous.

His second win carried even more pressure, with huge public support and extra weight to handle. He delivered anyway, strengthening comparisons with Red Rum and becoming one of the most loved horses of the modern era.

Many fans still wonder whether he could have won a third.

The Colonel – The Victorian Star

Long before Red Rum and Tiger Roll, The Colonel was the horse everyone talked about.

He won the Grand National in 1869 and 1870, both times ridden by George Stevens, whose own five-win record still stands today.

Racing in the 1800s looked very different from the polished modern version of Aintree. Courses were rougher, conditions were harsher and the fences were far less forgiving.

That makes The Colonel’s consecutive wins even more impressive.

He became one of the earliest true stars of the race and helped shape the Grand National’s growing reputation as Britain’s greatest steeplechase.

Manifesto – The Weight-Carrying Warrior

Some horses are remembered for domination. Others are remembered for toughness.

Manifesto belongs firmly in the second group.

He won the Grand National twice, in 1897 and 1899 and built a reputation as one of the strongest staying chasers Aintree had ever seen.

His 1899 victory stands out most because he carried 12 stone 7 pounds, one of the heaviest winning burdens in Grand National history. In a handicap race where every pound matters, that achievement was extraordinary.

He also placed in other renewals of the race, showing remarkable consistency across multiple years.

Manifesto may not have the same mainstream fame as Red Rum but among racing historians, he is one of the toughest horses ever to tackle Aintree.

Reynoldstown – Built for Distance

Reynoldstown won back-to-back Grand Nationals in 1935 and 1936 and became one of the standout staying chasers of his generation.

He wasn't known for explosive speed but that hardly mattered. His strength was stamina and over the National trip, that was often the most valuable weapon.

He stayed strongly when others faded and handled the demands of Aintree with impressive consistency.

In many ways, Reynoldstown represented the ideal Grand National type; reliable, powerful and tough enough to keep finding more when the race became a battle of survival.

Abd-El-Kader – One of the First Greats

Abd-El-Kader was one of the earliest horses to prove that repeat success at Aintree was possible.

He won the Grand National in 1850 and 1851, becoming one of the race’s first double winners and helping establish the idea that some horses were simply made for the National fences.

In those early days, racing was far less predictable. Courses were rough, conditions changed quickly and the event had a very different feel compared to the modern spectacle.

That makes his back-to-back victories even more impressive.

He may not be the first name modern fans mention but his place in Grand National history is secure.

What Makes a Great Grand National Horse?

The best Grand National horses are rarely just the fastest.

They're the ones that stay calm, jump cleanly and keep going when everything starts to hurt.

Stamina is the obvious starting point. Four miles around Aintree asks a huge question and horses that cannot truly stay the trip are usually exposed late on.

Jumping is equally important. A smooth jumper saves energy, stays balanced and avoids the costly mistakes that can ruin even the strongest chance.

Temperament often decides the rest. Horses that settle early and relax into a rhythm usually have a far better chance than those that race too freely and burn themselves out.

The National rewards toughness more than brilliance.

That's why it's horse racing bettings biggest event and so many of its greatest winners are remembered not just for talent, but for heart.

Why Previous Winners Matter to Bettors

Looking back at past Grand National champions can tell punters a lot about what type of horse tends to succeed.

Certain patterns appear again and again. Strong stayers, experienced chasers and horses with proven jumping ability often outperform flashier runners with shorter odds.

Previous Aintree form can also be a huge clue. Some horses simply handle the fences better than others and confidence over those obstacles makes a major difference.

While every Grand National writes its own story, history often leaves useful hints.

The best betting decisions usually come from understanding what has worked before and recognising those same qualities in today’s runners.

Because in the Grand National, legends are rarely accidents. They are built one fence at a time.