The 177th Grand National took place on Saturday 5 April 2025, with the main race starting at 4:00 PM BST at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, emerged victorious from a field of 34 runners.
The Randox-sponsored event served as the highlight of a three-day festival running from Thursday 3 April to Saturday 5 April. Eighteen Irish-trained horses competed in the four-mile-two-and-a-half-furlong contest, which endured as the centrepiece of the British National Hunt calendar.
When Did the Grand National 2025 Take Place?
- 177th official running of the historic steeplechase
- 34 runners competed from 90 initial entries declared earlier in the week
- Six runners represented Willie Mullins’ Irish yard, including the winner
- Patrick Mullins secured victory as an amateur jockey
- 18 Irish-trained horses featured in the field
- Distance covered: 4 miles 2½ furlongs (7.14 kilometres)
- First fence encountered after approximately one furlong
| Official Name | Randox Grand National 2025 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 5 April 2025 |
| Start Time | 4:00 PM BST |
| Venue | Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England |
| Distance | 4 miles 2½ furlongs (73 yards) |
| Winner | Nick Rockett |
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
| Jockey | Patrick Mullins (amateur) |
| Runners | 34 |
| Irish-trained Entries | 18 horses |
| Broadcast | ITV and ITVX |
What Was the Full Grand National 2025 Schedule?
The festival spanned three consecutive days, featuring seven races each afternoon. The Jockey Club organised the complete programme, with gates opening at 11:00 AM on Thursday and Friday, and 10:00 AM on Saturday.
Opening Day began at 1:45 PM, Ladies Day at 1:45 PM, while Grand National Day started earlier at 1:20 PM to accommodate the extended card culminating in the 4:00 PM main event.
Opening Day – Thursday 3 April
The festival commenced with the EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase at 1:45 PM, followed by the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. The afternoon featured the Aintree Bowl Chase at 2:55 PM and the William Hill Aintree Hurdle at 3:30 PM. The card concluded with the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase at 4:05 PM, the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase at 4:40 PM, and the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at 5:15 PM.
Ladies Day – Friday 4 April
Friday’s programme opened with the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase. Key contests included the Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle at 2:55 PM and the My Pension Expert Melling Chase at 3:30 PM. The Topham Handicap Chase, supporting Prostate Cancer UK, ran at 4:05 PM, followed by the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and the Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle.
Grand National Day – Saturday 5 April
The final day began at 1:20 PM with the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle. The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle followed at 1:55 PM, then the William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase at 2:30 PM. The Liverpool Hurdle at 3:05 PM served as the immediate prelude to the Grand National at 4:00 PM. The Maghull Novices’ Chase at 5:00 PM and the Weatherbys NHStallion.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at 5:35 PM completed the meeting.
Where Did the Grand National 2025 Take Place?
Aintree Racecourse
The racecourse sits on the outskirts of Liverpool, England, hosting the only European five-star steeplechase over the distinctive fences including Becher’s Brook and The Chair. The 2025 event marked the 177th running at this venue since the race’s inception in 1839.
Course Specifications
Horses completed two circuits of the Grand National course, jumping 30 fences in total. The start moved forward 90 yards from previous positions to accommodate safety protocols, with the run to the first fence measuring just over one furlong.
How Could Viewers Watch the Grand National 2025?
ITV held exclusive terrestrial broadcasting rights for the United Kingdom, with comprehensive coverage available via the ITVX streaming platform. All major races across the three days aired live, with the main race attracting peak audiences during the 4:00 PM start slot.
Radio Times confirmed ITV as the primary broadcaster, with race times subject to slight adjustments based on preceding race finishes.
The UK Aintree event differs from the Maryland Grand National Steeplechase and the American Grand National at Far Hills, which operate under separate rules and scheduling.
Grand National 2025 Festival Timeline
- : Festival opens with the Manifesto Novices’ Chase. Gates opened at 11:00 AM.
- : Ladies Day commenced, featuring the Melling Chase and Topham Handicap Chase.
- : The 177th Grand National started, with 34 runners. Source: Wikipedia entry for 2025 Grand National
What Was Confirmed Before the 2025 Race?
| Established Information | Information Finalised Later |
|---|---|
| Date fixed as Saturday 5 April 2025 | Final 34-runner field confirmed April 3 |
| Start time: 4:00 PM BST | Going conditions (ground state) |
| Venue: Aintree Racecourse | Pre-race odds fluctuations |
| ITV broadcast rights | Last-minute veterinary withdrawals |
| Distance: 4m 2½f | Exact timing of opening gates (announced as 10:00 AM Saturday) |
The Heritage of Aintree’s Premier Steeplechase
First run in 1839, the Grand National remains the most valuable jumps race in Europe. The 2025 edition continued traditions established over nearly two centuries, maintaining the same course configuration that has tested generations of steeplechasers. Planning for major sporting events requires attention to detail; those organising viewing parties might find comparable scheduling resources in our Darts Order of Play Today – 2026 PDC Schedule Guide.
The race has undergone safety modifications in recent years, including adjustments to the start line and fence specifications, yet retains its status as the ultimate test of stamina and jumping ability in National Hunt racing.
Official Information and Race Data
The 2025 Grand National was won by Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins, completing the 4 miles 2.5 furlongs course with 34 runners taking part from 90 initial entries.
— Official race records
Grand National 2025 at a Glance
The 2025 Grand National concluded on 5 April with Willie Mullins’ Nick Rockett taking victory at Aintree. The race maintained its position as the highlight of the British horse racing calendar, broadcast live on ITV to millions of viewers. Those seeking local venues for future race screenings can consult our guide to Sports Bar Near Me – Best Local Spots Open Now. For more details on the 2025 Grand National, including the winner and race statistics, refer to Статистика гри 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Grand National 2025?
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins.
How many runners competed in 2025?
Thirty-four runners started the race from ninety initial entries, with eighteen horses representing Irish trainers.
Was the 2025 Grand National cancelled?
No, the 2025 Grand National proceeded as scheduled on 5 April 2025 without postponement or cancellation.
What time did the 2025 Grand National start?
The race started at 4:00 PM BST on Saturday 5 April 2025.
How long is the Grand National course?
The course covers four miles, two and a half furlongs, with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits.
Where can I buy tickets for the 2026 Grand National?
Tickets for the 2026 event (9-11 April) are available through The Jockey Club website.
What is the difference between the UK and US Grand National?
The UK Grand National at Aintree is a five-star steeplechase under British National Hunt rules, distinct from the Maryland and Far Hills events in the United States.
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