As the horse racing world gears up for another instalment of the world’s greatest steeplechase, it’s worth taking a step back to see how the Grand National prize money has shifted over the years – dating back to 2000.
Below, you’ll find how the Aintree purse has evolved, including what’s on offer in 2026 and the full breakdown from first down to tenth.
Plus you might be shocked to see that the prize money hasn’t always gone up from year-to-year.
2026 Grand National Prize Money Less Than 2009
The 2009 Grand National produced one of the biggest shocks in the race’s history, when the Venetia Williams-trained 100/1 outsider Mon Mome stormed to victory.
That year, Mon Mome picked up £509,970 for his owner Vida Bingham – the first time the winner’s prize had broken through the £500,000 barrier.
Fast forward 17 years, and somewhat remarkably, the 2026 winner will actually receive less.
This year’s top prize is set at £500,000 – so just over £9k less that the 2009 payout for the winner.
WATCH: Mon Mone Winning The Grand National In 2009 – Banking £509k
While, since 2000 – the years with the BIGGEST Grand National prize money came between 2014 and 2017, with the winners getting £561,300.
Which is a massive £61,300 more than the 2026 winner will bank.
Here’s a look at how the Grand National purse has (and hasn’t) changed since 2000.
How The Grand National Prize Money and Sponsors Have Changed Since 2000
See below how the Grand National prize money has changed over the years, plus the various different sponsors the famous Aintree race has had.
| Year | Winner | Grand National Sponsor | 🥇 | 🥈 | 🥉 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nick Rockett | RANDOX | £500,000 | £200,000 | £100,000 |
| 2024 | I Am Maximus | RANDOX | £500,000 | £200,000 | £100,000 |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | RANDOX | £500,000 | £200,000 | £100,000 |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | RANDOX | £500,000 | £200,000 | £100,000 |
| 2021 | Minella Times | RANDOX | £375,000 | £150,000 | £75,000 |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Covid | – | – | – |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | RANDOX HEALTH | £500,000 | £200,000 | £100,000 |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | RANDOX HEALTH | £500,000 | £200,000 | £100,000 |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | RANDOX HEALTH | £561,300 | £211,100 | £105,500 |
| 2016 | Rule The World | CRABBIE’S | £561,300 | £211,100 | £105,500 |
| 2015 | Many Clouds | CRABBIE’S | £561,300 | £211,100 | £105,500 |
| 2014 | Pineau De Re | CRABBIE’S | £561,300 | £211,100 | £105,500 |
| 2013 | Auroras Encore | JOHN SMITH’S | £547,267.50 | £205,822.50 | £102,862.50 |
| 2012 | Neptune Collonges | JOHN SMITH’S | £547,267.50 | £205,822.50 | £102,862.50 |
| 2011 | Ballabriggs | JOHN SMITH’S | £535,135 | £201,590 | £100,890 |
| 2010 | Don’t Push It | JOHN SMITH’S | £521,052.50 | £196,285 | £98,235 |
| 2009 | Mon Mome | JOHN SMITH’S | £509,970 | £190,980 | £95,580 |
| 2008 | Comply Or Die | JOHN SMITH’S | £450,640 | £169,760 | £84,960 |
| 2007 | Silver Birch | JOHN SMITH’S | £399,140 | £149,730 | £74,970 |
| 2006 | Numbersixvalverde | JOHN SMITH’S | £399,140 | £149,730 | £74,970 |
| 2005 | Hedgehunter | JOHN SMITH’S | £406,000 | £154,000 | £77,000 |
| 2004 | Amberleigh House | MARTELL | £348,000 | £132,000 | £66,000 |
| 2003 | Monty’s Pass | MARTELL | £348,000 | £132,000 | £66,000 |
| 2002 | Bindaree | MARTELL | £290,000 | £110,000 | £55,000 |
| 2001 | Red Marauder | MARTELL | £310,000 | £110,000 | £55,000 |
| 2000 | Papillon | MARTELL | £290,000 | £110,000 | £55,000 |
2026 Grand National Prize Money Breakdown (1st–10th) 💰
- 1st: £500,000
- 2nd: £200,000
- 3rd: £100,000
- 4th: £65,000
- 5th: £40,000
- 6th: £30,000
- 7th: £20,000
- 8th: £15,000
- 9th: £10,000
- 10th: £5,000
The Biggest Grand National Prize Money Came Between 2014 and 2017 🤑
While you might expect prize money to steadily rise over time, the peak actually came between 2014 and 2017.
In 2014, Pineau De Re landed £561,300 – the highest winner’s prize the race has ever seen.
That figure was matched in the following three years by Many Clouds (2015), Rule The World (2016) and One For Arthur (2017), largely thanks to sponsorship from Crabbie’s.
When Randox took over in 2017, the prize money held steady for a year before dropping back to £500,000 for Tiger Roll’s win in 2018.
Since then, it’s remained at that level – aside from 2021, when Minella Times earned £375,000 during the Covid-affected running.
That was the lowest winner’s prize since Amberleigh House’s £348,000 in 2004.
In 2022, the winner’s share returned to £500,000, where it stays heading into the 2026 ITV Racing scheduled race on Saturday April 11th.
WATCH: Pineau De Re Winning The 2014 Grand National Prize Money
2026 Grand National Field Size Capped at 34 Runners 🏇
The Grand National field will be capped at 34 runners again in 2026, following the safety-led reduction introduced in 2024.
Prize money stretches down to tenth place, with £5,000 still on offer at that level.
Last year, 16 horses completed the race – meaning 6 runners that finished left empty-handed.
As with last year, the 2026 Grand National winner will collect £500,000, with £200,000 for second and £100,000 for third.
Not bad, considering the race takes about 10 minutes to be run.
How Much Will The Winning Grand National Jockey Earn? 💷
As a rule, UK jump jockeys in 2026 receive around 9% of the winning prize money, plus roughly 3.4% of any place prize.
They also earn a standard riding fee of £235.90 – with flat riders getting slightly less at £173.54.
Put that together, and with a £500,000 first prize, the Grand National winning jockey earnings will be around £45,000 in prize percentage – plus their riding fee.
All in, it’s a return that will certainly keep any jockey’s bank manager happy.
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning the 2025 Grand Nationalv🏆
12 months ago, the Willie Mullins-trained Nick Rockett collected £500,000 for owners Stewart & Sadie Andrew
The horse is expected to be among the leading contenders again with the top UK betting sites, as he bids to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll as a multiple Grand National winner.
