The 2026 Willie Mullins Grand National jockeys have been revealed – with a few shocks amongst the riding arrangements.
Willie Mullins Grand National Jockeys Confirmed: Patrick Mullins To Ride GRANGECLARE WEST ❤️🤍💙
With EIGHT Willie Mullins Grand National runners, there’s a lot of jockey arrangements and decisions to be made.
However, we now know which riders will get the leg-up on the Closutton Aintree horses in the big one on Saturday.
No real shock to see the Paul Townend Grand National ride as 2024 winner I Am Maximus.
As the 10yold looks to become the first horse since Red Rum (1977) to regain the National.
Plus he’d also become the fourth winner in the race for top owner JP McManus, who is mob-handed with a possible seven runners himself.
But the big news surrounding the Willie Mullins Grand National jockeys was that son PATRICK MULLINS has turned his back on the 2025 winner Nick Rockett.
Nick Rockett provided Patrick Mullins with his biggest day on the saddle 12 months ago (watch below).
We know, however, now why – as Nick Rockett was pulled from the race on Thursday.
Instead, the Patrick Mullins Grand National ride will be on recent Bobbyjo Chase winner GRANGECLARE WEST.
The last two Grand National winners have landed the Bobbyjo, so maybe this strong trial link was one of the deciding factors for Mullins Jnr?
Patrick Mullins has only ridden Grangeclare West once before on the track – when pulled up in the 2024 John Durkan Memorial Chase.
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Grand National – But He WON’T Be Back In 2026
Tom Bellamy Was Due To Ride Nick Rockett
Nick Rockett was meant to be ridden by Tom Bellamy – however, came out of the race on Thursday 9th April.
Which then resulted in the Mullins Grand National jockey merry-go-round seeing Brian Hayes (who many thought would ride Grangeclare West) getting the steering job on Spanish Harlem.
Sean O’Keeffe will ride former Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner Lecky Watson.
While Danny Mullins is jocked-up on Champ Kiely and James Bowen has been drafted in for High Class Hero.
Jonathan Burke will ride Captain Cody and Donagh Meyler completes the Willie Mullins Grand National jockeys on Quai De Bourbon.
Willie Mullins Grand National Jockeys Confirmed
- I Am Maximus – Paul Townend
- Grangeclare West – Patrick Mullins
- Spanish Harlem – Brian Hayes
- Lecky Watson – Sean O’Keeffe
- Champ Kiely – Danny Mullins
- High Class Hero – James Bowen
- Captain Cody – Jonathan Burke
- Quai De Bourbon – Donagh Meyler
