Updated on 26 September 2026, this article confirms Grand National winning jockey earnings under the fee structure that has applied since January 2026. It reflects the £1 million prize fund confirmed for the 2026 race and corrects the mismatched fee figure that appeared in an earlier version of this piece.
Patrick Mullins won the 2025 Grand National on Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins. His prize money and fee for that ride still make up the clearest example of what a winning rider takes home, and the numbers below apply just as directly to this year’s renewal.
Grand National Winning Jockey Earnings Updated for 2026
Nothing about the prize fund itself has changed since this article was first published. The Grand National still carries a total prize fund of £1 million, and the winner’s share still stands at £500,000. What has changed is the riding fee paid on top of that share, and that fee is what this update corrects.
The standard UK jump riding fee rose to £235.90 in January 2026, up from £227.92. Every jump jockey earns that fee regardless of where they finish, and it lifts the Grand National winner’s total for 2026 too.
Grand National Prize Money Breakdown and Jockey Share
The £1 million pot is shared out by finishing position, and jockeys take a fixed percentage of whatever their horse earns on top of their riding fee. The table below sets out the current shares.
| Outcome | Jockey’s share of prize money | Riding fee |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 9% of £500,000 (£45,000) | £235.90 |
| Placed (2nd to 4th) | 3.44% of the relevant prize | £235.90 |
| Non-runner after 48-hour stage | Not applicable | £117.95 (50% of fee) |
Those percentages come from Professional Jockeys Association and British Horseracing Authority rules, and they apply across UK jump racing, not only at Aintree.
How Much Money Does the Winning Jockey Earn?
The winning Grand National jockey earns £45,235.90 in total. That single figure answers the question most readers ask every spring, and it sums up Grand National winning jockey earnings in full.
It combines the £45,000 prize share, worked out at 9 per cent of the £500,000 winner’s purse, with the standard riding fee of £235.90. This update removes a calculation error from an earlier version of the piece, which had added the old riding fee instead of the current one.
Is £45,235.90 a big number for one afternoon in the saddle? By the standards of jump racing it is a rare payday, and it’s a large part of why the race draws such attention every April.
What Happens Next for Jump Racing Fees
The rise to £235.90 took effect in January 2026, and there is no sign of a further change before the end of the year. Jockeys also carry some protection if a horse is pulled out late.
If a runner is declared a non-runner after the 48-hour declaration stage, the jockey still collects half the standard riding fee, currently £117.95.
Readers following the wider jump season can check our earlier report for weekend tips, or browse each-way betting selections and advice ahead of the next jump card. This piece updates our original Grand National earnings report with the correct 2026 figures.
