Horse Racing

How Many Favourites Have Won The Grand National? Every Winning Market Leader Since 1839

Andy Newton Sports Editor

Published01 Apr 2025

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As the experienced and ‘once-a-year’ horse racing punters ready themselves for another crack at the world’s greatest steeplechase – we look at just how many favourites have won the Grand National since the race was first run in 1839.

How Many Favourites Have Won The Grand National – EVER?

The first ever running of the Grand National in 1839 was won by the favourite – the aptly-named Lottery – and since then we’ve seen 29 more winning market leaders.

But, in more recent times, since 1990 we’ve had EIGHT winning Grand National favourites with the best horse racing betting sites.

Meaning over this period the return on backing the horse at the top of the market has yielded a 24% return – which isn’t too bad considering the competitive nature of the race.

We’ve also seen the last two market leaders in the Aintree showcase race win – and there have been three favourites land in only the last five years.

I Am Maximus in 2024 has been the most recent Grand National-winning favourite.

Grand National Winning Favourites Since 1990

1996 – Rough Quest (7/1 fav)
1998 – Earth Summit (7/1 fav)
2005 – Hedgehunter (7/1 fav)
2008 – Comply Or Die (7/1 jfav)
2010 – Don’t Push It (10/1 jfav)
2019 – Tiger Roll (4/1 fav)
2023 – Corach Rambler (8/1 fav)
2024 – I Am Maximus (7/1 jfav)

Since The Grand National Was First Run In 1839 There Have Been 30 Winning Favourites (or t)

The Grand National is the most famous horse race in the world and having been first run in 1839 is also steeped in history.

During its history there have been some years with no races due to wars, false starts and Covid – but we’ve still had a massive 176 renewals heading into 2025.

Over this period of 176 races, there have been 30 winning Grand National favourites (or t).

Which means the OVERALL strike-rate on National favourites is currently 17%.

Every Winning Grand National Favourite

1839 – Lottery (5/1 fav)
1844 – Discount (5/1 jfav)
1854 – Bourton (4/1 fav)
1860 – Anatis (7/2 fav)
1862 – The Huntsman (3/1 fav)
1870 – The Colonel (7/2 fav)
1874 – Reugny (5/1 fav)
1881 – Woodbrook (11/2 fav)
1885 – Roquefort (10/3 fav)
1890 – Ilex (4/1 fav)
1891 – Come Away (4/1 fav)
1893 – Cloister (9/2 fav)
1894 – Why Not (5/1 jfav)
1897 – Manifesto (6/1 fav)
1903 – Drumcree (13/2 fav)
1912 – Jerry M (4/1 jfav)
1919 – Poethlyn (11/4 fav)
1927 – Sprig (8/1 fav)
1950 – Freebooter (10/1 fav)
1960 – Merryman II (13/2 fav)
1973 – Red Rum (9/1 jfav)
1982 – Grittar (7/1 fav)
1996 – Rough Quest (7/1 fav)
1998 – Earth Summit (7/1 fav)
2005 – Hedgehunter (7/1 fav)
2008 – Comply Or Die (7/1 jfav)
2010 – Don’t Push It (10/1 jfav)
2019 – Tiger Roll (4/1 fav)
2023 – Corach Rambler (8/1 fav)
2024 – I Am Maximus (7/1 jfav)

We’ve Never Seen Three Grand National Winning Favourites In-a-Row

Grand National favourite backers could also create history in 2025 as we are currently on a run of two winning jollies – and since the race was first run in 1839 there’s never been three-in-a-row.

Corach Rambler won the race in 2023 as the 8/1 favourite and last year in 2024 I Am Maximus inflicted more misery on the best betting sites – winning as the 7/1 t favourite (Limerick Lace was the other t jolly).

WATCH: I Am Maximus Winning In 2024

What Has Been The Shortest-Priced Grand National Favourite?

In 1862 a horse called The Huntsman won the race as the 3/1 favourite and he held the record as the shorted-priced winner for over 50 years.

This was until Poethlyn won in 1919 at 11/4, which was the first race back after World War 1.

This horse also carried a mega-burden of 12st 7lbs that year and remains the shortest price Grand National winner.

The Most Popular Grand National Favourites Odds In Recent Times Are 7/1

If the 2025 Grand National sees a 7/1 favourite in the race – then we should all take note.

This is because, for some reason, this price has been a very popular one since 1982.

SIX of the last nine Grand National favourites returned 7/1.

Red Rum Won Just Once As The Grand National Favourite

The most famous Grand National horse of the lot is Red Rum – who landed the race three times between 1973 and 1977.

He is one of just five Grand National ‘back-to-back’ winners in the race – but he actually never won any as the outright favourite.

Yes, his first successs in 1973 was as the 9/1 t-favourite – but his other two wins in 1974 and 1977 saw him return 11/1 and 9/1 non-favourites.

Who Is The Favourite To Win The 2025 Grand National?

So, heading into the 2025 Grand National – which horses (or horses) are most likely to go off favourite?

At stage, it’s looking another tight betting heat so a lot can change between now and the race on Saturday 5th April.

However, last year’s last year’s winner I Am Maximus and take both races.

I Am Maximus for trainer Willie Mullins, is also sure to be popular – especially as soon as the ‘once-a-year’ punters his name from last year.

While another JP McManus-owned horse called Iroko has been ed. He’ll be looking to give JP a fourth win in the race, but will also need to become only the third winning 7 year-old since 1940.

Stumptown is another that could end up at the top of the market – he impressed in winning the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – a route the two-time winner Tiger Roll was famous for taking.