The most successful trainers in Grand National history

While there are many accolades a National Hunt horse racing trainer can achieve that will garner the respect of the sport’s most avid fans – nothing reaches the wider public quite like a victory in the Grand National.

In what is jumps racing’s preeminent fixture on the UK & Ireland racing calendar, the four-mile and two-and-a-half-furlong premier handicap is a notoriously hard fixture to win. That is evidenced by the fact that two of the sport’s most successful trainers, Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson, have only one Grand National victory between them.

There are a handful of trainers however who have achieved incredible feats on National Hunt racing’s biggest stage – and with that in mind – read on as we list the most successful trainers in Grand National history.

Fred Rimmell

Formerly a three-time champion jockey prior to taking up training, Fred Rimmell was one of the few racing professionals who was elite both in the saddle and as a trainer. Otherwise known as ‘Mr Grand National’, Rimmell would go to win a staggering four Grand Nationals across a 20-year span.

His maiden triumph came in 1956 with E.S.B, who was the beneficiary of some good fortune after the seemingly certain winner Devon Loch fell with 40 yards remaining – allowing the Rimmell-trained horse to romp home and finish first past the post.

Rimmell’s next success would come five years later with Nicolaus Silver, who won the contest as a 28/1 shot from the second favourite Merryman II. As a result of his win, Nicolaus Silver became just the second grey horse to win the Grand National, and held the mantle as the last grey to reign supreme in the Grand National until Neptune Collonges won it in 2012.

Rimmell won a further two Grand National contests in 1970 and 1976 with Gay Trip and Rag Trade.

Ginger McCain

The only other trainer to have won four Grand Nationals, the majority of Ginger McCain’s successes came as a result of all-time great Red Rum. With triumphs in 1973, 1974 and 1977, Red Rum remains the only thoroughbred to have been victorious in the famed race on three separate occasions.

Red Rum’s victory in 1973 particularly stands out, as the then seven-year-old overcame a 15-length deficit to Australian chaser Crisp to pip him at the post in a performance that is still considered as one of the greatest in the race’s storied history.

McCain would secure his fourth Grand National success nearly 30 years later with Amberleigh House in 2004. The Hall of Fame trainer retired after the 2006 Grand National.

Gordon Elliott

With three Grand National victories to his name, of which came with Silver Birch in 2007 and back-to-back renewals with Tiger Roll (2018/19), 45-year-old trainer Gordon Elliott has a good opportunity to join Rimmell and McCain as just the third trainer to secure four Grand National triumphs.

He has a few live threats in the antepost odds for Grand national at this year’s renewal, with Delta Work (10/1), Galvin (16/1) and Coko Beach (25/1) arguably his strongest chances.