The Irish Grand National has come a long way since its first race in 1870, when it was won by a horse called Sir Robert Peel.
The race took place at Fairyhouse, which is still its current home, and the winner's prize money was 167 sovereigns.
As we look towards the 2025 Irish Grand National, which takes place on Monday, April 21st, 2025, at 5pm, we will find out just who has become the bookie's favourite.
But who could also run a good race, and are there any trends that we should be looking out for?
Details Matter
Run over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs (5,834 metres); there are twenty-four fences to be jumped.
At the time of writing this article, a whopping 78 runners have been entered and over the next couple of weeks, they will get whittled down until just 30 remain.
That is the maximum number of runners allowed in the Irish National, a limit set by Horse Racing Ireland to ensure the safety of the horses and jockeys, as well as to prevent overcrowding on the course.
The Favourites
The current favourite for the Irish Grand National is Haiti Couleurs from trainer Rebecca Curtis.
The 8-year-old novice has shown remarkable form recently, with three wins out of his five runs, including a stunning victory at Cheltenham in the National Hunt Challenge Cup, where he romped home by over four lengths.
Incidentally, that’s a longer race than the Irish Grand National, so there’s every chance, if he goes to Fairyhouse in the same kind of form, that he can win big for Curtis again.
Hot on his heels in terms of the latest horse racing odds is Now is the Hour, from trainer Gavin Cromwell. He is hoping to replicate his Cheltenham success at home in Ireland, and Now Is The Hour is the horse who can do it for him.
With an exciting mix of speed and stamina, his recent record is slightly below where he was this time last year when winning at Haydock by 17 lengths.
That said, this horse has proven he knows how to dominate, and Cromwell is hot property at the moment, so with the yard momentum behind him, he could easily pitch up and run the race of his life.
Third favourite in the betting is Johnnywho, trained by the father and son duo of Jonjo & A J O'Neill. With son Jonjo O’Neill Jr also likely to be on board, this is a real family affair and one that fans will be cheering on come Easter Monday.
Last time out, he was second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, where he was beaten by a neck. With owner John P McManus backing him, there's no doubt he'll be looking to make his mark in this year’s Irish Grand National.
Winning Trends
Over the years, there have been several trends and patterns in the horses that win the Irish Grand National.
Here are some of the key factors to consider:
Age: Winners at Fairyhouse tend to be younger than at Aintree, so it’s not uncommon to see six-year-olds triumph. However, there are more seven and eight-year-old winners so that’s the age to focus on.
Weight: 11 of the last 15 winners have carried a weight of 10-08 or less. The only exceptions were Intense Raffles in 2024 (11-04), I Am Maximus in 2023 (11-01), Our Duke in 2017 (11-04), and Shutthefrontdoor in 2014 (10-13).
Experience: Horses that have had at least five runs but no more than 10 runs in the current season tend to have a better chance of winning, statistically.
Form: Strong recent form is usually a good sign, and horses that have placed in their last race have a better record than horses that finished out of the money.
These trends are not guaranteed, and upsets and surprises can happen in any race. The Irish Grand National is a challenging and unpredictable event, and a horse's performance on the day of the race is always the most important factor.
Most Successful Jockeys In The Irish Grand National
The most successful jockey in the Irish Grand National is Pat Taaffe, who has won the title an epic six times on Royal Approach (1954), Umm (1955), Zonda (1959), Fortria (1961), Arkle (1964), Flyingbolt (1966).
On three of those occasions, he raced for the most successful trainer, Tom Dreaper, who won the race 10 times.
The most successful jockey this century was Ruby Walsh, who won the Irish National three times on Commanche Court (2000), Numbersixvalverde (2005), and Burrows Saint in 2019.
In terms of where to look in 2025, Rachael Blackmore, Paul Townend, Jack Kennedy, and Keith Donoghue will always have their pick of horses, so pay careful attention to who they choose.
Early History Of The Irish National
The Irish Grand National didn’t take long to become one of the biggest days in Irish racing, and it’s easy to see why. Every year, it pulls in top horses, trainers, and jockeys from across the country, all hoping to land a piece of glory a little closer to home.
Over the decades, some serious legends have claimed the crown. Arkle did it in 1964, and even the mighty Desert Orchid popped over in 1990 for a win. Numbersixvalverde took the trophy in 2005 and then went on to win the English version in 2006, just to really show off.
Of course, like any great race, it’s had its share of drama. Back in 1928, a false start caused the race to be declared void, and the crowd responded with a good old-fashioned riot. Then there was 1954, when a horse called Lovely Cottage won, only to be disqualified for carrying too much weight. Oops.
Despite the occasional chaos, the Irish Grand National has stayed one of the best-loved races on the calendar. Today, it’s run over 3 miles and 5 furlongs, open to horses aged five and up, and it still delivers the thrills, surprises, and upsets we all love.
Why Is It Always On Easter Monday?
The short answer to that question is tradition. The race has been held on this day, no matter date it falls on, since its inception in 1870, and now it’s part of the culture.
Known as “Dubs' Day Out,” the timing was historically chosen to attract racegoers from Dublin, who would make the trip to Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath for a festive day of sport and celebration.
Easter Monday is a public holiday in Ireland, making it ideal for families and racing fans to attend one of the most iconic events in the National Hunt calendar.
The timing also aligns with the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with live music, entertainment, and camaraderie.
Moreover, Easter Monday often allows horses that competed in the Cheltenham Festival to participate, adding an extra layer of excitement as fans compare performances across both events.
