Why Grand National winning jockey won't receive a penny in prize money

Patrick Mullins will not receive any prize money for his efforts in steering Nick Rockett to victory in the 2025 Grand National on Saturday.
The 35-year-old experienced a whirlwind of emotions as he edge his charge to the finish post at Aintree ahead of previous champion I Am Maximus to claim the victory.
Alongside the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Grand National is the biggest prize in horseracing and the one race that jockeys aim to win before the end of their careers.
Mullins' achievement is even more impressive given he is classed as an amateur jockey though that means he does not get to share in the financial rewards.
Winning jockeys usually take home about 8% of the prize money with those who place (finish in the top two to six depending on the race) receiving around 4%.
For the Grand National that equates to around £40,000 for the winning jockey but as Mullins is an amatuer he does not receive a fee for riding.
In theory, amateur jockeys race for pleasure over making a living but it is not uncommon to see them participate in both flat and jump races against professionals.
Mullins comes from a horseracing family which includes his trainer dad Willie, trainer cousin Emmet and jockey cousin David, i the latest to taste victory in the Grand National.
He said: "I had too good a start and was having to take him [Nick Rockett] back all the way. I was wondering at the Canal Turn had I lost too much ground, but he just jumped fantastic. Then I was there too soon and it is a long way from the back of the last with Paul [Townend, riding I Am Maximus] on my outside.
"It's everything I've dreamed of since I was a kid. I know it's a cliche, but when I was five or six years old, I was reading books about the National and watching black and white videos of Red Rum. To put my name there is very special."
Willie Mullins, who trained the winning horse said he was just thinking about his son riding the winner. He explained: 'I was single-mindedly thinking about Patrick riding the winner.
"Patrick comes in every morning and runs the whole show. He's very precise and concise about things. He knows what to do and when to do it. I am absolutely delighted for him.
"You dream about winning big races here and there but the first race we saw growing up was the Grand National in black and white. We all lived every year for the horse you were going to back in the National - and the owners and trainers of the National runners were heroes in our game."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

5 days ago

• Wales Online

Sam Quek taken to hospital after finding blood in terrifying ordeal

Sam Quek taken to hospital after finding blood in terrifying ordeal Sam Quek will line up for the latest edition of Soccer Aid at Manchester United's Old Trafford on Sunday night Olympian and TV presenter Sam Quek (Image: Amir Hossain/) Sam Quek is back on our screen this evening as she laces up her boots for the latest edition of Soccer Aid. Quek is no stranger to sporting arenas, with the former Olympic gold medallist a decorated star in her own right. ‌ At 36 years of age, the winner with Great Britain's women's hockey team in Rio 2016 has now transitioned smoothly into broadcasting since hanging up her boots. Her portfolio includes Olympic Games, football, NFL and rugby commentary. ‌ Quek is quickly becoming one of the most popular names in sports broadcasting but she has had to put up with a fair bit of flak in her last major sports TV job. After presenting the Grand National on ITV earlier this year, Quek faced a backlash from racing fans - despite being an ardent racing enthusiast who has owned contenders at prestigious events like the Cheltenham Festival and the 1,000 Guineas. Responding to critics Confronting displeasure from certain quarters of the racing fanbase who felt her joining ITV Racing had "ruined" the Grand National and who debated her racing insight, Quek spoke to the Racing Post. In the face of criticism, she described the response as akin to "a bit like hysteria". Article continues below She noted positively: "In every sport I've worked in over the last 10 years, the reception I've been given has always felt quite welcoming. "So I was surprised by the reaction I got when it was announced I was joining the ITV Racing team for Aintree. I was actually disappointed. My experience of racing to that point had always been so positive, welcoming and inclusive. After the reaction to the ITV announcement, it feels like that has been flipped on its head." She added: "I started getting tagged on social media and things began to build up. People were asking, 'Why is a hockey player doing racing? What does she know about horses?' ‌ "Later in the day I saw someone joking that if I had gone and negotiated a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, some people would still have said, 'But why was she there?' I've even had people saying I'm not from Liverpool just because I now live on the Wirral. "I'm not there to replace AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh or Alice Plunkett. I'm there to do the crossover work and, to be honest, I think I'm perfect for that. I want to get across my passion for racing to people who might be watching the biggest race in the world for the first time." 'Jealous' partner Quek is married to husband Tom. ‌ Tom, the offspring of a wealthy entrepreneur, set out on his own successful business venture, Antona Student Properties, following a generous £1million boost from his father after finishing his studies. He's not only a savvy businessman but also graced television screens in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire. He and his partner are doting parents to two youngsters, four-year-old Molly and three-year-old Isaac. But their journey to parenthood was marred by profound sorrow before they were blessed with Molly. After enduring the anguish of a miscarriage at 10 weeks in January 2020, the Olympian chose to wait until she was six months pregnant before sharing the news of her pregnancy with Molly. ‌ Speaking candidly with OK! magazine during an intimate interview and photoshoot, Quek revealed their mixed emotions. "It's a strange one," she reflected. "Obviously it's the happiest moment of our lives so far, but what happened in January took a toll on both of us and we weren't able to speak about it properly." Their caution during the subsequent pregnancy was tinged with sadness, as Sam explained: "This second pregnancy I've stopped myself getting too excited, which is quite sad. But it made it easier to keep quiet because in the back of your head, you think, 'What if?'" Quek has spoken candidly about a frightening episode during her pregnancy with Isaac, which led to an emergency caesarean section mere days before her due date. Sharing the details with OK! magazine, the ex-hockey player remembered being startled by contractions and then finding she was bleeding. ‌ "I woke up and felt a bit of a twinge," Quek recounted. "Those twinges gradually grew stronger and stronger and turned into contractions. I'd been having recurring nightmares that if this birth went to a C-section, I was going to haemorrhage. I just felt like something was going to go wrong for this one, I don't know why. "Naturally, when you're pregnant and see blood, it's never a good sign," she continued. "The consultant said 'just to be safe, we're going to whisk you down for an emergency C-section. We don't want to take the chance that it could be anything sinister, so we would advise getting him out'". Having gone through surgery with husband Tom alongside her, Quek described the rush of feelings upon meeting her new arrival. ‌ "When his little face popped up over the curtain, it was the realisation that he'd finally got here, was safe and was going to join our family of three to make it four," she said with joy. Tom, whom Quek considers her "best mate and number one supporter", was acknowledged to have mixed emotions regarding her stint on Strictly Come Dancing, as she revealed he might feel "jealous" of her participation in the show. Nonetheless, Quek dismissed any concerns over the notorious Strictly curse, making it clear her husband's a great supporter of the dance show. ‌ "My husband is genuinely really excited for me because he knows how much I'm going to enjoy it," Quek expressed at the time. "And I think that's what's really special about our relationship. We are solid, and I can't wait to share this with him. "He might even be a bit jealous, if I know Tom. He would love to be out there doing it – we're always the couple at a wedding who are the last off the dance floor." Regarding the performance of sensual dance numbers, Quek confessed: "I'm not sexy. I can't do the sexy eyes, the body language. So I think that will be a challenge to tap into that side of me. Article continues below "If if I try to do it, I'll have to try not to laugh. I was on BBC Breakfast and was trying to show Naga Munchetty my sexy face and he [Tom] texted me, saying, 'Almost.'".

Scottish Sun

6 days ago

• Scottish Sun

King George winner Bravemansgame moved from Paul Nicholls and will continue career in France

BRAVE NEW DAWN King George winner Bravemansgame moved from Paul Nicholls and will continue career in France Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KING GEORGE hero Bravemansgame has been moved to France in a bid to reignite his career over jumps. The 10-year-old will now be trained by 29-year-old Marine Pineda in Chantilly having spent the last six years with 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Bravemansgame won the King George in 2022 Credit: PA 2 He spent six years with 14-time champions trainer Paul Nicholls Credit: PA His best season came in 2022-23 when he won the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day before running a mighty race in defeat when second to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In total he won nine races for Nicholls and £726,484 in prize-money for his owner Bryan Drew. But his form took a dip this season, with his best performance coming in the Betfair Chase when he was third behind Royale Pagaille. His final run for Paul Nicholls came in the Grand National when he finished 15th. Drew, who is not averse to moving his horses between trainers, felt a change of scenery would do him some good. After discussions with Nicholls, they felt switching him to France could help him rediscover some spark in the autumn of his career. Nicholls said: "He has been a great horse for us at Ditcheat and we had some memorable days with him. "He won three Grade 1s for us, including a Challow Hurdle and a King George, and he ran a blinder in the Gold Cup a couple of years ago. "He has had some hard races over the years, and Bryan just felt he would have a better chance of winning a race in France at this stage in his career. "I have no problem at all with the decision, it's worth a try and hopefully he goes over there and has a good time of it." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

North Wales Chronicle

6 days ago

• North Wales Chronicle

Colin Keane weaves magic on first Sandown ride

Trained by Grand National and Gold Cup-winning Henry de Bromhead, the Earthlight filly had rattled the crossbar in two efforts so far this term and at one stage looked she could be an unlucky loser once again as her rider searched for an opening aboard his powerfully-travelling mount. However, Keane got the 5-2 second favourite out and motoring just in time to hit the line just in front of Clive Cox's Hold A Dream, with a photo required to determine the short head verdict in the Listed event. By a NOSTRIL! 👃 Town And Country gets up to pinch the BetMGM Scurry Stakes on the line 🥇 #ITVRacing | @ctkjockey | @HenrydeBromhead — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 14, 2025 The win extends the six-time Irish champion's stellar week since being appointed Juddmonte's retained rider and as he is set to be a more regular sight on British soil, it was a fine way to get accustomed to Esher. Keane told Racing TV: 'She was keen and Billy Lee told me she could be but I didn't think she would be that bad and she ended up bringing me into a couple of pockets. 'To be fair to her she only got out in the last half furlong and she has done well to win. I think over here when she gets used to proper sprinting it will suit her and the quicker they go the better as she will relax and we'll see the best of her. 'I would have thought she could go on to run well in Group company.'