Top Grand National Jockeys
Many people like to follow a favourite jockey with their Grand National money. Are they wise? Are they picking the correct jockeys to follow?
Here are some of the top Grand National jockey statistics over the last 20 renewals. R = Rides, W = Winners, P = Places, C = Completed runners:
| Jockey | R-W-P-C | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Fox | 5-2-2-3 | +19.00 | +10.75 |
| Paul Townend | 14-1-3-5 | -6.00 | -5.49 |
| Mr P W Mullins | 6-1-2-3 | +28.00 | +17.26 |
| Ryan Mania | 5-1-1-2 | +62.00 | +37.25 |
| Sam Twiston-Davies | 14-0-0-6 | -14.00 | -14.00 |
| Mark Walsh | 13-0-2-4 | -13.00 | -10.12 |
| Nick Scholfield | 11-0-2-6 | -11.00 | -4.62 |
| Richie McLernon | 10-0-1-2 | -10.00 | -7.50 |
| Sean Bowen | 10-0-1-7 | -10.00 | -8.25 |
| Harry Skelton | 10-0-0-6 | -10.00 | -10.00 |
Grand National Jockeys over National Fences
Here are some of the top Grand National jockey statistics over the past twenty renewals for rides over national fences. R = Rides, W = Winners, P = Places, C = Completed runners.
Statistics include Becher, Fox Hunters, Sefton, Topham and Grand National:
| Jockey | R-W-P-C | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Twiston-Davies | 47-4-5-29 | +2.00 | -12.96 |
| Sean Bowen | 27-3-5-18 | -4.50 | -9.25 |
| Brian Hughes | 37-2-5-21 | -3.00 | -8.12 |
| Henry Brooke | 26-2-9-14 | -0.67 | +6.50 |
| Paul Townend | 26-2-7-13 | -9.00 | -6.55 |
| Mr P W Mullins | 19-2-5-12 | +23.50 | +10.95 |
| Harry Cobden | 16-2-3-8 | +50.00 | +27.75 |
| Gavin Sheehan | 16-2-6-12 | -6.25 | -2.16 |
| Derek Fox | 13-2-2-7 | +11.00 | +2.75 |
| Mr Derek O'Connor | 13-2-6-9 | -2.50 | -2.25 |
Grand National Jockey Records
The stats on the rest of this page show last year's race first and go back ten seasons. If a jockey didn't have a ride, this is marked by a -
PU - The horse pulled up and didn't complete the course
F - Fell
UR - horse unseated the rider (jockey fell off!)
BD - Brought Down (not the horse or jockey's fault, another horse fell into them)
CO - Carried Out (pushed off the course by another horse)
REF - Refused (the horse stopped before the fence as it didn't fancy jumping it)
Derek Fox
Ten-Year Record: -, UR, 1, PU, -, 6, -, 1
Derek Fox is a dual-winning Grand National jockey from just five rides; he won on his first-ever ride in the race with One For Arthur in 2017, who he also finished 6th on two years later. His second win came in the saddle of Corach Rambler in 2023, a month after winning at Cheltenham Festival with that same runner. All five of Fox's rides have come when teaming up with Lucinda Russell.
Paul Townend
Ten-Year Record: 2, 1, 3, UR, -, UR, PU, PU, PU, PU, 16
Paul Townend's record in the Grand National has improved dramatically over the last three years, with a third place on Gaillard Du Mesnil three years ago, winning the race on I Am Maximus in 2024 and then runner-up in 2025 on that same runner. Before that though, Townend's best finish was eleventh, and he had only completed the course twice from eleven starts. Townend will be riding I Am Maximus again this year.
Grand National Jockeys With Poor Records
Why do some jockeys not perform well in the Grand National? Former Champion Jockey Richard Johnson failed to win the race on twenty-one occasions despite riding several well-fancied runners. Perhaps it's just down to not being on the right horse? Or could it be pressure, luck or maybe their previous bad experiences have affected their confidence?
Sam Twiston-Davies
Ten-Year Record: 12, -, 11, 13, REF, -, PU, BD, UR, PU, 17
Sam Twiston-Davies's experiences of riding in the Grand National got off to a great start when he finished fifth on Hello Bud in 2010, but things haven't really gone to plan since then. Sam has failed to complete the course in eight of his thirteen subsequent Grand National rides, and his best completion was seventh. Twiston-Davies has a great record in other races over the Grand National fences, so perhaps this is his year for a big Grand National finish?
Mark Walsh
Ten-Year Record: F, 10, PU, 2, 3, 5, PU, -, UR, -
A surprising entrant on the 'cold' Grand National jockeys list, Mark Walsh has now had thirteen rides in the National. He failed to complete in his first seven rides, but things have been improving thanks to Any Second Now finishing 3rd and 2nd in 2021 and 2022.