Multi-millionaire amateur jockey David Maxwell silences critics with £30,000 win in Grand National

3 weeks ago 28

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE amateur jockey David Maxwell silenced his critics with a brilliant ride in the Grand National worth £30,000.

The self-confessed ‘idiot’ rider, 45, can be Marmite with punters who pile their hard-earned on him.

But for every exasperated watch their may have been on one of his rides, he proved them all wrong by finishing sixth in the world’s most famous race – then came out with an amazing quote when asked about it.

Speaking of how thrilling it was to ride in the National, he said: “That was as much fun as you can have with your trousers on!”

Sun Racing told you how Maxwell had purchased Ain’t That A Shame specifically to ride him in the £1million Aintree feature.

And he got the thrill of a lifetime running in front of the 60,000-strong crowd on the Henry de Bromhead-trained chaser.

It turned out to be a financially lucrative one too, with Maxwell picking up £30,000 for coming sixth.

Maxwell added: “Crossing the Melling Road I couldn’t believe I was still in touch, but I could also see so many going well.

“It wasn’t like there was just the three of us travelling well.

“I thought bloody hell I’m going to finish the Grand National!

“Then I thought I’m going to finish somewhere near the frame!

“I’ve never thought it would go like this. It was such a thrill.

“Damn right I’ll be back here next year. The horse is going to have to run in the race until he is 15!”

Runaway winner I Am Maximus scooped the £500,000 jackpot for his owner JP McManus, trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.

But if you’re looking for an underdog story, look no further than Maxwell, who defied odds of 40-1 to finish in the places.

De Bromhead, who trained 2021 National winner Minella Times for Rachael Blackmore, said: “David gave him Ain’t That A Shame a super ride.

“He was brilliant the whole way on him. I’m delighted for him as he got such a thrill.”

Blackmore herself looked like she was going to win the race for a second time as she hit the front on Minella Indo.

But the 11-year-old former Gold Cup winner just found his legs giving way as I Am Maximus put the afterburners on after they jumped the last.

Maxwell made his money in property and is a hit with punters for his funny and self-deprecating interviews.

Speaking ahead of his ride, he opened up on how buying the horse came about.

He said: “They are hard to find, these National horses, they don’t often get sold but this lad was available so it was a no-brainer.

“I was shooting in Ireland and I asked one of the guys I was with to keep an eye out for a National horse for me – two days later he rang and said he had one for me.

“Henry seems to think he’s in better nick now than he was this time last year.

“Then again, I’m riding him instead of Rachael, so that’s probably the reason he is 56 points bigger in the betting this year!”

The odds didn’t matter too much in the end and those backing him each-way would have made a tidy profit.