Grand National bookie forced to cough up almost £1million on biggest single bet they’ve ever had

I Am Maxiumus lived up to his favourite tag by winning the Grand National – and earned one punter a whopping £900,000.

The ten-year-old – owned by JP McManus – raced to victory at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.

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Bay Gelding I am Maximus repeated his heroics from 2024 by triumphing – just 12 months after he finished as runner-up.

In doing so, the legendary horse – ridden by Paul Townend – has become the first runner since three-time champion Red Rum to regain the title since the 1970s.

To the Max

And speaking live on ITV, Irish bookie Johnny Dineen revealed he had someone lump on £100,000 on I Am Maxiumus at 8/1.

Incredibly, that has earned the individual an eye-watering £800k in profit – £900k in total winnings.

Dineen then proceeded that it was the single largest bet he had ever placed.

He said: “We’ve laid a whopping bet on I Am Maximus, and it’s the biggest bet we’ve ever laid by a mile.”

Dineen continued: “It was a six-figure bet at 8/1.”

Quick to show he was telling the proof, he then pulled out the bet slip, showing the astronomical money that is coming someone’s way.

It led shocked host Brian Gleeson to say: “Oh my God.”

He then remarked: “That is what you call a proper bet!”

X: @itvracing

It was also a historic result for McManus, who has become the first owner to win the Grand National on four occasions.

Along with I Am Maximus’ 2024 success, he also won with Minella Times in 2021 and Don’t Push It back in 2010.

In what was a dream afternoon for McManus, he scooped a 1-2 at Aintree after Iroko came home in second

Meanwhile, Willie Mullins has become a four-time Grand National winning-trainer.

The legendary trainer was overcome with emotion following the race, as he said: “It’s the first race we all watch on the television.

“It’s the one we aspire to win when we go into racing.

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“It’s the race you grow up wanting to win and wanting to be part. Just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation.”

As for jockey Townend, who also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Gaelic Warrior in March, he remarked: “He’s a really really good horse”

“This lad wasn’t telling me not to ride him so I couldn’t not ride him.”

Before adding: “He has such an engine, he gallops to the end of the world for you, it’s a pleasure.”