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Steven Cahill is among the unsung heroes of I Am Maximus’ stunning Grand National triumph and the groom is still pinching himself after playing his part in a memorable story.

The 24-year-old, who also holds an amateur licence, led the eight-year-old into the winners’ enclosure after his Aintree success and was part of the victory parade in Leighlinbridge on Tuesday as crowds flocked to see the returning star.

It marked a career highlight in the role for Cahill, as Willie Mullins landed a first winner in the race since 2005 and Paul Townend broke his own Grand National duck.

 

 

 

 

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“It was quite surreal to be honest, I was left speechless,” he said. “I was gobsmacked and the feeling was deadly.

“I didn’t believe he was going to win until he got over the last fence because he’s very peculiar in his jumping.

“He took to the fences very well which surprised me and when he got around the elbow, he put on the afterburners. I knew when he passed Rachael [Blackmore] he would kick on.

“I was with all the staff and we were celebrating together and then I had to turn round and go find him.

“He was quite a far way down which doesn’t usually happen in a National, they pull up past the post but he kept going so I had to run down a good bit.

“Paul was more gobsmacked than I was, he was roaring his head off and I joined in with him.”

Cahill has a greater insight into I Am Maximus than most and admits his companion, who completed a Grand National double last weekend having won the Irish equivalent in 2023, is something of a Jekyll and Hyde character.

“He’s pretty straightforward at home to do anything in the stable for, a brush or anything like that, but the minute a saddle goes on him, it’s a different story,” he said.

“He’s very peculiar, spooks and everything, and still a big baby for his age. A leaf falling off a tree would spook him.

“He’s been a very easy horse to look after. He was quite frustrating at the start, he couldn’t win a beginners chase, his jumping was shocking.t

“He was doing his own thing at home, wasn’t getting fit, but he matured into this season and he’s been maturing and getting better every race.”

I AM MAXIMUS WINS THE NATIONAL 🟢🟡

19 years on from Hedgehunter, @WillieMullinsNH is the King of Aintree again 👑#GreenTeampic.twitter.com/CipPlYpkR7

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 13, 2024

The sky now appears to be the limit, with pundits discussing a possible tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup next season.

But as a key cog in the Closutton wheel, Cahill is well aware of how much competition exists even within I Am Maximus’ stablemates if he is to claim that crown – not least in the form of Galopin Des Champs, who is eyeing a hat-trick.

“They want to take him for the Gold Cup but we have a fair monster in that one already,” he said.

“I think he would have won with another stone on his back the other day and I think if we can get him back in that form next year, he’ll win with another stone on his back in the Grand National.

“I’d like to see him win the Grand National again. I think he could do it, he’s maturing and getting better through every race and the older he gets, the better and wiser he’ll get.”

In the saddle, Cahill rode a winner for Mullins – who he describes as a ‘true gentleman’ – at Leopardstown in 2022 and has ambitions for many more.

“I went to college for two years and did engineering and I didn’t like it, so I went back into Willie’s and eventually got my licence and have been riding here and there ever since,” he said.

“I’ve got winner for Willie now and it’s the best place to be. If you want to be a young jockey, you’re in the best yard, with the best jockeys and riding the best horses, it’s a great place to learn.

“I’m in the best place to learn and to keep riding away myself, learning my trade, and hopefully ride my own horses in years to come.”