Iroko Grand National Wins
Iroko has never won the Grand National.
Their best finish to date was in 2025 where they came 4th. They were ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr and trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero.
A 2018 foal, Iroko has shown himself to be a very talented individual, but in the early part of his career, at least, he has always left us wondering what could have been.
Owned by JP McManus, he’s always gained attention, trained by the talented Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero combination, while not a prolific winner, he’s been running in some of the best races throughout his career.
The horse has always had potential and has always been talked about one that could go all the way to the top. We’ve yet to see it fully on the track, with glimpses of quality in top races, but there’s always a feeling that this horse has plenty more left in the locker.
Owner JP McManus knows what it takes to win the Grand National, he knows what it takes to win most races, and he’s long since talked about this horse as being one of his favourites, which shows the level he thinks he can reach. Iroko couldn’t manage it in 2025, but finished the course and came 4th. Will he have another one in him?
Full Results
| Year | Result | Prize Money | Handicap | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | £65,000 | 10-11 | Jonjo O’Neill Jr | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero |
Iroko’s Early Years
A second-placed finish in France on debut saw him quickly purchased by McManus and brought across to the UK. He would excel early on, and at the end of his first true season in the UK, he would win the Cheltenham Festival, more on that a little lower down.
Two other hurdle wins during that season showcased his strong claims to being a top quality racehorse. He was a good jumper, destined to move onto bigger obstacles, and was already showing signs of being a strong stayer with plenty of stamina.
Chasing came in the 23/24 season, where he would then take his form to an even higher level, instantly you could see this was the name of the game for this horse. A winning debut saw him hit the headlines, but since that race, he’s been plagued by injuries, and that’s where the feeling comes that we’ve perhaps not quite seen the best of him.
In April 2024 at the Grand National meeting, he finished four lengths behind future Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in a Grade One contest, the Mildmay Novices’ Chase. This was a strong performance in a top novice race, and while there’s been a little disappointment due to injuries, this showed just how good Iroko can be on his day.
Everything was set up perfectly for this horse to move out of novice company and go well in open graded events for years to come.
Iroko’s Big Race Wins
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’ Handicap Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival gave Iroko his biggest win so far. He would win the contest under Aidan Kelly, and in doing so, he proved that he was always going to be a lot better than a regular handicapper.
Success at the highest level hasn’t come yet, even though it has in a smaller race on the biggest stage. But given his talent, if he can stay fit, then you wouldn’t rule him out of plenty of Grade One success in the future.