The Red Rum Story From adversity to triumph with first Grand National victory

As the 40th anniversary of Red Rum’s first Grand National victory approaches, Chris Wright looks back on the Aintree hero in the first of a Liverpool ECHO three-part series

by Chris Wright, Liverpool Echo http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

    Mar 28 2013

As the 40th anniversary of Red Rum’s first Grand National victory approaches, Chris Wright looks back on the Aintree hero.

WHO’S the greatest? It’s a sporting question posed with regularity in pubs, clubs and homes across Merseyside and beyond.

Whatever the sport, team or individual, fans will debate the merits of heroes past and present.

Pele or Maradona or Messi? Borg or Federer? Nicklaus or Woods? Marciano or Ali? Dalglish or Gerrard? Dean or Ball? Bunny Bell or Aldridge? The list is endless.

In racing it’s Golden Miller or Arkle? Brigadier Gerard or Frankel? Nijinsky or Sea The Stars? Desert Orchid or Kauto Star?

But when it comes to the Grand National, there is really no debate.

Ginger McCain’s hugely popular steeplechaser Red Rum stands head and shoulders over the field as the greatest National hero of them all.

With the 40th anniversary of the first of Red Rum’s historic three victories in the world’s greatest steeplechase on Easter Sunday, his legacy and enduring appeal is as strong as ever.

He may not have had the speed and overall ability of other jump racing greats such as Arkle or Desert Orchid. Or been as regally-bred and classy as Flat stars Nijinsky or Frankel, but there really was only one Red Rum.

He was a one-off, a breed apart and it is highly unlikely there will be another like him.

His Aintree legend began 40 years ago with one of the most iconic moments in sporting history. Having been behind by up to 30 lengths from the front-running, bold-jumping Australian chaser Crisp for so much of the 4m4f of the Aintree marathon, Red Rum got up in the shadow of the winning post to start his Grand National journey.

He came from behind to grab glory. But his own trip to the top is one from humble beginnings and triumph over adversity.

Born at 6pm on May 3 1965 at the Rossenarra Stud in County Kilkenny in Ireland, his pedigree was more about speed than stamina. Any ideas he would be anything more than a moderate Flat performer would have appeared fanciful.

His sire, Quorum, had been a decent horse and won six races as well as finishing second in the 2,000 Guineas. But his mare Mared had been quirky and troublesome on the track. It was hardly a union of racing’s royalty. But their colt was to rise to the top from humble beginnings.

As well as providing the DNA of a supreme National horse, they also combined for the most memorable moniker in British racing history.

Breeder Martyn McEnery used the last three letters of sire and dam’s name to make up Red Rum

On April 7, 23 months after his birth, Red Rum made his debut – fittingly at Aintree – in a five-furlong selling plate. He managed to dead-heat for first under Paul Cook with a horse called Curlicue – and so a love affair with Aintree was born.

He won two more races on the Flat and was second on his second trip to Aintree, ridden by Lester Piggott, in 1968. It was his final race on the Flat before embarking on a jumps career beginning with another second-placed finish at Cheltenham in September 1968.

Red Rum was a busy horse over the next four years and won three times over hurdles and four chases. But he had developed pedal osteitis – a debilitating bone disease in the feet that sent most racehorses into early retirement. He was put up for sale by his second owner Lurline Brotherton, whose Freebooter had won the 1950 National.

Things, though, were about to change in the summer of 1972 with the perfect union of the right trainer and the right horse.

Noel Le Mare, the millionaire owner of civil engineering firm Norwest, was ferried to his Saturday night dinners in Southport by local taxi driver, car salesman and licensed trainer Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain.

One of Le Mare’s lifelong ambitions had been to win the Grand National. He was well into his 80s and McCain was charged with helping achieve his dream. After no luck with their initial ventures, McCain bought Red Rum for Le Mare for 6,000 guineas at Doncaster Sales in August 1972.

McCain had no gallops and used to work his horses on the sands at Ainsdale. He believed in the healing powers of the salty water of the sea. And this unconventional method helped Red Rum recover from his problems and he won all five of his first starts under McCain’s stewardship.

He was then second in the Cumberland Grand National at Carlisle, third in the National Trial and fourth in the Greenall Whitley Chase – both at Haydock Park.

McCain had primed the then eight-year-old perfectly for his National date.

When the tapes went up at 3.18pm on March 31 1973, Red Rum was carrying not only Brian Fletcher, but much of the support of the people of Merseyside as well as much of the rest of the country.

Having been a 25-1 chance ante-post, he was eventually backed down to 9-1 joint favourite alongside Fred Winter’s Crisp – a classy performer – under Richard Pitman. Crisp and Grey Sombrero were out in front with the former jumping superbly. He stretched his lead from fence to fence.

Fletcher had Red Rum stalking at a distance, but he seemed too far behind. Coming to the last Crisp’s lead over his challenger was 15 lengths. But Red Rum kept on gaining and as Crisp grew weary from his exertions he timed his run to glory to perfection.

It was a stunning victory and there was plenty of sympathy for the gallant Crisp, who was beaten by a horse carrying 23lbs less. But there was only one winner, with Red Rum smashing the course record, coming home in nine minutes 1.9 seconds. Only Mr Frisk in 1990 has run it faster since.

After the race McCain said: “Frankly, I didn’t think mine had much chance of catching Crisp, but I knew if he was going to stop, mine is tremendously tough and game and, given just a chance would battle it out. And that’s just what he did.

“It was always my ambition to train a horse good enough to enter the National – never mind win. I’m over the moon. I still can’t believe we’ve won it.”

But belief in his ability over the fearsome Aintree obstacles is what Red Rum imbued to all around him.

In all his five National runs he barely made a semblance of a mistake, jumping every fence with style and steely determination.

His owner, the then 86-year-old Le Mare, had completed his lifetime’s ambition thanks to Red Rum.

He said: “I’ve had three ambitions in life. To marry a beautiful woman, to be a millionaire and win the National. Now my life’s complete.”

But neither Red Rum nor McCain were done with Aintree. Their National story was only just beginning.

IN the second part of our series on the great Red Rum, Chris Wright looks back on his second National success at Aintree and a unique double in Scotland before disappointment

HE had proved himself a Grand National hero, but in some people’s eyes he had been the villain.

But 12 months on from his first taste of National glory, Red Rum strode even more firmly into people’s hearts and changed other’s perceptions of his initial success.

Ginger McCain’s fabulous steeplechaser was seen as something of a pick-pocket – robbing the gallant Crisp of National glory in cruel fashion 40 years ago this week.

He had collared the leg-weary Crisp in the shadow of the post after the long-time leader, under a welter burden of 12st, just couldn’t see out the final strides.

On Merseyside, though, Red Rum was the people’s champion. Here was a horse that seemed to be a mirror image of those who lived amongst him as well as his enigmatic trainer.

Brave and talented, but with a twinkle in his eye, Red Rum knew he was good and went out and proved it.

Trained in an unconventional stable at Upper Aughton Road in Birkdale behind the car showroom of Southport-born Ginger McCain, from a humble background Red Rum had overcome the adversity of injury to land the world’s greatest steeplechase on ‘home’ soil.

And Red Rum was at the peak of his powers following his first National success.

Following his summer break he returned to be second at Perth before three straight successes at Carlisle, Ayr and Newcastle.

Crisp gained revenge on Red Rum in a match-race off level weights at Doncaster, but it was little comfort for connections. While his old foe never ran again afterwards due to injury, Red Rum went from strength to strength.

Five days on from the Doncaster match, he ran a mighty race to be second to Red Candle in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

Another win at Carlisle was followed by a rare mishap, when he unseated Brian Fletcher in what became his traditional Grand National prep race, the Greenall Whitley Chase at Haydock on March 2. Red Rum ran on alone and did cross the winning post first at Merseyside’s other jumps track.

But he returned to Aintree 28 days later, this time as the top weight under 12st. But any fears he wouldn’t be able to carry it off were dismissed in fine style.

No horse had won back-to-back Nationals since Reynoldstown in 1935-36 – a longer wait for a dual winner than the present day. And while his first National success had been one of the most dramatic, this time it was a supreme performance.

Fletcher had kept his charge close to the leader this time, rarely more than three or four lengths off the front-running Charles Dickens.

The duo went to the front at Becher’s Brook second time around and were never headed.
Red Rum – sent off at 11-1 – came home seven lengths ahead of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero L’Escargot under Tommy Carberry.

After his second victory, McCain was ebullient in his praise for his star. He said: “I feel more for this horse than any human being. If humans had half the courage and good nature of this fellow the world would be a much better place to live in.”

And there was no doubting that a shot at history and a record third success were at the forefront of McCain’s mind, when he said: “No ifs and buts about it, we’re coming back to Liverpool next March. I want to put him up among the Arkles and Golden Millers.”

But first he would make another kind of National history in Scotland.

Following his win at Aintree, exactly three weeks later he lined up in the Scottish National under top weight at Ayr.

And under Fletcher he triumphed again.

Initially sitting out the back of the field, with a mile of the 4m1f contest to go he made his move. Joining leader Proud Tarquin two from home he went on to beat him by four lengths.

He still remains the only horse to complete the double in the same season. And, as at Aintree, he was immortalised in a bronze statue at Ayr racecourse.

But at Aintree 12 months later he was on a mission.

He had become the seventh dual Grand National winner, but no horse had completed a treble triumph.

After six starts and two wins – one in Haydock’s Grand National Trial – throughout the 1974-75 season, his focus was on returning to Aintree.

He again faced a familiar foe in L’Escargot, who was carrying 11lb less than in 1974 when he finished second. And this time the roles were reversed with L’Escargot pulling clear to win by 15 lengths.

McCain said: “L’Escargot ran a very good race, and the better horse won on the day. But we’ll be back next year, don’t worry about that.”

But with questions being asked of Red Rum, now nearing his 11th birthday, changes were made.

At Newcastle at the end of 1975 following another defeat Fletcher rode Red Rum for the last time after he had suggested his partner was not the same force he had been and should be retired.

McCain was having none of it and, angered by the slight, dropped Fletcher.

McCain said: “I can tell the knockers that there’s no chance of retiring Red Rum while he's enjoying himself.”

He turned to Irish jockey Tommy Stack to ride. He joined up with Red Rum at Haydock for the National Trial in February 1976. But he trailed in last of the six finishers.

Red Rum, though, headed back to Aintree to try and regain his crown as the 7-1 favourite. Despite the changes and leading over the last fence, Red Rum was passed by the Fred Rimell-trained Rag Trade. He battled back on the run-in but again had to settle for second best, going down by a rapidly-diminishing two lengths.

He clearly still had the ability when it came to the Aintree showpiece, but a third win was proving elusive.

After two seconds, and with McCain having replaced Fletcher with Stack and fired previously trusted head lad Jackie Grainger and stable lad Billy Ellison, it looked like an historic third success would never materialise.

Critics said Red Rum was on the wane, he would be 12 on January 1 1977, and the impossible dream would stay just that.
But McCain and his popular chaser knew different.

IN the final part of our three-day series on the great Red Rum, Chris Wright looks back on his historic third success and the confirmation of his legendary status at Aintree

IF at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again. And so it was with Red Rum. Already assured his place in Grand National history after becoming the magnificent seventh to land two successes, Ginger McCain’s star travelled to Aintree every year in the mid-1970s with high expectations.

But after his back-to-back successes in 1973 and 1974, his bid to stand alone as the only hat-trick hero in Aintree history stuttered.

For any normal horse and connections finishing second two years in a row – as he did behind L’Escargot and Rag Trade in 1975 and 1976 respectively – would have been the pinnacle of a career.

For Red Rum it appeared a signal his glories were behind him. That season there were concerns that McCain’s old friend had ‘gone’ after some lacklustre displays.

But after a promising prep, when sixth again in the Greenalls at Haydock, he set off for a fifth successive Grand National on April 3.

Those lucky enough to be there were transfixed as McCain’s star created history. And the millions watching around the world were inspired by Red Rum’s heroics.

Despite being a 12-year-old, he was made the 9-1 joint-favourite by his legion of supporters.

Red Rum travelled and jumped just as well as he had ever done.

Stalking just off the pace, he eventually took it up at Becher’s Brook on the second circuit when leader and fellow joint-favourite Andy Pandy fell. He barely saw another rival and went on to score by 25 lengths from Churchtown Boy to a tumultuous reception.

Speaking in 2003, McCain recalled the moments after Red Rum had become the first – and still the only – horse to win the race three times.

He said: “The owner and trainers’ area at Liverpool goes right up all those wooden steps at the top of the stand. But I came down them without touching a step – it was a magic feeling.”

The Irish jockey Tommy Stack, who had replaced Brian Fletcher in the saddle the previous year, paid tribute after the race, saying: “He is the most tremendous horse round Aintree. I am just glad to be part of this horse. He won it. Not me. I had a good run all the way round, staying back for the first part.

“The only tricky moment was at Becher’s second time around when the leader, Andy Pandy, fell in front of us, but Red Rum jumps like a cat.

“He swerved his way round Andy Pandy and another loose horse which was bothering us. The only trouble on the run-in was two loose horses so I took him around them and it was over after that.

“I was always confident.

“The ground came just right for Red Rum and he was always going nicely. He is such an intelligent horse and Aintree is a challenge to him. He threads his way through the field and seems to know how to miss trouble always looking around himself.

“He is a model racehorse. His shape and size are perfection.”

Horses are so often talked about in human terms. But if any horse had human qualities it was Red Rum.

He was as much at home on a racetrack as when mixing with his adoring public
He was led in to the after-race party in the Bold Hotel, Lord Street in Southport the same night as his historic third win, without so much as a hair turned on his mane.

A month later he was ridden down Lord Street by Stack as Southport threw a civic reception in his honour with thousands lining the streets.

He also opened the Steeplechase ride at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach that year and helped switch on the Illuminations at the seaside resort. His celebrity was assured.

His charisma was never more in evidence than on a memorable appearance at the BBC Sports Review of the Year in December 1977.

While some horses can be spooked by the slightest noise or movement on the track, Red Rum was at ease in any surrounding.

And in a hot, packed studio, he appeared the coolest in there.

Had he been eligible he may have been there to pick up the Sports Personality award itself. He showed much more ‘personality’ that night than most of the winners before and since.

When he heard his partner Stack – who was injured and in hospital – speaking on the big screen, his ears pricked up and he appeared to be listening intently.

Intelligent, talented, brave and a true legend, McCain was due to saddle Red Rum in an incredible sixth National in 1978, but the day before the race the then 13-year-old pulled up lame.

He had suffered a hairline fracture and was immediately retired.

Red Rum, though, was still the people’s champion in retirement. His ebullient trainer continued to embrace the chaser’s standing as a national treasure.

The horse became a limited company. He graced all manor of memorabilia including from jigsaws to china, records to tea towels.

A shop was opened across the road from the trainer’s car showroom dedicated to selling Red Rum merchandise – while supermarkets, pubs and betting shops were opened up and down the country.

Red Rum was rarely off television as well as front and back pages – he transcended his sport during and after his racing career.

Red Rum stayed with the McCains until he was 30, initially in Southport and then at Bankhouse Stables in Cholmondley in the Cheshire countryside following the move in 1990.

He died on October 18, 1995 and was buried, fittingly, by the winning post at Aintree. The spot is marked by a headstone listing his unparalleled National record.

Ginger continued to search for another National hero.

Beacon Time, Kumbi, Imperial Black, Dudie, Hot Plate, Back Bar, Commercial Artist, Hanakham and Sure Metal – ridden by son Donald to finish 17th in 1996 – all lined up, but failed to get close to adding to the record of Red Rum and McCain.

The Cheshire-based trainer eventually found a worthy heir in Amberleigh House – who jumped more Aintree fences than even his illustrious predecessor – winning a Becher Chase and the National.

He landed the Aintree marathon, under jockey Graham Lee in 2004, with a similar come-from-behind run to the line, reminiscent of Red Rum’s initial success over Crisp.

Owned by another local businessman, John Halewood, Amberleigh House’s victory was a fitting nod to his illustrious predecessor.

But every horse since Red Rum has a long way to go to match his achievement and popularity


Read more: Liverpool Echo http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/in-the-mix/2013/03/28/the-red-rum-story-part-three-legendary-status-assured-as-rummy-finally-lands-record-third-success-in-the-grand-national-100252-33074548/2/#ixzz2OplNGN3d