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Red Rum: The Unrivalled Legend of Aintree
How a second-hand car dealer, a retired businessman, and a racehorse with bad feet made Grand National history
When the conversation turns to Grand National greats, there is one name that towers above the rest — Red Rum. A champion, a warrior, and a national icon, Red Rum is more than just a racing legend; he is the very soul of Aintree.
An Irish-bred thoroughbred, Red Rum remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times — a feat achieved with two consecutive victories in 1973 and 1974, and a third, historic triumph in 1977. He also finished second in the intervening years, making five consecutive appearances at the highest level of the sport — a record of consistency, heart, and resilience that has never been matched.
The Race That Announced a Legend
It’s March 31st, 1973. The clock ticks past 4:48pm and the great Australian chaser Crisp has just cleared the final fence, 15 lengths ahead, and seemingly certain to win. He had led the 1973 Grand National from the start, building a lead as wide as 30 lengths at one point. Victory looked inevitable.
But from behind came a relentless force, galloping with purpose and poise — Red Rum, ridden by Brian Fletcher.
As Crisp tired on the long run-in, Red Rum surged past him in the final 200 yards. The Irish outsider snatched victory by three-quarters of a length in what is still remembered as one of the greatest Grand Nationals of all time.
Trainer Donald “Ginger” McCain, a former second-hand car dealer from Southport, and owner Noel le Mare, in his 80s and chasing a lifelong dream, had just launched the most remarkable chapter in Grand National history.
Unorthodox Origins and a Miracle Cure
Red Rum was purchased for £6,000 — a modest sum even at the time — with the ambition of giving le Mare the Grand National winner he had always desired. McCain trained him not on gallops, but on the sands of Southport beach, often letting him trot through the sea.
That unusual setting proved a masterstroke. Red Rum suffered from pedal osteitis, a degenerative bone condition in the feet. But the salt water of the Irish Sea worked wonders. McCain believed it kept the pain at bay — and perhaps, it saved a career that would go on to change the sport forever.
Back-to-Back Glory
In 1974, Red Rum returned to Aintree as a contender, but not the favourite. Carrying a top weight of 12 stone, in a field of 42 runners, he stayed close to the leaders before asserting his dominance over the final few fences. He stormed clear to win by seven lengths, becoming the first horse since Reynoldstown in 1936 to win back-to-back Grand Nationals.
Falling Short and a Famous Split
Red Rum’s bid for a historic third straight win fell just short in 1975, when he was beaten by dual Gold Cup winner L’Escargot. He was second again in 1976, but behind the scenes, tensions were rising.
A dispute between Fletcher and McCain following the 1975 defeat saw Fletcher lose the ride. He was replaced by Tommy Stack, who partnered Red Rum for his final two Nationals.
1977: The Crowning Glory
In 1977, Red Rum lined up at Aintree for one final time. At nine years of age and sent off as 9/1 joint-favourite, many wondered whether his best days were behind him.
He gave them their answer in the most emphatic fashion.
Running a textbook race, Red Rum took the lead with four fences to go and never looked back. He won by 25 lengths, the biggest margin of his three victories, and in doing so, sealed his place in sporting immortality.
As he crossed the line, BBC commentator Peter O’Sullevan immortalised the moment:
“Red Rum wins the National! He’s made it — he’s won it for a third time… A horse of a lifetime!”
Immediately after the race, Red Rum was retired, having earned the right to bow out on the ultimate high.
A Legacy Beyond Racing
Red Rum passed away in 1995, aged 30. In a gesture befitting his legacy, he was buried beside the winning post at Aintree, the scene of his greatest triumphs. His grave remains one of the most visited spots at the racecourse, and each year, flowers are laid to honour the champion.
A headstone marks the site, inscribed with a moving tribute:
“Respect this place, this hallowed ground, a legend lies beneath the mound.”
Statues of Red Rum can be found in Southport and outside Aintree, while his story continues to inspire generations of racing fans and casual punters alike. His name is not just etched into Grand National history — it defines it.
Red Rum in Numbers
- Grand National Wins: 1973, 1974, 1977
- Runner-Up Finishes: 1975, 1976
- Total Grand National Runs: 5
- Trainer: Ginger McCain
- Owner: Noel le Mare
- Jockeys: Brian Fletcher, Tommy Stack
- Career Earnings: Over £146,000
- Final Resting Place: Beside the winning post at Aintree Racecourse
The Horse That Saved the Grand National
Beyond his victories, Red Rum is widely credited with reviving the Grand National during a period when the race was under threat. His popularity captured public imagination, brought in new fans, and helped secure the future of Aintreeitself.
He wasn’t just a horse. He was a symbol of grit, greatness and the grandeur of the Grand National.
To this day, no horse has come close to matching his feat — and perhaps, none ever will.
Red Rum wasn’t just the greatest Grand National winner — he was the Grand National.
