Whenever anyone talks of the Aintree Grand National you cannot help but think of the great Red Rum. He won the race a record three
times, also finishing second on two occasions for good measure and he defied top weight to win with lengths in hand. The
thing that is really remarkable though is that this horse was not bred to be a staying chaser but a five furlong sprinter! He really
was one of those rare enigmas of the breeding world.
When Red Rum was two years old he was unleashed onto the track in sprints actually winning a small race at Aintree of all places
and although it was evident he had ability, his major achievements did not materialise for another 6 years when his new trainer
Ginger McCain found his best distance.
Standing up close to Red Rum, he was built like a sprinter; not even standing 16 hands he was compact and well coupled. He was
however a very well put together pretty horse with good hindquarters. You could actually see in his races that it was his cleverness
and economical safe jumping that stood him in good stead, hardly ever over jumping his fences.
Red Rum always seemed to be at his best in the spring with its warmer weather just in time for his trip to Liverpool and in the
spring of 1974 he even included a Scottish National to his achievements. His temperament was intelligent and honest; when visiting
his promotional bookings his behavior was impeccable for a thoroughbred and his well being and attitude also has to reflect the
care and love he received from the Ginger McCain stables. This is where Rummie the legend ended his long life, amongst those who had
cared and loved for him for almost quarter of a century. Red Rum passed away at a ripe age of 31 years and was buried at the
winning post at Aintree; where he belongs.
Red Rum's Pedigree and Race record
Born in 1965, Red Rum was bred by Martyn Molony at Rossenarra Stud in County Kilkenny, Ireland. He had a flat racing pedigree from
his sire Quorum and his dam Mared. During his life, Red Rum ran at Aintree a total of seven times, winning four and finishing second
in the other three.
Red Rum's first race was a flat race on April 7, 1967, at Aintree. He had just been bought with a second horse, Curlicue, for
£400. They raced together in that first race, the 5 furlongs Thursby Plate and came in a dead heat, tied for first!
Red Rum ran for more than ten years in 100 races over fences plus a few on the flat, winning three flat races, three hurdle races,
and twenty one steeplechases. Plus, he was second thirty seven times.
He became England's Legend, when he won his first national in 1973 following that up with his second win in 1974, two second places
in 1975 and 1976 and then his penultimate victory in the 1977 National carrying top weight.
