| Red Rum | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Quorum |
| Grandsire | Vilmorin |
| Dam | Mared |
| Damsire | Magic Red |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1965 |
| Country | Ireland  |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Martyn McEnery |
| Owner | Noel Le Mare |
| Trainer | Ginger McCain |
| Record | 100: 24-15-23 |
| Earnings | £146,409.80 |
| Major wins | |
| Grand National (1973, 1974, 1977) Scottish National (1974) |
|
| Honours | |
| Life-size statue at Aintree Racecourse Smaller bronze inside Wayfarers Arcade, Southport Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree |
|
| Infobox last updated on: February 15, 2009. | |
Red Rum (bay gelding, May 3, 1965 - October 18, 1995. Sire: Quorum, dam: Mared) was a racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977. In 1973 he beat the great Australian chaser, Crisp who carried 23 pounds more than Red Rum. Red Rum just beat home the champion after Crisp tried to lead all the way. It is considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. He came second in 1975 and 1976. In his first two victories, he was ridden by Brian Fletcher. However in 1975, when L'Escargot was victorious, Fletcher was blamed for costing him victory by holding him back. In 1976 Tommy Stack replaced Fletcher, but was held off by Rag Trade. The following year Stack rode him to his triumphant third Grand National, considered one of the greatest moments in British sporting history. Not surprisingly, Red Rum became one of the best known and most loved racehorses in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.
"Rummy" became a national celebrity, opening supermarkets and annually leading the Grand National parade. His likeness graced playing cards, mugs, posters, models, paintings, plates, and jigsaw puzzles. Several books have been written about Red Rum by his trainer, sculptor, jockeys, and the author Ivor Herbert. A memorable children's story about his life was written by Christine Pemberton. He also helped open the "Steeplechase" ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1977.
Red Rum was bred at Rossenarra Stud in Kells, County Kilkenny, Ireland by Martyn McEnery. Bred to win 1 mile races, he won over the longest distance, 4 miles 4 furlongs. Rummy started off in life running in cheap races as a sprinter and dead heated in a 5f flat race at Aintree Racecourse.[1] In his early career he was once ridden by Lester Piggott.[2] After being passed from training yard to training yard, he found his footing when Liverpool car dealer Ginger McCain bought him for his client Noel Le Mare and famously trained the horse on the sands at Southport, Merseyside.
McCain, who also won the Grand National in 2004 with Amberleigh House, took Red Rum for a therapeutic swim in the sea off Southport before every Grand National - Red Rum suffered most of his life from a debilitating, incurable bone disease in his foot.
In the Children in Need around the world in 80 days trip Lee Mack claimed this is the first horse he ever rode.
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Death
Red Rum died on October 18, 1995. He was buried at the winning post of the Aintree Racecourse which is still a destination for his fans today. The epitaph reads "Respect this place / this hallowed ground / a legend here / his rest has found / his feet would fly / our spirits soar / he earned our love for evermore".
Commemorations
- Merseyrail has named one of their trains in Red Rum's honour (507021) as part of a Merseyside Legends programme.
See also
Notes and references
External links
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