Red Rum

"for Murder spelled backwards, see Redrum."

Thoroughbred racehorse infobox
horsename = Red Rum


caption = Red Rum Statue in Wayfairer's Arcade off Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside
sire = Quorum
grandsire = Vilmorin
dam = Mared
damsire = Magic Red
sex = male
foaled = 1965
country = Ireland flagicon|Ireland
colour = Bay
breeder = Martyn McEnery
owner = Noel Le Mare
trainer = Ginger McCain
record = 100: 24-15-23
earnings = £146,409.80
race = Grand National (1973, 1974, 1977)
Scottish National (1974)
awards=
honours = Life-size statue at Aintree Racecourse
Smaller bronze inside Wayfarers Arcade, Southport
updated= September 28, 2006

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. 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 Republic of 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 penned 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. [http://www.grand-national-world.co.uk/gnw/the_race/tales/redrum.html] In his early career he was once ridden by Lester Piggott. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory/journey/stars/red_rum/reg_green.shtml] 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.

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".

Trivia

*The comedian Lee Mack was Red Rum's stable boy, for a very short period and well after Red Rum had retired from racing, as was revealed in the comedy panel show "Would I Lie To You?".
*Merseyrail has named one of their trains in Red Rum's honour (507021) as part of a Merseyside Legends programme.

ee also

* Repeat winners of horse races

External links

* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/red+rum Red Rum's pedigree]
* [http://www.grand-national-guide.com/ Grand National Guide]
* [http://www.famousracehorses.co.uk/redrum/redrum1.htm Red Rum's site]
* [http://www.mischiefblue.co.uk/index.html The Kumbi Site]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_6540000/newsid_6545500?redirect=6545599.stm&news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1 Video (Real Player) - Ginger McCain talks to Sue Barker about Red Rum in 2002]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6R0V1ycQM Video (YouTube) BBC News Report of Red Rum's death]