| In the history of horse racing, few horses have | | | | Red Rum had a flat racing pedigree, making him more |
| captured the affection of audiences like Red Rum. | | | | genetically suited to racing short, straight distances. |
| The spirited horse rose from an early life of | | | | However, Rummy's true talent came out in |
| anonymity to become the only three-time Grand | | | | steeplechases. His power, speed and jumping ability |
| National winner. Today, three decades after his | | | | carried him to his first Grand National title in 1973. The |
| retirement, he is still one of the best-known and | | | | very next year, Red Rum returned to take his |
| most beloved racehorses of all time. | | | | second title. He was the first horse to take |
| The Early Years | | | | consecutive firsts since Reynoldstown in 1935-1936. |
| Red Rum was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland in | | | | Red Rum's spirit and grace had already begun to |
| 1965. He was passed around to several owners | | | | charm the leagues of Grand National fans. |
| before being purchased for Noel Le Mar. The agent | | | | In the following two years, Red Rum lost out on the |
| who made the purchase was the now-legendary | | | | title, coming in second both times. When he returned |
| horse trainer Donald "Ginger" McCain. | | | | in 1977 to try again, he was largely regarded as past |
| It wasn't apparent at the time, but Red Rum was | | | | his prime. He was 12 years old and not expected to |
| saddled with a debilitating bone disease in his foot. | | | | place highly. He surprised sporting fans around the |
| For many horses (and many trainers) this would | | | | world when he came in a remarkable 25 lengths |
| mean the end of a racing career before it even | | | | ahead of the nearest horse, taking his third Grand |
| began. For Ginger and Red Rum, though, it was just | | | | National win. To this day, Red Rum's third win is |
| an obstacle to greatness that had to be overcome. | | | | known as one of the greatest moments in horse |
| Ginger McCain trained Red Rum in the sand and | | | | racing history. |
| shallow waters at Southport in Merseyside. This | | | | Red Rum's career included many wins other than his |
| routine is often said to be the reason that "Rummy" | | | | Grand National Victories. Most notably, he won the |
| was able to overcome his disability and race on a | | | | Scottish Grand National just three weeks after his |
| world-class level. | | | | 1973 Grand National win. To date, he is the only |
| His Legendary Career | | | | horse to have taken first in both races consecutively. |