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