In January 2017, the Sun reported that Brian Fletcher, the gallant jockey, had passed away at the age of 69. This news send shockwaves reverberating around the horse-racing world. Fletcher burst on the scene 4 decades ago, wining everything there was to win along the way. It is easy to forget, in the outpouring of grief, that while Fletcher was a champion, so was one of his most popular rides, Red Rum, with whom the jockey won the Grand National twice.
‘Rummie’
This thoroughbred gelding was one of the finest runners in steeplechasing. He was born in Ireland in 1965 and was alive for 30 years, during which he dazzled the racing world with his heroics. Ginger McCain , a car dealer, is famous for taking the horse from the trenches and pushing him through to the mainstream. Ginger bought the gelding from the markets and trained him for a client, Noel le Mare. One of Rum’s biggest accolades was winning the Grand National a whopping 3 times, which is saying something as this one is considered one of the most trying horse competitions. The horse was also known for his stamina on the ground, famously going for 100 races without falling.
The biggest highlights of Red Rum’s career happened in the 1973 Grand National. 30 lengths behind the leader on the homestretch, observers were already dismissing his chances of winning the race. However, he surprised everyone with a flash of quick legs to finish first. This moment has been immortalised, and is considered one of the great sports comebacks of all time.
Red Rum also won the Scottish National in 1974.
Due to an injury, Red Rum was retired in 1978. He passed on in 1995, 3 decades after his birth in Ireland, with his death making front page news around the UK.
Over the course of his career, Red Rum earned £146,409.80. Adjusted for inflation, that would be a pretty nice take-home.
