Red Rum's trophies for winning the Grand National three times have been returned to Aintree Racecourse and will be on display during the 2023 Randox Grand National Festival.
Today is the 50th anniversary of Red Rum's first Grand National victory, when he came from a long way back to beat the gallant Crisp by three-quarters-of-a-length in a then course record time in one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree. Ginger McCain's legendary chaser went on to win the National a record three times with further successes in 1974 and 1977, while he was also runner-up to L'Escargot and Rag Trade in 1975 and 1976 respectively. The then nine-year-old also became the only horse in history to win both the Aintree and Scottish Grand Nationals in the same season in 1974.
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And now the trophies awarded to owner Noel Le Mare for each of his three Grand National wins as well as the plates awarded for his two second-place finishes and also the trophy awarded for Red Rum’s victory in the 1974 Scottish Grand National at Ayr will be available for viewing at Aintree during the three-day meeting which runs from Thursday, April 13 to Saturday, April 15.
Previously housed at the Liverpool Museum, Aintree Racecourse has been working closely with the Le Mare family to bring the trophies “home” as part of the wider ‘Red Rum 50’ project taking place from 2023-2027, which commemorates all things Red Rum. During this year's Grand National Festival, the trophies will be available for viewing for all customers (regardless of ticket type/enclosure) in a trophy tent adjacent to the Red Rum Garden and will then be hosted permanently in the Princess Royal Stand Reception following the three-day event.
The ‘Red Rum 50’ campaign also includes renovation of the previous ‘Irish Bar’ on the ground floor of the Princess Royal Stand, which will now be known as the ‘Rum & Ginger’ bar and will include a visual timeline of Red Rum’s achievements. The Red Rum statue, crafted by Philip Blacker and situated on the Red Rum Garden, has returned to Aintree after a period of refurbishment and renovation.
Noel Le Mare’s four grandchildren (Geoffrey Burns, Michael Burns, Sally Hampson and David Le Mare), said: “We’re delighted that the trophies Red Rum won for our grandfather Noel Le Mare in the 1970’s are returning to what we feel is their rightful home – Aintree Racecourse. Some of our best memories as a family are at Aintree and it was the place where Red Rum really came alive. We’re incredibly proud of his achievements and it’s only fitting that the trophies are available for people to view at the home of the Randox Grand National.”
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Dickon White, regional director – North West, The Jockey Club, added: “It is a tremendous honour to be able to make the Grand National trophies won by Red Rum available for public viewing at the Randox Grand National Festival next month. Aintree truly was his ‘home’ racecourse and our massive thanks go to the Le Mare family for helping to make this happen. Red Rum’s record-breaking achievements played a huge role in securing the future of Aintree Racecourse in the uncertain times of the 1970s and we are proud to be celebrating all things Red Rum over the next five years as we commemorate the half-century of his three Grand National successes.”
