As the Grand National approaches you can visit a number of Red Rum murals and historic attractions in one area of Merseyside.
The record-breaking three-time winner of the yearly horse race has been hailed a legend as it looks as though no horse will come near to his achievements at the Aintree based racing festival. Red Rum was the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals in nearly 40 years as well as having two second-place finishes, this just cements Red Rum's place in history.
There are lasting marks of the historic racehorse in North Merseyside with Red Rum and trainer Ginger McCain often heading to the Sefton coastline to practice sprints. If you walk through Southport town centre you will see nods to the legendary horse throughout the seaside town as he is fondly remembered by those who live in the town.
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The most recent addition to Southport was the mural painted by the Liverpool based artist Paul Curtis facing onto Southport Promenade. The mural, the biggest Paul had done at that time, depicts 'Rummy' galloping along the waterfront, a recognisable sight for many in the town.
Two other nods to Red Rum are at the Bold Hotel on Lord Street, with a woven statute sitting above the entrance of the hotel and a small mural found on Seabank Road at the side of the building depicting Red Rum winning the Grand National. Back in the 1970s Red Rum was the People’s Horse, adored by folk who otherwise knew nothing about racing. His trainer, Ginger McCain, was a local man, and Red Rum would often be seen out on Southport sands, training.
Even after his last race, Red Rum was a familiar figure around Merseyside, whether it be back at Aintree enjoying the attention, or just playing the celebrity guest at local events, accepting sugar lumps from delighted children.
He made his first appearance at a race on the flat in April 1967 at a course in Liverpool. But the early signs weren't good, with Red Rum showing signs of the foot problems that were to recur all his life.
Soon after he joined trainer Ginger McCain’s stables in Southport, though, he was sent out on a training gallop through the sea and emerged looking far better. The treatment worked over and over again, and endeared him to the public as he made his way to the Southport sands.
In 1973 the Australian horse Crisp was the favourite to win the National, and it seemed a major upset when the determined Red Rum, ridden by Brian Fletcher, came from well behind to win the race at the last. The following year the public love-in really started as Red Rum and Brian Fletcher, by now carrying 12 stone, won the National a second time. It was the first pair of back-to-back wins since Leopardstown in the 1930s.
That seemed to be it as far as the record books were concerned. One of three all-time greats, especially when you add in the second places of 1975 and 1976, and a credit to Ginger McCain and an honour for his owner Noel Le Mare. But come 1977 and everything changed. Red Rum was now 12 years old, quite possibly too old in the eyes of many.
Ginger McCain had other ideas. Red Rum was on top form, his training honed to perfection, and once he had taken the lead at Becher’s Brook he romped ahead under jockey Tommy Stack to win by a convincing 25 lengths. A unique record had been set and Britain went Red Rum mad.
He was to remain an honoured guest for years to come, leading the parade every year right up to the 1990s. The end came after a stroke at the ripe old age of 30 in 1995. He is buried where belongs, at Aintree racecourse, with his head facing the winning post.
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