Description
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by Brian Halton
Limited Edition of 195 signed and numbered by the artist
Approx Image Size: 14″ x 10″
The 1977 Grand National is best remembered for being Red Rum’s third National win, a record that still stands today.
Before the race, Red Rum was generally thought too old – at the age of 12 – to win the Grand National for a third time, having come home first in 1973 and 1974, and second in 1975 and 1976. However, being jockeyed by Tommy Stack for the second consecutive National, the gelding clinched his unprecedented third title, bringing his career earnings to a then steeplechasing record of £114,000.
Red Rum’s 1976/77 season had begun badly. After an initial small win at Carlisle, he appeared lacklustre in his next four races, and owner Ginger McCain lost confidence in him. However, the horse finally returned somewhat to his best form when coming sixth in his preparatory race to the 1977 Grand National, the Greenall Whitley Chase at Haydock. In his last gallop before the National, he was back in fine form.
Red Rum was given the top weight for Aintree, but it had dropped to 11 stone, 8 lb.
It wasn’t until the Becher’s Brook fence on the second circuit of the course that Red Rum went into first position, when the leader and pre-race favourite, Andy Pandy, fell.
Red Rum’s lead grew gradually, and he came home 25 lengths ahead of second-placed Churchtown Boy and Eyecatcher in third.
1977 Grand National:
Owner: Noel Le Mare
Trainer: Ginger McCain
Jockey: Tommy Stack
The 1977 National was also notable for being the first in which a female jockey participated. 21-year-old Charlotte Brew almost completed the course, though she was a long way behind the leaders. Her horse, Barony Fort, refused at the 26th fence
Watermark does not appear on actual print
