Aintree legend Ginger McCain passes away aged 81

BRITISH racing has lost one of its biggest names with the death on Monday morning of training legend Ginger McCain at the age of 81.

McCainsaddled Red Rum to win the Grand National three times, in 1973, 1974 and 1977, before winning the world's greatest steeplechase for a fourth time with Amberleigh House in 2006


Red Rum

McCain applied for a training permit in 1953 and began training horses in 1962, using small stables behind the showroom of his used-car store in Southport. He bought a horse for 6,000 guineas,[2] which later turned out to be suffering from a debilitating bone disease. The horse was Red Rum.

Grand National

McCain trained the winner of the Grand National four times, thrice with Red Rum and once with Amberleigh House. Perhaps what is even more remarkable is that his first and fourth victories were over 30 years apart. Fred Rimell is the only other person to have trained four winners of the race.

Titles

1973, Red Rum
1974, Red Rum
1977, Red Rum

2004, Amberleigh House

In his final Grand National in 2006, McCain entered three horses; Inca Trail, who ran well for a long way until running out of stamina two fences from home and finishing in 8th place, Ebony Light (fell) and Amberleigh House (pulled up).

Sexism controversy

In 2005, McCain was involved in a sexism row after stating in an interview that he thought a woman jockey could never win the Grand National.[3] This angered Carrie Ford, the only female rider in that year's race. McCain retaliated by saying that he would allow people to "kick his bare buttocks if Ford won the National".[4] Whilst she did not win, Ford did beat McCain's runner, Amberleigh House, who finished tenth.

Retirement

McCain retired after the 2006 Grand National, handing over control of the stable to his son, Donald McCain, Jr., who later trained 2011 winner Ballabriggs.

Personal Life

McCain married Beryl in March 1961, and has two children; Joanne and Donald, Jr. Both Ginger and Beryl enjoy the hospitality at the Midlands Grand National.[5] McCain worked as a taxi driver to supplement his income as a trainer prior to finding Grand National success. It was as a taxi driver that he became acquainted with Noel le Mare, on whose behalf Red Rum was purchased.[5]

R.I.P

RIP

a master to win one grand national is great but 3 with the same horse REST IN PEACE Ginger

Michael Jarvis passed away this morning as well

RIP

Just to go back to Ginger, I will never forget the National where Red Rum got up to beat Crisp (I thought although beaten) was the best National performance ever.