National treasure

GINGER McCain, the legendary trainer who saddled the incomparable Red Rum to a record three Grand National victories, was the most unlikely of British sporting heroes.

Irascible, he drove taxis to support his fledgling training career – and it was while behind the wheel of his cab that he persuaded one Noel Le Mare to spend £6,000 on a lame horse that was to transcend his sport.

That the McCain stables were nestled behind a car showroom, forcing him to gallop his horses on Southport’s dunes, added to the legend; the salt water soothed Red Rum’s legs and prolonged an unpromising career.

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Many would bristle at the trainer’s political incorrectness; controversy was never far away,

But, invariably, they were part of his act – Jenny Pitman, the First Lady of Aintree, was a willing accomplice – and McCain liked nothing more than a quiet day at one of Yorkshire’s jumping tracks eyeing up potential National winners of the future.

It is only right that Sir Peter O’Sullevan has the last word. As the Voice of Racing’s stirring commentary of Red Rum’s third National – “He’s coming up to the line to win it like a fresh horse...” – was replayed, he likened the one and only Ginger McCain to “a professional curmudgeon” who leaves behind the best of memories.

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