Legends of the Track: How Red Rum came to have one of the most famous names in sporting history. Breeders’ Cup 1987:Ferdinand by a Nose (USA)

Monday Edition - March 4th, 2024 (Edition 20)

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Mar 04, 2024

IN TODAY’S EMAIL

Horse of the Day: Red Rum (GB) - How Red Rum came to have one of the most famous names in sporting history.
Classic Races: Breeders’ Cup 1987: Ferdinand by a Nose (USA)
Legends of the Sport: Charlie Whittingham ‘The Bald Eagle’ (USA)

HORSE OF THE DAY

Red Rum (GB)

Legendary racehorse Red Rum and trainer Donald 'Ginger' McCain share a joke at his Southport stable, following victory in the Grand national for a record third time (Image: Getty Images)

How Red Rum came to have one of the most famous names in sporting history.

When you think of the Grand National, Red Rum is normally the first name that springs to mind.

The three-time winner has cemented his place amongst the Pantheon horse racing greats since his first win in 1973. Red Rum went on to win two more titles before retiring in 1978.

Trained by former car salesman Ginger McCain, Red Rum would often be seen galloping along the beaches of Southport. 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.

Photo dated April 1977 as Red Rum, ridden by Tommy Stack, romps home at Aintree (Image: PA/PA Wire)

Read the Full Article at Liverpoolecho.co.uk

*The content and images featured in this article were originally produced and sourced from the Liverpoolecho.co.uk. We acknowledge and credit the original creators for their work.

Red Rum Back to back winner of the National in 1973 and 1974, and second in the following two years, Red Rum astounded the racing world in 1977 by winning an unprecedented third Grand National. Watch the final moments of that race.

Good Read

Want to read more about Red Rum? Dive into Red Rum : The Story of Ginger McCain and His Legendary Horse.

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Breeders’ Cup 1987: Ferdinand by a Nose (USA)

They were both champions as 3-year-olds; Ferdinand had surprised the horse racing world just a year earlier with an upset in the 1986 Kentucky Derby, ridden by then-54-year-old Bill Shoemaker. Alysheba, just a year younger, had overcome a stumble in the stretch at Churchill Downs to win the 1987 Derby under Chris McCarron and had won the Preakness Stakes as well.

The 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic would be the first time two Derby champions had faced off against each other since Affirmed and Spectacular Bid met in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Although he was a year older and more mature, Ferdinand had been inconsistent during his 4-year-old campaign, having lost his first five races on the West Coast (two on grass) and then pulling off a three-race winning streak to prepare for the Classic.

Alysheba had taken nearly two months off since winning the Super Derby on Sept. 27 and was ready for a fight. “He’s as good right now as he was at the beginning of the year,” trainer Jack Van Berg told the Associated Press. “He’s fit. He’s been training good. He’s ready.”

Read the Full Article in pasthewire.com

*The content and images featured in this article were originally produced and sourced from the pastthewire.com. We acknowledge and credit the original creators for their work.

“The two Derby winners hit the wire together” - Tom Durkin

Watch the epic battle courtesy of Breeders Cup World Championship

LEGENDS OF THE SPORT

Charlie Whittingham (USA)

Whittingham (right) and Bill Shoemaker ruled California racing. (Blood-Horse photo)

How a Legendary Trainer Known as ‘The Bald Eagle’ Excelled for Five Decades

Some might say that Charlie Whittingham was the best and most famous trainer California has ever known.

As true as that might be, Whittingham deserves to be viewed in a context much greater than even a state as large as California.

Though synonymous with the Golden State, Whittingham was unquestionably one of greatest trainers in the long and glorious history of Thoroughbred racing anywhere in the United States.

In a record-breaking career that spanned nearly 50 years, Whittingham won 2,533 races. His horses earned $109,206,777, which still ranks 26th on the all-time list through Nov. 13, 2023, even though he last saddled a horse on April 18, 1999, just two days before his death at the age of 86.

Known as “The Bald Eagle,” Whittingham won more than 250 stakes and was the all-time leading trainer at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park at the time of his death.

He trained 11 champions.

Read the Full Article on Americasbestracing

*The content and images featured in this article were originally produced and sourced from the AmericasBestRacing.net. We acknowledge and credit the original creators for their work.

Watch Charlie Whittingham’s Sunday Silence defeat Easy Goer under the wire to win the 1989 Breeders' Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park