Red Rum to be honoured with special Carlisle race day
Thursday 22 September 2016 10:46, UK
The legendary Red Rum's achievements at Carlisle are to be celebrated with a special 40th anniversary raceday in his honour.
Rummy - the nation's favourite steeplechaser and three-time Grand National winner - was not only a legend at Aintree but also at the Cumbrian venue.
Red Rum won at Carlisle's first autumn meeting in the season of each of his National wins.
To mark the 40th anniversary of Red Rum's last Carlisle win Cumbria's premier racecourse has named Thursday October 13th - the opening meeting of its 2016 National Hunt season - Red Rum Day.
Donald McCain, son of Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain and himself a Grand National winning trainer with Ballabriggs in 2011, said: "Carlisle was certainly a good course for both my father and Red Rum ahead of their National wins.
"It is one of the best National Hunt courses in the country especially for novice chasers. The uphill track provides a very fair test for proper chasing types.
"We're delighted Carlisle is marking the 40th anniversary of Red Rum's last victory there and I'm sure it will be a great day of racing in Cumbria."
And in a move sure to please racegoers, anyone celebrating their 40th birthday this year will gain FREE entry to #RedRumDay at Carlisle.
Geraldine McKay, Carlisle Racecourse's General Manager, said: "We are proud of our connection to the world's most famous racehorse and so we are delighted to name a race meeting in his honour.
"Rummy's Grand National legend is well known, the fact he prepared for each of his famous wins by riding a winner at Carlisle is fondly remembered by racegoers here in Cumbria. This racecourse was certainly a lucky omen!
"The connection continues to this day as the McCain family, who famously trained Rummy, continue to race horses in Cumbria and we are delighted to be able to invite them to Carlisle on October 13th - the start of our jumps seasons, as guests of honour."
The highlight of the day will be the News & Star Windermere Handicap Chase - the very same three-mile chase Red Rum won in 1972, 1973 and 1976. Carlisle has decided to resurrect the race especially for the day.
