In the years between 1973 and 1977 only one horse dominated the Grand National headlines and that was Red Rum.
As millions of fans cheered him on from their homes, not unlike the excitement of finding trustworthy slot sites to play online, Red Rum set out to do the impossible and win three Grand Nationals.
L'Escargot halted his reign in 1975 and when he returned in 1976, everybody believed that the third win was in the bag. However, they didn't bank on Rag Trade turning up to spoil the party.
The Rise of Rag Trade
Sired in Ireland by Menelek, Rag Trade was bred by Ian Williams, the son of Evan who had won the National in 1937 on Royal Mail.
Originally trained by George Fairbairn his record wasn’t very good. In 1975, by the time he was nine years old, having won only two races, he was sent to the sales where he was bought for 18,000 guineas by celebrity hairstylist of the time Mr ‘Teasy Weasy’ Raymond.
Raymond sent him to be trained by Arthur Pitt, with the intention that he ride in the National, which was just two months away.
He was to be ridden by up and coming jockey John Francombe and he entered at 18-1, but his lack of preparation was evident – he came home last of the ten finishers, of a field of thirty-one.
However, he quickly improved and three weeks after the National he won the Midlands Grand National at Uttoexeter.
Raymond’s mind had already been made up though: Rag Trade was to be sent to Fred Rimmell’s Kinnersley stables.
The Impact Of Fred Rimell
Fred Rimell was one of the most respected trainers in British horse racing.
Known as the “Mr. Grand National,” he was no stranger to the Aintree course. By 1976, he had already trained three Grand National winners: ESB in 1956, Nicolaus Silver in 1961, and Gay Trip in 1970.
Rimell's experience and skill as a trainer were critical in preparing Rag Trade for what would become the defining race of his career.
In preparation, Rag Trade went to Chepstow where he won the Welsh Grand National ensuring he was in top form when he returned to Aintree in 1976.
Barona was the favourite at 7-1 but ‘Red Rum’ was still the runner that the 50,000 crowd came to see, anticipating another win from the legendary horse who had already won the National twice.
1976 Grand National
The 1976 Grand National was set against the backdrop of history and while everybody may have been rooting for Red Rum, Fred Rimell and Rag Trade had other plans.
The race began with a strong field, but as the horses approached the final stages, it became clear that it was a two-horse race between Rag Trade and Red Rum.
Rag Trade, saddled by Rimell’s stable jockey John Burke had gone off on odds of 14-1. He was racing well and with four other horses in close contention for the lead at the last fence, it was Red Rum who landed first.
The crowd went crazy with excitement at the thought of his third win. Rag Trade however had other ideas and landed only fractionally behind Red Rum.
He quickly and easily accelerated to gain a four length advantage on ‘Rummy’ who had an extra twelve pounds against him.
As they neared the last few fences, Rag Trade, ridden by jockey John Burke, took the lead. Red Rum, known for his incredible finishing ability, tried to close the gap, but Rag Trade held on, crossing the finish line first by two lengths.
The time recorded was 9 minutes and 20.6 seconds. It was an exhilarating finish that saw Rag Trade pause Red Rum's dream of a third win.
Secret to Success
The secret of Rag Trades success? It definitely wasn’t his jumping ability, nor was he by any means graceful.
In fact jockey John Francombe had stated that he was ‘the most horrible horse I’ve ever ridden’ while Mercy Rimmell, Fred’s wife and working partner described him as ‘a great big common horse who looked like a Suffolk Punch.’
He blundered through fences and was extremely clumsy but he had such power that any negatives were quickly outweighed.
He didn’t return to the National the following year following an acrimonious break-up of the ownership partnership (he had been part-owned by Bill Lawrie and Herbert Keen, as well as Mr Raymond), and was returned to his original trainer.
Final Years
After his Grand National triumph, Rag Trade continued to race but never quite reached the same heights again.
On returning to the race in 1978, he was twelve years old and carried five pounds more, yet he had he was being ridden by Jonjo O’Neill, so was the 8-1 favourite.
However he was pulled up lame before Becher's on the the second circuit, after which he sadly had to be euthanised.
Rag Trade’s 1976 Grand National win is a story of determination, skill, and the unpredictable nature of horse racing.
While Red Rum remains the most famous horse to have graced Aintree, Rag Trade’s name will forever be remembered as the horse that denied a legend, if only for a year.
