A Grand National Legend: Red Rum

At the 1973 Grand National, Red Rum beat the Australian chaser Crisp, who was carrying 23 pounds more, in a new record time of nine minutes, 1.9 seconds. Crisp led the field virtually all the way in that year's National in which he was 30 lengths clear, and at the last fence was 15 lengths clear of Red Rum, his nearest pursuer. Red Rum and jockey Brian Fletcher, however, made up the ground on the final stretch and, two strides from the finishing post, pipped the tiring Crisp to win by three-quarters of a length in what is often considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. Crisp's jockey Richard Pitman later stated: "I still dream about that race, of Crisp running so strongly and jumping so fearlessly, and then the sound of Red Rum's hooves as he got closer and closer at the end." He added: "I felt as though I was tied to a railway line with an express train thundering up and being unable to jump out of the way." A year later, Red Rum retained his title at the 1974 National, carrying 12 stone.

Red Rum came second in 1975 and 1976; Tommy Stack replaced Fletcher as jockey in the latter race after Fletcher angered trainer Ginger McCain by telling the press the horse no longer felt right after a defeat in a race away from Aintree. Again, Red Rum saved his best for Aintree but was held off by Rag Trade. The following year, Stack rode the 12-year-old Red Rum to his record third Grand National triumph, in what is regarded as one of the greatest moments in horse racing history.

A magazine article about what makes a good stayer:

The Speed Gene

The Equinome scientists have discovered that the genetic sequencing at a particular point of the myostatin gene is the principal factor in determining optimal distance for an individual racing thoroughbred.  It works like this.  There are two different variations of the myostatin gene at that particular point – C for speed and T for stamina.  As an individual carries two copies of each genetic sequence, there are 3 possible genetic possibilities (CC, CT, or TT) with each of these genetic combinations having an optimum racing distance.  CC would be a speedy, sprint type (best suited to distance s of 5 furlongs to a mile), CT would be a fast middle-distance type individual (performing well over 7 as a juvenile, but training on to 12 furlongs at three and beyond) and TT would indicate a staying type (10 furlongs and beyond).

An image from the Aintree website about the upcoming 2014 Grand National and some of their promotional text:

From the legendary triple-winning success of Red Rum, to the 2013 race, when Auroras Encore took the honours, there is always a story to be told.

Once again the world will stop in its tracks, as 600 million people watch live on television. 40 horses and jockeys will line up to race across the famous fences including Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn, Valentine’s and The Chair.

You could be at Aintree to witness the drama unfold in person and to watch the hero come through at the end.

From the Tattersalls enclosure, the balcony of Amberleigh House, or as the horses flash past the Winning Post outside the window of the Princess Royal Restaurant, take your place for ‘The Grandest Show, The Greatest Drama’.

Completely unscripted. Totally captivating.

A history of the steeplechase:

The steeplechase originated in Ireland in the 18th century as an analogue to cross-country thoroughbred horse races which went from church steeple to church steeple, hence "steeplechase". Most of the earlier steeplechases were contested cross-country rather than on a track, and resembled English cross country as it exists today. The first recorded steeplechase over a prepared track with fences was run at Bedford in 1810, although a race had been run at Newmarket in 1794 over a mile with five-foot bars every quarter mile. The first recognised English National Steeplechase took place on Monday 8 March 1830. The 4-mile (6.4 km) race, organised by Thomas Coleman of St Albans, was run from Bury Orchard, Harlington in Bedfordshire to the Obelisk in Wrest Park, Bedfordshire.

A map of the Grand National course at Aintree:

Channel 4 also did a programme about dissecting a racehorse from their 'Inside Natures Giants' series. The programme focussed on the physical strains a thoroughbred experiences when it is racing, the breeding process and gave a simple guide to how a racehorses body works.

Inside Natures Giants: Racehorse

There was a programme made by channel 4 last year called 'How to Win the Grand National' which was broadcast the day before the big race.

It focussed on training, genes, conformation, training and the jockey and gave a great insight into what goes into making a Grand National winning horse.

How to Win the Grand National

Gillian Higgins paints horses with non-toxic chalk to show the way their bones and muscles work when they are moving and jumping.

'Horses inside out' Website

Corresponding racecards for final piece:

Rough idea for final piece:

This piece by Jo Longhurst titled '12 Dogs, 12 Bitches' consists of 24 photographs of champion greyhounds which have been placed in a grid for comparison.

This piece titled 'Half Brother' is by Mark Wallinger and was painted to identify the similarities between two related racing thoroughbreds.

The last 14 winners of the grand national and their details:

***HOW TO WIN THE GRAND NATIONAL***

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NEW PROJECT STARTING JANUARY 2014

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