1977 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 1977 Grand National (known as the News of the World
Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National
horse race
that took place at Aintree
near Liverpool
, England
, on 2 April 1977.
The race is best remembered for being Red Rum
's third Grand National win, a record that still stands today.
Before the race, Red Rum was generally thought too old — at the age of 12 — to win the Grand National for a third time, having come home first in 1973
and 1974, and second in 1975 and 1976. However, being jockeyed by Tommy Stack
for the second consecutive National, the gelding
clinched his unprecedented third title, bringing his career earnings to a then steeplechasing record of £114,000.
Red Rum's 1976/77 season had begun badly. After an initial small win at Carlisle
, he appeared lacklustre in his next four races, and owner Ginger McCain
lost confidence in him. However, the horse finally returned somewhat to his best form when coming sixth in his preparatory race to the 1977 Grand National, the Greenall Whitley Chase at Haydock
. In his last gallop before the National, he was back in fine form.
Red Rum was given the top weight for Aintree, but it had dropped to 11 stone, 8 lb.
It wasn't until the Becher's Brook
fence on the second circuit of the course that Red Rum went into first position, when the leader and pre-race favourite, Andy Pandy, fell. There were two equine fatalities on the second circuit when Winter Rain fell at Becher's and Zeta's Son at Valentine's; both were later euthanised.
Red Rum's lead grew gradually, and he came home 25 lengths ahead of second-placed Churchtown Boy and Eyecatcher in third. Only nine of the 42 runners completed the race.
The 1977 National was also notable for being the first in which a female jockey participated. 21-year-old Charlotte Brew almost completed the course, though she was a long way behind the leaders. Her horse, Barony Fort, refused at the 26th fence.
News of the World
The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations...
Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
horse race
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
that took place at Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
near Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on 2 April 1977.
The race is best remembered for being Red Rum
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
's third Grand National win, a record that still stands today.
Before the race, Red Rum was generally thought too old — at the age of 12 — to win the Grand National for a third time, having come home first in 1973
1973 Grand National
The 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
and 1974, and second in 1975 and 1976. However, being jockeyed by Tommy Stack
Tommy Stack
Tommy Stack is a former National Hunt racing jockey and current National Hunt trainer. As a jockey, he is probably best-known for piloting Red Rum to a third Grand National victory. Stack was National Hunt Champion Jockey for the 1974-75 and 1976-77 seasons. He got his first trainer's license in...
for the second consecutive National, the gelding
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
clinched his unprecedented third title, bringing his career earnings to a then steeplechasing record of £114,000.
Red Rum's 1976/77 season had begun badly. After an initial small win at Carlisle
Carlisle Racecourse
Carlisle Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located at Blackwell, Cumbria village, near Carlisle, Cumbria, England. The course has been on its present site since 1904, when it moved there from another location near Carlisle. The course is 1m 4f in circumference, right handed, and hosts...
, he appeared lacklustre in his next four races, and owner Ginger McCain
Ginger McCain
Donald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...
lost confidence in him. However, the horse finally returned somewhat to his best form when coming sixth in his preparatory race to the 1977 Grand National, the Greenall Whitley Chase at Haydock
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
. In his last gallop before the National, he was back in fine form.
Red Rum was given the top weight for Aintree, but it had dropped to 11 stone, 8 lb.
It wasn't until the Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year...
fence on the second circuit of the course that Red Rum went into first position, when the leader and pre-race favourite, Andy Pandy, fell. There were two equine fatalities on the second circuit when Winter Rain fell at Becher's and Zeta's Son at Valentine's; both were later euthanised.
Red Rum's lead grew gradually, and he came home 25 lengths ahead of second-placed Churchtown Boy and Eyecatcher in third. Only nine of the 42 runners completed the race.
The 1977 National was also notable for being the first in which a female jockey participated. 21-year-old Charlotte Brew almost completed the course, though she was a long way behind the leaders. Her horse, Barony Fort, refused at the 26th fence.
Finishing order
| Position | Horse | Jockey Jockey A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:... |
Age | Weight (st-lb) | SP | Distance |
| 1st | Red Rum Red Rum Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years... |
Tommy Stack Tommy Stack Tommy Stack is a former National Hunt racing jockey and current National Hunt trainer. As a jockey, he is probably best-known for piloting Red Rum to a third Grand National victory. Stack was National Hunt Champion Jockey for the 1974-75 and 1976-77 seasons. He got his first trainer's license in... |
12 | 11-08 | 9/1 | 25 lengths |