Horse Racing

UK Mourns Legendary Trainer Donald “Ginger” McCain

Britain is currently grieving the passing of legendary trainer Donald “Ginger” McCain, who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 80.

McCain was best known for being the trainer of three-time Grand National winner Red Rum in the 1970s.

Charles Barnett, who was the former director of the home of the Grand National (Aintree Racecourse), had only kind words to say about McCain.

“Ginger was instrumental in helping to save the Grand National,” Barnett said.

“At that time in the early 1970′s when Red Rum was winning his three races, Ginger was very supportive to it (Grand National) and he got the public very much behind the appeal to purchase the track.

“It was an extraordinary training feat and an extraordinary horse he trained. But not just the horse, Ginger himself was very important to the race and to the venue.

“He was a marvellous man who always spoke his own mind and he was always very supportive of us at Aintree.”

McCain went on to win his fourth Grand National with Amberleigh House in 2004.

The trainer retired in 2006 and handed the horse racing business over to his son Donald Jr, who himself trained this year’s Grand National winner Ballabriggs.