Red Rum Mural

Born in Ireland in 1965, Red Rum found fame in England in the 1970s, winning the prestigious Grand National at Aintree Racecourse a record three times.

Red Rum took his name from the last three letters of each of his parents’ names—his father was named Quorum and his mother Mared. The racehorse’s first few years were unremarkable until 1972 when he relocated to the quiet town of Southport in northwest England. Local car dealer and part-time trainer Ginger McCain bought Red Rum for 6,000 guineas on behalf of owner Noel le Mare.

McCain famously trained Rummy on Southport Beach and the sea water is said to have worked miracles, with the horse overcoming bone disease to win his first five races for McCain.

Not only did this equine hero go on to win the Grand National in 1973, 1974, and 1977, but he also took second place in 1975 and 1976. A record of success that remains unsurpassed to this day. Red Rum also won the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in 1974.

Red Rum died in 1995 at the age of 30. His body was buried at Aintree Racecourse.

Commissioned in 2020, the mural was painted on the gable end of an otherwise unassuming building in Southport town center by the artist Paul Curtis.

Red Rum is portrayed galloping along the sandy expanse of Southport Beach, splashing through the shallow sea at the water’s edge. The well-known UK Sports commentator Kelly Cates has called for this work of art to be declared a World Heritage Site.