4 minutes 1977: Red Rum Completes His Hat-Trick
We are now just one day away from the 2024 Grand National and it is time to conclude our countdown and reveal the greatest moment in Grand National history - and it is hardly a surprising choice!
No Grand National countdown would be complete without mentioning Red Rum and the legendary racehorse's third triumph takes first place in our countdown of the greatest Grand National moments.
1 - Red Rum Completes His Hat-Trick
Year: 1977
Winner: Red Rum
Odds: 9/1
Red Rum’s first Grand National win, in 1973 produced arguably the most exciting renewal the famous old steeplechase has ever witnessed. Red Rum and Crisp went to post as joint-favourites and what was to come would go down as one of the all-time great horse races. Bred in Australia, Crisp would win several high-profile races in his homeland before moving to the UK for the 1971 season. Carrying top weight of 12 stone, Crisp powered into a 33-length lead over the chasing pack before Red Rum emerged and began to hunt down the race leaders. Red Rum continued to close but as Crisp jumped the last fence he retained a lead of 15 lengths. Red Rum would finally usurp the long time leader on the long run for home to win by three quarters of a length in a new record time … and just like that, a star was born!
Red Rum returned in 1974 to become the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since Reynoldstown in 1935 and 1936. However his hopes of winning a record-breaking third Grand National were twice thwarted as he finished second in both 1975 and 1976,
Red Rum returned for a fifth time in 1977 and despite his advancing years, the twelve-year-old was well-supported in the betting beforehand, going off at just 9/1, Red Rum enjoyed some luck in-running with both Boom Docker and SP favourite, Andy Pandy both falling when holding commanding leads at different points during the race. Red Rum took the lead after Becher’s Brook (fence 22) and pulled further and further clear to eventually win by 25 lengths.
There was to be no further Grand National appearances for Red Rum as he suffered a hairline fracture in the build-up to the 1978 race. His retirement was announced on the eve of the 1978 Grand National. Upon his death in 1995, Red Rum was buried at the winning post at Aintree.
Finishing Positions
| Position | Name | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Red Rum | 9/1 |
| 2nd | Churchtown Boy | 20/1 |
| 3rd | Eyecatcher | 18/1 |
| 4th | The Pilgarlic | 40/1 |
| 5th | Forest King | 33/1 |
| 6th | What A Buck | 20/1 |
| 7th | Happy Ranger | 66/1 |
| 8th | Carroll Street | 50/1 |
| 9th | Collingwood | 50/1 |
| 10th | Hidden Value | 40/1 |
| 11th | Saucey Belle | 200/1 |
Non-Finishers
| Name | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Duffle Coat | 100/1 |
| High Ken | 50/1 |
| Huperade | 200/1 |
| Pengrail | 15/1 |
| Spittin' Image | 50/1 |
| War Bonnet | 16/1 |
| Willy What | 50/1 |
| Burrator | 50/1 |
| Davy Lad | 10/1 |
| Inycarra | 100/1 |
| Royal Thrust | 100/1 |
| Harban | 66/1 |
| Fort Vulgan | 50/1 |
| Castelruddery | 40/1 |
| Sebastian V | 22/1 |
| Winter Rain | 16/1 |
| Prince Rock | 18/1 |
| Sage Merlin | 20/1 |
| Boom Docker | 66/1 |
| Foresail | 100/1 |
| Roman Bar | 25/1 |
| Gay Vulgan | 9/1 |
| Lord of the Hills | 100/1 |
| Andy Pandy | 15/2 F |
| Brown Admiral | 28/1 |
| Nereo | 100/1 |
| The Songwriter | 200/1 |
| Sandwilan | |
| Sir Garnet | 20/1 |
| Zeta's Son | 18/1 |
| Barony Fort | 200/1 |
A Countdown Of The Greatest Grand National Moments
10. The Monday National (1997)
9. Golden Miller Creates History (1934)
8. Esha Ness wins the Grand National that never was (1993)
7. Ginger McCain wins a fourth Grand National (2004)
6. Tipperary Tim wins at 100/1 (1928)
5. McCoy Finally Rides A Grand National Winner (2010)
4. Devon Loch Falls On Home Straight (1956)
3. Aldaniti & Bob Champion Complete Remarkable Comeback (1981)
2. Foinavon Wins After Dramatic Pile Up (1967)
1. Red Rum Completes His Hat-Trick (1977)
