The legacy of a racing dynasty is about to come full circle as the grandson of the legendary Red Rum trainer, Ginger McCain, prepares for his inaugural ride in the Grand National. Carrying a piece of family history with him, Toby McCain-Mitchell will have a lock of the iconic horse’s hair tucked in his gloves for luck.
At 24, Toby McCain-Mitchell is set to continue his family’s storied tradition in the world-renowned steeplechase. This Saturday, he will mount the 10-year-old gelding, Top Of The Bill, at the Liverpool racecourse, aiming to add to his family’s remarkable achievements.
His grandfather, Ginger McCain, forever etched his name in Grand National history by guiding Red Rum to an unprecedented three victories in 1973, 1974, and 1977. He later claimed a fourth win with Amberleigh House in 2004, a record that remains unbeaten.
The racing prowess didn’t stop there. Toby’s uncle, Donald McCain, also made his mark by training Ballabriggs to victory in 2011, further reinforcing the family’s legacy.
After Red Rum’s passing in October 1995, Toby’s mother, Joanne, held onto a treasured memento—a lock of Red Rum’s mane. This piece of history has been carefully sewn into the bridles of every horse from the McCain stable that braved the Grand National fences, symbolizing the enduring spirit of their champion lineage.
Following Red Rum’s death in October 1995, Toby’s mother, Joanne, kept hair from his mane which has been sewn into the bridle of every horse that has navigated the Grand National fences for the famous horse training dynasty ever since.
But now Toby, a former point-to-point amateur jockey who turned professional in August last year, is hoping that an extra lock of the superstar horse’s mane in his riding gloves will help him write his own chapter of Aintree history this weekend.
‘It’s a bit silly but it’s just for good luck,’ he said. ‘Red Rum used to do well over them, so it can’t do any harm!’
Ginger McCain (pictured back) with his grandchildren (from left to right) Toby McCain-Mitchell, Ella McCain (Donald McCain’s daughter), Noah McCain-Mitchell (Toby’s brother) and Abbie McCain (Donald McCain’s daughter)
Toby McCaine-Mitchell, 24, who will be riding in his first Grand National on Saturday with a lock of hair from the mane of legendary three-time winner Red Rum
Toby McCain-Mitchell riding grey Good Friday Fairy at Taunton last month
Red Rum making history by winning the Grand National for a third time in 1977
Toby is too young to remember any of his grandfather’s winners in the big race but vividly recalls Ballabriggs’ victory for his uncle in 2011.
He said: ‘I remember Ballabriggs – I was at my friend’s house. (It was) on the telly in his living room and we were jumping up and down. I couldn’t believe it.
‘Aintree is like a family obsession. We all support Liverpool FC (as well) – it’s just the be all and end all.
‘It was a massive box ticked when I rode over the Grand National fences (for the first time) in the Foxhunters’ (Chase) – the most special part of that was seeing my Nana, that was quite emotional. It brought back feelings of grandad.’
Toby, who is riding for trainers Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies this weekend, will be the first of the late McCain’s grandchildren to take on the four-mile steeplechase.
Although several members of his family will be at Aintree on Saturday, he said his ‘proud’ mother might find it too hard to watch.
‘Mum is definitely bursting with pride and excitement, but I can’t imagine she’ll be watching,’ he added.
‘She will go and stand at grandad’s famous spot where the plaque is, just behind the bookies, so I’d say she’d have her back turned for most of it.’
Toby, who was aged just nine when his grandfather died, said he has few racing memories of McCain but remembers him being a ‘good grandad.’
Four-time Grand National winner Ginger McCain, who died aged 80 in September 2011
Red Rum is lead past spectators in a tribute following the 1992 Grand National race
‘I have good memories of racing up and down Donald’s yard on our push bikes, stealing the lads’ whips and whipping the back wheel,’ he said.
‘We’d be racing up and down the yard doing everyone’s head in, pretending to ride a finish.’
Although it is 53 years since Red Rum’s first victory in the race, the impact and influence of the three-time winner on the McCain family is still evident.
The legendary Irish-bred horse was famously buried at the winner’s post at Aintree following his death, aged 30 in 1995.
As well as winning the race three times, he also also came second in 1975 and 1976.
His 1973 victory, which saw him comeback from 30 lengths behind is considered the greatest Grand National in history.
Toby’s first ride at Aintree, in the 2023 Foxhunters’ Chase – the show piece of the first day of racing at the three-day festival – also came on the 50th anniversary of that first win, which he described as ‘special.’
‘Red Rum’s just a legend,’ he said.
‘He was around so long but people forget his longevity. He also finished second in between those three wins.
‘Back then it was such a different race to what it is now – it’s perhaps a bit of a classier race today – he doesn’t perhaps get the props he deserves.
‘He was magic and it’s nice to try and keep a bit of the legacy going.’
Despite his enthusiasm for the big race, which is sponsored by Randox, Toby will have his work cut out to cross the tape first, with Top Of The Bill currently a 125-1 outsider.
He said: ‘There’s no arguing that he’s up against it, but he’s a proven stayer and has run well over further than three miles.
‘He’s got a lot of characteristics of a National horse, so hopefully we get a safe trip round and give it our best go – that’s all you can ask.’
