Red Rum remembered in the sand he galloped on, nearly 50 years on

Nearly 50 years after he was trained there, a 50x50m portrait has been created of the legendary Red Rum on Ainsdale Beach.

Sand artist Sean Corcoran used a garden rake to recreate Rummy in the sand on which he galloped in preparation for his three Grand National victories.

Bookmaker Coral commissioned the portrait in memory of the Ginger McCain-trained superstar, who won in 1973, 1974 and 1977. It was also in celebration of the fact Red Rum came top of a public poll to find the most popular Grand National winner of all time, ahead of this year’s race (9 April).

Coral’s David Stevens said: “It may be 45 years since that historic third Grand National triumph, but four and a half decades on, Red Rum is still the most popular winner of the world’s most famous race, and the portrait of Rummy on the beach where he was trained was our tribute to the legend ahead of this year’s renewal.”

More than 700 people took part in the poll, in which two-time winner Tiger Roll came second, and Aldaniti, who recovered from a career-threatening injury to win in 1981 under Bob Champion, who had recovered from cancer, third.

Many Clouds and Hedgehunter were voted fourth and fifth, with 100-1 2009 winner Mon Mome sixth, followed by Don’t Push It, Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, West Tip and Red Marauder.

Artist Mr Corcoran, who took six hours to create the portrait using an adjustable rake, working against the tide, said: “Like everyone, I love the Grand National and Red Rum is a true sporting legend. I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to him than by recreating a portrait on the beach on which he trained.”

You might also be interested in:

Red Rum: the three-time Grand National winner who ‘belonged’ at Aintree

Grand National legend Red Rum: 8 unseen images of ‘the people’s horse’

Photographer Jeremy Hoare reveals his mostly unseen and unpublished images of Red Rum

Red Rum and Potters Corner win virtual Grand Nationals: £2.6m raised for NHS

Potters Corner was the winner of the race that never was, with Red Rum securing yet another triumph with victory

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now