A minute’s silence has been held at Bangor-on-Dee following the death of Beryl McCain, the wife of the late Red Rum trainer Ginger – on the same day their son Donald recorded his 250th course winner.
On Saturday morning (16 May) the McCain family announced with great sadness that Beryl had died peacefully in her sleep during the early hours, aged 88.
“It leaves a huge hole in our family but we take great peace in knowing that her and dad are now reunited. Rest in peace, Mum,” said a family tribute.
Beryl, a respected figure in the racing community, was married to Ginger for 50 years, supporting him throughout his phenomenal career which included three Grand National wins with the legendary Red Rum. When Ginger retired after the 2006 Grand National he handed the training business to Donald, and Beryl remained a big supporter.
Pictured Beryl McCain.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
A minute’s silence was observed on Saturday for Beryl at Bangor-on-Dee, where Donald had six runners. That afternoon, Harry Cobden rode Grain d’Oudairies to victory by one length in the Grand Wynnstay Handicap Chase, to give Donald his 250th win at his local track.
Donald told the Racing Post the jockeys wore black armbands in honour of his mother and described it as a “really special”.
“None of us expected that and it was a lovely gesture. It had only happened that morning, so it had hit us quite quickly,” he said.
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Patrick Chesters, racing director at Chester Race Company, said the 250th course winner was a “phenomenal milestone for Donald”.
“We’re extremely proud of the relationship between his team and ours at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee,” he said.
“Evidently, Donald is one of the best in the business and we always see a top calibre of racing from his runners and riders. Huge congratulations are in order.”
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
