Ginger McCain to be honoured by Aintree with a bronze bust
Ginger McCain is to be honoured by Aintree racecourse with a bronze bust.
The four-times Grand National winning trainer died in September aged 80. He famously won the race three times with Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977) and in 2004 with Amberleigh House.
The one-and-a-half times life-size bust will have its permanent home at the Liverpool track.
“When Aintree discussed the idea with us, we were thrilled that they had chosen to commemorate Dad’s achievements with a bronze portrait bust,” said trainer Donald Jr.
“It is fitting that the bust will be sited at Aintree, a place he held dear to his heart. We now look forward to seeing Nigel’s work in progress and I am sure we will feel great pride in unveiling the bust for all to see at the Grand National meeting in April.”
The bust will be produced by British sculptor, Nigel Boonham and the plan is to position it on the mound overlooking the Parade Ring.
Mr Boonham said: “When I was asked to make a portrait bust of Ginger McCain, I was immediately struck by what a marvellous, expressive, sculptural face he had, which is always an exciting start.
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“But more than that it was a chance to celebrate permanently in bronze, the familiar face of a legendary figure of Aintree, one who has touched a multitude of people who love horse racing, Aintree and of course Red Rum in particular.”
The plan is to unveil the bust at the 2012 Grand National meeting, which starts on 12 April.
Aintree’s chief executive Julian Thick talks about the memorial bust and this year’s meeting. [Click below to listen]
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.