Rag Trade (1966–1978) was a British-bred

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

who competed in

National Hunt racing In horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Republic of Ireland, National Hunt racing requires horses to jump fences and ditches. National Hunt racing in the UK is informally known as "jumps" and is divided into two major distinct branches: ...

. He is best known for winning the

1976 Grand National The 1976 Grand National (officially known as the ''News of the World'' Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 130th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 April 1976. The r ...

, denying

Red Rum Red Rum (3 May 1965 – 18 October 1995) was a champion Thoroughbred steeplechaser. He achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years, 1975 and ...

a third victory.

Background

Sired in Ireland by Menelek out of The Rage, Rag Trade was bred by Ian Williams, the son of Evan Williams who had won the 1937 Grand National on Royal Mail.

Racing career

Rag Trade's first trainer was George Fairbairn but by the time he was nine years old his racing record was poor, having only won two races. Due to this he was put up for sale in 1975 and was bought by Pierre Raymond for 18,000 guineas, in a public auction at Doncaster. Bessone later sold two 25% shares in the horse to businessmen William Lawrie and Herbert Keane. With trainer Arthur Pitt the horse ran the

1975 Grand National The 1975 Grand National (officially known as the ''News of the World'' Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 129th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 1975. The ...

under up-and-coming jockey

John Francome John Francome (born 13 December 1952) is a retired 7 time British Champion Jump Jockey. In addition to being a successful jockey, Francome was previously a racing trainer, broadcaster with Channel 4 and an author. Racing career Francome fir ...

. However, the lack of preparation was evident and Rag Trade could only finish in tenth place. However, following the National Rag Trade quickly improved and three weeks later he won the

Midlands Grand National The Midlands Grand National is a Listed National Hunt race in Great Britain. It is a handicap steeplechase and is run at Uttoxeter Racecourse in March, over a distance of about 4 miles and 2 furlongs (4 ...

at Uttoexeter before he was sent to trainer

Fred Rimell Thomas Frederic Rimell (24 June 1913 – 12 July 1981), better known as Fred Rimell, was a British champion National Hunt racing jockey and horse trainer. He was champion jockey three times and leading trainer five times. Rimell was the fi ...

at his Kinnersley stables. With Rimell as trainer and under stable jockey John Burke, Rag Trade had a successful 1976 with five wins including the

Welsh Grand National The Coral Welsh Grand National is a Premier Handicap National Hunt racing, National Hunt Steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years ...

at Chepstow. This good start to the year saw Rag Trade start the

in great form with odds of 14-1 but a huge challenge of stopping the formidable

. Rag Trade started the race well but was in contention for the lead with four other horses approaching the last fence. Red Rum was leading with Rag Trade close behind but Rag Trade accelerated to gain a four length advantage over the heavier Red Rum. Rag Trade held this lead to the finish to win the race. Rag Trade ran in the 1978 Grand National under new trainer George Fairbairn and jockey

Jonjo O'Neill John Joseph "Jonjo" O'Neill (born 13 April 1952) is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England. O'Neill ...

. He started the race as 8/1 favourite but pulled up lame during the second circuit before fence 22, after which he was euthanised.

Grand National record

Pedigree

References

{{reflist 1966 racehorse births Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom Grand National winners 1978 racehorse deaths