Toby McCain-Mitchell, 24, will ride in his first Grand National on Saturday with a lock of Red Rum's hair sewn into his gloves for good luck. The grandson of legendary trainer Ginger McCain, who saddled Red Rum to three Grand National victories, only turned professional last year.
McCain-Mitchell's mother, Joanne, kept locks of Red Rum's mane after the horse's death in 1995. The hair has traditionally been sewn into the bridles of horses running for the family over the Aintree fences. Toby will carry a piece in his gloves as he navigates the four-and-a-quarter-mile course.
“Typically all of Donald’s horses will have a bit of Red Rum’s mane sewn into the brow bands if they run over the National fences,” McCain-Mitchell said. “It’s a bit silly but it’s just for good luck. He used to do well over them, so it can’t do any harm.”
McCain-Mitchell will become the first of Ginger's five grandchildren to have an association with the race. He recalled his grandfather's sense of humour and his uncle Donald's 2011 victory with Ballabriggs. “Aintree is like a family obsession,” he added.
