Spring might, at last, be in the air, so let’s celebrate with this cover from ‘Horse & Hound’ back on 8 April 1977, capturing the departure of winter at long last and the promise of brighter days ahead.
But we’ve picked this issue out for more than just a chance to gawp at the daffs and the next generation of hounds. For this was the issue that celebrated the making of Grand National history, Red Rum’s third triumph in the race.
Under the heading ‘Red Rum – the greatest chaser in Grand National history’, John Oaksey waxed lyrical in praise of this extraordinary steed. “In five successive years, he has jumped the great course five times without making a single serious mistake. No other horse has ever won three Nationals, no other horse has been first or second five years running, and no other horse has ever covered those four and a half miles as fast as Red Rum did to beat Crisp in 1973.”
You can read the full report on a day that remains perhaps the greatest in Grand National history here.
