There are few other sports in the world where the trainer is as well known as the athlete. Sure, we can all rattle off Premier League managers, but do you know who trained Usain Bolt to eight Olympic Gold medals? Or who coached Serena Williams to her 23 Grand Slam titles?
When it comes to horse racing, the trio of trainer, jockey and horse is like the holy trinity. You simply cannot succeed without all three being in perfect sync.
That is why Willie Mullins is as famous as AP McCoy and Red Rum or why Aidan O’Brien is as renowned as Frankie Dettori and Secretariat. No matter the trainer, the racehorse or the jockey, it takes a team to win the big races. And none is bigger than the Grand National.
Sure, a trainer can get really lucky and stumble across the horse of a lifetime that can beat the odds and take victory at Aintree. And there have been plenty over the years that have seen the winner’s enclosure up close.
Some have even been blessed enough to enjoy multiple victories. But only three have ever won this race four times.
George Dockeray: The Pioneer
Who knew that all the way back in 1839, when the first ever Grand National was run, the winning trainer would still be in the record books nearly 200 years later?
George Dockeray was a trailblazer in the world of horse racing. He began his career as a flat racing jockey before transitioning to training with stables located in Epsom.
His first win was with Lottery in 1839, the year now recognised as the first official Grand National. Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason, won at odds of 5/1, completing the course in 14 minutes and 53 seconds – the slowest winning time in the race’s history.
Of course, odds back then weren’t calculated in the same way they are now, and most betting would have been technically not legal in 1839, so unlike the options at Novibet sports betting that we have today, a punter would have had to be at the course to put a couple of shillings on their favourite horse.
In 1840, Dockeray repeated his success with Jerry, ridden by Mr. Bartholomew Bretherton. The horse won at odds of 12/1, improving on the previous year’s time with 12 minutes and 30 seconds.
Dockeray’s third victory came in 1842 with Gaylad, ridden by Tom Olliver. Gaylad won at odds of 7/1, completing the course in 13 minutes and 30 seconds.
His final Grand National triumph was with Miss Mowbray in 1852. This victory was particularly notable as Miss Mowbray was one of only 13 mares to have won the Grand National and the last to do so since Nickel Coin in 1951.
Dockeray’s ability to train four different horses to victory in the Grand National is even more impressive considering the challenging nature of the early Grand National courses, which included stone walls and ploughed fields.
Fred Rimell: The Modern Master
Fred Rimell was a dominant force in National Hunt racing for over three decades. Before becoming a trainer, Rimell was a successful jockey, winning the Champion Jockey title three times.
Rimell’s first Grand National victory came in 1956 with E.S.B., ridden by Dave Dick. This win was surrounded by controversy as E.S.B. only won after the Queen Mother’s horse, Devon Loch, inexplicably collapsed within sight of the finishing post while holding a clear lead.
In 1961, Rimell claimed his second Grand National with Nicolaus Silver, ridden by Bobby Beasley. Nicolaus Silver was a 28/1 outsider, making this victory particularly sweet for Rimell.
Rimell’s third win came in 1970 with Gay Trip, ridden by Pat Taaffe. Gay Trip won at odds of 15/1, showcasing Rimell’s ability to prepare a horse perfectly for the big day.
His final Grand National victory was perhaps his most impressive. In 1976, Rag Trade, ridden by John Burke, defeated the legendary Red Rum, who was seeking his third Grand National victory.
Rag Trade’s victory at 14/1 odds cemented Rimell’s status as a Grand National maestro.
Rimell’s success wasn’t limited to the Grand National. He was champion trainer five times and the first jump trainer to earn his owners £1 million in prize money.
His training methods, particularly his “loose schooling” approach, were innovative for his time and contributed significantly to his success.
Ginger McCain: The Red Rum Years and Beyond
Donald “Ginger” McCain is perhaps the most famous of the three four-time winning trainers, largely due to his association with the legendary Red Rum.
McCain’s first three Grand National victories all came with Red Rum. It began in 1973 in what is often described as one of the greatest Grand Nationals ever.
Red Rum, ridden by Brian Fletcher, overcame a 30-length deficit to beat Crisp in the final strides, setting a new course record.
Red Rum and Fletcher repeated their success in 1974, carrying the top weight of 12 stone. This victory was a testament to both the horse’s ability and McCain’s training skills. No other horse has won the Grand National carrying top weight since.
In 1977, Red Rum, then aged 12 and ridden by Tommy Stack, completed a historic third Grand National victory.
This achievement, alongside two additional second-place finishes, made Red Rum a household name and secured McCain’s place in racing history.
McCain’s fourth Grand National victory came 27 years later, in 2004, with Amberleigh House.
Ridden by Graham Lee, Amberleigh House, who has since passed away, won at odds of 16/1, proving that McCain’s training abilities extended far beyond his partnership with Red Rum.
McCain’s success is often attributed to his unconventional training methods. He famously trained Red Rum on the Southport beach, believing the salt water would help with the horse’s chronic foot problem.
Their Legacy
These three trainers – Dockeray, Rimell, and McCain – stand alone in Grand National history. Their achievements span two centuries of racing, from the race’s earliest days to the modern era.
Each trainer brought their own unique approach to preparing horses for the gruelling test that is the Grand National.
Their success stories are not just about the horses they trained or the races they won. They’re about innovation, perseverance, and a deep understanding of both horses and racing.
From Dockeray’s pioneering efforts in the 19th century to McCain’s beach training in the late 20th century, these trainers have left a mark on the world’s greatest steeplechase.
Can Anybody Join Them?
There are quite a few current trainers with two wins under their belt. The likes of Lucinda Russell, Willie Mullins and Nigel Twiston-Davies have all won twice in the last twenty years.
However, only one trainer has three wins to date, and that is Gordon Elliott. With Silver Birch in 2007 and Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019, if he manages to saddle another winner, he will join the legends of the race and make history.
Maybe he’ll do it in 2025!
