Ballabriggs

Ballabriggs is a retired racehorse who won the Grand National in 2011 at Aintree for his trainer Donald McCain.

The bay gelding was owned by Trevor Hemmings and was successful in seven of his 28 starts in rules races.

His victory in the world's most famous steeplechase chase was Donald's first as a trainer but continued his family's excellent record in the race as his father Ginger also prevailed on four occasions, with Red Rum counting for three of those.

Ballabriggs made his debut at the age of five at Uttoxeter on May 14, 2006. He started out in a national hunt flat race where he finished fifth at the Midlands track.

His next outing was over hurdles, also at Uttoxeter where he was disappointing as he came home near the rear of the field.

It took the horse 12 starts before getting off the mark. He did so over fences where he showed a lot more promise. The victory was in a beginners chase at Bangor-on-dee. 

During 2010 he had recorded three wins in as many starts, including success at the Cheltenham Festival in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup, which takes place over 3m1f. McCain's runner had to see off Faasel in the closing stages up the hill at Prestbury Park and did so by half a length.

Connections stated they were aiming their horse at a shot at the Grand National during the 2010/2011 season. His first run of the campaign was at Wincanton where he won a 2m6f novices' hurdle. He then remained over hurdles at Ayr later that month for his fifth straight victory. His last warm up before Aintree came at Kelso, this time over fences where he was beaten at odds of 8/13 by Skippers Brig. Jason Maguire rode Ballabriggs to Grand National success in the 40 runner field by over two lengths ahead of Oscar Time, defending champion Don't Push It and State of Play. He did so off 11 stone and recorded a time of 9m 1.2s on good ground.

In 2012 Ballabriggs returned to the same race, 12 months on from his famous win, where he was looking to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to pick up back-to-back renewals. He was unable to do so as he finished sixth in the race won by Neptune Collonges.

A third shot at the Grand National came in 2013, which was the last outing of his career as he was pulled up by Maguire midway through the 4m4f contest.

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