They said he was a 'one-horse trainer' but 'Mr Grand National' proved everyone wrong

Few horses loved the challenge of the Grand National course more than Amberleigh House. And almost no trainer enjoyed the world’s greatest steeplechase and Aintree Racecourse more than Ginger McCain.

So when the two came together it was a recipe for success that came to fruition in an emotional success 20 years ago this month.

And it remains particularly poignant to be looking back on the race with Amberleigh House, McCain and Liverpool-born owner John Halewood all no longer with us and with winning jockey Graham Lee still undergoing treatment at the Spinal Unit at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough after suffering serious life-changing spinal injuries when being unseated coming out of the stalls at Newcastle in November of last year.

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Irishman Lee is due to return home soon and despite his severe problems was hoping to do the London Marathon in his wheelchair. And it is that sort of determination and courage that both Lee and his mount Amberleigh House showed when they won the Aintree showpiece, coming from behind to collar Clan Royal and provide colourful trainer McCain with a record-equalling fourth success almost three decades on from his famous three victories with the legendary Red Rum.

Former taxi driver McCain, recalling that fourth success, before his death in September 2011, said: “I don’t think about records, but it was nice to win it one more time. Fred Rimell was a great trainer and he did it with four different horses, whereas I’ve only had two.”

Having won those three record Grand Nationals with Red Rum in 1973, 1974 and 1977, McCain’s stable had suffered from the weight of expectation and he was brushed off as a ‘one-horse’ trainer. But having moved from his Birkdale base at the back of a used-car lot to the more traditional-style Bankhouse Stables in Cholmondeley in the Cheshire countryside in 1990 the second coming of ‘Mr Grand National’ was hatched.

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McCain tried and failed to find another horse capable of making an impact at Aintree. But horses came and went, Hotplate pulled up twice in 1991 and 1992, Sure Metal fell in 1993 and was also last of 17 finishers under McCain’s son Donald in 1996.

Two runners in 1999 – Commercial Artist and Back Bar – both failed to trouble the main protagonists in the National and it appeared another McCain Aintree hero would prove elusive.

Then a year later McCain discovered Amberleigh House.

Born and bred in Ireland, Amberleigh House was initially trained by Limerick handler Michael Hourigan. But in 2000 McCain bought him on behalf of Wirral-based Halewood – founder and driving force of Merseyside drinks firm Halewood International.

And the return road to Aintree had begun.

Although Amberleigh House’s first taste of Aintree didn’t go to plan. Making his National debut in 2001, the Buckskin gelding could do little when, under Warren Marston, he was taken out of the race at the Canal Turn on the first circuit when the riderless Paddy’s Turn caused a melee.

It didn’t put Amberleigh House and McCain off and he landed a first victory over the big Aintree obstacles later that year. Despite being sent off a 33-1 outsider in the Becher Chase, he gave McCain – who was now being assisted in training duties by his son Donald – a first win over the National course since Red Rum’s historic third triumph in 1977.

It was the start of a love affair for Amberleigh House with Aintree. Despite that Becher Chase victory McCain was angered by the then Liverpool-born handicapper Phil Smith ahead of that season’s Grand National.

The weight Amberleigh House was handed wasn’t enough to let him make the cut for the Aintree marathon in 2002. He ran over the course anyway at that year’s Grand National Festival, finishing ninth in the 2m5f Topham Chase on Ladies Day – showing although he could cope with the fences, he needed a real test of stamina to be seen at his best.

The next season, after finishing second to Ardent Scout, under Tony Dobbin, in the defence of his Becher Chase crown, he ran a mighty race to be third 14 lengths behind Irish winner Monty’s Pass in his second crack at the big one.

Amberleigh House was proving adept over the Aintree obstacles and a new rider Lee had found the partner for the challenge. Despite being denied in a great battle with Clan Royal when beaten a short head in the third run in the Becher Chase in 2003, Amberleigh House would have the last laugh.

Sent off a 16-1 chance, his victory in the Grand National on April 3, 2004, at the age of 12 was reminiscent of Red Rum’s first success. As he slowly made his way through into contention having been hunting around for much of the race by Lee. As leader Clan Royal wandered and almost ran out at the Elbow, before being gathered back in by Liam Cooper, Amberleigh House and Lee made their move. They came late and fast down the outside to lead in the final 100 yards and score by three lengths from Clan Royal.

It was an emotional day for all with Merseysiders McCain and owner Halewood as well as boyhood Everton FC fan Lee.

After the race, a delighted Halewood said: “I told everyone Amberleigh House would win, and there would be no shortage of celebrations. It’s the best day of my life.”

Despite being a teenager Amberleigh House kept going back to Aintree for more. He was fifth in the 2004 Becher Chase, 10th in the 2005 National and seventh in the 2005 Becher Chase. In his Aintree swansong in the 2006 National, aged 14, he was pulled up before the 21st of the 30 fences.

He retired that year and died, aged 15, on April 27, 2017 having at the time jumped more Grand National fences – 259 – than any horse in history. Subsequent dual Becher Chase hero, the David Pipe-trained Vieux Lion Rouge, surpassed Amberleigh House’s record when he jumped 262 of the Aintree obstacles before his retirement two years ago.

McCain handed over the reins at Bankhouse Stables to assistant and son Donald in 2006, who won the Grand National himself with Ballabriggs in 2011. Later that year Ginger died two days before his 81st birthday on September 19. A bronze statue of the legendary trainer overlooking the winner’s enclosure was fittingly unveiled on the opening day of the 2012 Grand National.

Halewood also passed away just a month after McCain in October 2011, aged 64. His company, Halewood International, did sponsor the race under the Crabbie’s banner for three years from 2014 to 2016.

But 20 years on, the memories of Amberleigh House’s success are just as bright and vivid.

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