GRAND NATIONAL HERO BALLABRIGGS DIES AGED 25

Ballabriggs, the horse who returned the McCain name to the top of the Grand National roll of honour in 2011, has died at the age of 25. Trainer Donald McCain announced the news on Monday, saying the gelding had passed away that morning. He had spent his retirement at the late Trevor Hemmings' Ballaseyr Stud on the Isle of Man, where he will be laid to rest.

Paying tribute on social media, McCain said the yard was "eternally grateful for the amazing days and memories he gave us", adding that Ballabriggs had allowed him to fulfil a lifetime ambition by winning the great race.

A FAMILY AFFAIR AT AINTREE

Ridden by Jason Maguire and sent off at 14-1, Ballabriggs led for much of the 2011 National and kept on bravely to hold Oscar Time by two and a quarter lengths, with the previous year's winner Don't Push It back in third. His time of nine minutes 1.2 seconds was the second fastest in the history of the race.

The victory carried particular resonance at Aintree. McCain's father, Ginger, had famously won the National three times with Red Rum and again with Amberleigh House, and his son had now written his own chapter in the family story. For Hemmings it was a second success in the race following Hedgehunter in 2005, and Many Clouds would add a third for the owner in 2015.

A LONG-TERM PLAN

Ballabriggs had announced himself as a horse of real potential at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, where he landed the Kim Muir at 9-1. Hemmings' racing manager Michael Meagher told the Racing Post that the National had been a long-term plan for a big horse, standing over 17 hands, whom he remembered as "a super jumper".

He returned to Aintree twice more, finishing sixth behind Neptune Collonges in 2012 and being pulled up in the race won by Auroras Encore a year later, after which he was retired. He ended his career with seven wins from 28 starts and more than £620,000 in prize-money, but it is that spring afternoon in 2011 for which he will always be remembered.