Ginger McCain's legacy remains intact - Mick Fitzgerald

McCain won the National with Red Rum and Amberleigh House

Former Grand National winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald says despite the death of Ginger McCain, the family's Aintree tradition remains in very safe hands.

McCain, who has died aged 80, had four Grand National wins to his name.

"I'll always remember seeing him after his son Donald won the race in Apil this year with Ballabriggs," Fitzgerald told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He was proud of that achievement, but also that Donald was continuing the National legacy of the McCain family."

Ginger McCain won the race with the legendary Red Rum in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The horse also came second in the Aintree spectacular in 1975 and 1976.

Those victories established McCain's position at horse racing's top table.

The former permit holder, who began his training career with a few horse boxes at the back of a second hand car showroom in Southport, then came back to win the world's greatest steeplechase Amberleigh House in 2004.

Fitzgerald, who rode for McCain on many occasions, actually won the Grand National himself in 1996 on Rough Quest.

"He was unique, every time I think of Ginger, he certainly brings a smile to my face," Fitzgerald continued. "I think that's probabaly one of the biggest compliments you can ever pay somebody.

"Everytime anyone had anything negative to say about the Grand National you could almost see Ginger's blood boil. He would fight for the National - as far as he was concerned it was the worlds greatest horse race."