WHEN Red Rum won a historic third Grand National Oxfordshire jockey Philip Blacker galloped over the line in seventh place.

Now, exactly 40 years later, he has created 400 miniature sculptures of the famous horse, allowing fans to take home a version of the life-size statue which stands at Aintree racecourse.

Mr Blacker, who lives in Faringdon, has a rich Grand National history of his own having competed nine times.

He became a sculptor after retiring from race-riding in 1982 having ridden 340 winners.

After turning his passion for art into a career as a sculptor Mr Blacker was commissioned to create the Red Rum sculpture at Aintree.

Today’s race marks the 40th anniversary of Red Rum’s historic triumph and Mr Blacker has created 400 statuettes to mark the occasion.

He said: “Because he was revered as ‘The People’s Horse’ I really wanted to produce an affordable piece of art which I think is as true as possible to Rummy’s spirit.

“He had small feet and he could be an absolute so and so.

“But then he’d get on that beach or on a racecourse, and he’d get up on those toes, and he’d be dancing around.

“He was a real joy to watch.

“Even, as I found to my cost on the racecourse, usually from behind.”

Mr Blacker came closer to Red Rum in 1973 when he came fourth in the year of Rummy’s first triumph.

The former Wantage resident was also less than 50ft away from spoiling the Bob Champion story when he came third behind Aldanti in the 1981 National.

Mr Champion recovered from cancer while his horse came back from a career-threatening injury to win the race.

Mr Blacker was encouraged to take up sculpting by former jockey and journalist Brough Scott and respected sculptor Margot Dent and his first commission was the job of designing the 1986 Grand National trophy.

He was then commissioned to create the life-size statue at the racecourse in Merseyside, which was unveiled in 1988 and stands in the old parade ring.

Mr Blacker said: “They wanted me to capture Red Rum’s character – the way he came alight when racing, the sense of purpose that he bought to his racing.”

Mr Blacker’s other works include statues of Persian Punch and Newmarket, Desert Orchard at Kempton and Best Mate at Cheltenham.

The statuettes have been sold during the Grand National meeting, which started on Thursday and ends later today.

Racegoers have had the chance to meet Mr Blacker, who has signed the bronze plinth of each likeness of the horse.

Red Rum is the only horse in the Grand National’s 178 year history to have won three times –in 1973, 1974 and 1977.

His first win saw him complete an epic comeback from 30 lengths behind often considered one of the greatest in history.

He also came second in 1975 and 1976.

Following his death in October 1995 he was buried at the winning post at Aintree and the course is also home to a statue of his trainer Ginger McCain.

For more information about the statuettes, which cost £395 including delivery anywhere in the UK, see philipblacker.com

See our Grand National preview on page 37.