Famous faces no longer with us in 2011. . .

ONE month to go until the start of a new year, but whilst a load of us our getting ready to celebrate the Christmas cheer, some famous faces are no longer with us.  Here is my tribute to some of those who sadly will not be around during the festive season. . .

Gary Mason (British boxer) Died on 6 January, aged 48

Gary Mason was the British heavyweight champion in 1989 and one lost once, to Lennox Lewis in 38 professional fights.  He was part of a golden generation of British boxers around in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  He sadly was involved in a cycling collision with a van in South London on January 6, aged just 48 years of age.

Nat Lofthouse (Footballer) Died on 15 January, aged 85

One of Bolton Wanderers greatest ever players passed away in January, Nat Lofthouse.  He won 33 England caps between 1950 and 1958, scoring 30 goals and playing in the 1950 World Cup.  For club, he scored a staggering 255 goals for Bolton, captaining the team to success in the 1958 FA Cup final against Manchester United. 

Elizabeth Taylor (Movie actress) Died on 23 March, aged 79

It was a glittering movie career that made Elizabeth Taylor a star on the big screen.  She died from heart failure after a short illness in March.  Elizabeth won two Oscars for Best Actress and played a leading role in ‘Cleopatra,’ ‘Father of the Bride,’ and ‘Lassie Come Home,’ amongst other movies.  Her private life was also well documented; marrying eight times to seven separate husbands, but it is the movie memories that will remain with many.

Seve Ballesteros (European Golfer) Died on 7 May, aged 54

The game of golf was left rocked by the death of one of its most charismatic competitors in Seve Ballesteros.  Seve had a lengthy battle against illness over the past three years, but like all the time on the golf course, he took the battle to the bitter end.  Sadly, the brain cancer he had been diagnosed with was terminal.  He won the Open championship three times, was successful twice at the US Masters and captained Europe to Ryder Cup glory in his native homeland in 1997.  There is no doubt that he was a legend in golf and will always be one of the greats of the game.

Roy Skelton (Actor) Died on 8 June, aged 79

The name doesn’t stand out in the acting world, but Roy Skelton’s voice certainly did.  He had a showbiz career that spanned 53 years, with his last in February 2008, voicing two characters in the first episode of BBC series Ashes to Ashes.  Roy’s impact on television was as providing the voices of Zippy and George on the kids programme Rainbow from the early 1970s until 1992.  He passed away quietly in his home after suffering a stroke.

Betty Ford (First Lady) Died on 8 July, aged 93

Betty Ford was the first lady when Gerald Ford was president of the United States between 1973 and 1976.  She was a passionate individual, who devoted her time to raising awareness to issues such as abortion, equal pay and feminism.  She won the Congressional Gold Medal in 1998 for her hard work and became co-founder of the Betty Ford Centre in California in 1982, holding the role as president for 23 years.  Ill health in later years sadly took its toll on Betty, but she brought the role of being the president’s wife into prominence throughout the 1970s. 

Amy Winehouse (Singer) Died on 23 July, aged 27

The media has had plenty of field days in recent years, documenting the private life of Amy Winehouse all over the tabloid newspapers.  However, she did have a powerful and passionate voice, as was proven by hit songs such as ‘Rehab.’  She was found dead in her London flat in July, aged just 27 years old.

Janey Cutler (Singer) Died on 24 August, aged 82

Janey Cutler is another face whose career got a revelation in her later years of life.  She was one of the stars of the 2010 series of ITV’s summer reality hit, Britain’s Got Talent.  Despite some concern over her health, Janey finished a creditable ninth in the final, won by gymnast act Spelbound.  She then went on to perform on the BGT live tour and got to achieve her dream of singing infront of millions.

Ginger McCain (Horse Racing trainer) Died on 19 September, aged 80

Aintree will be missing something next year and that will be Ginger McCain’s presence.  Ginger lost his battle with cancer in September, just two days before his 81^st birthday.  He is one of the most successful trainers of all-time in horse racing and despite never winning at Cheltenham, formed a formidable partnership with Red Rum, as the greatest horse to have ever lived won three Grand Nationals in 1973, 1974 and 1977.  He took a fourth triumph with Amberleigh House in 2004 and this year, the dynasty continued in the McCain family, as his son trained Ballabriggs to glory in 2011.

Steve Jobs (Founder of Apple) Died on 5 October, aged 56

The world lost a genius in early October, when the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs passed away after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.  Jobs was responsible for reviving Apple’s fortunes and spearheaded major technological change, such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod.  Apple will move on and continue, but the world will struggle to find another technological genius.

Dan Wheldon (Double Indy 500 winner) Died on 16 October, aged 33

Two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon was tragically killed in a massive 15-car pile-up during the IndyCar season finale in Las Vegas.  He was only competing as part of an incentive set by organisers to pass every car in the field and win a massive jackpot prize.  Having struggled to find a breakthrough in Europe, Dan moved to America in 1999 and had great success, winning the IndyCar title in 2005 and the prestigious Indy 500 race twice, most recently back in May.  He leaves behind a great legacy for both American and British motorsport.

Marco Simoncelli (MotoGP rider) Died on 23 October, aged 23

Marco Simoncelli had everything going for him as a MotoGP star of the future.  He had taken one pole position and two podiums this season for the Gresini Honda team and his flair and style on the bike meant life was never dull when Simoncelli was around.  He was killed at the penultimate event of the season in Malaysia, when he crashed and was struck by two fellow competitors.  The MotoGP paddock will be a poorer place next season without Simoncelli around.

Sir Jimmy Saville (DJ & Actor) Died on 29 October, aged 84

Television presenter, media personality and a massive fundraiser for many charities, Sir Jimmy Saville will be best known for being a long-standing host on Top of the Pops and for his own BBC television show Jim’ll Fix It.  He had been recently treated in hospital for pneumonia before his death.  Sir Jimmy though has left plenty of catchphrases and moments that people will never forget.

Joe Frazier (Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion) Died on 7 November, aged 67

Liver cancer may have claimed the life of Joe Frazier, but the memories will always remain of a glittering boxing career.  He won 27 fights in his career, only being beaten by two of the greats, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman along the way.  Joe was a true fighter to the end.

Gary Speed (Welsh football manager) Died on 27 November, aged 42

Gary Speed had a great football career and had a potential brilliant career as a manager ahead of him.  He was transforming the fortunes around of the Welsh national team and is still the leading outfield Welsh player to win international caps.  He played for Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle United amongst other clubs, winning the First Division championship in 1992.  Gary was found hanged in his home, just 24 hours after a positive appearance on the BBC’s Football Focus show.

Ginger McCain - A grand legacy

HE ALWAYS had something to say, however controversial or funny it might have been.  However, there aren’t many trainers around in horse racing like Ginger McCain, and it is unlikely that we will see any more like him again.  McCain’s brave battle with cancer ended as he passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday morning.  He was 80, just two days short of his 81^st birthday.  Ginger’s dedication into saving the Grand National in the 1970s and the relationship with legendary racehorse Red Rum will always be fondly remembered.  Sadly, he is no more.

     Mick Fitzgerald, who won the Grand National on Rough Quest in 1996 and rode for McCain on many occasions, summed up the feelings of many when hearing the news.  He told Sky Sports News; “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 world’s greatest horse race.”  Few could argue with that sentiment.

     Ginger McCain will always been best known for being the trainer of the greatest horse to have ever lived, Red Rum.  Although there have been great jump horses in more recent times, such as Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Kauto Star; none can hold a candle to Red Rum.  McCain would train Red Rum on a beach near Liverpool and the fond relationship between the pair would end up culminating in the greatest combination to have ever graced the Grand National.  Red Rum won the world’s greatest steeplechase three times for McCain, in 1973, 1974 and 1977.  He finished second in the same event in 1975 and 1976.  They still had a close relationship until 1995, when Red Rum was put down and buried on the Aintree racecourse.  There will only be one Red Rum, as he once famously said; “Losing the wife?  There are 2.5million women in this country – what a daft thing to say – but there was, and always will be, only one Red Rum.”

     Legendary retired horse racing commentator Peter O’Sullevan summed up the relationship, telling the BBC of the legacy between the pair; “Red Rum had very delicate, tender feet and had been with several skilful trainers before Ginger bought him.  Of course, he trained on the sands at Southport.  I don’t think we’d ever have heard of Red Rum if he’d gone anywhere else.  He will always be remembered for Red Rum – and rightly so because he and the horse appeared absolutely at the right time and were very much instrumental in saving the National at a period when it was very much in peril.”

     Red Rum wasn’t McCain only success in the Grand National and his legendary status was ensured when he won the race for the fourth time with Graeme Lee onboard, taking the spoils on Amberleigh House in 2004.  Only Fred Rimell can claim to have had as much success in the training stakes at the National.  Two years later, Ginger trained three horses in his final National before handing over control of his racing license and stables to his son, Donald.

      This April, a rather frail Ginger McCain would make his final appearance at Aintree, but would see success as Donald won his first National as a trainer.  Ballabriggs and Jason Maguire took the honours.  After the race, he said this about his son; “He’s bred to do the job and he’s done it, so why should I be proud of him?  Of course I’m very proud; he’s a bloody good trainer.”

     Despite never winning an event at the Cheltenham Festival, it is the Grand National that will always be remembered with Ginger McCain’s legacy.  Top jockey AP McCoy wrote on Twitter his thoughts on the sad loss of a racing great; “Sad to hear about the death of Aintree legend Ginger McCain, trainer of the great Red Rum.  My thoughts are with his family.  R.I.P.”

Ginger McCain - 21 September 1930 - 19 September 2011

     Born in Southport in 1930, Ginger McCain began training horses way back in 1962, using small stables behind his used-car store in the area.  He didn’t do bad then to win four Nationals and be part of some of Aintree’s greatest memories.  Horse racing has lost one of its most colourful figures and it now feels fitting that Ginger was there this year to see his son continue the proud McCain tradition of success at the Grand National.  He will be sorely missed by everyone in horse racing and next year’s Grand National meeting won’t quite feel the same without the presence of Ginger McCain – A Grand Legacy.

Ginger McCain – 21 September 1930 – 19 September 2011 - RIP

2011 John Smith's Grand National - The McCain legacy continues

THE McCain legacy at Aintree continued at the weekend, as Donald McCain, song of Ginger trained the winning horse to victory at the John Smith’s Grand National.  The 14-1 shot Ballabriggs, ridden by Jason Maguire continues the happy tradition of winners in their stable.  Ginger McCain was the figurehead behind Red Rum’s three successes in the 1970s and came back to win again with Amberleigh House in 2004.

CLEARED: Ballabriggs overcomes the last hurdle on his way to victory

     For Maguire, it was a sweet moment too, as he won the race for the first time; having narrowly missed out on riding Silver Birch to glory in 2008.  Oscar Time came second, also at 14-1, whilst Tony McCoy steered last year’s winner Don’t Push It to third place, despite being the heaviest horse in the field.  The pre-race favourite, the Midnight Club finished in sixth after a bad mistake in the early stages.  He went off as the 15-2 favourite and was jockeyed by winner of the national twice, Ruby Walsh.  In one of the closest national finishes in recent years, it looked like Oscar Time might just edge Ballabriggs out, but Maguire found extra reserve to hold on and clinch victory.  It completes a wonderful year for Oscar Time’s jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen.  Cohen, who is still an amateur jockey, has already won the King George VI and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Long Run this season, and came so close to pulling off an incredible hat-trick.

    The demands that the Grand National has on the horses were sadly evidently shown at the weekend.  Two nasty falls at the fourth fence and at Beacher’s Brook saw fatal injuries to horses Ornais and Dooneys Gate.  This meant for the first time ever in the history of the national, these fences were skipped by the jockeys second time around, meaning they only jumped 28 instead of the traditional 30.  For the trainers and jockeys of these horses, it is such a heartbreaking tale and reminds us not just how cruel sport is, but how irrelative it is in the face of such overwhelming tragedy. 

     Consequently, on such a hot and humid day in Liverpool, celebrations had to be kept at a minimum in respect.  However, many congratulations go out to Jason Maguire and Ballabriggs, who have kept the tradition of success going in the McCain family.  They are born winners; it is as simple as that.