Rubstic

Rubstic (1969-1995) was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing.

Rubstic
SireI Say
DamLeuze
DamsireVimy
SexGelding
Foaled1969[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
ColourSeal brown
OwnerJohn Douglas
TrainerJohn Leadbetter
Major wins
Grand National (1979)

Rubstic was owned by the former Scottish international rugby player John Douglas. He became the first Scottish-trained horse to win the Grand National when he won the 1979 race.

Racing career

It's anybody's race as they race into the final furlong, and it's Rubstic on the nearside with the advantage over Zongalero and the weakening Rough and Tumble as they race up towards the line, it's gonna be a victory for Scotland, it's Rubstic from Zongalero in the National, and as they come to the line, Rubstic wins it..

Commentator Peter O'Sullevan describes the climax of the 1979 National

Rubstic won the Grand National at the first time of asking in 1979 under jockey Maurice Barnes. The win was even more remarkable as it marked the National debuts for not only the horse but also for the jockey, trainer and owner.

Rubstic came into the race as the smallest horse on the card and was seen as an outsider but he ran well and despite a mistake on the second fence from which he managed to recover he pulled away from Zongalero in the final straight to win by 2 lengths. The race was heavily influenced by loose horses and only seven runners finished as the race was marred by two fatalities.[2]

Rubstic would go on to race in the next two Nationals. He fell for the only time in his career during the 1980 Grand National at the 15th fence before returning a year later and finishing seventh in 1981.

In 1995 Rubstic died at the age of 26 in Ladykirk where he had been living in retirement under the care of his former trainer John Leadbetter.[3]

Grand National record
Grand National Position Jockey Age Weight SP Distance
1979 1st Maurice Barnes 10 10-0 25/1 Won by 2 lengths
1980 DNF Maurice Barnes 11 10-11 8/1 Fell at fence 15
1981 7th Maurice Barnes 12 10-7 11/1

Pedigree
Pedigree of Rubstic (GB), bay gelding, 1975[4]
Sire
I Say (GB)
1962		 Sayajirao (GB)
1944		 Nearco (ITY) Pharos (GB)
Nogara (ITY)
Rosy Legend (FRA) Dark Legend (GB)
Rosy Cheeks (FRA)
Isetta (IRE)
1943		 Norland (GB) Gainsborough (GB)
Lichen (GB)
Isolda (FRA) Rustom Pasha (GB)
Yveline (FRA)
Dam
Leuze (GB)
1963		 Vimy (FRA)
1952		 Wild Risk (FRA) Rialto (FRA)
Wild Violet (FRA)
Mimi (FRA) Black Devil (USA)
Mignon (FRA)
Over the Border
1945		 Scottish Union (GB) Cameronian (GB)
Trustful (IRE)
Lapel (FRA) Apelle (ITY)
Lampeto (IRE)

References
  1. "Rubstic profile". Racing Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  2. "Rubstic 1979 win". grand-national.me.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. "Rubstic dies at 26". Independent. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  4. "Rubstic pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
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