David Pipe (born 7 February 1973[1]) is a horse racing trainer based in Somerset. He is the son of 15 time champion trainer Martin Pipe.
Early career
[edit]Pipe started riding in point to points in 1992 and scored 22 wins in 5 seasons, and 2 under rules - including on Bonanza Boy in the Ludlow Gold Cup.[2] After retiring from the saddle he would begin learning the training craft across the globe spending time with Michael Dickinson, Criquette Head-Maarek and Joey Ramsden.[3]
Training career
[edit]Pipe began training point to point horses and had great success with 164 winners over six seasons. In April 2006, he took over the training licence from his father Martin Pipe. His first winners as racing trainer came on 9 May 2006 with Standin Obligation at Kelso Racecourse.[4] On the same day at Exeter Racecourse he had another winner with Papillon De Iena ridden by AP McCoy.[5]
During his first season, Pipe struck success with Gaspara winning the Imperial Cup and the Fred Winter his first trained winner at the Cheltenham Festival along with a £75,000 bonus.[6]
Long term Pipe owner David Johnson[7] provided Pipe with some of his most memorable early successes. Our Vic quickly became one of the best horses in Pipe's yard winning the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby[8] and would go on to win the 2008 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. A few weeks later, Our Vic also won the totesport Bowl Chase at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National weekend beating Kauto Star by a nose.[9] However it would be Comply Or Die that would provide one of the most memorable winners of his career, victor in the 2008 Grand National at Aintree.[10][11] Later in 2008, Pipe would saddle the winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury with Madison Du Berlais.[12]
Pipe has saddled 15 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Both Our Vic and Dynaste have won the Ryanair Chase,[13] Buena Vista is a two time Pertemps Final winner[14] and Western Warhorse won the 2014 Arkle.[15]
Pipe has also seen success with the likes of Vieux Lion Rouge and Un Temps Pour Tout, the latter winning at both the Cheltenham Festival and Grade 1 Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil in France.
In addition, Pipe has successes on the flat winning the Chester Cup with Mamlook and also winning the Ascot Stakes during Royal Ascot with Junior who later went on to win the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.[16][17]
Pipe has over 1,000 winners to his name as a trainer and has trained a winner at every course in the UK.[18][19]
Cheltenham festival winners (15)
[edit]- Ryanair Chase (2) - Our Vic (2008), Dynaste (2014)
- Arkle Challenge Trophy - Western Warhorse (2014)
- Champion Bumper - Moon Racer (2015)
- Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase (3) - Great Endeavour (2010), Salut Flo (2012), Ballynagour (2014)
- Ultima Handicap Chase (2) - Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017)
- Festival Trophy Handicap Chase - An Accordion (2008)
- Pertemps Final (2) - Buena Vista (2010, 2011)
- Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (2) - Junior (2011), The Package (2015)
- Fred Winter - Gaspara (2007)
Major wins
[edit]- Ryanair Chase (2) - Our Vic (2008), Dynaste (2014)
- Kauto Star Novices Chase (2) - Grands Crus (2011), Dynaste (2012)
- Long Walk Hurdle - Lough Derg (2007)
- Clarence House Chase - Tamarinbleu (2008)
- Arkle Challenge Trophy - Western Warhorse (2014)
- Champion Bumper - Moon Racer (2015)
- Finale Juvenile Hurdle - Adagio (2021)
- Champion INH Flat Race - The Liquidator (2013)
- Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil - Un Temps Pour Tout (2015)
References
[edit]- ^ "Trainer David Pipe is among those celebrating on Friday". Racing Post. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Birch, Richard (12 April 2011). "Dual Welsh National winner Bonanza Boy dies aged 30". Racing Post. Retrieved 2 February 2022 – via TheFreeLibrary.
- ^ "Anthony Honeyball & David Pipe Look Ahead To The £1-Million Randox Health Grand National". Jockey Club. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Pipe First Marks New Era". GG.co.uk. 9 May 2006. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "7.25 Exeter Result". Racing Post. 9 May 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Gaspara wins last race of day one". Irish Examiner. 13 March 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Cook, Chris (6 July 2013). "David Johnson, leading jumps owner, dies after battle with cancer". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Our Vic Impressive in bet365 Charlie Hall Chase". RacingBetter.co.uk. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Kauto beaten on comeback outing". BBC News. 3 April 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Comply or Die rides home in style to take the National". The Guardian. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "The day Comply Or Die cleaned up for Pipe in Grand National". RacingTV.com. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Fremantle, Eddie (30 November 2008). "Pipe dreams come true as Madison lifts the Hennessy". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Cook, Chris (13 March 2014). "David Pipe wins Cheltenham Festival Ryanair Chase with Dynaste". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Buena Vista retains Pertemps prize". RTÉ Sport. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Western Warhorse Causes Upset In Arkle". Sky News. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Wood, Greg (16 June 2010). "Goldikova strikes with Group One race win number nine at Royal Ascot". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Edwards, G. (28 May 2020). "Looking Back 54: Junior". DavidPipe.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "David Pipe". HorseTrainers.org.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "David Pipe: Well Schooled in the Art of Training". HorseTrainerProfiles.co.uk. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2022.