David Pipe (racehorse trainer)
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
David Pipe (born 7 February 1973{{cite news |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/trainer-david-pipe-is-among-those-celebrating-on-friday/421651 |title=Trainer David Pipe is among those celebrating on Friday |date=7 February 2020 |newspaper=Racing Post |access-date=2022-02-02}}) is a British horse racing trainer based in Somerset, England. He is the son of 15 time champion trainer Martin Pipe.
Early career
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.{{cite news |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Dual+Welsh+National+winner+Bonanza+Boy+dies+aged+30.-a0253801682 |title=Dual Welsh National winner Bonanza Boy dies aged 30 |first=Richard |last=Birch |date=12 April 2011 |newspaper=Racing Post |via=TheFreeLibrary |access-date=2022-02-02}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree/media/press-releases/2019/03/anthony-honeyball--david-pipe/ |title=Anthony Honeyball & David Pipe Look Ahead To The £1-Million Randox Health Grand National |date=20 March 2019 |website=Jockey Club |access-date=2022-02-02}}
Training career
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.{{cite web |url=https://gg.co.uk/news/headlines/pipe-first-marks-new-era |title=Pipe First Marks New Era |date=9 May 2006 |website=GG.co.uk |access-date=2022-02-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203034420/https://gg.co.uk/news/headlines/pipe-first-marks-new-era |archive-date=2022-02-03}} On the same day at Exeter Racecourse he had another winner with Papillon De Iena ridden by AP McCoy.{{cite news |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/14/exeter/2006-05-09/406888 |title=7.25 Exeter Result |date=9 May 2006 |newspaper=Racing Post |access-date=2022-02-02}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/racing/arid-30301987.html |title=Gaspara wins last race of day one |date=13 March 2007 |newspaper=Irish Examiner |access-date=2022-02-02}}
Long term Pipe owner David Johnson{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jul/06/david-johnson-owner-dies |title=David Johnson, leading jumps owner, dies after battle with cancer |first=Chris |last=Cook |date=6 July 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2022-02-02}} 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{{cite web |url=https://www.racingbetter.co.uk/race/wetherby/2006/charlie_hall_chase.html |title=Our Vic Impressive in bet365 Charlie Hall Chase |date=28 October 2006 |website=RacingBetter.co.uk |access-date=2022-02-02}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7327438.stm |title=Kauto beaten on comeback outing |date=3 April 2008 |website=BBC News |access-date=2022-02-02}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/05/horseracing.grandnational2 |title=Comply or Die rides home in style to take the National |date=5 April 2008 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2022-02-02}}{{cite web |url=https://www.racingtv.com/news/david-pipe-fondly-remembers-moment-of-glory-for-aintree-stalwart-comply-or-die |title=The day Comply Or Die cleaned up for Pipe in Grand National |date=13 April 2018 |website=RacingTV.com |access-date=2022-02-02}} Later in 2008, Pipe would saddle the winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury with Madison Du Berlais.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/nov/30/horseracing |title=Pipe dreams come true as Madison lifts the Hennessy |first=Eddie |last=Fremantle |date=30 November 2008 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2022-02-02}}
Pipe has saddled 15 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Both Our Vic and Dynaste have won the Ryanair Chase,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/mar/13/david-pipe-cheltenham-festival-ryanair-chase-dynaste |title=David Pipe wins Cheltenham Festival Ryanair Chase with Dynaste |first=Chris |last=Cook |date=13 March 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2022-02-02}} Buena Vista is a two time Pertemps Final winner{{cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/2011/0317/277759-buenavista/ |title=Buena Vista retains Pertemps prize |date=17 March 2011 |website=RTÉ Sport |access-date=2022-02-02}} and Western Warhorse won the 2014 Arkle.{{cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/western-warhorse-causes-upset-in-arkle-10414189 |title=Western Warhorse Causes Upset In Arkle |date=11 March 2014 |website=Sky News |access-date=2022-02-02}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jun/16/goldikova-queen-anne-royal-ascot |title=Goldikova strikes with Group One race win number nine at Royal Ascot |first=Greg |last=Wood |date=16 June 2010 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2022-02-02}}{{cite web |url=https://www.davidpipe.com/4255-looking-back-54-junior |title=Looking Back 54: Junior |first=G. |last=Edwards |date=28 May 2020 |website=DavidPipe.com |access-date=2022-02-02}}
Pipe has over 1,000 winners to his name as a trainer and has trained a winner at every course in the UK.{{cite web |url=https://horsetrainers.org.uk/david-pipe/ |title=David Pipe |website=HorseTrainers.org.uk |access-date=2022-02-02}}{{cite web |url=https://www.horsetrainerprofiles.co.uk/2017/05/david-pipe-well-schooled-in-art-of.html |title=David Pipe: Well Schooled in the Art of Training |date=3 May 2017 |website=HorseTrainerProfiles.co.uk |access-date=2022-02-02}}
Cheltenham festival winners (15)
- 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
{{flagicon|UK}} Great Britain
- 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)
{{flagicon|IRE}} Ireland
- Champion INH Flat Race - The Liquidator (2013)
{{flagicon|FRA}} France
- Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil - Un Temps Pour Tout (2015)