An Interview with Top National Hunt Trainer David Pipe

Jo O'Neill
10 hours ago
3 min read

The Pipe name is synonymous within National Hunt racing. Martin Pipe trained the winner of the Aintree Grand National in 1994 with Miinnehoma and then son David, only two years after taking over the license, followed suit in 2008 with Comply Or Die.

Martin Pipe and son David

Also on David’s list of big race victories are fifteen at the Cheltenham Festival, including two Ryanair Chases with Our Vic and Dynaste, an Arkle with Western Warhorse, consecutive Ultimas with Un Temps Pour Tout and back-to-back Pertempts Finals with Buena Vista. Our Vic also won the Totesport Bowl beating Kauto Star by a nose and Madison Du Berlais won the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup. In 2010, David proved his worth on Flat by winning the Chester Cup with Mamlook and the Ascot Stakes with Junior at the Royal meeting. All in all, he’s sent out over a thousand winners from the same Somerset Pond House Stables as his father won fifteen trainer’s championships. Nothing will stop David training a thousand more.

David married Leanne in 2021, and they have three children Jack, Sophie and Martha and three dogs Teal, Doug and Luna.

The Talented Vieux Lion Rouge, new hopes lie on Windbeneathmywings and Thanksforthehelp

winning at the '25 Punchestown Festival

What’s your earliest racing memory? My father winning the 1981 Triumph Hurdle with Baron Blakeney.

How do you summarise your career as a jockey? Brief but fun.

How did point-to-pointing play a role in you becoming a trainer? It was a great starting point, first being a jockey and then training ‘pointers.

Tamarinbleu after winning the '07 Boylesport Gold Cup

Favourite racehorses: In the past, Well Chief and in the present, Galopin des Champs.

Please explain why your Dad Martin is such a legend: He’s driven, inquisitive and a game changer.

What’s been your best day’s racing so far? Winning the 2008 Aintree Grand National.

What’s your favourite racecourse? Cheltenham because that’s where everyone wants to win.

What’s your favourite meeting? Aintree in April because it’s more relaxed that the Cheltenham Festival. Ladies’ Day on the Friday is the best day.

Who’s your racing hero? Willie Mullins. He has taken the sport to a new level.

Which race would you most like to train the winner of? The Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The staff retention in your yard is very high – please explain why: Pond House has staff that have worked here for years. We try and be fair and, if there are problems, try to sort them out. The girls who have had families have such a knowledge and feel for the horses so we don’t want to lose them.

Generally, what does racing do well? Horse welfare and the treatment of retired racehorses, especially ROR.

And where could improvements be made? A gap in the season and more prize money.

Is social media a positive or a negative? In the main, positive.