David Pipe was born to train racehorses.  Son of Martin Pipe CBE, fifteen times champion National Hunt trainer, and the most successful racehorse trainer in British racing history, David fast carved a niche for himself as an extremely successful and talented Point-to-Point trainer.  Indeed, during his six seasons as a trainer of Pointers, David amassed no fewer than 164 winners (including 47 Point-to-Points and two Hunter Chases in his final season) – each weekend he seemed to return with a winner!

Since his father’s retirement from training at the end of April 2006, David has channelled his talents towards the Pond House string – a role which has provided a varied, challenging and rewarding role alongside his record-breaking father who now occupies the position of assistant trainer.

Despite his tender years in relation to his contemporaries, David has amassed a wealth of experience.  He has learnt his trade not only from the champion British jumps trainer, but also through experience with some of the world’s other leading handlers including Michael Dickinson in America, Cricquette Head-Maarek in France and Joey Ramsden in South Africa.

David’s fledgling career met with unparalleled success, indeed his first winner Standin Obligation (Kelso, 9^th May 2006) was quickly followed by two more, Wee Dinns and Papillon de Iena making it a treble for the day.  By the end of the season the tally stood at 134 winners (more than any other trainer) and prize money won was in excess of £1.6million.  David had finished third in the trainers championship behind Paul Nicholls and Jonjo O’Neill and had along the way become the first trainer to saddle one hundred winners in his debut season and also landed his first Cheltenham Festival winner, Gaspara in the 2007 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle for his father.

The 2007/08 season was to prove even more spectacularly successful – as if a Cheltenham Festival double was not enough (An Accordion, William Hill Trophy and Our Vic, Ryanair Chase); he posted another double at the Grand National meeting for good measure.  Our Vic managed to follow up his fantastic Festival success by taking the notable scalp of 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star in the totesport Bowl Chase, while Comply Or Die provided the highlight of the whole season with his sensational victory in the John Smiths Grand National itself – a feat that took his father twenty years to achieve!

A final tally of 100 winners for the season was some way short of the 2006/2007 total, but with prize money approaching £2.5million, David moved from third to second place in the trainer’s table – an incredible accomplishment in only his second season training.

David has assembled a formidable string of horses during his time at the helm of Pond House and an enviable portfolio of supportive owners who appreciate the honest and approachable demeanour of the trainer as well his sublime skill.  With a Hennessy Gold Cup win courtesy of Madison du Berlais to his name already in 2008/09 this success story looks set to run and run…

Click here to view the full 2007/08 season review