Profiles

Comply Or Die winning the Grand National

With his family connections, it was no surprise that David Pipe was to become a champion horse trainer. Last season, he saddled over 100 winners, the most famous being Comply Or Die winning the Grand National.

"I'd love to try and get 100 again. We had winners at Cheltenham, two at Aintree; the Grand National - I don't think I'll be doing that again but we'll give it a good shot," he said.

David said he starts thinking about preparing for the Grand National immediately after the race.

"You've got to think ahead, long term. I have certain horses in mind and then over the course of the season they could turn out to be not as good as [I] thought and then others can surprise you. 

"So you have a plan but you come to a few T-junctions where sometimes you turn left when you thought you'd be turning right."  

As the struggling economy seems to be having an impact on all industries, David fears some trainers could go out of business.

Martin (L) and David Pipe

"The economy is a concern for everyone. It hasn't affected the sport yet but in the next 12 months it will.

"I'm in a very lucky position because of my father and grandfather in that we have some owners who have been here a long time and have supported us and this place is owned by us so I'm very lucky as a trainer whereas some trainers have to rent their own yards. It's going to be a very tough time for smaller trainers," he said.

Indeed David seems to have followed in his father's footsteps. Martin Pipe is one of the country's top horse trainers ever, having won numerous events in his long career.

Now retired, Martin helps David out.

"I'm classed as an assistant now but David does work me hard. It's great fun just to stand back and take all the pleasure through him for winning all these races.

"It's really very exciting and there's no pressure on me at all. David makes all the decisions and sorts everything out. I interfere quite a bit, but he enjoys it."

One of the good aspects of taking a step back is that he does not have to talk to the owners, explaining all the losses.

"David has all these problems and headaches and I can just enjoy the glory days so it's good. It's very relaxing, I find it very enjoyable watching the gallops and helping him to make a few plans."

Martin is understandably very proud of his son.

"It's an unbelievable start. It took me 20 odd years to win the Grand National and David's won it in his second attempt I think - it's really incredible.

"I never ever intended it to be as it is and to train up so many winners and to get two Grand National winners here is marvelous. I never wanted to be a trainer, it just evolved. We were really lucky and David really enjoys it, and is coping extremely well."

Top trainers

Born and bred in Somerset, when Martin first became interested in becoming a trainer another one wrote to him advising him to move from the county, saying if he wanted to become a "proper trainer" he should go to another training area.

Martin refused to move and now in and around Somerset is probably the best area in the country for training as some of the sport's top trainers - Paul Nicholls and Phillip Hobbs are based here.

In fact much has been made of the imposed rivalry between the Pipes and Nicholls (Kauto Star and Denman's trainer) who lives in Ditcheat.  

"It doesn't come into my thinking really. All I need to think about are the horses we have here; to keep them sound, try and keep them healthy and get them winning races," said David.

"I suppose it's rivalry like in the football clubs we all have a bit of a banter and enjoy the sport."

Poser

Comply Or Die's daily care is taken on by husband and wife team Eileen and Oliver DeFew. Eileen is the stable hand while Oliver rides him everyday.

"I've been with the horse the most; they're like your children a bit you know. I've looked after Comply since he was three so I'm very, very proud of him," said Eileen.

Eileen also looks after Well Chief

"Just to jump around the national fences let alone winning is just super. It's an amazing feeling."

Eileen has been working at the Pipes' stables for seven years. She looks after five horses, including winner Well Chief.

"The training is mapped out by David but we spend quite a lot of the day with them. You just know first thing in the morning if they're ok, check them, take their temperature."

Oliver rides Comply Or Die every morning.

"He's always wanting to go forward no matter what he's doing. On the gallops or just walking up to the indoor ride. It's always forward, forward, forward. He doesn't do waiting around."

If a horse is injured, Eileen and Oliver say you can tell the horse is down.

"The thoroughbreds like to be in a routine so when there's a long period of rest where they have to stay in the stable it can get a bit dire. They like the routine, they like the work."

The DeFew's also notice a change in the horses' character when they win.

"The win has definitely gone to his (Comply Or Die's) head; he's turned into the biggest poser, you wouldn't believe it," said Oliver.

"When he came back from the Grand National there were heaps of people here in the yard who worked with the horses and friends of the Pipes' - he was just lapping it up. 

The stables are at Nicholashayne

"And all the next day with the press here and the parades - 'if you get out a camera point it my way', you know?! It's unbelievable."

Oliver keeps telling Comply Or Die that if he wants to keep the attention, then he has to start winning as he has had a slow start to the 2008 - 2009 season.

"Racing wise he's started off very similar to last year; he was disappointing in his first two starts last year," said Oliver.

"It was only after the turn of the year that he really came to himself. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, history will repeat itself. In himself he's stronger, in great form."

Looking after five racing horses can be very time consuming however the DeFews are insistent that they can leave work at work.

"But obviously with this horse it's a little bit different. I mean obviously with a horse like this you know all roads will be leading back to Liverpool."

And Martin is ever hopeful that he can do it again.

"It's an impossible race to win the Grand National but I think it's one of the best races ever.

"For Comply Or Die to do it - it is really, really exciting. It's great for the village and everybody. The horse is still in fine form so hopefully will be able to do it again."