Roger Cook Reports- “Martin Pipe 1991”

[Father_Jack]

Posted with no agenda.

This has appeared on youtube today- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXnlNtqoSqA

Not a bad programme.

[Marlingford]

Thanks very much for highlighting this Father Jack.

I remember this programme causing quite a stir at the time, but managed to miss it being broadcast. Of course this was in the pre-streaming days, so that was the end of that.

Will be having a watch tonight.

[Ex RubyLight]

What a good clip. I liked Ginger’s comments about Martin Pipe and I think nothing was exaggerated in this 24 minute video. Incredible that he had no single horse from 1986 season left in the yard just four of five season later.

[Marlingford]

There’s nothing like watching a current affairs documentary 32 years late, but I found this a very interesting watch.

One of the most striking aspects was how a lot of the racing establishment were not exactly falling over themselves to defend Pipe. I know he was seen as a convention-defying outsider, but the racing world usually pulls up the drawbridge when under external attack. From what else I’ve read, someone from within the racing establishment actually prompted Cook’s interest in Pipe! Although not quite the same, I see some parallels with the Bryony Frost situation from a year or two ago; the racing world seems to reserve a particular contempt for individuals who break with its conventions.

While I suspect Pipe had just cause to feel that some of the accusations were unfair, the programme did raise some concerning points. Credit to Pipe for agreeing to be interviewed; the conversation provided a good understanding of his way of thinking, though I suspect that a less confrontational approach than Cook’s might have led to a more illuminating discussion of some of the concerns.

Thanks again for highlighting this Father Jack. Very pleased I finally got to watch it!

[He Didnt Like Ground]

Fair to say a number of his ex Jockeys dont get on with Pipe … Oh and a certain Mr Nicholls who had his first championship hijacked by Martin announcing his retirement the same day , the Pipes in the 80s had a conveyor belt of horses which when they hit there maximum hcap mark where then punted out , akin to Haslam for JP , Peter Montieh ended up with the David Johnson cast offs , they didn’t have the time to bring horses back to winnable marks

Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026

[Cancello]

I seem to recall that shortly after the programme, Pipe sent in an audit he’d completed covering a random window showing the fate of each animal that had left his yard. This analysis did not paint such a bleak picture of things as the programme suggested. Seemed to be a general case of horses who’d nothing in hand of the handicapper who had reached their ceilings.

The person who inspired this episode of Cook was the maverick journalist Roy David, who has now been Michael Watt’s racing manager for many years. He was a drummer in one of the Merseybeat bands, was the racing correspondent for the Liverpool Daily Post during the 1970,s, when he also ran a record shop in Ormskirk called ‘SoundsGood’. He has also visited and interviewed Julian Assange in recent times.

[Purwell]

I’ve heard of it but never seen it. I’m in hospital at the moment but will try to remember this post and watch when I get out.

I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways

[He Didnt Like Ground]

Hope your doing ok Purwell , def worth a watch

Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026

[Purwell]

Not too bad thanks.
Bowel infection caused by diverticulitis. Chemo for Leukaemia has lowered my immune system, so I have to run a long course of antibiotics.

I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways

[Author]

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