Pipe diagnosed with incurable disease

12 April 2012

Fifteen-times champion trainer Martin Pipe revealed on Tuesday that he has an incurable muscle-wasting disease.

The former jumps handler's deteriorating health has led to him being placed on steroids to curb the affects of the illness.

"I have this muscle wastage problem and it's quite disturbing," Pipe told The Guardian. "One day, not too long ago, I couldn't walk up the stairs. Even when they got me into bed I couldn't pull the covers over me."

He added: "I had the same thing about two years ago and we thought that was it then. I battled on and, like a lame old horse, the doctors have put me on steroids."

Pipe, 61, retired from training five months ago on the final day of the National Hunt season. He is now working alongside his son, David, who has assumed control of the family business at Pond House in Nicholashayne, Devon.

Asked if his problems will worsen, Pipe added: "I say I'm fine but it's not going to get any better."

Pipe not only dominated jump racing, he single-handedly revolutionised the sport.

The most successful trainer in National Hunt history, he broke every record in the book and set a standard his contemporaries have found hard to emulate.

He is the only trainer to have saddled more than 200 winners in a season - a feat he achieved no less than six times - and won virtually every big race.

But despite training nearly 4,000 winners over obstacles, the health and welfare of his horses always remained the number one priority.

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