In this episode of On The Coal Face, Jamie Railton sits down with Martin Pipe, one of the most influential trainers in National Hunt racing history.

From starting with no background in horses to becoming a 15-time Champion Trainer, Martin reflects on the thinking, discipline and decisions that reshaped how racehorses are trained. He talks openly about introducing weighing, blood testing, interval training and swimming long before they became standard practice, and how lessons learned from greyhound racing helped shape his methods.

The conversation covers landmark horses, pivotal Cheltenham moments, programme-book planning, front-running tactics and the trainers and jockeys who came through his yard. Martin also revisits the media scrutiny he faced at the height of his success, shares stories behind iconic wins, and explains why fitness, routine and preparation always mattered more than fashion.

In the second half of the episode, Martin discusses the modern training landscape, the jockeys he learned most from, where the next edge might come from, and how closely he still follows the horses at home today.

A rare, reflective and detailed insight from a man who changed the sport by doing things differently.

Sponsored by:

• Whitsbury Manor Stud

• Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock

• Saracen Horse Feeds

Mick and David Easterby - Reflection on Times

This month we are joined by Ed Harper, owner and manager of Whitsbury Manor Stud, who discusses his road to success.