Pipe wins South West sports award

Pipe with Comply or Die after winning the Grand National

Grand National winning trainer David Pipe has been named BBC South West Male Sports Personality of the Year.

Pipe nursed Comply or Die back to health to ensure it made it to the start line at Aintree.

"It's been unreal," Pipe said. "In my second season and to win the Grand National has been a dream come true.

"It's a worldwide race, everyone wants to win it whether you are a jockey, a trainer an owner it's everyone's dream," he added on BBC Spotlight.

"A lot of people go through their careers without doing it and to win it in my second season was unbelievable."

"It's taken a long time to sink in. It was absolute chaos after the race. It was great the next day. The yard was jam-packed with local people and as you can imagine there were plenty of celebrations."

It was not until halfway up the run in that I thought we were going to win

David Pipe

Pipe's father Martin won the National in 1994 with Minnehoma.

"To do it once is brilliant. Mum and dad were even more happy for me than for themselves. I had a great trainer in my dad and I've had a lot of experience from him."

"It's still a big lottery but we had a horse in the race who had a great chance. Comply or Die was bred to jump and stay and that's what you need in the Grand National.

"We were hopeful - we had five in the race but Comply or Die had the best credentials - he had won over the trip. We had a lot of luck in running but you need that," Pipe said.

Timmy Murphy celebrates winning the Grand National on Pipe's horse

Comply or Die was the joint favourite in the race and held off a strong challenge from King Johns Castle to take victory by four lengths.

"I was watching the race with a friend and he said three fences from home that we were going to win. I, not politely, told him to be quiet. It was not until halfway up the run in that I thought we were going to win," said Pipe.

Pipe, who took over from his record breaking father Martin, two years ago has already had more than 250 winners in his own right.

"Anyone starting up training would like to take over 100 horses like we have here. Luckily we've had two very good seasons the Grand National tops it all - and it's helped me come away from my fathers shadow."

It's hard work done by everyone but days like the Grand National and the other big wins are what we what we all do it for

David Pipe

"I just want to keep trying to better myself and the horses. We've got some great owners staff and horses here. I'd like to continue to train over a hundred winners each season would be something that would be great."

"There are lots of days that aren't so good and for every win there's a downside. It's hard work done by everyone but days like the Grand National and the other big wins are what we what we all do it for."

Comply or Die will be aimed at a repeat in 2009.

"It's impossible to win it twice - but if i can get him to line up there in great form you never know," said Pipe.

Also shortlisted for the award were Somerset cricketer Marcus Trescothick, Drew Lasker of the Plymoyuth Raiders, Josh Drauniniu of the Exeter Chiefs and Olympic silver medal winning sailor Joe Glanfield.