Bailey pays tribute to Champion Hurdle winner Alderbrook's owner

Kim Bailey on Tuesday paid a fond farewell to Alderbrook owner Ernie Pick, who has died at the age of 73.

Pick, who was originally from Huddersfield, but later based himself in the north east, died last week after suffering a heart attack.

A self-made businessman with a string of car dealerships, he had a huge passion for racing and enjoyed his finest hour in the sport when Alderbrook, a talented performer on the Flat, stormed home on only his third start over hurdles in the 1995 Champion Hurdle under Norman Williamson.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle, Kingwell Hurdle, Prix Dollar and the Select Stakes also feature on Alderbrook's CV and he also had success at stud, siring Grade 1 scorer For Non Stop, smart staying chaser Ollie Magern and Cheltenham Festival winner Alderwood among others.

Bailey, who won the Gold Cup with Master Oats two days after Alderbrook's Champion Hurdle triumph, described Pick as a flamboyant individual.

He said: "We had a massive day and we never forgot the horse we had together. Alderbrook was a complete superstar for me and Ernie was a very entertaining owner to train for.

"He had a dream on a beach in Thailand that he was going to win the Champion Hurdle and turned up at my house and asked me to train the horse to win the Champion Hurdle in three months' time. It was quite novel.

"He enjoyed his racing and liked his celebrations – he was good fun to train for. Winning a Champion Hurdle is right up there with the Gold Cup and Grand National and if anyone asks me my favourite horse Alderbrook comes into that category because he was such an extraordinary horse.

"He was so tough and so genuine and should have won two Champion Hurdle – he was a very good horse."

Pick is survived by his daughter Frankie and wife Irene, who said: "He always loved horses and owning horses was one of his pleasures. He had a few, but Alderbrook was the most successful one."

Frankie Pick added: "Dad was a big racing fan and had a lot of friends in the game."