Paul Nicholls: I would not be where I am without the help of Richard Barber

Paul Nicholls has described Richard Barber as a huge influence on his career following the death of the Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer at the age of 77.

Barber, a brother of the 11-time champion trainer's Ditcheat landlord Paul Barber, won the Foxhunter four times with Rushing Wild (1992) – a subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up for Martin Pipe – Fantus (1995 and 1997) and Earthmover (1998).

Paul Nicholls: 'Richard was a true inspiration and a massive influence on my career'Credit: Edward Whitaker

A leading racing figure in the West Country, Barber retired from training in 2014 in part due to the emergence of grandson Jack and was responsible for sourcing a plethora of future stars, including Cheltenham Gold Cup and two-time King George hero See More Business and Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby.

Nicholls said: "He trained some great horses and some great people down the years, and I certainly would not be where I am today without his help, guidance and friendship, so I have so much to thank him for.

"He was a true inspiration and a massive influence on my career as he bought Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business and passed him on to me.

"He was a great man in so many ways and will be sadly missed by everybody in the sport of jump racing. My thoughts are with his family."

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business was sourced by Richard BarberCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

As well as dominating the Foxhunter, Barber sent out Trust Fund to win the Aintree equivalent in 2009.

He was a legendary figure in the pointing field and multiple victories in a day were commonplace, including when he won seven races at Castle Of Comfort in 1998 and saddled nine winners in a weekend across fixtures at Larkhill and Cotley in 2011.

In the latter years of his time at his Seaborough yard, Barber was assisted by Harry Fry, who took up training at the base in 2012.

Paul Barber said: "Not many people have been responsible for buying a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and a Champion Hurdle winner and he was a central figure in racing.

"He trained lots of point-to-point winners over a long period of time and was leading trainer on numerous occasions before getting into National Hunt racing in a bigger way.

"I can assure you, the boot parties he had behind his car at point-to-points were always oversubscribed."

Barber is survived by his wife Viv, children Jeremy, Jason, Charlotte and Vicky and six grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

A life in racing

Full name Richard John Barber

Born Shepton Mallet, Somerset, November 12, 1941

Family Brother: Paul Barber (joint-owner of See More Business, Denman). Grandson: Jack Barber (champion point-to-point trainer)

Stables Manor Farm, Seaborough, Beaminster, Dorset

First winner under rules Take A Bow, Wincanton, September 18, 1986

Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase winners Rushing Wild (1992), Fantus (1995 & 1997), Earthmover (1998)

Aintree Fox Hunters' Chase winner Trust Fund (2009)

Other notable wins under rules Quick Rapor (1994 Grand Military Gold Cup), Earthmover (1997 Ladies' Championship Hunters' Chase, John Corbet Cup), Lakefield Rambler (2000 United Hunts' Chase), Garruth (2004 Gentlemen's Championship Hunters' Chase), Trust Fund (2009 Cheltenham Champion Hunters' Chase)

Best point-to-pointers Gerry Doyle (9 wins in 1990), Rushing Wild (6 wins 1991-92), See More Indians (unbeaten in 3 races 1993), Fantus (won Coronation Cup, Larkhill 1995), See More Business (won 2 races – open maiden, restricted – Larkhill 1995), Earthmover (unbeaten in 5 point-to-points and 2 hunter chases 1997), Rimpton Boy (28 wins 2000-08, plus 1 hunter chase), Thisthatandtother (10 wins 2009-10)

Champions (Top-rated in Hunter Chasers & Point-to-Pointers annual) Rushing Wild (1992 joint), Fantus (1995 & 1997), Earthmover (1998)

Seven winners on one card Mendip Farmers meeting at Castle of Comfort, March 28, 1998 (9-race card)

Total wins under rules 47

Last winner under rules Chapoturgeon, Newton Abbot, May 20, 2013

Last winner Whataknight, Bratton Down, June 1, 2014

Compiled by John Randall

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