Hundreds gather to wish festival-winning trainer Richard Barber farewell

It was standing room only, inside and outside, at St John’s Church in the Dorset hamlet of Seaborough as a 'who’s who' of jump racing past and present gathered to pay their last respects at the funeral of Richard Barber, who died earlier this month aged 77.

The church in which Barber insisted his funeral be held has room for only 70 direct family and close friends but several hundreds of well-wishers, who were assembled in a marquee at nearby Seaborough Manor, were able to watch the service on four large TV screens.

Earthmover (yellow): won the Foxhunters for Richard Barber

However, such was Barber’s popularity that even the extra capacity proved insufficient and a large number of people found themselves on the adjacent lawn as they bid Barber farewell.

Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Barber, whose brother Paul is landlord to 11-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, was a legend on the West Country point-to-point and hunter chasing scene and landed the Foxhunter Chase four times.

He triumphed with Rushing Wild, who went on to finish runner-up in the Gold Cup when trained by Martin Pipe, in 1992, Fantus in 1995 and 1997, and Earthmover in 1998.

Past and present in attendance

Trainers and jockeys, past and present, in attendance included Nicholls and Harry Fry – both mentored by Barber. Also assembled were Martin and David Pipe, Philip Hobbs and Dan Skelton, while former rider Joe Tizzard and leading point-to-point rider Will Biddick were among the jockeys represented.

Barber’s grandson Jack, now a trainer in his own right, delivered a very emotional poem titled ‘On A Friend’, while Fry also read a tribute to the man who mentored him from an early age and later set him up as a successful trainer at Seaborough Manor.

Paul Nicholls arrives at Richard Barber's funeral at St John’s Church in Seaborough on MondayCredit: Swns

Long-standing friend Tim Frost read a lengthy tribute to Barber which was both poignant and humorous in just the right measure. He remembered how Barber sometimes lost his temper and would throw his cap on the ground and declare, ‘I am not running a circus here, you know’, or another of his favourite reprimands, ‘You have the brain of a woodlouse’.

Frost added: "Of course, five minutes later he had forgotten all about it and all was well with the world."

Frost also recalled how Barber was a great man for spotting bargain horses at the sales and on the racecourse.

He remembered Barber telling him one afternoon: "There are plenty of people out there purchasing horses for lots of money in the hope they can win big races, but the difference between them and me is that I'm trying to buy champagne horses with beer money."

Father figure

After the service, Fry said: "Richard was a father figure and obvious mentor for me. I owe my career as a trainer to him and I will never forget that.

"Since I was a 13-year old schoolboy, he has been my guide. He first helped me become pupil assistant trainer with Paul Nicholls through to setting me up in my own right from his premises. I will be forever indebted to him."

Anthony Honeyball and Harry Fry (right) attend the funeral of Richard BarberCredit: Swns

Nicholls added: "I have said it many times before but I wouldn't be where I'm today were it not for Richard as he introduced me to his brother Paul all those years ago, and we have been on the best of terms ever since.

"He had a wonderful eye for a horse as he spotted Gold Cup winner See More Business and Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby. There are not that many people out there who could boast that."

Former champion trainer Martin Pipe said: "I actually trained seven winners for Richard and he sent me Rushing Wild after he won the Foxhunter. He was actually the closest I ever got to winning a Cheltenham Gold Cup when he was second to Jodami in 1993. He was a super gentleman, a great friend and a remarkable trainer."

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