Paul Nicholls: Pipe showed me the way - and he sent me the most wonderful letter

Paul Nicholls has pinpointed riding horses for Martin Pipe as being what opened his eyes to what it would take to become a top trainer – and has revealed that the pair's relationship is now much more healthy again than during their days of bitter rivalry.

Speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday's newspaper to mark 30 years since his first winner, Nicholls even revealed that his former nemesis had sent him "the most wonderful letter" after he received his OBE at Buckingham Palace last month.

Looking back at his time as assistant trainer and stable jockey to David Barons before he struck out on his own, the 12-time champion trainer said: "When Martin Pipe started winning everything, and whatever way you rode your horse you couldn't beat him, it opened my eyes.

"I used to come back to David and tell him the horses weren't fit enough. He'd say, 'Don't talk rubbish, boy,' and that was that. Then I had a few rides for Martin and rode him a couple of winners, and his horses would jump off in front, take a breath and then gallop again. They were super-fit and it instilled in me what you had to do to win races.

"He was an intelligent guy who realised that horses needed to be trained like athletes, at a time when I was riding for some top trainers and their horses would walk on a Monday, canter on a Tuesday, half-speed on a Wednesday, walk again on a Thursday, stand in their boxes on a Sunday, never go on a walker, and go to the races half-fit, so that half a mile from home you'd have to pick them up and carry them.

"The thing was, back in the day, trainers passed the business on to their sons, who did what their dad had done, so nothing ever changed, and then Martin came along with no preconceptions and applied what he learned, and I like to think that's what I've done."

From those early days, the relationship between Nicholls and Pipe had deteriorated as they clashed for the trainers' championship over many years, but Nicholls added: "We've shaken hands a few times since and he sent me the most wonderful letter when I got my OBE, which meant a huge amount."

Read more from Paul Nicholls in the Big Read, available online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Click here to sign up.

Read these next:

Oisin Murphy hands in licence to focus on rehabilitation after Covid breach

'It's a complete shock' – Tom Dascombe stunned as Michael Owen ends partnership

FESTIVE OFFER: Racing Post Members' Club 50% off for three months!

'Tis the season to be jolly, and the perfect time to celebrate with a subscription to Racing Post Members' Club!

Featuring award-winning journalism, expert tips and renowned form study tools, this is the only racing subscription you need to stay ahead of the field.

Throughout the festive season you can get 50% off your first THREE months of Members' Club Ultimate. That's just £17.48 per month* to unlock all premium features.

Head to the offer page here to find out more!

*T&Cs apply