Pipe pays tribute to 'wonderful' Mary Bromiley who rebuilt Carvill's Hill

Martin Pipe has paid glowing tribute to renowned equine physiotherapist Mary Bromiley MBE ahead of her funeral on Wednesday.

Bromiley, who passed away peacefully aged 88, played a key role in the success of the 15-times champion trainer and will be remembered for the part she played in the rehabilitation of the giant chaser Carvill's Hill, whose career had pretty much been written off by other experts until she stepped in with a plan to rebuild him.

Pipe recalled: "We were told after bone scans that Carvill's Hills' racing days were over and I remember almost crying, because he was such a fabulous horse. But Mary looked at the report and said 'Don't worry – we'll rebuild him'.

Martin Pipe: 'She could see things nobody else could see'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I was very dubious at the time, but we went back to square one and with Mary's help we taught him how to use his body frame again, how to use his muscles, and so on. He learned everything from scratch again and he went on to win the Rehearsal, the Welsh National and the Hennessy at Leopardstown – everything but the Gold Cup."

Pipe described Bromiley, who died in September, as "the best equine physio in the world" and said she also treated Grand National winner Miinnehoma and many of the stable's festival winners, as well as spotting and treating issues in countless lesser lights at Pond House.

He said: "Mary could just look at a horse and tell us what was wrong. She could see things nobody else could see. She was absolutely wonderful. We were very lucky to benefit from her knowledge and I wouldn't have trained so many winners without her input.

"She loved imparting her knowledge and many of today's top physios will have learned under her, so her legacy will live on. She also taught and trained all of our staff, who loved her and learned so much from her."

Carvill's Hill: the star chaser benefited from Mary Bromiley's care

Bromiley, who also wrote many books on her subject and went to the Olympics with Sir Mark Todd, leaves sons Nick and Sam and daughters Pelly and Rabbit.

The funeral service will be private, and for family only. However, it will be followed by a celebration of her life from 2pm on Wednesday at the Rest And Be Thankful, Wheddon Cross, Minehead, TA24 7DR, to which all are welcome.