Welcome to The Comply Or Die Insider Website

Over the past two seasons Comply Or Die has quickly become a household name as only regular John Smith’s Grand National horses can. The once a year betting public has quickly latched onto the horses ability to gallop and jump well over the unique Aintree fences each Spring as they seek a willing partner to carry their wager.

Victory in the worlds greatest Steeplechase came for the horse in 2008 when he was exceptionally well handicapped, winning for owner David Johnson, Trainer David Pipe and Jockey Timmy Murphy. However, perhaps the horses qualities were even further endorsed in 2009 when he finished runner-up to Mon Mome carrying considerably more weight (15 lbs) than 12 months earlier.

Comply Or Die had once again put up a tremendous performance, looking the likely winner as they came to the last. He certainly lost nothing in defeat and at the age of just 10 years old is certainly young enough to try again. The gelding is undoubtedly a very accurate jumper and has proved his liking of extreme distances (four miles plus) but he must be fitted with blinkers to show his best.

It is worth noting that they are regularly left off the horse for his early season races but are quickly re-applied come the spring to bring out his best. One thing is for sure, if he turns up at Aintree fit and well in April 2010 for a third crack at The National then he will be supported by the public who love the perennial Grand National horses.

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Comply Or Die Racing News & Articles
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Comply Or Die’s Trainer David Pipe was a 21 year old assistant to his father (15 times Champion Trainer Martin Pipe) when sending out Miinnehoma to win the 1994 Grand National for comedian Freddie Starr.  By the start of the 2006/07 season David was taking over the reigns and hoping to emulate his famous father in training a Grand National winner.

 

However, having had no obvious chance of winning in 2007, 12 months later the Somerset family were represented by February’s 2008 Eider Chase winner Comply Or Die.  The gelding was heavily backed on the day by the betting shop public to become the 7/1 Joint Favourite (along with Cloudy Lane) and pulled of a Nationwide gamble for punters when romping home in the Aintree showpiece.

 

Timmy Murphy, having stylishly ridden out the Pipe horse, had recorded a famous victory to cap a personal comeback from alcoholism, including a short time in prison earlier in his career.  His undoubted skill in the saddle had gone some way in paying back the faith shown in him by others, particularly retaining owner, David Johnson who of course owns Comply Or Die.

 

Johnson himself is a self made Essex financier who has had a string of top class race horses over the past twenty years particularly with Martin Pipe.  He has won many of the top races with equine heroes such as Cyfor Malta, Well Chief, Celestial Gold, Challenger Du Luc and 2004 Grand National third Lord Atterbury.