The sport as a whole and the West Midlands Area in particular will be saddened to hear of the recent passing of one of Point-to-Point Racing's all-time greats Dick Baimbridge.
By comparison to others Baimbridge’s total of 519 winners during the 50-year training career may not look that significant, but none could match his unique and uncanny ability to produce winners from other people’s cast offs.
His horses were never one season wonders and longevity and consistency were the hallmarks of them all and once he had resolved their individual idiosyncrasies, they were all able to fulfil their potential.
Alison Dare (6 National Titles) and Claire Allen (1 National Title) both played their part in the Berkeley trainers’ successes along with the trainer’s wife Joyce, while Mendip Express 38 wins, Stephens Pet 21, Split Second 20 and Nether Gobions 19 were the biggest contributors to the trainers’ tally.
One of the old school Baimbridge liked things done in a certain way and given his record it would be very difficult for anybody to argue with those methods.
There is a long list of trainers who have used the sport as a spring board for careers under N.H. Rules, and there is little doubt Baimbridge would have succeeded in this exalted company. It has been said “we will not see his like again”, in this case it is true.
We offer our sympathies to all his family at this difficult time.
Family launch Just Giving Page
Pointing West Midlands has received a note from Dick Baimbridge’s grand-daughter Ellie thanking everyone for their kind words at this difficult time.
The family is in the process of making funeral arrangements, which is difficult at the best of times, increasingly so just before Christmas and more so during the Covid crisis, which means that only a certain number of people will be able to physically attend his funeral.
No doubt many people would have wished to pay their last respects to the great man and if they wish to do so the family have created a JustGiving page to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund. They can do so by following the link below. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dick-baimbridge