Tribute to Stewart Pike

The Wessex Area was very sorry to learn of the death of the much respected and well liked Stewart Pike who was the breeder, owner and trainer of a number of top class point to pointers and steeplechasers particularly during the 1990’s.

Based at Sidbury, Devon he regularly produced from his mare Romany Lilly the likes of Winters Lane, Synderborough Lad (named after his farm), Proud Sun, Sweatshirt and the mare Front Cover who were all prolific winners. Mike Felton had an excellent record with Stewart and recorded successes on the first three named with Shirley Vickery recording four point to point victories and two Hunter Chase wins including one at Aintree on Front Cover.

It was Proud Sun who was the best horse he trained and gave him the most success. Unbeaten in his first four points he was narrowly beaten by What a Hand at Larkhill in February 1995 before then notching up four Hunter Chase victories that season culminating in a triumph in the John Corbet Cup at Stratford when beating the Richard Barber trained Cherrynut. All of these Hunter Chases victories were ridden by Mike Felton. Jim Culloty was the rider when Proud Sun triumphed the next season at Stratford this time in the Horse and Hound Cup. Seamus Durack took over the reins when he returned to action in 1998 and showed all his class when deadheating with the Foxhunters winner Fantus in a memorable race at Larkhill in January but sadly that was his swansong as he took a fatal fall on his next outing.

Stewart and his wife Monique continued to be regular attendees at point to points after he retired from training and they were a very popular couple at both Devon and Cornwall and Wessex meetings until ill health intervened. Sincere condolences are sent to Monique and all of Stewart’s friends and family.