a keen racing man, he was a member of the south australian jockey club's first committee, and owner of the assyrian, country girl and first water (winner of the 1880 adelaide cup and the 1881 australian cup). for a time his horses were trained by j. eden savill, but after savill sued certain members of the s.a.j.c. committee, pile included, he withdrew his patronage and a year later sold his stables, horses and all his stock. savill bought the assyrian, which went on to win the 1882 melbourne cup.