Saturday 25 April 2015

A.P.McCOY (4)

The incomparable A.P.McCoy retired this afternoon, after riding his last horse race at a packed Sandown Park. 20 years as a jump jockey, 20 jump jockey titles, more than 4,300 winners, and more than 40 broken bones.

An incredible record. He was at the top of his sport for 1,040 consecutive weeks. That compares with 545 for Tiger Woods in golf, and a measly 302 for the great Roger Federer in tennis.

The only thing missing was a winner in his last race. Perhaps fittingly, that race was won by a horse ridden by Richard Johnson, the man who has been runner-up to McCoy in the championship a remarkable 16 times. Hopefully Johnson will finally get to win the title next year, now that McCoy is finally gone.

Walter Blotscher

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