Poll: Peers effusive in praise of the retiring McCoy

The only jump jockey to ride more than 4,000 winners in history, the 40-year-old downplayed his career ahead of today’s meeting at Catterick – his first rides in Britain since announcing his decision on Saturday afternoon to hang up his saddle before the end of the current campaign.

“I’ve no regrets whatsoever because I really think I’ve over achieved to be honest. I think there’s been as many good jockeys as I have been, not being arrogant I think I’ve done well for myself,” said McCoy, with characteristic candour.

“A lot of what I’ve achieved has just been through working hard and the fear I might never achieve them again and that’s probably what is making me retire, the thought it might never happen again.”

Though McCoy’s decision was not totally unexpected, his proud parents were still in the dark about the timing of their son’s announcement when he told Channel Four Racing immediately after recording his 200th winner of the current campaign aboard Queen Mother Champion Chase prospect Mr Mole who conceded 15 lengths to his opponents when jinking at the start.

There were then gasps when McCoy fell from Goodwood Mirage at the very first flight in the next contest – racing remains the greatest leveller of all and it explains why the jockey paid tribute to the ambulance crews and medical staff who have rebuilt his battered body on numerous occasions.

It is this willpower that will see McCoy be this year’s beneficiary of the lifetime achievement award set up by legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan’s charitable trust. “He has been something very special,” said the 96-year-old. “Apart from his amazing record, he has grown in stature as a person. It is a credit to him that he has never become big-headed, he’s remained very sensible-headed.”

But it was the reaction of his fellow riders that spoke volumes about their regard for a horseman who has rewritten the record books and whose recent ride on If In Doubt in Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase offered visual evidence that this is a sportsman quitting at the very top. “The extraordinary thing is he has been champion for every single season he has ridden in England,” top rider Tom Scudamore told The Yorkshire Post.

“That is extraordinary. Injuries stopped Dad (Peter) from being champion jockey more times than he was. The same with John Francome and Jonjo O’Neill. AP has had injuries and suspensions, but they just didn’t stop him.

“Racing-wise, the all-time greats are Lester Piggott, Sir Gordon Richards, Fred Archer and AP. Three of them rode on the Flat. That tells you all you need to know. The first time I remember seeing him was down at the last at Hereford. I was 11 or 12, it was the first year he won the title. He turned a somersault, but Dad told me that he was ‘very, very good’. Dad was right.”

Scudamore junior – one of a clutch of riders who will hope to challenge for next season’s championship – says McCoy’s longevity, dedication and attention to detail has changed the face of racing.

He believes he would have won the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the unheralded The Giant Bolster before being denied by his great friend and rival’s miracle ride aboard Synchronised.

“If you are going very well and you see him out of the corner of your eye going to the last, the chances are that he will beat you.

“Ever since he started racing, he wanted to be the best he could be.

“Big races, small races, you knew what you were getting. He treated every race the same,” said Scudamore.

“Every time you think you are getting closer to him, he has raised the bar. Every single year, he has set that bar higher, higher and higher – and you had to go with him. He is also not a natural height to be a jockey and made a lot of sacrifices to bend his body into the right shape.

“His whole life has been dedicated to riding winners and making the most of his ability. Absolutely extraordinary.”