Last call for a legend
If AP McCoy hadn’t broken his leg as a teenager then it could have been all so different.
The youngster had his heart set on life as a flat jockey but ultimately he would make his name as the finest national hunt rider of all time.
Champion amateur and point-to-point legend Derek O’Connor feels that, even if that accident hadn’t happened, the Antrim man had national hunt racing in his blood
‘I think that part of the country where he came from, national hunt racing is huge, and there’s point to point up there as well. You’d always associate people in that area with jump racing and I suppose the brief spell in flat racing was only to pass the time until he went jumps racing.’
O’Connor knows something about being a legend in racing. From Tubber in County Clare (or County Galway if you prefer) he claimed his 1000th winner back in February, while he was once the champion amateur.
As well as that he’s also won on the biggest stage of all-securing two wins at Cheltenham. He feels all levels of racing will be at a loss for AP’s departure, especially the casual fan.
‘The exposure the game is after getting because of him and he’s a household name. Anytime you lose a household name for whatever reason its definitely a hindrance to the sport. Everyone knows him and the Grand National is a brilliant example of that.’
‘It’s a household race and he was the the housewives bet and if you lose that you lose a bit of exposure. It wont be the same without him.’
O’Connor only came across McCoy briefly in the weigh room in their differing career paths, but the Clare man was always impressed by the manner of the champion jockey. He believes that the public perception of the man was miles from how he was seen by his fellow riders.
‘His manner, his professionalism, his hunger for the game and despite people’s opinion that he can be a little bit unfriendly with the press, I never found him but anything but a gentleman.’
‘You’d ask him about a horse or a race course or just to have a personal chat he was a very nice fella. Trying to aspire to be like him as jockey was the toughest thing. I don’t think anyone will achieve what he has done in the saddle. Just an amazing man.’
In a week when Davy Condon has been forced to retire due to injury, and Robbie McNamara continues his recovery from a horror fall at Wexford, McCoy leaves the sport still in decent health – if minus his spleen.
O’Connor admits that one of the many things that marked McCoy apart from his fellow jockeys was his ability to take the falls and bounce straight back up again.
‘Pain was something he never comprehended. He came back after injuries in record time and that other jockeys couldn’t even dream about. His pain threshold must be phenomenal and to ride through it at a very high ability. He had very bad injuries, bad breaks, spinal injuries, he spleen and his injuries were colossal but they never deterred him. He’s an idol for everybody and an idol to me.’
When McCoy won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2010, his critics felt that it was a bit foolish to give the title to a man, and not the horses whom he partnered to victory.
O’Connor feels that McCoy’s talent allowed him partner some of the best horses of all time and that his record was something that would always interest top trainers.
‘Well definitely you need the horse. You need to be able to ride it as well. He had very good ammunition with Martin Pipe and JP (McManus) throughout the years. The Irish trainers when they went to England would always try and source him
‘You knew if you had Tony McCoy on your horse you had a better chance and I suppose he was always very popular and he always got the best horses to ride.’
So what next? The natural assumption would be that he will stay involved in racing. O’Connor feels that it may take some time for the jockey to adjust to life as an ex-pro again
‘Some of the jockeys who retire,they might be a little bit lost and they don’t know what to do with themselves for a couple of years. It will be interesting to see but he’ll be a success after if he wants, if it’s buying or selling or training. But he’ll never get the same kicks as he got as a jockey after 4000 winners.’
McCoy’s departure of course will open a massive window of opportunity for who ever does take the rides for JP McManus. O’Connor thinks no one man could hope to replace a legend.
‘Davy Russell is the even money favourite to take the JP job and Barry Geraghty is in in the running too. There’s more opportunities for other riders and there’s 300 winners so every year to be shared out. There’s going to be great chances for others but no one will fill his shoes or take his place. It will take numerous jockeys to ride the same amount of horses he has been riding.’
So what of the ultimate for racing fans. A final win in his final race? Can he sign off with the fairytale finish as the clock ticks towards Sandown on Saturday afternoon and 4.25?
‘Every bookmaker is in Ireland and England will be broke. He would get some reception and it would be beautiful if Mr Mole or Box Office goes in.’
