I was told once or twice with our new sports blog to stay relevant and do pieces which are current. Bear with me then while I go right off track. I write about a man (I think he’s human) who hasn’t appeared in a paper since Punchestown or Aintree at the end of last season, other than his much deserved OBE and the regular coverage in the Racing Post. Trust me to cover a jumps jockey whose main time in the limelight is in winter and spring. I do it for a reason. I still feel people outside ‘racing’ think A.P. McCoy won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year because of a campaign within racing for all to vote and maybe not on merit. It may be true that the racing community; bookmaker to broadcaster, stable hand to steward and punter to pundit all got behind A P McCoy for SPOTY. It was a unique moment when racing were united, such is the overwhelming appreciation of the man within the sport.
I would strongly argue however McCoy won SPOTY on merit. The 15 times champion jockey is loved though not for his major victories, but for the relentless success he pursues and achieves all through the year, even in the quiet summer days of national hunt racing. I bring the subject of McCoy’s brilliance to the fore now because I feel he does not get the recognition for his day to day supremacy. A.P.’s genius is not lost on betting shop punters and those who work in the industry full time. They see his work most days. McCoy works to the joy of punters, the detriment of bookies and often provides the highlight of the day with another great ride. The common conversation, ‘how did he win on that?’
It was a couple of weeks ago when on twitter I saw @AP_McCoy share a picture….
AP McCoy Jul 02, 03:415pm In mates house he is wondering why I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 5.30 to go racing,I'm wondering too...nice gaff! http://yfrog.com/h3jafxrj
The champion jockey got to Market Rasen that next day, a Sunday. Dire stuff. The quality of racing was of a shockingly low standard. But racing which meant a lot to owners, followers, gamblers and jockey’s alike. Anthony Peter McCoy rode one winner from 2 favourites. His winner came aboard a horse called Oasis Knight (4/11fav). Thoroughly out of love with the game, Oasis Knight did everything he could to get beat. He didn’t travel early on, constantly on and off the bridle, jumping indifferently and giving his jockey no help. McCoy gave it the softly softly approach early on, kidding Oasis Knight, desperately trying to keep him interested and travelling well. Once he jumped the last, the kidding just wouldn’t do. Up to that point, McCoy’s caressing had kept this monkey in touch of the lead; this treatment would not win him the race though. Most horses which are tricky like Oasis Knight don’t respond well to severe pressure from the jockey. They down tools or put their head in the air in protest to hard graft. What was incredible with this ride, as with so many of McCoy’s, the champ gave the horse no choice. He was so strong in the saddle that McCoy completely made up the horses mind. You can’t put into words the talent of the record breaking jumps jockey. Each ride is as good as the next. But what might make sense to the person looking into our sport is the amazing stats that McCoy tallies. That holiday McCoy cut short led to a winner on Sunday, two on Monday (and a faller), three on Tuesday and three on Wednesday. He has accumulated 18 winners in the past fortnight. Since the 23rd of April, the start of the new jumps season, McCoy has won 60 races from 199 rides. A 30% strike rate. Phenomenal. He has had another 84 in 2nd, 3rd or 4th places meaning over 72% of his mounts finish ‘in the money’.
Another example of the worth which he brings to the horses’ he rides can be seen from the David Pipe trained Frosted Grape. McCoy rode him a winner in Uttoxeter on Tuesday the 5th of July, and he beat him into 2nd eight days later in Uttoxeter on his boss Jonjo O’Neill’s Calypso Bay. Both super rides.
Tom O’Ryan of Racing UK pointed out Thursday on the channel, how special it was that a sportsperson of the quality of McCoy can be witnessed day in day out, up close, at any run of the mill track, all across Britain. It’s not like trying to witness Rory McIlroy, Andy Murray, or Wayne Rooney where you will pay big money and struggle to get a good view or seat at the event. You will see McCoy at Market Rasen, Southwell, Cartmel along with the top attractions Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. Ruby Walsh’s misfortune this week with yet another injury just reminds you of how tough the game is and the luck you need to be champion jockey 15 times in succession, you need to be ridiculously tough as well.
AP McCoy cutting short his holiday’s at the start of July to ride winner upon winner shows the ravenous hunger the Northern Ireland man has for the game. He can’t be short of money but he simply does it; not only for the love of the game, but he is addicted to winning. And in turn what a treat that provides for his fans. Remember McCoy finished last season riding winners, and the very next day (yes the next day) started winning again. No summer or Christmas breaks here. Two or three days off with the family, or golfing with the lads, or going to see the Gunners when there is no jumps racing scheduled would be the height of it.
So why do we love him? Well he seems a top bloke, getting nicer as time goes by. He now appreciates it more. He rides winners 24/7. Everywhere and anywhere, hail, rain or snow. Much was written on the run up to him winning the coveted BBC award at the start of this year. It did him some justice and taught some of the wider audience something about his sporting brilliance. I just wanted this post to recognise his efforts throughout this summer and his truly remarkable and illustrious career so far.
That most memorable of commentary’s to describe Denman’s 2008 Gold Cup victory by Richard Hoiles springs to mind when trying to convey A.P. McCoy’s domination.
Relentless, remorseless, pounding his rivals into submission. The answer is McCoy!
Post by Peter Kingston. You can follow Peter on twitter @kingbetireland
Just as I shared this to my twitter and facebook page. First customer came through the door collecting 2 lucky 15's. One of them (true story) had AP's three winners yesterday at Cartmel on them - €259. He was made up. One let him down in Ireland for a few thousand. The conversation is about McCoy and this will continue now for the morning. Punters sharing different stories in adoration of the champ.
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I just wanted this post to recognise his efforts throughout this summer and his truly remarkable and illustrious career so far.
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