Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Sir Anthony Peter McCoy OBE, commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish former horse racing jockey. Based in the UK and Ireland, McCoy rode a record 4,358 winners, and was Champion Jockey a record 20 consecutive times, every year he was a professional. He stands 1.78 m, taller than most jockeys...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionHorse Jockey
Date of Birth4 May 1974
CountryIreland
life love lucky position privileged work
I'm very lucky to live my life through a sport that I love. I'm in a very privileged position that my work is my hobby.
difficult life riding sitting
I know from sitting around with injuries how difficult life will be without racing and riding winners.
care died good horses human job life love mine obviously tough
I've been on some very good horses which have died, and that's very tough to take. But as much as we love the horses, and care for them, human life is obviously more important. Some good friends of mine have died or been paralysed while doing a job we all love.
champion dreamed fear life people sports win
Essentially, I am a dreamer. I've dreamed all my life. When I started, I dreamed I'd be Champion because it is a sport that is all about the people who win the most, and I have a fear of not winning.
work
I like challenging myself. I'm not a person who likes not to work.
love lucky money work
I'm very lucky that I love what I do. I've never thought of it as work. I've never done it for the money.
officially written
I never had a written contract, was never officially a stable jockey.
gets known race ride since time win
I've known he would win this race since Christmas. He just gets better every time I ride him." ()
few hours lose pounds spend starve themselves uncommon weight
It will not surprise you to learn that it is not uncommon for jockeys who struggle with their weight to starve themselves and spend hours in the sauna to lose a few pounds to be able to make a big-race ride.
die doctors err push side
Doctors are fantastic, but they err on the side of caution. But you can push yourself. You're not going to die from pain.
good ridden
I've ridden 3,651 winners, if that's any good to you. I don't count the falls. I count the winners.
days eight however jockey minutes national race run takes winners
The National is about however long it takes to run that race - eight minutes of fame - but champion jockey is about racing 365 days a year. I actually wouldn't swap any of my winners for the National.
matter riding
No matter how long I go without riding winners, I know in the back of my head that I can ride.
absolutely although amazing born few john met mile playing remember seeing willie within
I've met Willie John a few times. He was born within a mile of where I was born, and I know he's an absolutely amazing man, although I don't remember seeing him playing rugby, unfortunately." ()