You don't know what you've got till its gone - Tony McCoy Retires From Racing

His records will never be broken. Assuming he retires at the end of the UK season and doesn't got to Punchestown, Whitbread day at Sandown is a must
 
I think the most telling thing is that racing just won't quite be the same without him. To do what he's done time and time again, year after year is remarkable. Who else could recover from the injuries he's had and still win a jockey championship in the same season. AP is the ultimate professional, and his retirement will be a big loss to the sport.

The next chapter will be announced soon, and I expect said anouncement to be the start of another remarkable career.

As for who replaces him as JP's retained jockey, it may be nobody does in the immediate term. If JP can't secure someone who he believes lives up to what AP brings why would he pay a significant retainer. Ruby is out of the question, Barry may not be available, Cooper wouldn't leave Giggi, Townend whilst being very good is no AP, so I can see a scenario where he isn't replaced at all and it becomes stable choice or best available on the day.
 
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Does he become assistant to Jonjo with a view to learning from him and taking over the ropes when he retires?
 
Think he said training didn't interest him. He's got to stay involved in racing & would not be surprised if he got a role in the McManus set up. Frank Berry maybe getting nervous...
 
Grasshopper said:
I find all jockeys much-of-muchness, to be honest. Horses make them look good, rather than the other way around.

In all the time I've been watching racing, McCoy has been - and remains - peerless in getting horses into the Winners Enclosure, that have no right being there.
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Couldn't have put it better myself Grassy and when I was beaten in a tight finish by one ridden by the legend, after the odd expletive, I found myself applauding him regardless.
 
He was interviewed on Five Live Sunday morning and said he had no idea what he was going to do, other than go to sporting events he wouldn't normally be able to attend.
He also said he may not carry on until end of the season. He said he would like to finish on a winner and one may come any day and he will say 'that's it'. Personally I can't see him going before Aintree. I read years ago that he wouldn't be a trainer as he couldn't stand having to deal with the owners. He may have changed his mind obviously. I think he will struggle if he doesn't get something which means heavy involvement with racing. I think he will be a little like Richard Dunwoody who can't bear the fact that he can't professionally any more, albeit for different reasons in his case.
 
Whatever he does he'll take it to the extreme- his missus wants a break from the ironing, so he might help with that.

http://xtremeironing.com/

I'm just glad he's getting out and hopefully in one piece. Maybe he should do a Charlie Swan and just ride over the smaller obstacles till he quits for good? Can't see it though.
 
I can only add the dismal look on my mothers face when she realised I'd phoned the BBC around 100 times aged fifteen, to vote for him when he was third in Sports Personality Of The Year!

I did that because at the time I felt someone like him - a jockey - should be acknowledged as much as any other sportsman/woman.

Tony McCoy has been a great ambassador for racing and human endeavour and achievement within the sport.
 
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I fear for him a bit to be honest.

I can't see him being brand ambassador. I think doing anything around racing will drive him mad. It's an unhealthy place at the best of times but will be particularly unhealthy for someone like McCoy

Dunwoody is the better example, but he was forced out. AP is going out on his own terms. I could easily see him getting involved with golf in some capacity

If I were going to be honest, the headline I expect to see in 3 years time is "McCoy announces plan for comeback"

Just as an aside what are the rules about him becoming an amateur. Could he ride as Mr Tony McCoy or (as I think is the case) once you've ridden professionally that's it?
 
I would think the fact he has built forty odd boxes adjacent to his house might just indicate his intentions although he did once say to us he would never train. Strangely on the racing front, without ever doubting his ability, he didn't do well for us. Our best horse Ballycassidy swished his tail as soon as he saw him come into the paddock and thought he might be his jockey which he was a few times . Whatever I have nothing but admiration for him as a jock and a man.
 
Warbler said:
Just as an aside what are the rules about him becoming an amateur. Could he ride as Mr Tony McCoy or (as I think is the case) once you've ridden professionally that's it?
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Unsure if it's the same or different under rules but in p2p's if you've held a pro license for a certain period of time (I think it's 18 months or 2 years) then you're ineligible to ride as an amateur in them.

One chap was DQ'd from his Members race three or so years ago because he'd been a conditional jockey for three years in the 1980's.

Martin
 
Makes sense Martin, otherwsie I'm sure we'd have seen incidents of retired ex-pros having a jolly in the Foxhunters
 
I think it would be exceptionally hard for him to become a trainer - to stick someone else up on a horse you would like to have ridden would be nigh on impossible for someone like him. And it doesn't suit a lot of people - think Piggott, Francome.

I was discussing this this morning riding out and my suggestion would be to become a "mentor, tutor, guru (call it what you like)" for young jockeys. He could even start an academy. Sure there are the Racing Schools who both have courses for jockeys in addition to training stable staff, but none of these properly tutor young jockeys. So many are possibly lost to the game through going down the wrong path or getting the wrong advice. Many with a little success to their name get over cocky and as soon as they lose their claim, sink without trace. Imagine if there were someone of McCoy's ability mixed with his drive, ambition and humility who could teach youngsters. Sitting down with them and analysing their rides, pointing out where they were good and not so good. Some trainers will do this with their apprentices/conditional but a great many won't. He wants to give back to the sport and what better way of doing it.
 
What's Timmy Murphy doing these days? He owns Fergal O'Briens stable doesn't he? Is McCoy planning to rent out his boxes [or are they literally right next to his house?].
 
moehat said:
What's Timmy Murphy doing these days? He owns Fergal O'Briens stable doesn't he? Is McCoy planning to rent out his boxes [or are they literally right next to his house?].
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Timmy runs Cilldara Stud as well as renting a house and part of his yard to Feargal. Was there recently, Timmy's house left, Feargal's right

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Timmy riding out at head of second lot

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