AP McCoy – Champion National Hunt Jockey 16 times
Tony (universally known as AP) McCoy is simply the greatest jump jockey of all time. In his illustrious career he has ridden over 3,200 winners, including the Grand National, the Champion Hurdle (twice) and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Additionally, he’s the reigning Champion Jockey, a title he has held for fifteen consecutive seasons.
Since the beginning of the 2004/5 season, AP has been retained by JP McManus, principally to ride the horses JP has in training at Jackdaws Castle, together with selected others of his based in England, Ireland and in France. Additionally, he rides as many other horses trained by Jonjo as these commitments allow, as well as schooling at Jackdaws whenever necessary.
AP’s Career Landmarks
AP was born in Moneyglass, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and from an early age wanted to be a jockey. Having gained early experience with local trainer Billy Rock, AP then spent almost four years with Jim Bolger, for whom he rode his first winner, on Legal Steps at Thurles in March 1992, aged 17.
However, after a six-month spell on the sidelines, following a fall, AP found his weight had ballooned and a career as a jump jockey beckoned. Eventually, in 1994, he moved to England to join Toby Balding. Astonishingly, he ended his first full season in Britain as Champion Conditional Jockey. The following campaign, he captured the senior title and since then has held the mantle of Champion Jockey.
McCoy’s relentless quest for winners has seen him rewrite racing’s record books. Just three of his milestones are as follows: fastest ever jockey to 1,000 winners, reached when Majadou won at Cheltenham on December 11th 1999: most winners in a season for all types of racing, surpassing Sir Gordon Richards’ record of 269 on Valfonic at Warwick on April 2nd 2002 (he went on to ride 289) and winner no 3,000, courtesy of Restless D’Artaix at Plumpton on February 9th 2009.
The most famous steeplechase in the world is the Grand National at Aintree. For years this had eluded not only AP, but Jonjo and JP McManus too. However, on April 10th 2010 that all changed when Don’t Push It romped home, triggering scenes of unbridled joy from all concerned.
AP’s Role at Jackdaws Castle
Many racegoers see jockeys only on a race day and therefore perhaps don’t appreciate the important role some play in preparing horses beforehand. Schooling mornings at all stables are hugely important. For a horse to benefit thoroughly, it needs regular and quality input from a jockey. At Jackdaws Castle, AP schools virtually all the horses, irrespective of profile, ensuring that pretty much everything from raw novice to seasoned star benefits from his skills.
AP summed up the aim of a typical schooling morning as follows:
“At Jackdaws Castle when we begin schooling horses we start off slowly trying to get their confidence and make them feel happy in what they are doing. Gradually, the more the horse does, the quicker he gets and then we can get to the point where we are happy to go racing”
Schooling is a skill in itself, the aim being to help every horse realise its potential. This can test the expertise of both jockey and trainer, as inevitably some take longer than others to catch on. However, there are no short cuts, as AP points out,
“At Jackdaws Castle every horse is treated as an individual; they all get the same excellent treatment, no matter how long it takes.”
Excellent facilities, combined with a dedicated and talented team makes Jonjo O’Neill Racing one of the outstanding training operations in the business.
