Racing: Legend McCoy to retire at end of season
AFP
February 8, 2015 09:18 MYT
February 8, 2015 09:18 MYT
McCoy finishes an early race covered in mud during a rain lashed last day of the Cheltenham horse racing festival in Gloucestershire, England on March 15, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES
Legendary jockey Tony McCoy, who has ridden over 4,000 winners during a record-breaking career, announced on Saturday that he will retire at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old Northern Irishman -- 19-times British champion jump jockey -- made the announcement minutes after Mr Mole gave him his 200th win of the season at Newbury racecourse.
"It's going to be the last time I ride 200 winners," McCoy told Channel 4 Racing.
"Having spoken to (agent) Dave (Roberts) and (retainer) JP McManus, I am going to be retiring at the end of the season."
McCoy has won 19 consecutive champion jockey titles and wants to add one more to his collection before bowing out.
"I want to go out at the top," he added. "I want to go out as champion jockey and it will be my 20th year if I can win the jockeys' championship.
"I want to go out while I still enjoy riding and am still relatively at the top."