Tony McCoy broke Sir Gordon Richards' record for winners in a season when notching his 270th win of the campaign at Warwick today. After earlier equalling the record of 269 winners on Shepherds Rest, McCoy followed up by taking the Leek Wooton Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
McCoy displayed the tenacity that has earned him record after record during his career with a typically strong ride on the Martin Pipe-trained Valfonic. The four-year-old looked to be struggling but McCoy conjured a run out of Pipe's horse to seal his place in racing history.
McCoy said after returning on Valfonic: "Obviously it's brilliant to get there in the end. It's taken a while as I keep saying I can't make the horses go any faster as much as I'd like to be able to but I can't. I actually thought I would struggle today as I thought Shampooed, Shepherds Rest and this one just had chances and I'm obviously really pleased that all three have won.
Pipe was quick to praise his stable jockey, with whom he has enjoed so much success in recent seasons. He said: "Brilliant wasn't it? It's absolutely brilliant that he should beat Sir Gordon Richards' record and I'm thrilled to bits for him. I'm highly delighted he was on one of my horses. He deserves it, he's a dedicated, brilliant jockey."
Channel Four betting guru John McCririck hailed McCoy's achievement and believes there has never been a rider to match him. He said: "The man is a colossus. We have never seen his like before." Former champion jump jockey and Channel Four pundit John Francome also paid tribute to McCoy and believes Sir Gordon would also be pleased with McCoy's landmark.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
