Champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy has begun the countdown to his retirement with his first victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
Just a day after he announced he would retire at the end of the season, McCoy steered Carlingford Lough to a memorable win for his boss JP McManus in the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham feature.
“JP’s family are here and my family are here. It’s brilliant. It’s what’s meant to be,” McCoy said.
“It’s amazing the people here at Leopardstown today. I have to be careful I don’t get too emotional, it’s not good for the image.”
“I might just get to steer him around on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, which is probably the most important day of the whole jumping year and, on today’s performance, he’s got a live chance.”
Reflecting on his decision to retire, McCoy, who was afforded a hero’s welcome on his return to the winner’s enclosure, said the time was right.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win 19 jockeys’ championships and if I could win 20, it would be a great number,” he said.
McCoy said he intends to get Cheltenham and Aintree behind him and decide then whether to go out on a winner or ride until the last day of the season at Sandown on April 25.
