The British jumps season has ended with Tony McCoy predictably the champion jockey and Paul Nicholls beating Nicky Henderson for the trainers’ title.
It was the 19th consecutive championship for McCoy who said he had no plans to retire.
“I feel as good as ever. I’d like to win a few more jockeys’ titles yet,” McCoy said.
“It has been the most traumatic year of all personally, with my son Archie having a major operation before Cheltenham. It’s been the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me.
“But it has been a successful year riding, obviously.
“I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that I would win 19 jockeys’ championships. It’s a lot of winners, but I’d like plenty more titles than 19 to be honest, and I don’t say that lightly.
“I honestly don’t know how long I will go on for.
“I’d love to retire as champion jockey, there’s no doubt about that. My next target will be Martin Pipe’s record (4180 winners). That’s just a personal target and a bit of fun, because he’s one of the people I respect the most.”
Nicholls said he was surprised he had been able to wrestle the trainers’ title back from Henderson.
At the beginning of the season Henderson appeared to be stronger with Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre and Bobs Worth in his ranks but, for one reason or another, those three did not deliver.
With Nicholls no longer able to call on the likes of Kauto Star, Denman and Master Minded, he thought it would take a year or two to rebuild his team.
“Nicky had an awesome team of horses last year and unfortunately for him, things didn’t always go right (this season),” Nicholls said.
“The team has gone well this year and I am a bit surprised.
“The whole team have got an awful lot of pleasure from regaining the championship having lost it.”
