Tony McCoy produced the kind of swashbuckling ride for which he has become so famed as he secured his 4000th winner over jumps at Towcester.
A huge crowd descended on the Northamptonshire circuit – which as always offered free admission – in the hope of seeing history being made and McCoy was in no mood to let his supporters down.
Having earlier suffered disappointment when 3-1 favourite Church Field could finish only fifth in the Agetur Handicap Hurdle, the 18-times champion again teamed up with trainer Jonjo O’Neill and owner JP McManus as 6-4 favourite Mountain Tunes kicked off his career under Rules in the Weatherbys Novices’ Hurdle.
Having travelled strongly for much of the two-mile-five-furlong journey, the Irish point-to-point winner appeared booked for minor honours as Panama Petrus and Kris Spin asserted from the home turn.
However, the 39-year-old rider had not given up on Mountain Tunes back in third and galvanised his mount to ensure he was in with a chance jumping the final obstacle.
Kris Spin held a narrow advantage on touching down, but McCoy threw everything at the market leader and with the packed grandstands roaring in anticipation, Mountain Tunes claimed victory by half a length.
McCoy had made no secret of his desire to secure his 4000th winner in the green and gold silks of McManus, to whom he has held a retainer for the last nine years, and the delight on his face as he passed the post in front was clear.
With McManus, O’Neill and his family on hand to immediately join in the celebrations, McCoy admitted it was a fairytale end to his quest to reach the incredible milestone.
McCoy said: “It was just amazing, it couldn’t have worked out any better.
“I’m very lucky I work in a great sport. I get lots of support and work for great people.
“You only have to look at the amount of people who have come out today and supported me. I feel very humbled by it.”
