Huge crowd expected for McCoy farewell

Sandown Racecourse is preparing to cater for a sell-out crowd to farewell retiring champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy.

A sell-out crowd is expected at Sandown to farewell champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy.

McCoy, who ends the season as the leading jockey for the 20th consecutive time, announced his retirement earlier this year.

Sandown clerk of the course Andrew Cooper has been in his role for almost 20 years and has only ever known one champion jockey.

"There's been a huge build up to this meeting," Cooper said.

"There was a bit of uncertainty whether or not Tony was going to make this his last day as he could have gone to Punchestown and then he said if he won the National that would be it.

"But to know this is where he'll bow out is great.

"It will be an emotional day."

It is not yet certain how many rides McCoy will have on Saturday with his only definite mount Mr Mole in the Celebration Chase for which Sprinter Sacre is also a confirmed runner.

Given Cooper's time at Sandown has run parallel with McCoy's career he has seen him ride countless big-race winners and his favourite came at the corresponding meeting in 2009.

"I suppose his win on Hennessy in the Gold Cup itself is the win that sticks out most in my mind and I think Tony selected it himself as one of his best 10 of all-time," Cooper said.

"There was also a race in 2001 that ranks high. There'd been no Cheltenham that year because of foot and mouth so we hastily put on something of a replacement meeting.

"He won the Champion Chase on Edredon Bleu by a short head from Fadalko.

"I don't think we'll appreciate what he's actually achieved until he's gone."


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world