Jockey Club Congratulates Tony Mccoy
Published: 2 April 2002
Christopher Spence, the Senior Steward, said today:
鈥淥n behalf of the Jockey Club, I would like to congratulate Tony McCoy on his 270th winner, which takes him past Sir Gordon Richards鈥� 1947 total for the record number of winners ridden in one season.
鈥淪ir Gordon鈥檚 record had stood for over fifty years and was a remarkable achievement. Indeed, the Herculean efforts required of Tony McCoy to overhaul it have undoubtedly helped today鈥檚 racegoing public appreciate all the more the talents of both men, as well as enabling us to witness history being made.
鈥淩acing needs it heroes, both equine and human, and in Tony McCoy, racing can lay claim to having one of the modern era鈥檚 truly great sporting achievers.鈥�
Malcolm Wallace, Director of Regulation, added:
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted for Tony McCoy. His passing of Sir Gordon Richards鈥� record is a testament to his will to win and to his dedication to improving his own incredibly high standards.
鈥淎bout four years ago, it seemed to some as though Tony McCoy was irreversibly at odds with the Jockey Club over our guidelines for use of the whip. However, in recent seasons it has been noticeable how much and how successfully he has adapted his riding style and clearly it has not been at the expense of riding winners.
鈥淚n fact, until his two day suspension on Easter Monday, Tony McCoy鈥檚 one and only 鈥榖rush鈥� with authority this season was a caution from the Market Rasen stewards for careless riding! Considering the number of rides he has taken, the number of close finishes he has been involved in and not forgetting the pressure he is under, that in itself is a fantastic achievement.
鈥淗e deserves immense credit for not only breaking records but also for taking the standards of race riding to new heights.鈥�
2nd April 2002
