On April 10th, 2010, AP McCoy won his first and only Aintree Grand National. It was his fifteenth attempt, having first tried to win the race in 1995. McCoy’s success on the JP McManus-owned horse DON’T PUSH IT was met with widespread joy as he finally achieved his lifelong dream of winning the race.
The jockey had come close to winning the Aintree showcase in 2002, finishing third on BLOWING WIND, and again in 2006 when he came third on the much fancied CLAN ROYAL.
However, it wasn’t until April 2010 that his hard work paid off; McCoy added the Grand National to his list of significant achievements. These included the Gold Cup, Scottish Grand National, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Welsh Grand National, Midlands Grand National, and Irish Grand National, to name just a few.
Following his Grand National win in 2010, he rode in the race five more times before his retirement from racing. Finishing third on DON’T PUSH IT in 2011, he returned in 2012 and partnered with Synchronised, who tragically fell at the 6th. Colbert Station was his mount in 2013, but the horse unseated McCoy at the 15th. Double Seven gave McCoy another third place in 2014, and his final attempt at the famous fences came on SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR in 2015, when he came in 5th.
How Many Races Did AP McCoy Win?
Throughout his career, McCoy was renowned for his professionalism and dedication to racing. In total, he won 4,348 jump races and ten on the flat. He was crowned Champion Jockey 20 times and was awarded an MBE in 2003 before being awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010.
Among his vast number of wins, his most notable achievements include winning the Gold Cup, Scottish Grand National, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Welsh Grand National, Midlands Grand National, and Irish Grand National.
In 2010, Tony McCoy made history when he became the first jockey to be honored with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. In 2013 he was named RTÉ Irish Sports Personality of the Year.
Why is Tony McCoy called AP?
Tony McCoy is often referred to by his initials ‘AP’ rather than his first name. The ‘AP’ refers to his real name, which is Anthony Peter McCoy. The nickname was first coined in the early 1990s when he started gaining recognition for his talent as a jockey and gradually caught on over time.
Although, Champ would be a better nickname for the 20-time Champion Jockey!
How Many Bones Has AP McCoy Broken
AP has suffered a remarkable number of injuries during his career, including breaking 13 bones. These include broken middle and lower vertebrae, both shoulder blades, both collarbones, ribs, ankle, cheekbones, wrist, ankle, and leg, plus a dislocated thumb and chipped teeth.
That’s not counting repeated broken fingers and the number of times he broke his nose. The jockey has also punctured his lungs on several occasions.
Why Did AP Retire?
Speaking to William Hill news in 2021, McCoy recounted why he chose to retire in 2015. Stating, “I wanted it to be my decision, I wanted to be at the top, I wanted to be Champion Jockey and I wanted people to ask why are you retiring? Not, why are you not retiring?”
Who Did AP Ride For?
McCoy rode for many different trainers and owners throughout his career, Yet, he will forever be linked with Irish owner JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O’Neill, for whom he rode many of his biggest winners, including his only Grand National win on Don’t Push It in 2010.
Where Does AP McCoy live?
McCoy and his wife Chanelle have a house in the racing town of Lambourn, Berkshire. However, the jockey hails from County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
What Does AP McCoy Do Now?
AP McCoy currently works as an ambassador for WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children. He also supports Racing Welfare, a registered charity supporting the workforce of British horseracing.
He often appears as a pundit on television, radio, and digital channels to discuss racing. McCoy frequently attends big events such as the Grand National Festival, where he meets with racegoers, owners, and trainers.
In a recent revelation to the Daily Mirror, AP told of the time he met the Queen and broke royal protocol!
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While watching a race with the monarch, AP told how he decided to leave the room before the Queen. she looked at me as if to say “Have you got somewhere better to go?” – McCoy recalled.
He joked: ‘So she had a sense of humour as well. Obviously I sat back down again!
‘I did say “I thought you’d be bored of me by now so I thought I’d better go”, and she just started laughing.’
