Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy set another new career mark as he recorded his fastest ever century of winners at Newton Abbot on Thursday.
The perennial champion, who claimed his quickest half-century at Worcester in June, struck first on 11-8 favourite Crannaghmore Boy for Jim Best in the St Loye’s Transitions Handicap Chase.
McCoy had to settle for second on Chalk It Down in the race that followed and third later on the fancied Accessallareas, but in the final heat he hit the magical 100th as Arabic History made a winning debut for John Ferguson in the IRL Independent Racecourses Ltd Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Last month saw McCoy delight in achieving a personal landmark of overtaking his old boss Martin Pipe’s career total of 4,191 victories.
McCoy’s seasonal best is 289 winners, set in 2001/2.
After returning on the 2-1 chance, McCoy told At The Races: “I thought when I rode my fastest 100 in the season I broke Sir Gordon Richards’ record (2001/2) I did well and that it might stand my test of time, that I wouldn’t be sure anyone else could do that, so in that kind of way I’m disappointed as I thought it would stand my length of time riding anyway.
“But it’s good, you have to challenge yourself.
“I’ve had great support from Jonjo (O’Neill) as always, and with Jason (Maguire) unfortunately being injured I’ve ridden a lot of winners for Donald McCain. Ten from 15 for Kim Bailey that would be Jason as well.
“A lot of winners for John Ferguson too, who has been very supportive, and plenty of other trainers. Dave Roberts (agent) has done his usual good job.
“I like to think I learn something every day and that I improve every day – from 2001 to now I hadn’t improved because I hadn’t ridden that amount of winners as quick.
“I’m very lucky that I ride for a great man in JP (McManus), he lets me be confident in doing what I do and it gives you confidence to ride as you think is best.
“I’ve always been lucky to ride for great people.”
Soon afterwards, McCoy completed his Ice Bucket Challenge, having been nominated by his friend and rival Ruby Walsh the day before. He claimed to enjoy the experience after a hard evening’s work and joked that it was “the first nice thing Ruby’s done for me”.
For his part, the Ulsterman was quick to nominate presenter Clare Balding and fellow riders Richard Hughes and Frankie Dettori.
RaceBets cut McCoy to 5-4 from 6-4 to become the first man ever to ride 300 winners in a season.
Spokesman Joseph Burke said: “Tony McCoy continues to amaze, day in, day out riding like a man possessed. We have little doubt he will have now set his sights on his record of 289 winners in a season.
“McCoy has already set so many records, it would seem nothing is impossible where he is concerned and given he has already recorded his fastest ever century, the once impossible 300-mark is now looking eminently achievable.”
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