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Words cannot express how brilliant Tony McCoy is in my opinion.His record literally speaks for itself but today at Cheltenham just after winning each race he seemed to express what could be interpreted as self doubt………or maybe it was the perfectionist hunger that makes him the legend that he is.
After Noble Prince he said to Alice Plunkett that ‘maybe I’m more known for bashing in winners around the country’ which unless he was joking suggested to me that he remains unsatisfied with his big race record.
After Alberta’s Run when Alice mistakenly called him Ruby he said: ‘Not as good as Ruby but I feel like him at the moment ‘cos I’ve had two winners………’
Does Tony McCoy really have any doubts that his statistical record alone makes him at the very very least the equal of ANY jockey that has ever ridden?
Or should we marvel even more at the modesty and hunger that drives this sporting phenomenon to continue to set records that in all probability will never be equalled.
At any rate on a personal level I hate the idea of the comments like those above suggesting that someone as great as McCoy even in the moment of victory cannot take the greatest of satisfaction and piece of mind from his truly remarkable achievements without feeling that he has anything to prove or measure up to.
His ride on Noble Prince was superb i thought.
He knows himself though that Ruby is the man for the big days.
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I dare say he grows tired of booting home odds-on O’Neill handicap plots, when the quality of his ‘Saturday horses’ remains so poor. He’s an ambitious man and wants to ride proper, big race animals; you can’t blame him for that.
Surely, all he has to do is end his association with McManus to be offered some better class rides?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysIf I owned a horse that was really bloody good, I’d want Walsh to ride him, because he’d give the horse the optimum ride to allow him to show his talent.
If I owned a horse that was a bit meh, I’d want McCoy to ride him, because you can guarantee he’d get the absolute maximum effort out of the horse.
They’re both great jockeys, they just do things differently.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
He’s won a couple of big race winners at the festival and plenty placed horses too. If he was to come out of his McManus retainer I’m not sure it wouldn’t be to his detriment.
Aw bless him – no need for him to be
that
humble in victory. Both rides were textbook, and it could have been Ruby himself on board had I not known!
Watching both Jockeys is always a pleasure, but if I were a horse I’d want Ruby on my back, as it’s the next best thing to not having any weight burden at all. Utterly brilliant.
In the last couple of years I’ve noted an increase in his criticism, not just of himself but of some of the winners he rides as well.
It’s not unusual to hear him say ‘well, the race wasn’t very good, I don’t know what the horse has beaten, the horse is alright I suppose.’
Perhaps that is due to him to riding modest horses on a regular basis and slightly envious of other riders. In his autobiography he does make reference to his ‘style’ and is obviously aware that some people think that it’s ‘just’ hard-work which makes him successful.
I just wonder if he’s more than a tiny bit unhappy that people only ever refer to his rides as being those of a jockey who doesn’t give up. How often do you hear people say the following of McCoy?:
‘oh, he weaved his way through horses there and found the gaps at the right time.’
‘he settled that horse really well, and helped him relax.’
‘he’s given that horse a lovely ride, looking after him, and managing to kid him home.’
Rarely, if ever.
You only ever hear:
‘that’s one for the McCoy scrapbook.’
‘he just doesn’t give up does he?’
‘McCoy carries it over the line.’
‘Look, he’s hard at work a mile from home but he just keeps going.’
I think it hurts him, to be honest.
He was brilliant on that horse (any one remember the name??) that drifted to 1000 in running. The horse made mistakes and wasn’t having it but McCoy used his judgement and gave it a breather out the bake before delivering it on the line. People might focus on the drive towards the end but it was the kidding (maybe no the right word) in mid race that won it for him. It was within the last 2 months I think. Commendable horsemanship.
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LOL it’s all a bit tongue in cheek. I bet McCoy knows exactly what his "typecast" image is. Just read any of a number of posts on this thread filled with dross like –
He knows himself though that Ruby is the man for the big days
McCoy knows the popular view. I suspect he and Ruby have a good laugh about it.
This makes for pretty interesting reading
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/de … ruby-walshI think that probably knowing his not got that long left that side of the rail probably leaves a bit of yearning for the glory days he had a Martin Pipes, and maybe having to get a glorified moose round a decent race finishing well behind someone you know to be a lesser rider begins to grate, and all your best rides coming on miserable tuesday afternoons.
I think McManus, financially and personally has been very, very good to AP and I think he’s a pretty loyal man and after what, 6 years? Might find it quite hard to leave, especially as he’s not getting any younger and he really won’t be riding for many more seasons.
the only thing that is stopping mccoy getting big race winners is his partnership with mcmanus. obviously he prefers the hefty wage he gets from him, to getting **** hot big race rides instead.
but no disrespect to mcmanus, he has gave him the grand national, and the champion hurdle both in 2010. his squad is improving. his horses may be mostly flogged across the line, but atleast their winners.
however, if mccoy was with henderson or nicholls, im sure he would have all the grade 1 winners he could imagine. he’s had a lot of winners for henderson lately, so just goes to show you, people who slate him for not being as classy as ruby; take into account the horses they are both on!! does the aggressive riding style not signify the laziness of the jonjo horses?
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