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- McCoy still as hungry as ever
McCoy still as hungry as ever
© Photo Healy Racing
AP McCoy gave a glimpse of the hunger for success that has made him the most successful jockey in the history of national hunt racing when speaking on Talking Horses on Racing FM last night.
When asked what he would like to do in his final months in the saddle McCoy, who announced his retirement on Saturday before completing a Leopardstown double the following day with victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup on board Carlingford Lough gave a telling response.
"I've never been able to achieve what I've wanted to be able to achieve but if you can give me those four big races at Cheltenham I'll take that if you can organise it" he said.
Speaking on the popular show, which is now available as a podcast and also includes interviews with McCoy's agent, Dave Roberts and another elder statesman who was a star of the show on Sunday Paul Carberry, McCoy recalled the reception from the Irish racing public fondly.
"Sunday at Leopardstown was a day that I'll never forget. The atmosphere and the emotion, the crowd at Leopardstown made it an even more special day than I thought it ever could be.
"The people gave me a fantastic reception. It was something I feel very lucky to have got. It was one of those things in life you feel very lucky that it happened the way it happened.
"After announcing I was retiring the day before, it's more than likely the last time I'll ride in Leopardstown; to win one of the most prestigious races on the jumps calendar, made it more emotional."
McCoy also talks about his appreciation of the McManus family, the welcome return to form of the Jonjo O'Neill yard, the astuteness of Carlingford Lough's Dungarvan-based trainer John Kie y, and his increasing prospects for the Cheltenham festival.
Listen to the full show here