Racing Thread

[Marky147]

I've only gotten into racing over the last 4/5 years, but nothing that I'm aware of.

I could understand if it was Taylor, who had done the same in darts...

Likewise, he doesn't strike me as someone who needs his ego massaged.

Twitter might have been quiet yesterday afternoon, and Keith wanted to liven things up

[tikay]

I've only gotten into racing over the last 4/5 years, but nothing that I'm aware of.

I could understand if it was Taylor, who had done the same in darts...

Likewise, he doesn't strike me as someone who needs his ego massaged.

Twitter might have been quiet yesterday afternoon, and Keith wanted to liven things up

I just find blonde hard to fathom sometimes. Not dissing anyone, but more trying to understand the psychology of it.

This is a Racing Thread, lots of folks read it. The greatest NH jockey of our time, arguably even ever, especially as to longevity & success, retires, & not a soul says a word.

I know it's a punting thread, yes, but I don't want punt on horses without having a feel for the characters in the game. Same in golf, darts, whatever, the punting is secondary, it's getting to "know" the characters that interests me.

Guess I'm an oddbod.

I honestly expected the thread to be full of tributes to The Great Man. He's helped many of us win a few bob, too.

[Marky147]

I've only gotten into racing over the last 4/5 years, but nothing that I'm aware of.

I could understand if it was Taylor, who had done the same in darts...

Likewise, he doesn't strike me as someone who needs his ego massaged.

Twitter might have been quiet yesterday afternoon, and Keith wanted to liven things up

I just find blonde hard to fathom sometimes. Not dissing anyone, but more trying to understand the psychology of it.

This is a Racing Thread, lots of folks read it. The greatest NH jockey of our time, arguably even ever, especially as to longevity & success, retires, & not a soul says a word.

I know it's a punting thread, yes, but I don't want punt on horses without having a feel for the characters in the game. Same in golf, darts, whatever, the punting is secondary, it's getting to "know" the characters that interests me.

Guess I'm an oddbod.

I honestly expected the thread to be full of tributes to The Great Man. He's helped many of us win a few bob, too.

I was busy knocking it in getting the lot, obv

I actually posted about the jockey title next year, and about Dickie Johnson being chuffed.

I don't think it's Blonde, as such, more fora, and I definitely wouldn't think that it says anything about Blonde itself.

If it makes you feel better, I did tweet 'GG McCoy, you had the greatest run', or something similar


Contrary to the made us a few bob. You'll likely have done your bollocks if you've followed him, because his horses are invariably too short.

There is also Jonjo's handbrake to contend with, too 

[edgascoigne]

Man is an absolute institution. Living proof of the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success. Also the absolute single-mindedness that sits between obsession/'motivation' that is necessary to become a true and enduring great at anything.

Unbelievable work ethic, and a feat that won't ever be even close to repeated.

On a side note, I fancy Festive Affair is a plot for this year's festival...

[TightEnd]

i remember some of these

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/feb/07/dont-push-it-grand-national-tony-mcoy-10-greatest-rides

it is said no one else could have won on this

[horseplayer]

Great work ethic great determination e.t.c

What has probably soured it for some has been the partnership with JP, there have been various stopping jobs the past few seasons in particular and that grates me when every single time in racing media he is referred to "always strong" "always trying" and various other bits of hyperbole.

He is no different to most other jockeys in that regards but they often don't get the praise and sometimes even get criticism for their "lesser efforts" were as AP never would.

The fact his owner single handedly keeps a number of jumps yards profitable and you could even argue lesser jumps racing in action afloat is a big factor in this.

Summary

Good jockey, great work ethic and a great determination to win but not every ride of every day and such rubbish i have read this morning.

[Karabiner]

I've only gotten into racing over the last 4/5 years, but nothing that I'm aware of.

I could understand if it was Taylor, who had done the same in darts...

Likewise, he doesn't strike me as someone who needs his ego massaged.

Twitter might have been quiet yesterday afternoon, and Keith wanted to liven things up

I just find blonde hard to fathom sometimes. Not dissing anyone, but more trying to understand the psychology of it.

This is a Racing Thread, lots of folks read it. The greatest NH jockey of our time, arguably even ever, especially as to longevity & success, retires, & not a soul says a word.

I know it's a punting thread, yes, but I don't want punt on horses without having a feel for the characters in the game. Same in golf, darts, whatever, the punting is secondary, it's getting to "know" the characters that interests me.

Guess I'm an oddbod.

I honestly expected the thread to be full of tributes to The Great Man. He's helped many of us win a few bob, too.

You don't really think that a level stake on all of his rides would show a profit do you Tony?


Great jockey undoubtedly but not exactly a lovable character as compared to someone like John Francome who was/is both.

[TightEnd]

i was interested to see he has only 3 years where backing everything to levels takes would have shown you a profit, and thats with him winning on 22-30% of his rides most years

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/jockey_home.sd?jockey_id=9482#topJockTabs=jockey_stats_summary&bottomJockTabs=jockey_form

[Marky147]

Wins his first Hennessy, on his last ride, you couldn't make it up!

Great ride, too.

[Tonibell]

Highly professional, dedicated , obsessive &c but not the subject of anecdotes like Lester even/especially by those who disliked him. So the less attractive aspects of the JP and the Martin Pipe relationships aren't even redeemed by eccentricity or whatever.
A dessicated winning machine like AP is the last person you'd have predicted orchestrating a Hollywood finale. There's a film crew following him around for a documentary, Tikay.
The psychology of it? I guess profitable horse betters like The Camel and Horseplayer are, by definition, unsentimental.

[Doobs]

He hasn't chucked many with 4000 winners.  Guess if you look hard enough you can find something to have a swipe at, but life is too short to be spending time looking.

Think he's earned his standing ovation.

[swinebag22]

"The McCoy Factor" probably means his rides are rarely overpriced so its no surprise he runs at a loss at level stakes

[BigAdz]

Just have to laugh at anyone that says McCoy is just a "good" jockey.

He has spent many of the last 20+ seasons riding many horses of moderate ability and isn't blessed being being given handpicked stables of premium purchases like Walsh/Geraghty/Twiston-Davies.

He has been grafting in sellers in June whilst Ruby et al sit on the beach in the Caribbean, and as Doobs says, you don't ride 4000 winners by being a serial "stopper". Ridic statement.

If McCoy has a chance, he will take it, and whilst I would agree that if he can't win, I have seen him pull up a horse easier/quicker, than say, a Dickie Johnson would, but that is part of the JP/Jonjo methodology. I have never seen him stop a horse that could have won that day. Yes, there may not be much value in backing McCoy and for the first ten years of his winning title, I would often pass over his mounts, much to my cost. Value smalue. Better a shorter price winner than another loser!

Over the last few years we have all seen and noted winning rides that only McCoy could have pulled off, his strength in the saddle is incredible. When he is on the horses of quality, he looks equally stylish to the Walshs of this world.

In his early days he was always intense and almost rude. Having met him on many occasions when he has ridden for Brooky, you realise he is actually a very shy bloke, and has worked hard to adapt to the person he is now.

I am sure Camel is just up to his usual and understands that by announcing his retirement McCoy and his team have probably a two fold strategy.

He has stated many times, he doesn't want to train, so he needs to plan for the future. Announcing his intentions early mean he can have all the offers of TV work etc ready and in place for when he does stop. I suspect if he got to the end and had nothing on the table, that's when the temptation is to carry on.
Secondly, as a proud man of principle, by going on a farewell tour, he is almost obliged to retire.

My abiding memory of him will be of a day a couple of years ago when I was on duty for Roger at Chepstow, when they had a hottie running at Kempton. McCoy was riding Dream Esteem for us and I was in a lot of pain from the dialysis treatment I was having and was due to have my transplant a week or so later. When hearing this MCCoy said he best try extra hard so I had the winners photo to cheer me up over the next few weeks. He rode a pearler and that photo still cheers me up to this day.

A true gent and a proper sporting great.



Apols to those who have sent me PM's last couple of weeks, I'm still Stateside, and not bothered logging on until now. GL all.

[Skippy]

To be fair to the Camel, he later tweeted that he wasn't having a dig at McCoy, just thought he'd be more the kind of bloke to say I'm off on the last day rather than do a farewell tour.

[Kmac84]

I've lost more that I have won backing AP but you can't help but admire the guy for hs achievements. 

He'll be a real loss to the game. 

I'm sure whatever he turns his hand to next he'll be just as successful.