Horse Racing-Tears but no winner for McCoy on emotional farewell (Reuters)
By Ian Chadband LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) – A.P. McCoy, the jump jockey who has created a remarkable sporting legend in Britain, failed to ride one final winner to mark the end of his peerless career on Saturday but it hardly mattered to the thousands who flocked to salute the tearful ‘Champ’. McCoy, the 40-year-old who has ridden far more winners over fences than any other jockey, was willed on to a fairytale finish by a capacity crowd of 18,000 at Sandown Park in the London suburbs. He had two final rides on Mr Mole and, fittingly, his last mount was called Box Office. Both horses finished third but there was no sense of anti-climax as one of Britain’s most popular sportsmen bowed out to a demonstration of affection from his competitors and spectators alike that few retiring champions will ever enjoy.