McCoy says farewell was one of his hardest days (Reuters)

By Ian Chadband LONDON (Reuters) – A.P McCoy bade farewell in tears to one of the most incredible careers in sport and admitted that his final day in racing on Saturday, while wonderful and emotional, had been one of the hardest days of his life. The 40-year-old Northern Irishman, one of British sport’s titans, was roared and feted by a full house of 18,000 at Sandown Park even if he failed to win his last two rides on the day he was crowned champion jockey for a 20th successive year. I wanted to get out while I was still champion jockey and I have.” It was such an emotional occasion for McCoy that he could not stop the tears, even as he prepared for his very final ride aboard Box Office — a horse which sadly could not come up with a performance befitting its name. “There were tears coming back on Box Office.