Tony McCoy notches up 4,000th winner with victory on Mountain Tunes

 
PA
Staff|Agencies7 November 2013

Tony McCoy created history at Towcester when Mountain Tunes provided the jockey with his 4,000th career win over jumps.

McCoy reached the magic milestone with the second of two rides at the Northamptonshire circuit after the Jonjo O'Neill-trained 6-4 favourite struck in the Weatherbys Novices' Hurdle.

The 39-year-old, who has been crowned champion jockey 18 times, achieved the unprecedented landmark in the colours of owner JP McManus, to whom he has held a retainer for the last nine years.

McCoy had made no secret of his desire to secure his 4,000th winner in the green and gold silks of McManus.

"It was just amazing, it couldn't have worked out any better," McCoy said. "To do it for Jonjo and the McManus's is brilliant as they've been so good to me.

"It was always hopefully going to be in JP's colours.

"Racing people are fantastic, they are so pleased for me.

"I've had the same agent, Dave Roberts, from day one and his dad sadly passed away yesterday so I'd like to dedicate this to him.

"To have Chanelle (wife), Eve and Archie (children) here is great and to do it in the McManus silks means a lot - Eve thinks they belong to me!"

McCoy was earlier out of luck aboard the O'Neill-trained and McManus-owned Church Field (3-1 favourite) in the Agetur UK Handicap Hurdle, having been applauded into the parade ring by racegoers and well-wishers under blue skies.

Irish point-to-point winner Mountain Tunes was making his debut under Rules in the two-mile-five-furlong contest and was ridden patiently by McCoy in the early stages.

The four-year-old made headway to close on the leaders heading down the back straight, but the game appeared to be up as his rider looked hard at work at the top of the home straight.

Panama Petrus and Kris Spin looked to have the race between them jumping the second-last, but McCoy had not given up on Mountain Tunes back in third.

Kris Spin shook off Panama Petrus, but a galvanised Mountain Tunes closed jumping the final obstacle and a thrilling tussle ensued up the hill.

In his inimitable style, McCoy threw everything at the market leader and with the packed grandstands roaring him on, Mountain Tunes claimed victory by half a length.

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