Introduction
As one of the most revered names in racing history, Sir Anthony Peter McCoy – AP, or Tony, to most – is a true legend of the sport. With over 4,300 winners – a record – and Champion Jockey twenty times in a row, McCoy is one of the most legendary competitors to ever hop onto the saddle. Having rode his first winner at 17, he went from there to win his first Champion Jockey in the 95/96 season, culminating in continuous success and defence until his final year where he won it, in 2015.
Career Summary
With too many to list, the main thing to say about McCoy is that he’s just won about every big race that there is to win. From the Cheltenham Gold Cup to the Queen Mother Champion Chase, McCoy has been a serial trophy winner in one of the most stellar and important careers in the history of the sport.
He’s even won the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, lifting it in 2010 and in the process becoming the first jockey to lift the award. In January 2016, McCoy was finally knighted to culminate a career that is all about success and impressive wins.
There’s literally too many outstanding races to pick from in one of the most collective showings of the hard work and the rewards that can come from being a jockey.
Achievements & Highlights
Wins – Grand National, Scottish Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle, King George VI Chase, Ryanair Chase, RSA Chase, Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Tingle Creek, Arkle Challenge Trophy, Welsh Grand National, Midlands Grand National, Irish Grand National, Lexus Chase, Galway Plate. Champion Jockey 95/96 – 14/15.
Associations – Mountain Tunes, Kanpai, Magical Bailiwick, Celtic Native, Majadou.
Earnings – £15m+
Thirsk Racecourse was first opened in 1923 even though racing started much earlier. The left handed course had a finishing straight three furlongs long and a chute of 6 furlongs. The racecourse is situated in the town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire, England.
The racecourse has a rural feel to it which makes for the perfect plan for the weekend away from the bustling cities. One of the most loved features about the racecourse is the well-maintained paddock. The lush green that surrounds the course provides for a scenic view while enjoying some spectacular flat racing.
The main event in the racecourses calendar is the Hunt Cup, which has forever endeared previous winners such as Egg Sauce and Lady Bird to the hearts of race goers from around. The Hunt Cup is known to draw crowds from all across the country as people come to experience the sport of kings at its best and also enjoy some family fun with the kids.
The race calendar starts in April as horse racing fans warm up for the popular Irish Day held on 19 May. The action
continues in the summer with the Summer Cup Day and at the climax of events comes the Thirsk Ladies Day in September. As one of the most anticipated race days of the year, the Thirsk Ladies Day never disappoints. There is plenty of fanfare as the fans step out in style. On such a day, fans can enjoy, live music, exhilarating horseracing, good food and fun competitions as well. Family fun days are also part of the programme. Families can come and enjoy the carnival atmosphere complete with all the games to keep the kids entertained.
Aside from the racing calendar, Thirsk Racecourse is also a wonderful venue for events of all kinds from weddings, to
music concerts, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate functions. The facilities at Thirsk are right up there with the best countrywide and globally.
The official recognition of Brighton as a racecourse took place in 1783 but there are unofficial accounts of it having races conducted by members of the army at a garrison in the town. The Duke of Cambridge organised the first race but then Prince of Wales (George IV) arrived at the town the next year and from there it gained popularity. He managed this by attracting a number of his aristocratic friends who he knew were big betters.
Horseracing led to thedevelopment of the town. When racing, jockeys jumped over sheep pens, and thisled to the concept of hurdles. In 1788, a grand stand was erected but it burnt down on August 23rd 1796. In the 1800s, the place became a playground for the rich but fell down the pecking order after the prince and his friends stopped attending. The railway arrived in Brighton in 1850 and the racecourse became popular again. Renovations were made and a new stand was built. This led to the initiation of the Brighton Cup and it has been running ever since.
The racecourse is in Freshfield Road, East Sussex and is situated on Whitehawk Hill . It sits in 20 acres of countryside and is one mile from the ocean, so it offers great ocean views. The track has a horseshoe look that helps it stand out. It has 18 meeting rooms.
The racecourse has 21 fixtures every year and the major notable event is the 3-day August Festival. The first day focuses on the Brighton Mile Challenge trophy, the second day is all about the Brighton Challenge Cup and the third is reserved for the Ladies Day, a competition for the best dressed lady.
In 2012, Stuart Kittow’s 4-year-old horse won the Brighton Mile Challenge. On Ladies Day, with a fog that brought visibility levels to almost zero, Darryl Holland won the Brighton Challenge cup.