Dunwoody pays tribute to McCoy

Former champion jump jockey Richard Dunwoody today paid tribute to current title holder Tony McCoy after seeing his all-time winners record broken at Uttoxeter.

Dunwoody’s record of 1,699 career wins was first equalled by McCoy’s win on Dream With Me in the opener before he doubled up on Mighty Montefalco to re-write the record books again.

McCoy, who last season smashed Sir Gordon Richards’ record for the number of winners in a season, produced his trademark strong finish on the Jonjo O’Neill-trained horse to secure his new record.

And Dunwoody, who McCoy describes as “his hero”, was quick to hail the rider’s achievements.

“This is fantastic for him,” said the former record holder.

“I still don’t think he gets the public recognition he deserves.

“He has sorted his life out in a way which makes him completely focussed on riding. He limits the mistakes.

“I just hope he stays sound and he can now look forward to 2000 winners and can even become the first person to ride 3000 the way he is going.”

McCoy himself was thrilled to bag the record himself but in his typically modest style, he was full of praise for some of his weighing room colleagues.

He said: “Obviously I am over the moon. I’m not sure how Richard is feeling but he is a very good friend of mine.

“He was my hero and for me the best jockey I have ridden against, although Adrian Maguire and Charlie Swan would be right up there.

“I am pleased to be mentioned in the same breath as him (Dunwoody).”

McCoy’s boss Martin Pipe is in a better position than most to judge the respective merits of McCoy, Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore, who is the third most successful jockey ever.

All three have been attached to his stable at some time and the master of Nicholashayne believes each retains their own special riding strengths.

He said: “They are all very good in their own sphere. Scu was a brilliant front runner, Richard Dunwoody was terrifically stylish and McCoy is the ultimate.”

Pipe added: “I am thrilled and delighted. It was just a matter of time really.

“It really is a marvellous achievement and it is as good as anything achieved in any sport.

“It really brings racing to the fore again.”

Trainer Toby Balding gave McCoy some of his first breaks in the 1994/5 season when he moved to Britain to become champion conditional rider that year.

He is another who believes McCoy can go on to set new levels of achievement.

He said: “I suppose it is the main feat he has achieved and in context it is the most amazing one when you consider how quickly he has done it.

“You’ve also got to consider there’s probably half as much again to come. What can one say really?

“This would have to be the ultimate achievement and really puts his record in context,” he added.