New challenge for champion McCoy

Tony McCoy is looking forward to the new challenge as number one jockey to Jonjo O’Neill’s powerful Jackdaws Castle string.

But he did admit it had been a real wrench to leave champion trainer Martin Pipe after eight highly-successful years.

He said: “Martin was gutted and so was I. It’s the end of a great relationship, but this new move is something which excites me.

“I’m the greatest sleeper, but since I knew it was happening, even I couldn’t sleep.

“It was not about money, but a different challenge and a different way of life, and if we can build Jackdaws Castle into something out of the ordinary, it will be fantastic.”

McCoy realises that without the backing of Pipe, who supplied 116 of his 209 winners last season, he will be facing an uphill battle in the jockeys’ title but he is not prepared to relinquish his crown yet.

“I realise that the concept of riding 300 winners in a season is now hard to grasp, but my ambition is still to be the champion jockey, and I believe I can achieve it,” he explained.

“I’m looking forward to what lies ahead of me, and I want to make it all happen again, but from a different area of the jumping game.”

McCoy believes Pipe, who is approaching his 60th birthday, will carry on with his success story for years to come even though the rider will no longer be at his side.

He added: “I think the man is a genius, and I can’t ever see a situation occurring where Martin eases off. I certainly don’t think his retirement will happen in the near future.

“I called in again on him last night, and we remain the very best of friends. I’ve been very lucky – he’s been such a gent in every sense.”

Pipe was also full of praise for McCoy but he was equally sad to see the end of their partnership.

“We have had a fabulous eight years together and I think we must have been one of the best partnerships in racing history. We’ll miss him here, we’ve had some great times,” he said.

“There’s been too many (highlights) to mention really, but it was a great moment when he rode his 2,000th winner on Magical Bailiwick. There were many Cheltenham Festival winners, too numerous to mention, but his ride on Make A Stand in the Champion Hurdle would be one of the highlights.

“I’m sure he will carry on his success, he is a brilliant jockey and surely one of the greats. I wish him all the best and he will be greatly missed here.”

O’Neill said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have AP on aboard. It’s finally come through. I have always hoped that he would end up with us.

“He will have the pick of the yard and will be trying to be champion jockey again. It’s a great opportunity for me, a real boost for the yard and I am thrilled to bits.

“He will actually be riding for me, not for JP (McManus). He will be able to ride all of the horses but I’m not sure about Rhinestone Cowboy – I think JP (Magnier) would like to keep that one.

“He has got phenomenal experience and he’s still keen to ride winners. It’s a change for him.

Everybody gets a little bit stale in their jobs and needs a kick start. I’m not saying AP was stale but it’s a change. It’s very exciting for us.”

O’Neill also clarified the position of Liam Cooper, who rode the majority of his horses this season.

“Nothing will change with regard to Liam. He’s never been first jockey so he will still ride plenty of horses for us,” he added.

Richard Johnson has admitted that the rider who gets the job as Pipe’s new stable jockey would be “a very lucky” man.

For many, Johnson, McCoy’s long-time championship rival, would seem the most likely contender for the position at Pipe’s yard.

Johnson, who rides mainly for Philip Hobbs, has finished second to McCoy in the title race seven times and he said the Pipe job would be a good opportunity for any jockey.

“It’ll be a great job for somebody. Mr Pipe has been champion trainer for a long, long time and I’m sure he’s not going to be knocked off his pedestal for a long time still,” Johnson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Whoever gets the job will be a very lucky man. It’s definitely one of the best jobs in the country. He’s champion trainer again this year and that speaks for itself.”

Johnson admitted his surprise at the news but still thinks nine-times champion McCoy is the one to beat again this season.

“Obviously Tony has been offered a very good deal to leave, he wouldn’t have otherwise as he gets on very well with Mr Pipe and has done for a long time now. Tony has obviously got his reasons to leave – things have to change sometime,” Johnson continued.

“I was surprised. Tony and Mr Pipe have had such a long-term relationship and so many winners.

“Jonjo’s is an up-and-coming yard and they are obviously getting bigger and better horses all the time. I think the quality there is going to be very high.

“I think as we’re coming to the quiet time of our year now, I’m sure there’ll be no rush to fill his shoes. Whoever does get it will be a very lucky person - there’s obviously a lot of winners to be had there.”

He added: “I think Tony is still the man to beat (in the championship). He’s very hard to beat and Jonjo had over 100 winners again this season. Things are still in Tony’s favour and he’s the one to beat.”