AP will 'never forget' Leopardstown

Tony McCoy’s fairytale success on Carlingford Lough in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday was one that the soon-to-retire rider “will never forget”.

A little over 24 hours after he had stunned racing with his retirement announcement following his 200th winner of the season on Mr Mole at Newbury, McCoy was at the Dublin track where he drove the John Kiely-trained Carlingford Lough to an emotionally-charged triumph.

He returned to thunderous applause in the winner’s enclosure and was clearly moved by the reception he was afforded.

McCoy tweeted this morning: “Thanks to everyone who was @LeopardstownRC yesterday it made the day very special.

Thanks to everyone who was @LeopardstownRC yesterday it made the day very special

— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) February 9, 2015

“Walking into winner’s enclosure after winning Irish Hennessy was a day I’ll miss so much but will never forget #CarlingfordLough.”

Walking into winners enclosure yesterday after winning Irish Hennessy was a day I'll miss so much but will never forget #CarlingfordLough

— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) February 9, 2015

McCoy also won on the Leopardstown card aboard Sort It Out, who like Carlingford Lough runs in the colours of his boss JP McManus.