CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy was accorded a standing ovation in Belfast City Hall yesterday in his first big speaking engagement in Northern Ireland since retiring from the saddle at the end of April.
Record-breaker McCoy was guest at a sold-out Northern Ireland Chamber annual lunch, and recalled a phenomenal career which started as a 15-year-old riding out for the Billy Rock stable, through the highs like winning the 2010 Grand National on Don't Push It and breaking the 4,000-winner mark, to the lows like the countless falls, broken bones and weight struggles.
It was also revealed that the Moneyglass man will be back on the racecourse today at Royal Ascot - not riding, but having lunch with the Queen.
"I've loved every minute of my career but I'm slowly moving on," he said.
Earlier in the lunch, attended by more than 400 guests, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness gave an upbeat assessment of the state of the north's economy, and reiterating his party's support for a reduced rate of corporation tax - but only in a scenario where the Executive could afford it.
The Chamber's newly-elected president Stephen McCully, managing director of Power NI, based his keynote address on the theme of ambition.
He said: "Imagine if we could roll the clock has rolled forward 10 years to 2025 and the stories we'd be reading about?
"Could we envisage headlines such as 'Local economy benefits by £400m from the successful co-hosting of the 2023 rugby world cup' or 'great talent, export and innovation, combined with lower business taxes, catapults NI into top 10 of the global competitiveness league table', or EU backs major North Channel rail tunnel link with Scotland'.
"For some of you, these headlines may appear wildly ambitious. But for the Chamber this type of ambition is a vital ingredient in the path to success," he said.
"Ambition is not only the title branding of our organisation's magazine, but is a central guiding principle for the NI Chamber as it strives to create an environment of breakthrough growth for its members - and in turn put Northern Ireland firmly on the map as an ambitious and great place to do business."
Mr McCully said he looked forward to the next 12 months in office with great enthusiasm and anticipation.
"The NI Chamber has a very proud heritage dating back to 1783. Indeed this great building, Belfast City Hall, was built by one of the Chamber’s members H&J Martin back in 1906 - testament to the resilience of both organisations over the years."
He said his presidential term is set out in NI Chamber’s 'Growing Something Brilliant Action Plan' published a few weeks ago.
"It is extremely heartening to hear the very positive feedback being given by economic commentators and politicians, about the quality of the strategy contained within the action plan document," he said.
"As a strategy it was designed to be both practical and aspirational. It reflects very valuable input from our members and advisory council. It appeals for political stability and makes recommendations on; infrastructure, skills, finance, export, and competitiveness.
"We also take the opportunity to commend to Government how we can collectively create the conditions to foster economic growth and allow businesses to get on with what they know best – to invest and take informed risks to establish enterprises, create flourishing businesses that put jobs, pride and dignity into communities, and to deliver increased prosperity for everyone in Northern Ireland.
"Our Action Plan is intentionally an optimistic and ambitious pitch. Whilst a supportive and committed political underpinning is an essential and urgent first step, we firmly believe the principle of ambition is the conviction that leads to real and sustainable achievement."
