Sport

Tony McCoy saddles up with Channel 4’s racing team

Ian Wright presents Tony McCoy with the Champions Jockey trophy during the jump finale at Sandown Racecourse, Surrey, in April. Picture by David Davies, PA Wire
Ian Wright presents Tony McCoy with the Champions Jockey trophy during the jump finale at Sandown Racecourse, Surrey, in April. Picture by David Davies, PA Wire Ian Wright presents Tony McCoy with the Champions Jockey trophy during the jump finale at Sandown Racecourse, Surrey, in April. Picture by David Davies, PA Wire

THE greatest jump jockey of all time, AP McCoy, is joining Channel 4’s racing team.

The Co Antrim man’s first broadcast will be on Saturday November 14  at Cheltenham. 

There has never been a jockey like AP McCoy who has 4357 victories to his name, 20 consecutive Champion Jump Jockey titles, and has won virtually every major race including two Cheltenham Gold Cups, three Champion Hurdles and the Grand National.

In 2010 he was recognised as one of the greatest sportsman of our time by winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Channel 4 says the Moneyglass man will work on The Open, the Hennessy Gold Cup, the William Hill King George, Cheltenham’s January Trials meeting, two days from Cheltenham Festival, the Crabbie’s Grand National and the Investec Derby.

He will also take in two days from Royal Ascot, additional days from York’s Ebor Festival and will re-join for the flat season finale QIPCO British Champions Day.

AP McCoy said: “I’ve been very lucky and privileged to have enjoyed a fantastic career as a jump jockey. I’m looking forward to working with Channel 4 over the next year and delighted to be back at some of the main festivals with a top presentation team.”

Ed Havard, Channel 4’s Head of TV Events, said: “AP is the most celebrated jockey in the world and is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. His unrivalled knowledge of the sport will be an absolutely massive asset to our coverage and viewers will benefit from the insights of the most famous name in the sport.

“Together with our existing team - including Clare Balding, Mick Fitzgerald and Nick Luck - AP will help take Channel 4’s racing coverage to new levels. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome him to Channel 4.”

Clare Balding said: “I love the sport, the horses and the people in racing; and I feel particularly privileged to get the chance to work with AP McCoy. To hear his unique insight and opinion will be fascinating for all of us."