Racing world salutes McCoy

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls was among those to salute AP McCoy after he announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.

McCoy had brought up his 200th winner of the season on Nicholls' Mr Mole in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury just before making the announcement.

Nicholls said: "It's a pleasure to have had anything to do with him and it was a peach of a ride he gave Mr Mole."

He added: "He's been a great ambassador for the sport and no one can say enough about him.

"It doesn't surprise me totally as one day you have to make a decision. He's probably decided that's the right one, and everyone knows where they are. Everyone will miss him riding as he's been such a legend, but you can't go on forever.

"He's still riding as well as he's ever ridden and it's probably the right time to go out.

"Toby Balding once told me to use him as claimer, that he was the best he ever had. I always remember those words. We didn't have enough horses to keep him at the time and he went and rode all those winners for Martin Pipe. He's just been fantastic.

"He's a great guy to deal with and a brilliant jockey."

McCoy's next ride after Mr Mole ended in a fall at the first from Goodwood Mirage, after which he walked away unscathed.

He will always be associated with former champion trainer Martin Pipe, with the pair teaming up for many famous days.

Pipe said: "What a shock. I just said to him 'about time!'.

"He's been an absolute legend for racing, he'll never be surpassed in anyone's lifetime. He's the best we've ever seen.

"His dedication to winning, it's what it's all about. He's just so thorough and so competitive.

"We had a great time together, there's so many great moments - Unsinkable Boxer and all the winners he's ridden."

McCoy's great rival Ruby Walsh paid immediate tribute to his close friend.

He said: "The biggest decisions are the hardest decisions, and AP is the biggest man who had to do it.

"It is wonderful that you could have the career AP has had, but it was a big call and only he could have known that the time was right.

"He is the consummate professional and has done everything that is good for racing.

"It will be a strange old place without him being part of it."

Trainer Philip Hobbs said: "Very few jockeys ride 20 seasons, let alone win the championship 20 times. It's been great having him around, but it will be a big loss to racing when he goes."

Dominant Irish trainer Willie Mullins told At The Races: "We might have been expecting this the last three years, I'm shocked it hasn't happened until now, really.

"He's an iron man and obviously enjoys it and I'm happy for him that he has retired on his own terms.

"He can get on with enjoying the rest of the season."

McCoy rides for Mullins at Leopardstown on Sunday when he partners Cheltenham gamble Alvisio Ville in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, and he added: "He's looks a real better than average horse."