Tears as McCoy hangs up his boots Tony McCoy admitted it had been "one of the hardest days my life" as he returned to the unsaddling enclosure for the final time at Sandown on Saturday. The 20-times champion jockey did not enjoy the fairytale finish so many would have wished for as he rode the final two mounts of his illustrious career, with Mr Mole claiming third in the bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase and Box Office finishing in the same place in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle. The crowds cheered McCoy from the moment he entered the paddock to mount 5-2 favourite Box Office, applauding him past the stands on the way to the start of the two-and-a-half-mile heat. Another shout of approval heralded the start, with McCoy settling his mount towards the rear in the early stages before he started to manoeuvre across the track as the race began in earnest. However, despite travelling well three flights from home, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained runner found little under pressure and had to settle for a place behind Brother Tedd (9-1). McCoy said: "There were tears on the way back from riding Box Office, I was trying to keep them in. This has been one of the hardest days of my life, but I needed it to be difficult, otherwise it would have meant I was not as good as I was. "The day has been very good and very enjoyable. I had a few moments when I walked in front of the stands on Box Office. "I am just so proud. The people have been amazing and I have just felt very touched by it all. "I keep saying, as I have all day, that I have had a very privileged way of life and I am going to miss what I do. I always hoped that if I could retire on this day I would, as it is the last day of the season. "I always hoped that I could be champion jockey, and thanks to the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) as they've let me keep the trophy. "It has been in my house and I quite like looking at it. It sits there and it is something that has been my goal every day of my life. "That was always my dream to walk away at the top. I wanted to get out while I was riding well and as champion jockey. If I could manage that I would feel a lot of achievement. "I've seen the very toughest parts with colleagues being fatally injured and severely injured as well. I feel very lucky that I have ended my career in one piece. The lads we have lost along the way, I will never forget." The 40-year-old's departure marks the end of his long domination of the National Hunt sphere, which yielded 31 Cheltenham Festival winners as well as two Gold Cups and one famous Grand National success. McCoy bows out having dominated the jockeys' title for two decades, with the now-decommissioned trophy awarded for one final time before his ride in the bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase, in which he finished third aboard Mr Mole. A total of 4,357 career winners have been banked since he first struck gold with Legal Steps at Thurles in March 1992.
