The king was in rare form at Leopardstown this afternoon.
News of his impending retirement has done little to dim Tony McCoy’s competitive streak, that much is clear.
The record-breaking champion jockey added another two winners to his long list of successes at the south Dublin track today, including the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup aboard Carlingford Lough.
John Kiely’s horse beat stiff competition in the form of last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup first and second in Lord Windermere and On His Own, as well as top class chasers Boston Bob, First Lieutenant and Foxrock.
But Carlingford Lough would not be denied, coming past Foxrock and Lord Windermere to win by just under a length, leaving the crowd to welcome McCoy into the winners’ enclosure, where the jockey cheekily told the crowd ‘I’m not retiring at all’.
McCoy had already found paydirt aboard Sort It Out in the two-mile handicap hurdle, making clear that if he’s going to be riding off into the sunset, he won’t be going quietly.
He said: ‘It’s amazing the people here at Leopardstown today. I have to be careful I don’t get too emotional, it’s not good for the image.’
