He's never rode any less than 175 winners in a season and he's fallen at least 19 times a season but the jockey who became known simply as 'AP' is without question a class apart. The sheer weight of numbers behind his 20 year career should park any doubts about his supremacy. The Antrim man has had most wins in a career (4,348), Most wins in a season (290) and was champion in all his seasons as a professional. Enough said. After minding his weight for 2 decades a full Irish was on his mind after he signed off at the weekend. No fairytale finish though. Sun-kissed Sandown Park in Surrey was the venue for an extraordinary celebration of a remarkable career. His two third-placed finishes, on Mr Mole and Box Office, were not the stuff of which legends were built, but the day was all about saluting a man bowing out after two decades at the top.
There was a jockeys' guard of honour and celebrity tributes, while a sell-out crowd of more than 18,000 were there to see the 20-time champion in action one last time.
Do you have an ambition in life? Bear in mind AP made 14 attempts to win the Aintree Grand National before eventually winning it. He suffered 11 bone breaks and stats show he would hit the ground once in every 11 rides, but his mantra was 'everything that happens to you makes you mentally stronger'.
This is what it takes to make an enduring winner. Enjoy the next chapter AP!
