• Horse Racing

McCoy eyes 20 champion jockey titles, 5,000 wins

ESPN staff
December 17, 2013
AP McCoy rode his 4,000th winner in November, the first jockey to reach the milestone © Getty Images
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AP McCoy has refused to rule out the prospect of riding 5,000 winners after targeting 20 champion jockey titles before retirement.

The 39-year-old is on course for a 19th champion jump jockey title with 148 winners from 575 rides since April, more than 70 wins clear of his rivals, and became the first jockey to reach 4,000 victories in November.

"Twenty would be nice," the Northern Irishman told BBC Sport. "We'll have to see how it goes and get to 19 first."

"I'm getting closer. You never know, do you? You just keep on going and see what happens."

McCoy finished third in the polls for BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, behind Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny, and has ruled out retirement at the end of the season.

"Being champion jockey is my little thing that proves to me whether I've still got it or not," said McCoy. "If I'm champion jockey I feel I'm confident enough that I can keep going."

His wife Chanelle has threatened to "cut up his licence" if he sets off in pursuit of 5,000 wins having seen her husband spend six days in intensive care earlier this year - the latest serious injury of a racing career in its third decade - but McCoy is adamant that he will quit on his own terms.

"It's a bit of a touchy subject, but she'll be all right. She'll come round," McCoy added.

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