BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Horse Racing | McCoy pays tribute to Maguire



By Matt Majendie BBC Sport Online

Adrian Maguire's enforced retirement from horse racing is a "massive blow" to the sport, according to leading rival Tony McCoy.

Maguire bowed out of the sport on Monday after failing to overcome a serious neck injury.

Adrian Maguire in action earlier this season
Maguire retired because of a serious neck injury

McCoy, six-times champion jump jockey, revealed he was stunned and saddened by the retirement of "one of the best jockeys ever".

"I spoke to Adrian last week and he said he was making good progress with the injury, so this is a shock and a very sad day for racing," said McCoy.

"But, with the seriousness of the injury, I think the doctors didn't want him to take the risk."

Maguire was seen by many as the greatest rider never to be crowned champion jockey.

And the major obstacle in achieving that elusive goal was McCoy, who has dominated jump racing in recent seasons.

"He is one of the best jockeys there has ever been and this is a big loss," said McCoy.

"He had all the abilities needed - he was strong, was a brilliant reader of a race and was a tough one to beat.

"But he has a young family and at least he is retiring in one piece.

"You only have to look at other riders who have died in the sport to realise what can happen. You only get so many chances."

I never liked it when I was up against him in a race so this makes my life easier

Tony McCoy on Maguire's retirement

The 31-year-old Maguire won more than 1,000 races during his career, but McCoy is clear on the one which stands out - the 1992 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"I don't think anyone else would have ridden Cool Ground to victory that day," said McCoy.

"That is one of the best individual rides I've seen by anyone."

Despite a series of big wins by Maguire, a nail-biting head-to-head never materialised between him and McCoy.

And McCoy joked: "I never liked it when I was up against him so, from a competitive point of view, this makes my life easier.

"But, seriously, he will be missed as a rider and a friend. His absence from the weighing room will be really felt."

Maguire has yet to announce any future career plans, but his former rival insisted he would not be away from the track for long.

"Whatever path he chooses in racing, he'll be a massive success because he is so knowledgeable," said McCoy.