BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Horse Racing | McCoy beats winners record

Champion jockey Tony McCoy claimed his 1,700th win to break Richard Dunwoody's British record for jump victories.

McCoy was cheered on by a 7,000-strong crowd as he secured a double at Uttoxeter which saw him pass the mark set by one of his heroes.

The Ulsterman romped home first on 1-3 favourite Dream With Me in the Countryside Alliance Novices' Chase to draw level with Dunwoody on 1,699 winners.

And he then staged a late charge on the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Mighty Montefalco in the Everedge Handicap Hurdle to set a new milestone of 1,700.

I'm pleased to be mentioned in the same breath as Richard Dunwoody

Tony McCoy

"It's a brilliant feeling. I'm obviously over the moon but I have to go out and do it again," said McCoy.

"Richard is a very good friend of mine. He was my hero and for me he was the best jockey ever.

"Adrian Maguire and Charlie Swan are two who would probably be right up there with him but I'm pleased to be mentioned in the same breath as him."

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McCoy, 28, has rewritten racing's record books, memorably overtaking Sir Gordon Richards' long-standing mark of 269 winners in a season earlier in 2002.

And while it took Dunwoody 16 years and over 9,300 mounts to amass his winners, McCoy has needed just half that time and about 3,000 fewer rides.

Dunwoody was among those to praise the achievement of McCoy, who is known popularly by his initals AP (Anthony Peter).

McCoy smiles after racking up his 1,700th winner
McCoy has set new standards in racing

"He's a really great champion. I'm amazed he hasn't got the recognition he deserves outside the sport," said Dunwoody.

Meanwhile McCoy, who has won virtually every big race except for the Grand National, was focusing on future targets.

"There's still plenty for me to achieve," he told the BBC.

Addicted to winners

The jockey boasts an average strike rate of better than one in three wins, and has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with champion trainer Martin Pipe.

Pipe supplied his first victory of the day at Uttoxeter, which brought him level with Dunwoody's record.

That victory was never in doubt as Dream With Me charged clear to win by nine lengths from Bentyheath Lane.

The next race was a much tougher contest as McCoy and Mighty Montefalco trailed My Good Son for most of the race.

But they jumped the last in the lead and held on for win number 1,700.

McCoy looked like he might add to his tally for the day, but had to settle for two second places in between a collection of requests for interviews and autographs.

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