The 2001-02 season was a particularly memorable one as among the records he beat was for the number of winners in a season, the 269 set by Sir Gordon Richards in 1947.

And even more special for McCoy, he broke through Richard Dunwoody's milestone of 1,699 winners over jumps.

His seventh consecutive jockeys' title was a formality.

Few would bet against an eighth - for even though he has just written his autobiography, he is planning on adding a few more chapters with further record-breaking exploits in the seasons to come.

And there are still peaks that even McCoy has not yet conquered - such as winning the Grand National and the King George VI Chase.

His large build gives him strength but also means he has to show extreme self-discipline to keep his weight down.

His single-mindedness in pursuit of winners borders on the obsessive but out of the saddle, he is incredibly modest and always has time for a good cause and his many fans.

Known popularly by his initials AP (Anthony Peter), McCoy is quite simply a superlative sportsman and a great ambassador for National Hunt racing.