Born: 4 May 1974 Place of birth: Co Antrim Height/weight: 5ft 10"/10st 2lb First winner: 1992 Big-race wins: Gold Cup, King George VI, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle 2003-04 winners: 209 2002-03 winners: 256 2001-02 winners: 289

McCoy, who grew up in Northern Ireland, was champion conditional rider at his first attempt and has been champion jockey each of the nine seasons since.

In January 2004, he claimed his 2,000th winner, one of many career milestones.

They include breaking Sir Gordon Richards' 54-year-old record for number of winners in a season, McCoy setting a new mark of 289 in 2001/2002.

His ninth title came despite despite a season which saw him sidelined with a broken arm and a fractured cheekbone.

Perhaps the fact that there are few records left to break was behind McCoy's surprise decision to leave champion trainer Martin Pipe in 2004.

'AP' (his nickname stems from his initials Anthony Peter) is now the stable jockey to Jonjo O'Neill in a move which should give hope to other title contenders.

But McCoy's unswerving single-mindedness and refusal to rest on his laurels means few would bet against him winning a 10th title.

This is a man who described his title-winning season of 2002/2003 (257 wins) as "a disaster" because he had failed to improve on his record-breaking tally of the previous campaign.

STABLE RELATIONSHIPS - McCOY'S TRAINERS Billy Rock (Ire): 1987-1989 Jim Bolger (Ire): 1989-1994 Toby Balding: 1994-1995 Martin Pipe: 1995-2004 Jonjo O'Neill: 2004-

McCoy was the last man to do the Champion Hurdle/Gold Cup double in the same season when he won on Make A Stand and Mr Mulligan in 1997.

But there is one glaring omission on his big-race CV - the Grand National - with third the best he has managed to date.

McCoy's relatively large build gives him vital strength but also means he has to show extreme self-discipline to keep his weight down.

And when on a horse, his drive and fierce hatred of losing makes him a ruthless opponent.

But out of the saddle, he is genuinely modest with time for a good cause and his fans, making him one of racing's greatest ambassadors.