BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Horse Racing | Dunwoody leads McCoy tributes

Richard Dunwoody led the tributes after Tony McCoy replaced him in the record books as the most successful British jump jockey.

McCoy picked up two winners at Uttoxeter on Tuesday to surpass Dunwoody's total of 1,699 victories.

But the former champion jockey was more than happy to see his close friend beat his mark, and believes he can put the record out of sight.

It really is a marvellous achievement and it is as good as anything achieved in any sport

Martin Pipe

"This is fantastic for him," Dunwoody said. "I still don't think he gets the public recognition he deserves.

"He has sorted his life out in a way which makes him completely focused on riding. He limits the mistakes.

McCoy breaks Dunwoody record

"I just hope he stays sound and he can now look forward to 2,000 winners and can even become the first person to ride 3,000 the way he is going."

McCoy's boss Martin Pipe had to watch his stable jockey's latest record-breaking exploits from home.

Pipe recently underwent surgery on his right ankle and he was forced to rest at his Nicholashayne base, rather than travelling to Uttoxeter.

But he was full of praise for his employee, who last season smashed Sir Gordon Richards' record for the number of winners in a season.

"I am delighted to be associated with him. I get a great buzz and a great thrill every time he rides for me.

"Just looking at the stats you can see why he is such a great jockey.

"I am thrilled and delighted. It was just a matter of time really.

Trainer Martin Pipe
Pipe has been involved with the top three jockeys

"It really is a marvellous achievement and it is as good as anything achieved in any sport.

"It really brings racing to the fore again."

Pipe has been associated with not only McCoy but Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore - the second and third most successful jump riders, who have also been the stable jockey to the master trainer.

Quiz Tony McCoy

But Pipe believes it is difficult to compare the three riders.

"They are all very good in their own sphere. Scu was a brilliant front runner, Richard Dunwoody was terrifically stylish and McCoy is the ultimate."

Trainer Toby Balding gave McCoy, who stands on 1,700 winners, some of his first breaks back in the 1994/5 season.

Balding said: "I suppose it is the main feat he has achieved and in context it is the most amazing one when you consider how quickly he has done it.

"You've also got to consider there's probably half as much again to come. What can one say really?"