AP McCoy joins Channel 4 Racing

(c) Sandown Park

When Tony McCoy announced his retirement from jump racing in February this year, racing fans feared they had seen the last of the legendary sportsman on TV. 

However, his legions of fans have reason to celebrate as  Channel 4 Racing announced that AP will join their team in November after signing an exclusive deal that will see him present at many major race meetings.

The former jockey is set to start on November 14th, covering Cheltenham’s Open Meeting, and will present not only jump racing meetings, such as the Grand National, but also Flat meets such as Royal Ascot and British Champions Day.

McCoy said, “I’ve been very lucky and privileged to have enjoyed a fantastic career as a jump jockey.”

 “I’m looking forward to working with Channel 4 over the next year and delighted to be back at some of the main festivals with a top presenting team.”

(c) Sandown Park

The 20-time champion jockey, who bowed out with 4,357 winners at Sandown in April, will team up with Clare Balding, who has also recently extended her commitment to Channel 4 Racing in 2016.

AP joins a team of presenters that includes former Grand National winner Mike Fitzgerald, Nick Luck, Emma Spencer, Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad, Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham, Simon Holt and Tanya Stevenson.  

AP’s career highlights include winning the Grand National, two Cheltenham Gold Cups and three Champion Hurdles. After winning the National at the 15th attempt in 2010, AP was voted Sports Personality of the Year. 

Channel 4’s Head of TV Events, Ed Havard said: “AP is the most celebrated jockey in the world and is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. His unrivalled knowledge of the sport will be an absolutely massive asset to our coverage and viewers will benefit from the insights of the most famous name in the sport.”

Watch the trailer for BEING AP : In cinemas November 23rd