My Autobiography

by A.P. McCoy

Tony "A.P." McCoy is unquestionably the greatest and most successful jump-jockey of all time. He has collected a record 16 consecutive jump jockey titles to date, and since 1992 he has ridden more than 3,000 winners, saying "I never stop dreaming of the day I'll reach 4,000." In 2002, he beat Sir Gordon Richards' record of 269 winners in a season by riding 289. In April 2010 AP achieved his lifelong ambition when he won the Grand National at Aintree on Don't Push It. It was his 15th attempt to win the race, a victory that captured the public's imagination and irradiated a glittering career in which he had already won all there was to win. It was the final missing piece in the racing jigsaw for a champion jockey who had already had famous victories in the King George VI Chase, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, and Cheltenham Gold Cup. This powerfully honest autobiography looks at life at the very top in National Hunt racing. These are the memoirs of a true champion, an icon of sport, whose astonishing achievements over the past 15 years are unlikely to be surpassed. It is a great story of courage and modesty, pain and professional setbacks, strong family values and sporting triumphs, the good guy coming first—and staying there.

342 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

A.P. McCoy is a record-breaking Northern Irish horse-racing jockey with a series of impressive wins to his name, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, King George VI Chase and the 2010 Grand National.

McCoy was named BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR in 2010, becoming the first jockey to win the award.

Reviews

[Rachael Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I ate this book up. It’s chock full of racing recollections, statistics, and a peak into the mind of someone who may well be the greatest athlete of any sport we will see in our lifetime. I can’t think of any other athlete who (*spoiler alert not for this book but the life AP lead once this book concludes...) was champion and ranked #1 in their sport for 20 years.

Perhaps not a great recommendation for readers who are only slightly interested in racing. There is a lot of running through the horses ridden, odds for mounts, handicapping, etc. It’s very detailed and I think maybe best suited to those who are more serious racing fans. Still a great read for any athlete, though, as it does give a glimpse into the mind of a brilliant sportsman. I will likely be re-reading this book very soon!

[Lisa Niemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great rider, boring story!

[Steven Haythorne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting in parts but reads like its been written by 5 year old ghostwriter. I stuck with it until the end but the finishing line couldn't come soon enough.