Farewell AP McCoy retiring tomorrow- we will not see the like of him again - a legend

Tomorrow sees Tony McCoys last ride as a jockey. He has been 20 times Champion jockey:

Like all his colleagues, the Northern Irishman risks his life every day in an arena where there are only four blank days in the calendar, and an ambulance follows every race.
He has fallen an estimated 1,000 times from horses weighing half a tonne, travelling at speeds of up to 30mph.
"He is made of concrete - they don't make people like AP McCoy any more," said friend and rival Ruby Walsh in the build-up to McCoy becoming the first jockey to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, in 2010. McCoy's toll of injuries is sobering - he's broken both collarbones, shoulder blades, his lower and middle vertebrae, ribs, cheekbones, a leg, ankle, arm and wrist. He has punctured his lungs, chipped teeth and even dislocated his thumb. For a full list of his injuires and what makes him so great have a read of the BBC tribute here; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/24819388

For my part I have been lucky enough to meet the great man a couple of times, and like many have found him nothing but a true professional, whilst committed and unfailingly polite to everyone from the stable lads to the owners and breeders. All of us could tell our legendary AP tales whether it is the wins from when it simply was not possible to his sheer will to win. He once took over from me and rode Lowlander, the horse pictured below, at Fontwell. I will remember our conversation after the race for a long time. He is right to retire at the top. We will never see the like of him again. Wish I was there at Sandown tomorrow but will watch his final bow on iplayer.

A Racing Revival in Tynedale:Knockara Beau leads the way + Tynedale P2P on March 2nd

As a former jockey I am delighted to see local racehorse trainers doing well again. Details of my last winning effort at the Tynedale Point to Point, as set out in the pictures above, are set out here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/tynedale-point-to-point.html
Just here in Tynedale we have Willie Amos at Rochester, who had a double at Sedgefield very recently, and the Charltons at Stocksfield, who have brought down Big Bucks and are now on course for further Cheltenham Glory. All of us will be cheering on Knockara Beau at Cheltenham - with many of the Hexham Bookies praying he does not power up the hill again, like when he defeated Big Bucks! Full story of that here: http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/cheltenham-shock-as-big-bucks-beaten-by-knockara-beau/1598310/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews

My old Trainer Tim Reed continues to train successfully just down from Housesteads on Hadrians Wall, and when I get back to fitness, and a bit closer to jockey weight, I will be back riding out there. In addition, there are many other local trainers, particularly of Point To Points, who should be supported.
If you have not been to a point to point you must go.
They are exciting, full of thrills and spills, and fun for all the family.
I shall definitely be racing on Sunday March 2nd at the Tynedale Point to Point - just 3 miles north of Corbridge. I rode my last winner there and will one day ride another one. But until then I shall be an enthusiastic spectator.
Details on how to get to the point to point here: http://www.corbridgeraces.co.uk/