Tuesday 10 February

No Stuart not you!! If the current crop of English Footballers are 'The Golden Generation' then there can surely be no superlatives that describe the current crop of jockeys. At the top of the pile is a certain AP McCoy, who yesterday rode his 3000th winner on these shores - many many congratulations to him!! How lucky we are to be living through a time to see these great sportsmen ply their trade. McCoy is the ultimate professional - he has only ridden for us once, Olney Lad in a handicap hurdle at Kemptons Boxing Day meeting, and he was remarkable. He rode the horse to finish fifth, and got off of him and told us exactly what to do and where to go with the horse and he was spot on! His de-brief went on for about 15 minutes after the race - and it was not as if he had nothing better to do, because no sooner was he out of the colours than he was changed into a suit and heading for the airport to catch a flight to Ireland to ride at their big meeting the day after. It was just an example of his professionalism, and this allied with his unbending will to win has made him the best jump jockey of many a generation. With regard to his will to win, I read a funny little story once, where McCoys PA Gee Armytage was going to run the London Marathon, and on informing her boss was asked 'Will you win?' When she gave him the obvious response of, 'Of course not' He replied - 'Why are you doing it then??' Let's hope he now gets the credit he deserves for being one of the countrys top sportsmen, who battles with weight and injury on a daily basis to provide us with some amazing memories! Good Luck AP!