IT'S AN end of an era for horse racing fans as Tony McCoy sensationally announced he plans to retire from riding at the end of the jumps season.

The 19-time champion jockey revealed his intention to quit the saddle at Newbury last Saturday, after victory on Mr Mole brought up his 200th winner of the season.

"I want to go while I'm still enjoying racing and while I am still near the top," McCoy said on Channel 4 Racing.

Renowned for his never-say-die attitude and sky-high pain threshold, McCoy has achieved a level of professional achievement previously unknown in jumps racing.

As well as his 19 championship titles, he is the only jump jockey to have won more than 4,000 races and in 2010 was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Over a stunning career he has been showered with accolades, including an OBE, and has lifted virtually every major prize. Highlights have included winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Mr Mulligan and Synchronised and the Grand National on Don't Push It.

Explaining his decision to retire, McCoy said: "I'm very lucky to have had a life in horse racing over the last 25 years. I wanted to retire as a champion and 20 would be a nice number to finish at.

"I spoke to JP, and my agent and we decided it was the right thing to do and that to announce it when I ride 200 winners would be a good time.

"Any decision I've ever made in my life have always been my own. The best decision I've ever made in my life was to become a jockey. I love riding. I love the thrill of it and I will miss it.

"Mum and Dad had no idea but this is what they would have wanted, they would have liked me to go out on top."

McCoy's wife, Chanelle, added: "Hopefully he will go out on a high and we can get him out in one piece. Hopefully he'll finish his career as 20-times champion jockey.

"It's a decision he has battled with very much. He decided this two weeks ago but he's had some good days and some bad days dealing with the decision."

"It's been a big decision and hopefully he will live with the consequences. I never pushed him into the decision, he will have to live with the decision. It's business as usual until the end of the season. He's as driven as ever and that's something he will never lose."

While he his still riding we should all try and see the greatest jockey of all time, and there was certainly a bigger crowd at Catterick on Monday and they weren't disappointed as McCoy steered Dewala to an all the way success in the handicap hurdle.

Staying at Catterick, there was a very pleasing display by Brave Spartacus in the other handicap hurdle for trainer Keith Reveley.

Given a bold ride by the handlers son, James, who was on hand afterwards, saying: "He loves it round here, he really quickens coming off that last bend. He´s a good-ground horse and he is rated 109 over hurdles compared to 140 over fences. We´ll see whether he´s still on the same mark over fences, there might be a race over 2m4f at the Scottish National meeting we can consider."

While Gold Cup day (March 13) at Cheltenham will be packed to rafters to see McCoy for the final time, if you can't make it to the home of National Hunt racing you could always travel to The Wenselydale Heifer in West Witton for a Gold Cup Lunch.

This popular day is in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, and after the three course lunch you can watch the racing on a large screen with a group of trainers, owners and racing enthusiasts. This day has really developed over the years as a fun, friendly and relaxed way to watch the action unfold.

There will also be an auction for several interesting items including a day on Friday 19th June at Newmarket. The day includes a visit to the National Stud, racing to follow with lunch included and an evening at Kylie Minogue's concert with first class front row tickets, which are now sold out!

For more details ring Hamish Alexander on 07917418472