Champion jockey remounts to win

24 January 2002

Tony McCoy wins “extraordinary” race at Southwell after remountingand crossing the finish alone

Champion jockey Tony Mc Coy won the most extraordinary race of hiscareer at Southwell, Notts, yesterday (23 January).

The six-times champion jockey was unseated from his mount the 8-11favourite Family Business at the 10th of the 19 fences.

But as each of his six rivals either fell, unseated or refused, McCoyrealised there was still hope.

Undaunted, he hitched a lift in a Land Rover, caught Family Businessand took him back to the 10th fence. He jumped the obstacle again andcontinued in the race to finish alone.

McCoy had been disgusted with himself for coming off Family Businessand threw his helmet to the ground in a fit of pique.

“Every time I looked up there was one less in the race,” he saidafterwards. “So I decided to go and find Family Business. It is notonly the most extraordinary race I am ever likely to win but also themost extraordinary race ever run.”

• Click here to read about Britain’s most unlikely racing hero, Quixall Crossett.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now