Ian Stark at Fence 17, 18 and 19 (Gatehouse New Pond) on the 2016 Cross Country Course of the Badminton Mitsubishi Motors Horse Trials, in the grounds of Badminton House in the village of Badminton near Malmesbury in Gloucestershire, UK on 18th April 2016 , Ian Stark at Fence 17, 18 and 19 (Gatehouse New Pond) on the 2016 Cross Country Course of the Badminton Mitsubishi Motors Horse Trials, in the grounds of Badminton House in the village of Badminton near Malmesbury in Gloucestershire, UK on 18th April 2016
A feature length film about 20-time champion jump jockey AP McCoy is set to be released on 23 November.
“Being AP” follows the jockey though his final season, from racing at Cheltenham and Aintree, to struggling with injury and the build up to his retirement.
The film also features a mix of archive footage and behind-the-scenes access to the team around AP, including his wife Chanelle, trainers, fellow jockeys and owner JP McManus.
Cheltenham racecourse is hosting a screening of the film on its release date, followed by a live stream question and answer session with Clare Balding.
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Canada, on 14 September and the latest trailer was uploaded to YouTube on 17 October.
“It is like being an addict,” AP says in the voiceover for the trailer. “I am an addict to riding horses and I am an addict about winning.
“The more you win, the more you want to win, the more the need becomes greed.”
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Produced by Alan Maher, Nick Ryle and John Woollcombe, the film was made by a number of prouction companies, including BBC Films and the Irish Film Board.
“Every part of my life was structured and controlled, but I could never control getting old,” said AP.
On 25 April this year, AP rode his last race at Sandown Park. He had two rides on his final afternoon in front of a sell-out crowd of 18,000.
His last ever ride was on Box Office — owned by JP McManus and trained by Jonjo O’Neill — in the Bet365 Handicap, where he finished third.
“I always dreamed of getting out while I was still performing well. I’m going to miss what I do… What I did,” he said at his retirement.
During his career as a jump jockey, AP rode a total of 4,348 winners and was crowned champion jockey for 20 years in succession.
Click here for more information and tickets to Cheltenham racecourse’s event.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
