A MONTH before Christmas and the Guinness Book of Records needs rewriting. Tony McCoy stamped his name into British racing's record books by achieving the fastest century of winners by a National Hunt jockey with a double at Warwick yesterday.
The 22 year old Antrim born jockey began the day needing two victories to beat Peter Scudamore's best, recorded on December 20th in both 1988 and 1989.
He moved one short of three figures when Drumhana took the Shirley Maiden Chase from The Shy Padre. And he reached the landmark 30 minutes later when Class Of Ninety two made it McCoy of 96 in the three runner Shipston Handicap Chase.
In front throughout, the seven year old fought bravely from two out to repel the challenge of top weight Idiot's Lady by two, lengths. The even money favourite Sounds Strong had departed at the seventh from home.
Presented with a bottle of champagne by the Warwick executive none of which will pass his lips' since he doesn't drink alcohol the reigning champion, who went over to Britain from Jim Bolger's stable in August 1994, said: "It's brilliant. It's unbelievable.
"Obviously Peter Scudamore was an unbelievable rider and I can't really believe I have beat the record that he set. Hopefully now I can win a few big races as well."
Asked if he would chase Scudamore's record for a season of 221 victories, McCoy added: "I'd like to stay in one piece and keep riding as many winners as possible. After Cheltenham if things were still going well, we'd have a go. My agent Dave Roberts is keen to have a crack at everything.
"I'd like to thank Toby Balding in particular, as well as Paul Nicholls and all the trainers who have supported me."
McCoy achieved the feat from 331 rides as compared with Scudamore's quickest ton, which came from 290 mounts in 1989.
Even since Scudamore's day the goalposts have been moved. The introduction of summer jumps racing has been of great assistance to McCoy. Not that Scudamore, now assistant to Cheltenham trainer Nigel Twiston Davies, would denigrate McCoy's record.
"It's a magnificent achievement," said the former champion. "It is a fantastic achievement in anybody's calculations. So much work goes into it, both mentally and physically. It's tremendous for National Hunt racing."
There is one common factor between the pair - the trainer supplying each with the most winners is one Martin Pipe.
The early portents of seeing history made were not encouraging. McCoy partnered the 7 to 2 favourite Hacketts Cross in the Harbury Selling Handicap Hurdle but the combination fared no better than fifth behind Sir Pageant, who was giving trainer Ken Bridgwater his first win of the campaign.
Punters then backed McCoy's mount Runaway Pete to 7 to 4 favouritism for the following Scottish Equitable/Jockeys Association Series Handicap Hurdle, but had to settle for second place.
McCoy announced later that he is to appeal the three day whip ban imposed by the Newton Abbot stewards earlier this week. If the suspension is confirmed, it would prevent him riding in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup tomorrow week.
