Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hero AP’s the real McCoy...
Legend races to help jockey choking in fall
RACING legend AP McCoy has been hailed a hero by trainer Nicky Henderson after saving a young jockey’s life.
The record-breaking rider was praised after he saved jockey James Bowen who had been knocked unconscious in a tumble.
Bowen, 20, choked on his tongue after the horrific fall at Henderson’s training grounds on Thursday.
But quick-thinking McCoy, who is from Moneyglass, Co Antrim, was quick to react and came to his aid.
Henderson said: “It was horrendous and very scary. He was knocked out and the man who gets the medical medal is AP. He was brilliant.
“James was unconscious and choking. AP had to get his mouth open, which proved extremely difficult. I am surprised he has any fingers left.
“He has been into the hospital and had scans and amazingly everything is OK but he is going to be out for a while.
“His mum has picked him up and is taking him home for Christmas. At least he can have some Christmas pudding this year.”
McCoy, who rode a record 4,358 winners and was Champion Jockey an unprecedented 20 times, has not spoken publicly about the incident.
Bowen was scheduled to ride Mister Fisher in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton today, but the seven-year-old will now be partnered by his brother Sean.
The last Irish-trained winner was in 2005 through Kicking King, following his victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier that year.
Minella Indo aims to complete the same double for trainer Henry de Bromhead on the back of finishing third behind Frodon at Down Royal on his reappearance.
McCoy, who won almost every major race including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Grand National, Queen Mother Champion Chase and the King George VI Chase, retired in 2015.
Since leaving the saddle, he has become a hugely respected pundit on ITV Racing.