Watch Richard Johnson wipe away tears as big pal AP McCoy thanks him for ’20 years of nightmares’ after shock retirement

EMOTIONAL Richard Johnson wiped away tears as big pal AP McCoy thanked him for ’20 years of nightmares’ following his shock retirement.

Four-time champion jockey Johnson, 43, announced he was hanging up his whip yesterday after finishing third on Brother Tedd at Newton Abbott.

Amazingly, that was the horse Johnson rode when beating McCoy the day the 20-time champ said he was calling it quits in April 2015.

The pair, close friends off the track, fought out a ferocious rivalry on it.

But this is the so-called sport of kings, and McCoy showed his class with a heartwarming speech about Johnson’s career.

The words, played on Luck on Sunday on Racing TV, meant so much to Johnson that he had to wipe away his tears mid-way through.

Legendary McCoy, 46, said: “Hi Dicky, I just wanted to congratulate you on the most amazing career.

“I have to admit this is about the 25th time I have tried to do this video, with getting a little bit emotional and trying to find the words that can do you justice.

“It’s not possible.

“You’re a brilliant person. You are the most professional jockey in every way. You were the ultimate competitor and a great person to be in the weighing room with every day.

“You were always kind and helpful to everyone.

“I would like to thank you for everything you did for horse racing.

“I’m not going to thank you for everything you did for me because for 20 years I had nightmares about you.

“I knew I had the most difficult job trying to compete every day with you.

“You had a great talent but you had an even greater work ethic and that’s something you can be very, very proud of.”

Announcing his retirement live on TV, Johnson said on Saturday: “That’s it for me.

“Look I’ve had an amazing time, but it’s the right time for me to stop now.”

Johnson won the top jockey title for four consecutive years from 2016 and won a memorable Gold Cup with Native River in 2018 at the Cheltenham Festival, 18 years after he struck in the same race with Looks Like Trouble.

During his career he landed 43 Grade 1 wins and 23 victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

In a longer statement, Johnson said: “After nearly 30 years in the saddle, the time has come for me to retire.

“I have been so extraordinarily lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners.

“It was particularly important to me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah Hobbs who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I’ll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.

“There are so many people to thank who have been part of my journey. Without ‘the Duke’ and Dinah Nicholson and their remarkable staff, I’d never have got that first leg up.

“Noel Chance, Peter Bowen and Milton Bradley, thank you for putting your trust in me when I was starting out. Those were the days that shaped my career, with so many people who remain lifelong friends.

“To my wonderful family, thank you so much. Mum, Dad and my brother Nick who have always been by my side. Finally, to my wife Fiona and amazing children Willow, Caspar and Percy. Without you nothing would have been possible.”

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