Fontwell Park race-goers urged to back AP McCoy in BBC vote

Staff at Fontwell Park are urging racing fans to help champion jump jockey Tony McCoy be crowned the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.

He is on a shortlist of ten contenders for the big prize at the ceremony, which is live on BBC1 on Sunday evening.

Fontwell are throwing their weight behind the 15-times champion, who many believe should have won the gong long before now.

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In 21 years as a jockey, McCoy has ridden in more than 13,000 races, has won more than 3,300 and collected almost every major jump racing prize – including the Grand National which he finally took this year.

He has had his fair share of winners at Fontwell and always attracts plenty of interest when he visits.

 In his quest for winners, he travels 75,000 miles a year by car. During his career he has fallen almost 700 times, breaking his back, shoulder blades, collarbones, ribs, ankle, cheekbones, a wrist and a leg. He spends 12 hours a week sweating to lose 42lb.

He eats only four nights a week, and then only steamed fish or chicken with steamed vegetables. His only luxury is mayonnaise, and he gets many of his calories from sugar in tea or eating jelly babies.

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Fontwell Park general manager Phil Bell said: “AP, as he’s known, has rewritten the jump jockey record book and we know many racegoers, young and old, whose love of racing has been cemented by a photo or autograph with the champ. His visits are special.

“Tony McCoy has graced horse racing with unmatched distinction and we hope he can be recognised in the most public way of all, by him winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

“We’re asking everyone to vote on Sunday. Those who have won this most coveted sport award include Sir Steve Redgrave and Lord Sebastian Coe. It’s time for Tony McCoy to join that roll of honour.”

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