McManus lures McCoy

Tony McCoy has ended one of the most successful relationships in horse racing history by leaving trainer Martin Pipe.

10:32 29 April 2004

Tony McCoy has ended one of the most successful relationships in horse racing history by parting company with trainer Martin Pipe.

The nine-time champion jump jockey has agreed to join Jonjo O'Neill in JP McManus' stable, and is rumoured to have been offered 1 million to make the switch.

It is part of McManus' plan to amass the cream of racing's talent, and prevent Pipe from seeming to emerge as top trainer each year by default.

But there appears to be no bad feelings between McCoy and Pipe, with both admitting that the move had been in the pipeline for some time.

"It's a great new challenge, but yesterday was one of the saddest days of my career," McCoy said.

"Martin's family have been my family. He is a genius and I owe him everything that I have achieved in the last eight years."

Richard Johnson is hotly tipped to take over from McCoy, but Pipe insists that no decision has been made as yet.

"We have not fallen out and I just don't know who will take over from him - it's too early to say," Pipe said.

"This hasn't come completely out of the blue and we are parting on good terms."