Ruby Walsh pays tribute to Tony McCoy as he reveals retirement plans

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In what has to be the most unexpected news of 2015 so far, the greatest jump jockey of all time, Tony McCoy, has announced he will retire at the end of the season. Just over a year ago he rode his 4,000th winner and while the 40 year old was constantly asked about retirement ever since that milestone, he always maintained he would keep going so long as he enjoyed it. Most fans took that to mean that the hyper competitive Antrim man would be on the scene for many more years to come. Instead, out of the blue on Channel 4 today, McCoy  said, when asked about yet another 200 winner season: 'It'll be my last 200 winner season, as, having talked it over, I have decided to retire'. 'I want to go while I'm still enjoying racing and while I am still near the top,' he added. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e05DQiIO90o One of McCoy's greatest rivals, Ruby Walsh, had paid tribute to the jockey,describing him as as 'consummate professional'. Walsh admitted he was surprised by the announcement and riding against McCoy was always a great challenge, 'It is wonderful that you could have the career AP has had, but it was a big call and only he could have known that the time was right. He is the consummate professional and has done everything that is good for racing.' McCoy's decision was made all the more extraordinary after he claimed a win aboard Mr Mole at Newbury today to claim the Betfair Price Rush Chase. Walsh revealed that anytime he faced McCoy, that it forced him to work harder for a victory, 'He's been a wonderful ambassador for racing and an incredible jockey and all I think of is that it was an honour and a privilege. He was so damn good that he always made you try harder. He's just brilliant. What makes Messi? What makes Ronaldo? What made Federer? They're just unbelievably talented. McCoy has been one of the most iconic figures in racing for three decades and has been the retained rider for JP Mcmanus for 10 years. Walsh thinks those inside and outside of the parade ring will ring the Irishman 'It's kind of strange to say that when someone is so good, but I'll probably miss riding against him. Definitely'