Tony McCoy was joined in the parade ring by his John Smith's Grand National-winning partner, Don't Push It, as he was crowned champion jockey for the 15th consecutive year on the final day of the season at Sandown. Crowds poured into the Esher track to witness the end of the 2009-10 National Hunt campaign - and they were six deep around the paddock for a parade of champions. Don't Push It, who provided the perennial champion with a first win on Merseyside at the 15th attempt, was shown to the public and joined by four-time William Hill King George VI winner Kauto Star, Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero Big Buck's and totesport Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander. Albertas Run was responsible for giving McCoy Grade One wins at both Cheltenham and Aintree, and Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old was also on show.
McCoy narrowly failed in his quest for 200 winners this campaign, ending with 195 and his daughter, Eve joined him on stage as he collected his trophy from rugby icon Brian Moore. The 35-year-old, who also appeared on the podium to pick up a special People's Award, said: "It was most difficult in the run up to Christmas because I had not had an awful lot of luck. "But the last six weeks have been amazing. It is what every jockey wants and dreams of. "I'd had a lot of failures in the Grand National so to win it was a dream come true.
"I was in quite good company with the likes of John Francome and Peter Scudamore, who hadn't won it either, but to do it was something very special. "The whole emotion from the 70,000 people at Aintree was amazing. People have no idea how much luck you need to win the National and to do it is everything I have dreamed of."
"McCoy also landed the Champion Hurdle on Nicky Henderson's Binocular, and added: "I could not believe he was beaten in the Champion Hurdle the year before. "He started this season and was unimpressive but he showed at Cheltenham what I have always believed he could do." Paul Nicholls failed to match his record-breaking 155 winners of 12 months earlier but was still crowned champion trainer for the fifth year running with 115 wins and prize money of �2.8million. Nicholls said: "I'm very lucky to be in this position. It has been a fantastic five years but the time has gone very quickly. I have been very lucky to have had some great horses and it is great to see them parading today. But I think next year will be a battle, Nicky (Henderson) has a lot of good horses and I think next year will be a vintage jumping season."
Although failing to land the Gold Cup for the fourth year running, Nicholls reported dual winner Kauto Star to be thriving after his uncharacteristic fall in the race. He added: "Kauto Star is in really good form. He isn't finished yet and will be back at Kempton on Boxing Day to try and win his fifth King George." O'Neill's wife, Jacqui, collected the champion owners' prize for JP McManus while Rhys Flint saw off his close friend Nick Scholfield in the battle for the champion conditional' jockey title.