AP McCoy admitted he would never forget the send off given to him by a sell-out Sandown crowd as he brought down the curtain on his 20-year career.
The 40-year-old missed out on a winner on his last day as a professional jockey, finishing third in his final race aboard the 5-2 favourite Box Office. He had earlier finished third riding Mr Mole in the AP McCoy celebration chase.
But McCoy was visibly moved by the reception handed to him at the Surrey course, where he received the champion jockey's trophy for the 20th time.
"It's amazing, I've been so lucky all my life," McCoy said. "I'll never forget this day.
"I want to thank everyone for coming. All my family were here and it's very special. An unbelievable day I'll never forget.
"There were tears coming back on Box Office. There were nearly tears going out on Box Office. I feel very lucky I have ended my career in one piece."
McCoy, a lifelong Arsenal fan, was handed the trophy by former Gunners striker Ian Wright as the 18,000 capacity crowd broke out into a rendition of 'For he's a jolly good fellow'.
The Northern Irishman has ridden more than 4,300 career winners but insisted his record was surpassable.
"Someone's going to ride more winners than me," he said. "All records get broken. I hope I'm dead, though."
