Image source, Reuters

So that's it. After a glorious career stretching back more than two decades, 20 Champion Jockey titles and 4,357 winners, the career of AP McCoy has come to an end.

The great man could not quite sign off with a winner on his final outing, but that will not matter one jot to the millions who have delighted in his successes down the years.

Well done AP McCoy. What a ride it's been.

Read Frank Keogh's report here.

"Someone's going to ride more winners than me. All records get broken. I hope I'm dead, though."

Image source, Getty Images

"Richard Johnson helped me to achieve what I achieved. We've been the greatest rivals and the greatest friends."

Richard Johnson won AP McCoy's final race on board Brother Tedd, and is now tipped as one of the men most likely to succeed him as Champion Jockey next season, having finished as runner-up to McCoy on 16 occasions.

"There were tears coming back on Box Office. There were nearly tears going out on Box Office."

Image source, Getty Images

McCoy is holding a news conference, where he is joined by JP McManus & Jonjo O'Neill.

"I feel very lucky I have ended my career in one piece," says the 20-time champion jockey.

He adds: "I've got nothing to look forward to now... except the wife and kids."

Image source, Frank Keogh

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent at Sandown

No winners for McCoy on final day so name of Capard King, Ayr, Fri 17 April goes into history as 4357th & last winner

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Sandown

The 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy, racing's 'Iron Man', choking back tears as he headed into weighing room for last time at Sandown.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill joked: "The way he rode today, he'll never ride for me again.

"It's the greatest man in the game. He's a true professional. What I can say will not justify how good he is. We'll never see his likes again."

Image source, PA

An emotional AP McCoy on Channel 4 Racing: "It's amazing. I can't believe what's happening. I've been so lucky all my life. I'll never forget this day.

"It's been a very emotional day. I want to thank everyone for coming out, the racing public. All my family were here, too, so it's very special. It's been unbelievable, a day I'll never forget."

Image source, PA

An emotional McCoy waves to the crowd as he drinks in their applause and cheers for the last time.

It would have been too perfect, wouldn't it?

McCoy was always in the mix but in the final analysis it never looked like being a winning ride for McCoy on Box Office.

The win instead goes to Richard Johnson on Brother Tedd.

McCoy is in the midfield as the pack passes the main grandstand to huge cheers.

What can he do from there?

Six to jump.

The final race of AP McCoy's career is under way.

Sandown expects.

Image source, @HonestFrank

BBC Sport's Frank Keogh on Twitter: Champion jockey AP McCoy heads out for the final ride of his career, on Box Office, at Sandown.

OK, we're just about there.

The brilliant career of AP McCoy will be over in just a few minutes from now.

Whatever happens, his legacy is assured. But a win would be a rather wonderful finsh.

Box Office, if you will.

Legendary former BBC broadcaster Sir Peter O'Sullevan: "He has been something very special. Apart from his amazing record, he has grown in stature as a person. It is a credit to him that he has never become big-headed."

McCoy claimed his second Cheltenham Gold Cup win aboard Synchronised in 2012.

Going off at 8-1, Synchronised grabbed the lead over the final fence and held off the challenge of 50-1 outsider The Giant Bolster.

"He's an amazing horse and it was an amazing performance. He's really delivered," said McCoy.

Image source, Getty Images

McCoy's wife Chanelle on Channel 4 Racing: "The reception he's had and the send off is incredible.

"It's richly deserved, he might be a bit uncomfortable with it but all the hours he's put in, all the nights in the hospital and all the nights he's gone to bed hungry. It's all worth it.

"Now he can spend time with the kids, he can eat and he can play golf. We can cook potatoes!"

McCoy has famously suffered more than his fair share of bumps and scrapes on his way to writing his substantial entry in racing's history books.

Broken bones, punctured lungs, shattered teeth, all are listed in gruesome detail below.

With one race to come, let's all hope there are no late additions to the list.

Image source, .

Fellow jockey Ruby Walsh tells Channel 4 Racing: "It's a great day, a great crowd here to see him.

"To fulfil all your dreams and be able to walk away on your own terms is amazing.

"He's quiet today. He's hoping his horse can win and he can ride off into the sunset. For me it's a proud day to be here to watch him."