OVER 20 cinemas around Ireland showed a special screening of the A.P. McCoy documentary last Monday evening. The screening of Being AP included a live satellite Questions & Answers session with McCoy, hosted by Clare Balding.

The Moneyglass Films documentary was part funded by Northern Ireland Screen as part of its Landmark Documentary scheme which sought to bring unique Northern Ireland stories to a wider audience. Being AP also received funding from the Irish Film Board and the British Horseracing Authority.

Directed by BAFTA-winner Anthony Wonke and produced by Alan Maher, Nick Ryle and John Woollcombe , the all-access documentary follows the 40-year-old who has notched up more than 4,300 wins, 700 falls, 40 broken bones and a BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2010 across a near 25-year racing career.

Being AP premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September of this year receiving positive reviews. It was also picked up by Entertainment One for US distribution earlier this year.

In Monday’s session with Clare Balding, McCoy compared his obsession with winning races to “being a drug addict” and he meant this in more ways than one.

Known for his high pain threshold McCoy admitted that there were times when he craved the high of painkillers following a crashing fall. “Thinking you want to be put to sleep, then when you get given a drug you get so high. Some of the excitement is feeling low and feeling high literally.”

Failing to reach the magical 300-winner mark in his final season was soul-destroying. “I’m better than I was about it. It was probably the only time in my 20 years I was gutted. I was totally convinced I was going to go out doing something I had not done before.”

He admitted that he does take some pride in his achievement of being champion jump jockey of Britain 20 times in a row. “I am pleased about what I achieved. It was through the help of a lot of people. I was very lucky I worked for very successful people and I do think they make you better.

“The money didn’t really do it for me, I would have done it for nothing. I would give everything I have back to have another go.”

The film is available on DVD from next Monday. November 30th.

Carol-Anne Hernon: Saw it tonight - amazing to get an insight as to how incredibly driven he is.

Anouska Rickard: Watched it in the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin, which was very busy. Great look into his career & what motivates him. Amazing career! Very good documentary.

Caroline Howard Donnelly: Saw it tonight, great movie. Really shows the highs and lows of the racing life. A true legend AP.

Pauline Allen: Really enjoyed it. He was tough on himself, always wanting to be the best. I’d say Chanelle does not have it easy. She puts up with a lot but love wins over all. Fair play to them for bringing their private life out.

Patricia Mohan: Read his autobiography. It’s a brilliant book and actually makes you realise what a tough man he is! But his love of horses and his family really comes across, completely changed my opinion of the man! And Chanelle is some woman to have lived with him!

Paul Quish: Very insightful show with an unexpected level of access into A.P.’s private life. Tragic in a way, he never seemed to find complete happiness nor contentment and now seems somewhat lost in retirement. Unmissable movie for anyone interested in the racing industry.

Michael Glasheen: Great jockey. I dunno could I suffer two hours of him tho. It’s grand while he’s in action for 3 or 4 minutes on a horse where you don’t have to listen to him.

Audrey Hannan: Very enjoyable film, there is plenty humour in it. Interview after with Clare Balding was worth the wait in the cinema. In fairness some achievement for him.

Trisha Scott: We really enjoyed it. Excellent documentary showing the extreme highs & lows of the industry, both mentally and physically. Really fascinating. Clare Balding’s interview was really good after also.

Eamonn Creaton: Driven is an understatement.