I had a rather profitable encounter with the famous Irish jockey AP McCoy last week.

The great man subsidised the holiday I'm enjoying in England. Not that he was aware of it. Wandering about deepest Devon, the missus and I came across the village of Newton Abbot, which has a racecourse that is one of the few in the United Kingdom specialising in summer jump meetings. Surprise, surprise, a meeting was taking place, so in we went.

Shock, horror. A distinguished-looking, well-dressed man at the gate asked for a whopping entrance fee. In South Africa we're not used to this, entry to racecourses having been free for decades.

Twelve pounds for the course enclosure, £18 for the paddock.

"Just the £12," said the missus decisively.

"An excellent choice, if I may say so, madam," replied the country gent.

What was he thinking? The course enclosure turned out to be a car park with rudimentary tin-and-iron grandstand attached. Even the "posh" paddock enclosure, which we peered at over a fence, didn't appear to have nearly the sophistication of facilities enjoyed by racegoers at our humble Vaal racecourse.

But I shouldn't complain. The atmosphere was lively, and the place crowded, which ain't the case at the Vaal. There was a village "fayre" atmosphere to it all, with families picnicking and tattooed folk sippin' beer. One half expected to see Inspector Barnaby making inquiries about a Midsomer Murder.

The first horse I saw was No1 in the third, Chesapeake, bearing the green and gold silks of legendary Irish owner JP McManus. On board was none other than 14-times British champion jockey AP "Tony" McCoy.

McCoy's appearance at this minor meeting bore testament to the man's determination to pursue winners wherever they may be. I've read he simply loves racing and would do it for fun anyway, even if he wasn't paid to.

Chesapeake was at 4/1 across the ring of a dozen bookies in our happy throng. One was compelled to have a plunge on it.

The horses circumnavigated the tiny track three times over "three miles and about two-and-a-half furlongs" of the Will You Marry Me Tamsin Novices' Steeplechase (it costs £300 to personalise a race at Newton Abbot).

So we got to see plenty of close-up action as the field jumped a fence in front of our £24 position, the excitement heightened by a snaggle-toothed Devonshire woman beside us yelling "Go Tony, yew bewty!" between swigs from a plastic beaker of ale.

We don't know if Tamsin said "Yes!", but I did, as McCoy brilliantly steered Chesapeake clear at the final jump and won in style.

In the next race, McCoy's mount was the odds-on favourite Manger Hanagement.

The full winnings from Chesapeake went on, and McCoy calmly won by half the racecourse.

And so it went on. McCoy rode four winners on the seven-race card.

I've never done so well on the punting front at the gratis Vaal, I can tell you for free.

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