Horseracing’s biggest name jockey AP McCoy finished third at Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year and was presented with his prize by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 39-year-old Northern Irishman passed 4000 jump racing winners in November and has been champion jockey every year since he turned professional – 18 years in succession.
2010 winner McCoy finished behind this year’s victor Andy Murray and second placed Leigh Halfpenny in the prestigious BBC poll but beat off some illustrious names to come third.
Mo Farah, who won two athletics World Championship gold medals in 2013, Chris Froome, who became only the second Brit to win the Tour de France, U.S. Open winning golfer Justin Rose and Sir Ben Ainslie, who claimed Americas Cup glory, all finished behind McCoy in the voting.
That shows the popularity of McCoy and indeed of horse racing with the British public.
The award was presented to McCoy by former Manchester United manager Ferguson and last year’s winner, Wigan-based cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins.
McCoy won the Grand National at the 15th attempt on board ‘Don’t Push It’ in 2010 and has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on two occasions.
Away from the course, McCoy has recently published his first novel, entitled ‘Taking The Fall’.
Murray is favourite to retain his crown next year with Wayne Rooney and Froome second favourites to win the award.
Meanwhile McCoy enjoys 33/1 odds to have better luck next year.
However there is no rest for the fearless jockey, who spent six days in intensive care after a fall at Cheltenham in April and is in action at Catterick on Tuesday in four races starting with the 13.40 on Forthefunofit.
According to Will Hill horse betting here at least he enjoys better odds than he does for his sports personality, being 9/4 to win.
McCoy will then team up with Merrydown Vintage (14.10), Dursey Sound (14.40) and Beatu (15.10) as he seeks to add his 4,031 career winners having clinched two more victories on Monday.
Don’t miss MM’s view on Cheltenham 2015, where we explore how Manchester’s racing pedigree will live on this year.
Image courtesy of AtTheRacesUk via YouTube, with thanks.
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