20/12/2010

National Jockey Wins Sports Personality Race

The Co Antrim Grand National winning jockey, Tony McCoy has been voted the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The 36-year-old has been the champion jump jockey 15 times and becomes the first rider to win the BBC award after claiming 41.98% of the vote.

"To win this award is surreal," said McCoy, who won the Grand National in April at the 15th attempt.

He won the prestigious BBC sports personality of the year award at a glittering ceremony in Birmingham last night.

The 36-year-old from Moneyglass has ridden more than 3,000 winners and is the first ever jockey to be recognised in this way.

The award, which is voted for by the public, sets out to recognise the sportsperson "whose actions have most captured the public's imagination".

McCoy won the Grand National earlier this year at his 15th attempt on Don't Push It.

The jockey beat off competition from nine other top performers, including Portrush golf hero Graeme McDowell.

Mr McDowell won the US Open as well as holding his nerve to hole the winning putt for Europe at this year's Ryder Cup.

Additionally team captain Colin Montgomerie was named Coach of the Year.

Darts player Phil Taylor took the runner-up spot while heptathlete Jessica Ennis finished in third place.

(BMcC/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 December 2004
Kelly Holmes wins BBC Sports Award
Double Olympic Gold medal winner Kelly Holmes has received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award at Television Centre in west London. The first British athlete to win double gold medals in middle distance running in over 80 years, Kelly Holmes overcame injury and disappointment to win the 800m and 1500m events in Athens.
29 May 2013
Briton Wins £81m EuroMillions Jackpot
A British ticket-holder has won £81m in Tuesday's EuroMillions jackpot. The amount is the six largest on the National Lottery Rich List. The winning numbers were 08, 13, 26, 34 and 38, while the Lucky Stars were 03 and 11.
26 February 2007
Mirren wins 'Best Actress' Oscar
Dame Helen Mirren has become the first British actress to win an Oscar in almost 15-years. The 61-year-old received the Best Actress award for her role in 'The Queen' which told the story of the British Monarch in the days following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
25 January 2006
Spurling wins Whitbread award
Biographer Hilary Spurling has won the 2005 Whitbread Book of the Year award for the second part of her biography of artist Henri Matisse. 'Matisse the Master' took Ms Spurling 15 years to complete. Ms Spurling was chosen over four other Whitbread winners to collect the overall £25,000 prize.
15 December 2014
Lewis Hamilton Named BBC Sports Personality Of The Year
Lewis Hamilton has been named 2014 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year. Kenny Dalglish and Jonny Wilkinson presented him with the award at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. In second place was Rory McIlroy, and athlete Jo Pavey came third.