You might have been forgiven for thinking that Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor was the winner on Sunday night, with the darts legend showing great delight in being announced as runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

However, it was AP McCoy who was the unanimous winner on Sunday night, with the jockey needing to win the Grand National during 2010 to finally be recognised by the British public.

McCoy has proved himself to be a credit to the sport of horse racing for over ten years, with his commitment to the cause unmatched by any of his peers, in his sport or any other.

“To win this award is surreal, an unbelievable feeling,” said McCoy.

“My daughter Eve, who is three, was shouting at me when she knew I was going to be on television this evening.

“When I started off as a jockey I wanted to be champion jockey in my mind, and I have been lucky enough to be champion jockey for 15 years.

“But the Grand National is the biggest horse race in the world and everyone knows I had won all the other races and to finally achieve that. It was just an unbelievable day.”

Fellow jockey Ruby Walsh said: “He’s dominated racing like Tiger Woods dominated golf and Roger Federer dominated tennis.”