December saw the 2024 edition of the Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) awards ceremony take place at Media City in Salford.
The Young Sports Personality of the Year, World Sport Star, Coach of the Year, and Team of the Year were all recognised, but, as always, much of the focus centred around the headline gong “Sports Personality of the Year”.
Triathlon gold medallist Alex Yee, Paralympian Sarah Storey, Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham, all-time top Test match scorer Joe Root, and teenage darts phenomenon Luke Littler were all nominated in 2024. However, in the end, the prize went to red-hot favourite Keely Hodgkinson, who captured the nation’s heart when storming to 800m gold in Paris.
Horse Racing Not Represented in 2024
When looking at the list of nominations across the various categories, competitors from Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Darts, Football, Gymnastics, Swimming, and even Skateboarding were all represented. However, the sport of horse racing was notable in its total absence.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 Result
| Position | Nominee | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Keely Hodgkinson | Athletics |
| 2nd | Luke Littler | Darts |
| 3rd | Joe Root | Cricket |
| 4th | Jude Bellingham | Football |
| 5th | Sarah Storey | Cycling |
| 6th | Alex Yee | Triathlon |
The lack of a single nomination in 2024 is disappointing for a sport suffering from declining attendance and falling betting turnover. However, a single year is but a small sample. Surely a horse racing star has picked up the top award in the past? It turns out that they have, but only once.
McCoy the Man in 2010
Having broken the record for the number of National Hunt wins, in addition to just about every bone in his body in pursuit of his goal, AP McCoy was a thoroughly deserving winner in 2010.
By 2010, the tough-as-teak Northern Irishman had been crowned British Champion Jockey on 15 occasions without receiving a SPOTY honour. A huge name within his own discipline, McCoy had yet to capture the imagination of the wider sporting viewership. To do that, he would need to win the one race that hits the headlines on both the front and back pages – the Grand National.
Having missed the Aintree target on so many occasions, McCoy finally fulfilled the dream when storming home aboard Don’t Push It to claim the 2010 edition of the most famous jumps race on the planet.
That success, combined with a win in the Welsh Grand National and a brace of Grade 1s at Cheltenham, saw McCoy ride a wave of public support to a landslide victory ahead of runner-up Phil Taylor and third-place finisher Jessica Ennis.
McCoy came close to winning the prize for a second time in 2013 when finishing third behind Andy Murray and Leigh Halfpenny.
Lifetime Gongs for Lester
McCoy may have put National Hunt racing on the map at the SPOTY, but flat racing has yet to be similarly recognised. However, whilst the main award has evaded the grasp of a flat jockey, the legendary 30-time Classic-winning rider, Lester Piggott, has been honoured at the ceremony on two occasions.
Receiving the Special Achievement Award in 1984 for his record-breaking 28th Classic win in the St. Leger, Piggott picked up that prize for a second time in 1994 in honour of his services to racing.
What About Frankie?
Lester and McCoy aside, no jockey has received a prize at this year-end gathering – not even the most recognisable rider of the current century, Frankie Dettori.
Frankie’s Magnificent Seven of 1996 may have etched his name into racing folklore, but it was good for only third spot behind Damon Hill and Steve Redgrave at the SPOTY. Nominated for a second time in 2023, Dettori finished out of the frame in his farewell season.
The only other rider to make the podium is Hollie Doyle, who filled third spot behind Lewis Hamilton and Jordan Henderson in 2020. Let’s hope 2025 sees someone, anyone, get racing represented!