Tony McCoy knighted in New Year Honours, Chris Froome also recognised
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 31/12/15 8:47am
Retired jockey Tony McCoy has been given a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, with Chris Froome and Heather Rabbatts also recognised.
McCoy's knighthood comes at the end of a glittering racing career which saw him win every major prize in his sport, including a Grand National win at the 15th attempt on Don't Push It in 2010.
The 41-year-old from Moneyglass in County Antrim stopped racing in April after being crowned champion jockey for a 20th consecutive year and a career total of 4,358 winners.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I was very humbled when I heard the news. I never thought it was something that would happen to me.
"I am very proud of it. I think it is great for myself but it is great for the game of racing."
He heads a list of sporting names to be honoured which also includes two-time Tour de France winner Froome (OBE), FA director Rabbatts (Dame), former Manchester United forward Denis Law (CBE), five-time world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan (OBE) and John Surtees (CBE) - the only man to win world championships on two and four wheels.
The success of England's women footballers in finishing third at the World Cup in Canada in the summer has made an impression with MBEs for captain Steph Houghton and team-mate Fara Williams.
Rabbatts - who became the FA's first female board member in 2012 - has been made a Dame for services to football and equality. She has been a vigorous campaigner on behalf of women in sport.
Froome has been made an OBE after he became the first Briton to win cycling's premier road race the Tour de France on two occasions with his victory in July. British Cycling president Bob Howden has also been awarded an OBE.
Law, a Manchester United star in the 1960s and Scotland's joint all-time national team top goalscorer, has been awarded a CBE, while a favourite son of Manchester's blue half - Francis Lee - is also now a CBE.
Lee won the league title with City in 1968 and later served as chairman of the club in the 1990s. He also played for England in the 1970 World Cup.
O'Sullivan, known as 'the Rocket' for his pace on the baize, has been awarded an OBE. The 40-year-old has won the World Championship on five occasions, most recently in 2013, and has also won the UK Championship and Masters titles five times each.
"I am extremely grateful for this recognition which is a great honour and has made both myself and my family very proud," he said.
"It came as a great surprise to receive my OBE and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my family, friends and fans who have supported me throughout my career and made this achievement possible."
Surtees has been awarded a CBE for services to motor sport. The 81-year-old won seven world motorcycling championships before switching to four wheels and winning the 1964 Formula One title.
Manchester City's Houghton skippered the Lionesses at the World Cup in the summer having come to prominence as part of the GB team at the 2012 London Olympics.
Her England team-mate Williams, who scored in the World Cup semi-final defeat by Japan and got the only goal in the bronze medal match against Germany, joins Houghton in winning an MBE.
Tracey Neville, who is the current coach of the England netball team having won 81 caps as a player, has also been awarded an MBE.
Boxer Carl Frampton and former England and British Lions winger Mark Cueto have also been awarded MBEs.
Cueto, who remains the top try scorer in the history of the Aviva Premiership, brought his illustrious 14-year playing career to a close in May after making his 303rd appearance for his last club, Sale Sharks.
Northern Ireland's Frampton, 28, is the reigning IBF super-bantamweight champion and is set to fight WBA belt-holder Scott Quigg in a unification bout in Manchester on February 27 next year.
Nicknamed the Jackal, he made his professional debut in 2009 and is yet to be beaten in 21 fights, winning 14 of them by knockout.
