Champion jockey Richard Dunwoody has said that the University of Ulster is on its way to becoming the leading University for sport on the island of Ireland.

Mr Dunwoody was speaking after he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) in recognition of his contribution to equine sport. 

Addressing the Ulster graduate class of 2008, Dr Dunwoody said: “I am confident that you could not have chosen a more dynamic University in which to complete your education. A University that, I have no doubt, will soon achieve its vision of becoming the leading University for sport in Ireland.

“The new £20 million sports facility at Jordanstown is incredible and with the London 2012 Olympics fast approaching, what an immense benefits it will be to the athletes here in Ireland. But equally important it will promote health and fitness in the community, and bring people together.”

In his racing career, the Belfast-born former National Hunt jockey rode 1,699 winners, winning the National Hunt Championship three times. He also received the Lester Award for jump jockey of the year on five occasions. 

Mr Dunwoody has undertaken various expeditions since retiring from riding, including a 350-mile cross-country ski race to the Magnetic North Pole and in January this year he completed an amazing 673 mile trek to the South Pole, something he considers his greatest ever achievement. 

A member of the BBC racing team at Aintree, Mr Dunwoody writes a column for the Daily Mirror and is a consultant to the British Racing School at Newmarket, where he coaches up-and-coming jockeys.  

Dr Dunwoody said: “I’d like to congratulate all graduates and those who have received awards today, very well done. I am deeply honoured to receive the award bestowed on me of the honorary degree of the doctor of the University, especially because I was born in Belfast and grew up not far away near Millisle on the Ards peninsula. I am very proud of my Northern Irish roots and it is a wonderful distinction to receive.

“I’d like to dedicate it to my parents and in particular my number one role model, my number one mentor, my father who is approaching his 90th year and spent the majority of his working life in Northern Ireland.”

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