Jockey awarded honorary degree - graduate jobs

Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster.

The three times National Hunt Championship winner was awarded the doctorate in honour of his contribution to horse racing.

The Belfast-born jockey rode 1,699 winners throughout his career and won the Lester Award for jump jockey of the year five times.

Dr Dunwoody told the graduate class of 2008 that the University of Ulster was fast becoming the leading university for sport in Ireland.

He said: "The new £20 million sports facility at Jordanstown is incredible and with the London 2012 Olympics fast approaching, what an immense benefit 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."

He dedicated his doctorate to his parents and especially his father, who he called "my number one role model, my number one mentor".

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