Three times National Hunt Championship horse racing winner Richard Dunwoody has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster.
The former racing champion was awarded the doctorate in recognition of his contribution to the sport.
During his racing career, the Belfast-born jockey rode 1,699 winners, and as well as the championship, won the Lester Award for jump jockey of the year on five occasions.
Since giving up racing, Dr Dunwoody has become a consultant to the British Racing School at Newmarket, where he coaches up-and-coming jockeys; a member of the BBC racing team at the Grand National, and a newspaper columnist.
Dr Dunwoody said the University of Ulster was on its way to becoming the leading university for sport in the Republic of Ireland.
He said that with the London 2012 Olympics approaching, the new ??20 million sports facility at Jordanstown would have an immense benefit to athletes in Ireland.
"But equally important, it will promote health and fitness in the community and bring people together," he added.
