Turner Wins Hill’s Sportswoman Award
William Hill has announced that Hayley Turner has been crowned the first winner of the William Hill Sports Woman Of The Year Award.
Hayley rode 83 winners, including two Group One wins, throughout 2011.
46,662 people voted for their favourite Sports Woman with the jockey attracting 11,135 votes – beating heptathlete Jessica Ennis into second place, winning the award by just 165 votes.
Swimmer Rebecca Adlington came third in the vote, with England striker Kelly Smith and gymnast Beth Tweddle completing the top five.
Charlotte Edwards, Sarah Stevenson, Helen Jenkins, Tasmin Greenway and Chrissie Wellington were also shortlisted for the inaugural award.
William Hill created the impromptu awards after no sportswomen were selected for the shortlist of the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams said: ‘I cannot imagine that many awards would attract this many votes in their inaugural year and it is astonishing how close it was. Hayley is a worthy winner and we are very pleased she will be the first name on the trophy.’
Hayley receives a trophy to celebrate her win, a VIP trip to the William Hill King George on Boxing Day, and a £1000 charity bet on the big race, with any winnings donated to Headway in Cambridge, a Brain Injury charity.
