COCHRANE CROWNED Ray Cochrane was today crowned Channel 4 Racing Personality of the Year for 2000. The Ulsterman`s heroism in rescuing fellow jockey Frankie Dettori from a plane crash at Newmarket in June earned him 31% of the votes registered by viewers. Johnny Murtagh, who rode 12 Group or Grade One winners in 2000, took second place in the poll on 23% with champion jockey Kevin Darley third on 11%. Cochrane, whose Derby victory on Kahyasi in 1998 was the highlight of a 26-year riding career, was forced to retire from the saddle in the autumn due to injury. He follows in the footsteps of Dettori himself, Lester Piggott and Tony McCoy who have each won the award in its eight-year history. 'It is a great surprise and a great thrill to me,' Cochrane said on Channel 4`s Morning Line programme. 'Thank you to all the Channel 4 viewers who voted for me.' Cochrane is now acting as agent to three riders, including Dettori.
