Wayne Rooney Less Popular Than Horse in Poll of Great British Sporting Champions

Congratulations, Wayne Rooney, a recent survey has revealed the Great British public believe you are among the country’s 50 greatest sporting champions.

Commiserations, Wayne Rooney, it appears your achievements are less highly regarded than those of a recently retired horse.

Yes, a recent survey commissioned by Great British Racing (via Digital Hub) has uncovered the 50 greatest sporting champions, as voted for by the public. And it is Rooney who completes the list, coming in exactly one place behind Frankel—the so-called “wonder horse” that went undefeated over his flat career before being retired to stud in 2012.

The winner? Double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, who edged out two knights of the realm, Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Bradley Wiggins, to take the top spot.

The survey was commissioned to celebrate this year’s Qipco British Champions Day, which for the third year will conclude horse racing’s flat season. As part of the event on October 19, there will be an exhibition of famous sporting trophies—including the FA Cup, the Ashes Urn, the Calcutta Cup and Jules Rimet Trophy.

The top five is completed by two money Olympic gold medallists, heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and 2013 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, while David Beckham, Sir Chris Hoy, Bobby Moore, Dame Kelly Holmes and ice-skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean complete the top 10.

A spokesman for Great British Racing said:

"

These results are a wonderful reminder of Britain’s sporting prowess in so many different disciplines, by both men and women, over the past half century.

As a country we must surely punch well above our weight. It’s great to see a racehorse makes it onto the list among the many famous faces.

In horseracing we’re equally blessed with many of the world’s finest racehorses, jockeys and trainers, including last year’s world champion, the unbeaten Frankel who lit up British Champions Day with victories in both 2011 and 2012.

"

No word as yet on Wayne Rooney’s reaction to the results, however. If occasionally being played in midfield made him want to leave Manchester United last season, perhaps this news will make him inclined to leave the country entirely.

Leading England to World Cup qualification—and then World Cup victory next summer in Brazil—might just boost his popularity a bit, though.

Just a suggestion, Wayne.

The entire top 50 is below.

Great Britain's 50 greatest sporting champions

1. Mo Farah
2. Sir Steve Redgrave
3. Sir Bradley Wiggins
4. Jessica Ennis
5. Andy Murray
6. David Beckham
7. Sir Chris Hoy
8. Bobby Moore
9. Dame Kelly Holmes
10. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
11. Daley Thompson
12. Seb Coe
13. Ian Botham
14. Paula Radcliffe
15. Sir Alex Ferguson
16. Stirling Moss
17. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson
18. Victoria Pendleton
19. Jonny Wilkinson
20. Sir Matthew Pinsent
21. Lewis Hamilton
22. Linford Christie
23. Jackie Stewart
24. Henry Cooper
25. Steve Davis

26. Sally Gunnell
27. Lennox Lewis
28. Phil Taylor
29. Lester Piggott
30. Nigel Mansell
31. Jonathan Edwards
32. Andrew Flintoff
33. Frank Bruno
34. Jensen Button
35. Sir Nick Faldo
36. Stephen Hendry
37. Mark Cavendish
38. David Weir
39. Damon Hill
40. Joe Calzaghe
41. Chris Froome
42. Mary Peters
43. Fatima Whitbread
44. Barry McGuigan
45. Geoff Boycott
46. Tony McCoy
47. Christine Ohuruogu
48. Chris Eubank
49. Frankel
50. Wayne Rooney