SPOTY 2023 Odds: Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the mix after superb gold at World Championships
The Sports Personality of the Year betting market has had a big shake-up after Katarina Johnson-Thompson won gold at the World Athletics Championships, while many of the Lionesses have seen their odds drift following their heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Spain.
We’ve taken a look at the main contenders in the latest SPOTY 2023 odds.
Stuart Broad, 7/4, remains the bookmakers favourite to win the Sports Personality of the Year award.
A 50/1 outsider in July, Broad's odds were slashed following his heroics in the Ashes as he helped seal a Series draw.
At the end of the third day of the fifth Test, Broad revealed that he would retire after the conclusion of the Series. The following day he was given a guard of honour by the Australians and proceeded to smack a six off his final ball, he then backed this up by taking the final two wickets to help England win the fifth Test to record a 2-2 Series draw.
The 37-year-old subsequently rocketed into contention to win SPOTY, an award that has previously been won by five cricket players, most recently Ben Stokes in 2019.
Broad's pulsating passion, fierce competitive spirit, and duration at the summit of the sport would make him a deserved winner in many people's eyes.
Back in December, Frankie Dettori announced that the 2023 flat season would be his final year in the sport, with Ascot's Champions day in October likely to be his last day in the saddle.
Highlights so far in 2023 include winning Royal Ascot's Gold Cup, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and an Epsom Oaks triumph.
The great showman saw his SPOTY odds cut to 3/1 in early June after he won the Epsom Oaks and remained the betting frontunner through until the end of July when Broad shot to the top.
The Italian still remains bang in the frame at around 9/2.
The big mover in the market is heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson who won a stunning gold at the World Athletics Championships.
Previously a distant 66/1, the new two-time world champion has been fired into the frame at 5/1, while she's even as short as 2/1 with Betfred.
The 30-year-old held her nerve in the final event, the 800m, to secure victory over Anna Hall by 20 minutes to take Britain's first gold of the Championships.
Could we see another name from the sport of athletics win for the first time since Mo Farah's 2017 triumph?
Zharnel Hughes, 33/1, deservedly finds himself in the conversation after breaking both the 100m and 200m British records this season, before claiming bronze at the World Championships.
Fellow Team GB star, 800m runner Keely Hodgkinson is one to keep an eye on at 16/1. The 800m runner has been in fine form this season and is the favourite for gold at the World Championships.
When the 2023 SPOTY betting market opened its doors at the start of the year it was Ben Stokes who was installed as the early frontrunner.
The inspirational England test captain, who won the award in 2019 and came 2nd to Beth Mead last year, was listed as one of our six sports stars to watch in 2023 due to it being an Ashes year.
In the end, Stokes' Bazball philosophy was unable to win back the Urn but after going 2-0 down he stayed true to himself and orchestrated a superb comeback to draw what was a superbly entertaining 79th edition of the Ashes, which he finished as the fourth highest runscorer on 405. The skipper's stunning 155 at Lord's will long live in the memory, despite that particular Test ending in defeat.
While it's difficult to see Stokes - who will take part in the upcoming Cricket World Cup - finishing above his teammate Broad, he can be backed at 12/1 to win SPOTY for the second time in five years.
The market did feature a cluster of Lionesses stars during their stunning run to the Women's World Cup final.
England's heroines eventually came unstuck against Spain, who edged a tight final 1-0, which has seen bookmakers cool off on many of the players in the SPOTY market.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps - who saved a penalty in the final - is the shortest price of her teammates at 20/1 after she won the Golden Glove at the tournament.
Millie Bright can be backed at a best-priced 33/1, Lauren Hemp is 50/1, and Lauren James is 66/1.
Check out the full list of prices from various bookmakers below.
