There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
Just announced on WH radio.
sort by:
Show
per page
Replies: 139
|
By:
Very sad news.
|
|
By:
voice of racing. RIP
|
|
By:
Legendary race-caller
Sir Peter O’Sullevan dies By Andrew Dietz 5:08PM 29 Jul 2015 SIR PETER O’SULLEVAN, who became known as the ‘Voice of Racing’ and widely regarded as one of the greatest sports commentators of all time, has died at the age of 97. O’Sullevan, the BBC’s leading racing commentator for 50 years, provided the soundtrack to many of racing’s greatest moments and received a knighthood in 1997, weeks after calling his last race. A well-connected journalist and expert race-caller, O’Sullevan also made his mark on racing as an owner with his colours (black, yellow cross-belts, yellow cap) most memorably carried by Triumph Hurdle winner Attivo and the sprinter Be Friendly, who won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp. After retiring from commentating at the age of 79, O’Sullevan channelled his energy into the charitable trust he set up to benefit various animal welfare organisations. His autobiography Calling the Horses, published in 1989 and updated last year, topped the Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller list, the first time a racing book had scaled such literary heights. Born on March 3, 1918 and the only child of Colonel John Joseph O’Sullevan, resident magistrate of Killarney, O’Sullevan always claimed to have first drawn breath in Kenmare, County Kerry, but very late in life revealed that he had in fact been born in Newcastle, County Down. As a child, O’Sullevan moved to Surrey to live with his grandparents and after his passion for racing steadily grew, he worked on the racing desk at the Press Association before his commentating career started with BBC radio in 1946. Three years later he became part of the Grand National commentary team and he would go on to become a household name as he called some of the most memorable runnings of the Aintree showpiece - Foinavon's win in 1967, Bob Champion's success on Aldaniti in 1981 and Red Rum’s three victories, the third of which in 1977 he declared: “It’s hats off and a tremendous reception – you’ve never heard one like it at Liverpool!" Sir Peter O'Sullevan with his wife Patricia Sir Peter O'Sullevan with his wife Pat Suny Bay’s Hennessy Gold Cup victory in 1997 was the last race on television he called and he went into the Newbury winner’s enclosure the very next race after Mick Fitzgerald carried his colours to victory on Sounds Fyne. O’Sullevan was awarded an OBE in 1977, CBE in 1991, and a knighthood six years later. He was elected a member of the Jockey Club in 1986, and his numerous awards include Racing Journalist of the Year in 1971 (shared with friend Clive Graham) and 1986, and the Royal Television Society’s TV Sports Award in 1986. O’Sullevan, who combined his commentating duties with writing for the Daily Express, had no children. His wife Pat died in 2010. |
|
By:
 rip |
|
By:
My apologies for getting the surname slightly wrong.
|
|
By:
Very sad news indeed but 97 is a good innings.RIP
|
|
By:
 |
|
By:
sad news
|
|
By:
RIP
Before my time but no doubt a legend of horse racing |
|
By:
Very sad news. RIP.
|
|
By:
sad news and RIP. But what an innings !
legend |
|
By:
Rip
|
|
By:
What a life !!
|
|
By:
rip very sad news
|
|
By:
Top punter as well rip.
|
|
By:
Iconic from his time , rip Sir Peter
|
|
By:
very sad to hear this news -The Dawn Run and Dessie commentaries in the GC will always live long in the memory
The voice of racing R.I.P |
|
By:
RIP. A real expert and all the horse charity work.
|
|
By:
not only the best race caller, successful owner and great punter.rip.
|
|
By:
selkirk and marling sussex stakes, a brilliant race and commentary to match
rip sir peter |
|
By:
The gold standard .
RIP Sir Peter |
|
By:
R.I. P. A legend , racings loss .
|
|
By:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IguKUcYtspY
|
|
By:
One of the things i liked most about Peter O'Sullevan was that it was clear he knew how lucky he was to live the life he did simply for commentating on horses. A life well lived pretty much to the end.
|
|
By:
The best Racing Commentator ever buy a furlong......Horse Racing lost a little bit of Magic for me when he retired.....R.I.P. Sir Peter.
|
|
By:
a good innings for a good man.rip sir peter
|
|
By:
Legend who still sets the benchmark in the field of commentating. Thank you Sir Peter for so many memories..
|
|
By:
Another icon of my childhood departs. RIP.
|
|
By:
the fellow's gold cup with jodami
still makes me sad that race cool ground's gold cup takes me back to growing up an absolute legend |
|
By:
R.I.P.
|
|
By:
He was aso one of lifes nice guys RIP
|
|
By:
Always very sad when a true legend passes - but made somewhat easier when they have had such a long and enjoyable life.
Saw an interview with him when he said he could not have had a better life - not many of us can say that. RIP |
|
By:
a class act RIP
|
|
By:
A marvellous person and top racing man, R.I.P.
|
|
By:
He called the first race I ever watched when I was child when West Tip won the Grand National, landing my 10p punt! I'm sure this is the same scenario for most on here with your own fond memories of the race he called for you.
RIP Sir Peter. |
|
By:
great innings
 , true gent, loved by all in racing.RIP |
|
By:
They must of broke the mould when they made him,an absolute star,R.I.P.
|
|
By:
Not even a Racing Fan but appreciate great people in sport and he was one of them. Must have had a great life.
|
|
By:
very sad but good innings .......peter and julian wilson were great on the bbc
|