It is axiomatic that you never really know what you've got til its gone (qv Joanie Mitchell "Big Yello Taxi"), but I believe we are coming to the end of a golden era of horse racing commentary. The litany of great commentators currently: Simon Holt Mark Johnson (the best of the best!) Stewart Machin "Mr Beverley" hmself Malcom Tomlinson Anthony Ennis Darren Owen John Hunt (sorry for his losses) Richard Hoiles Ian Bartlett yes, even Derek Thompson for all his "here they come back tpwards us" and PHOTO when a horse has won by a neck or more, and "coming with a good-looking run"
And in their stead we have goobers like Tim "WIV UP ON THE INSIDE" Peters, and Alex Fussey.
At least we don't have that useless t@rt at PARX Jessica Paquette (NO to ANY women commentators in ANY sport like the paj33t Isa Guha and shrieky Alison Mitchell and half-br33d Mel Jones in cricket) and that fat chav ex-of Cambridge Craig Braddick, now of Turf Paradise in Arizona.
Let us appreciate the riches we have in horse racing commentary while we can.
On a less smooth-brained matter hearing the veteran Aussie ciommentator Mikey Wrona at Los Alamitos just now brought back memories! When he was caller at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita. Excellent.
Did you write that? Low IQ response.On a less smooth-brained matter hearing the veteran Aussie ciommentator Mikey Wrona at Los Alamitos just now brought back memories! When he was caller at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita. Excellent.
As much as I agree with you to a point OP, it is no doubt a tough job. I had trouble picking my runner out the other week at Royal Ascot let alone calling the race.
I hope a new generation is on the way to replace those more experienced in the position currently, but it doesn't seem there are many lining up.
Without sounding muggy maybe you should try calling a race as you see it and see how you get on.
I've tried it and I sounded like Dale Winton on meth after being in a car accident.
It isn't easy. It's a very underrated skill set these commentators have. They probably deserve more credit than I have given them in the past before as well.
I have met Simon Holt and he was a joy to be around, as I'm sure others are.
Enjoy the comms today
As much as I agree with you to a point OP, it is no doubt a tough job. I had trouble picking my runner out the other week at Royal Ascot let alone calling the race.I hope a new generation is on the way to replace those more experienced in the positio
I'm a fan of the Barstewards podcast, but I thought they were out of order recently when they had a pop at Sir Peter O'Sullevan, and whilst he probably did make mistakes in his later years, they cited the '77 National when he seemed to get into a bit of a muddle when Boom Docker refused.
But his commentary in the closing stages is one of if not the greatest ever imo.
And the other thing I love about the commentary collectively, is that they don't hype it up on the way round, they didn't make it all about just one horse, for all the enormity of the achievement if he were to go on and win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DXR3FOA_o0
I'm a fan of the Barstewards podcast, but I thought they were out of order recently when they had a pop at Sir Peter O'Sullevan, and whilst he probably did make mistakes in his later years, they cited the '77 National when he seemed to get into a bit
One thing which must fill commentators with dread, are those Friday Newbury cards later in the season, with five 20-runner maidens, most of whom are making their debuts
Tbf, Iain Bartlett did well there.One thing which must fill commentators with dread, are those Friday Newbury cards later in the season, with five 20-runner maidens, most of whom are making their debuts