julian wilson r.i.p

JULIAN WILSON, who headed the BBC's coverage as its TV racing correspondent for 32 years, died on Sunday night from cancer at  the age 73.

Wilson was the face of BBC racing and for much of that time the corporation had a near-monopoly of the top races. He was one of the race commentators for the Grand National from 1969 to 1991 and had editorial control over the BBC's mid-week broadcasts.

He was involved in racehorse ownership for many years and struck lucky with Tumbledownwind, who was bought for him by his long-term trainer Bruce Hobbs for only 4,800gns as a yearling.

Tumbledownwind, who ran in Wilson's colours although he owned only a half share, was a high-class two-year-old in 1977, winning at Glorious Goodwood. Wilson's other winners included Midnight Cowboy in an Ascot nursery in 1970 and the Lady Herries-trained Tykeyvor in the Bessborough Handicap at Royal Ascot in 1996.

Wilson also had success as a racing manager, including for Sir Clement Freud and Italian restaurateur Walter Mariti. The latter won the Royal Hunt Cup with 50-1 shot Pontenuovo in 1990.

He married his first wife, Carolyn Michael, in 1970 and they had a son, Thomas. After their divorce he married Alison Ramsay in 1981.