Sir Peter O'Sullevan supplied the soundtrack to big races to countless millions of viewers around the world in his 50 years as commentator on the BBC.
A personal tribute by J A McGrath.
Sir Peter O'Sullevan supplied the soundtrack to big races to countless millions of viewers around the world in his 50 years as commentator on the BBC.
But, to me, he was Peter, the generous friend, mentor and loyal ally. He was the man with the wicked sense of humour and, throughout his entire professional career, someone who had an affinity with punters and gamblers.
He was truly a one-off. And, he was a hero to all commentators, aspiring or established.
His raceday 'performance' on television was the end result of hours of preparation and study. He would have learnt the colours for Goodwood's Stewards Cup, say, 48 hours in advance, and then he would revise, and revise again, before the last horse was installed.
Gallows humour was never far away in the nervous hours before a big race. There might be 29 runners in the Stewards Cup, and a voice in the press box on the morning of the race shouts: "Red Prince is a non-runner......."
With a slightly raised eyebrow, Peter would look up from his racecard and mumble: "Pity.....I knew that one."
Accuracy was paramount, but he could always chuckle at the odd hiccup.
The very first time I assisted Peter in the commentary box, he was calling a Group 3 race at Longchamp. The job of the assistant is to jot down the finishing order as they cross the line, and to tap the commentator on the shoulder should he be saying anything inaccurate.
The favourite was a horse called Flemensfirth, who later became a successful jumping stallion.
The gates flew back and Peter settled into the call. Suddenly, I detected he was not calling the favourite Flemensfirth, but instead Elmensfirth (with a capital E).
He then did it a second time. I felt very uneasy about it, but I knew I had to tap him on the shoulder and alert him to the mistake.
Despite my interruption, he continued with Elmensfirth right to the line. When we had crossed back to the studio, he asked: "Was I making a horlicks of that?" When I pointed out the horse's correct name, Peter said: "Elmensfirth....? How did I come up with that? What a prat I am."
Trips to Haydock in the north of England, and to Chepstow in Wales, were always completed by train (first class), with a hire car waiting at the station to drive the last few miles to the course.
A visit to the off-licence to purchase a small bottle of Medoc for the return train trip was also obligatory.
One Welsh National day, he arrived on the course just before racing started. Despite leaving Paddington before 9am, he got there at 1.30pm. It had taken him four and a half hours to travel 100 miles. "Those wretched engineering works! I've been on a sightseeing tour of the West Country!!" he gasped down his talk-back mic.
I will miss Peter's humour and his friendship. I will miss the camaraderie. We racecallers all know what it is like walking the tightrope without a safety net.
A visit to Peter's flat in Chelsea was always an excuse for a refreshment, no matter what the time. "Champagne or a little glass of rose, my lad?"
For a man, who loved his wine, his cheese, and fine dining, it was sad that in the last months of his life, he was denied all of them. "I really don't think the body is designed to last 100 years," he told me recently.
But his mind was like a razor, to the very end.
Peter, old mate, sleep peacefully. We will miss you.
J A (Jim) McGrath succeeded Sir Peter O'Sullevan as BBC TV racing commentator in 1997 and continued in the role until the Corporation discontinued racing coverage in 2012.
