Peter O’Sullevan whose dulcet tones and well chosen words earned him the monniker the ‘Voice of Racing’ died aged 97.
O’Sullevan — who also worked for the Daily Express — commentated for the BBC for 50 years (1947-97) and just prior to his 50th and final Grand National he was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. He said ‘He is one of the voices you associate the sport with and as soon as you hear that voice you think of him. It is a great loss for racing and poignant to lose him during a meeting like Goodwood.
O’Sullevan’s career as a racing journalist began before the war when he took over from a friend who had been called up to the army – O’Sullevan having predictably failed his medical – to become the correspondent for the Reading Gazette.
MUST KNOW
- Sir Peter O’Sullevan has died in London after a long illness
- O’Sullevan was the BBC’s racing commentator for 50 years
- He provided the soundtrack to 50 Grand Nationals and 14,000 races
- His commentary on victories for Red Rum and Desert Orchid have gone down in racing folklore
- He was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II
Expected Questions
Name the legend who was known for ‘VOICE OF RACING’
-Peter O’ Sullevan
