'Voice of Racing' O'Sullevan dies at 97

Peter O'Sullevan whose dulcet tones and well chosen words earned him the monniker the 'Voice of Racing' died aged 97 on Wednesday.

Still widely regarded as the greatest racing commentator -- although Australian JA McGrath is sometimes mentioned almost in the same breath -- the Irishman was also a successful racing owner and a fine tipster.

O'Sullevan -- who also worked for the Daily Express -- commentated for the BBC for 50 years (1947-97), always using the binoculars that had been taken from a World War II German U-Boat, and just prior to his 50th and final Grand National he was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.

Nigel Payne, chief executive of the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust, said: "Sir Peter died earlier this afternoon (Wednesday), very peacefully, at home.

"Sir Peter was one of the greatest men I've ever known. Only last week he was talking about what he wanted me to do for the trust in the future. He was still very alert. It's a sad day."

Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker Michael Owen, now a successful owner and breeder of racehorses paid a handsome tribute to him.

"He is one of the voices you associate the sport with and as soon as you hear that voice you think of him," Owen told the Daily Mail.

"It is a great loss for racing and poignant to lose him during a meeting like Goodwood."

If his mother had had her way O'Sullevan's career would have taken a very different turn after she was left less than impressed following one of his early efforts albeit in the days of black and white television.

"Darling, I saw you on television yesterday and you looked absolutely ghastly. I do hope you're never going to do that again," she remarked to her stunned son.

O'Sullevan, who was still defying the years and driving over from England for the Arc de Triomphe weekend every October accompanied by his faithful dog and was hauled over by the French police for speeding three years ago but was allowed to proceed after playing on their fondness for 'man's best friend', produced many great commentaries.

Among the pick were Red Rum getting up to beat longtime leader Crisp in the 1973 Grand National: "He's beginning to lose concentration - he's been out there on his own for so long."

Four years later O'Sullevan -- whose voice was described by one admirer as "perhaps the only hectic drawl in captivity" -- called Red Rum's epic third National success under top weight.

"He's coming up to the line to win it like a fresh horse in great style. It's hats off and a tremendous reception... you've never heard one like it at Liverpool... Red Rum wins the Grand National," said O'Sullevan.

O'Sullevan, who always hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on his hotel room door the eve of the National so he could study in total tranquility the 40 or more runners and their colours for the world's greatest steeplechase, admitted the most difficult commentary he ever had to make was when his own horse Attivo won the prestigious Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 1974.

"And it's first Attivo, trained by Cyril Mitchell, ridden by Robert Hughes, owned by Peter O'Sullevan," said O'Sullevan in as matter a fact tone as he used for giving out the details of the winners after they crossed the line.

"No, no, there's absolutely no excuse for partiality because money's involved in horse racing," he explained to The Daily Telegraph in 2008.
Source: AFP