‘The Voice of Racing.’
You don’t achieve that status without a wealth of accolades. I knew the voice before I knew the name. As a child, I watched the Aintree Grand National, feeling the excitement of the most famous steeplechase in the world.
Only years later did I realise Peter O’Sullevan was the man who would always find the right words, whether in triumph, tragedy, or fatality. In fact, he spent over 50 years commentating on the Grand National.
Iconic winners from Foinavon, Aldaniti to the legendary Red Rum.
From 1947 to 1997, he was the BBC’s leading horse racing commentator, detailing some of the greatest moments of the Aintree Grand National.
Born on the 3rd of March 1918 in Newcastle, County Down, Ireland, he was the son of Colonel John Joseph, a magistrate in Killarney, with his parents’ home in Kenmare, County Kerry. At the age of six, the family moved to Surrey, England. He studied at Hawtreys, Charterhouse, a public school in Godalming for pupils aged 13 to 18. By all accounts, O’Sullevan came from a privileged background. Later, he would go to Switzerland for the private boarding school College Alpin International Beau Soleil, one of the most exclusive schools in the world. Some called it ‘the most expensive school in the world.’
He was honoured with a CBE in 1991.
Peter O’Sullevan was knighted in 1997 (Knight Bachelor, by Queen Elizabeth II, 22nd November) for his ‘outstanding contribution to horse racing and broadcasting, charitable work, and racing-related causes.’
His horse racing career started in the 1940s, mostly on radio, and later television. It is worth noting the first Aintree Grand National was televised on BBC in 1960 (won by Merryman II, trained by Neville Crump).
O’Sullevan commentated on other high-profile sporting events:
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The Cheltenham Festival (until 1994)
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The Epsom Derby (until 1979)
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Royal Ascot (until 1997)
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Glorious Goodwood (until 1997)
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Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (until 1997)
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Racing from the United States, including the Kentucky Derby
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Trotting Racing, Rome, 1960s
In an interview before the last Grand National in 1997, he revealed that the binoculars he used came from a German submarine.
Interestingly, O’Sullevan even commentated on his own winning horse. In fact, he owned some very talented horses, including Be Friendly, who won the King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) (1967) and Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (1967). Other successes included the 1974 Triumph Hurdle winner Attivo. He described it as the most difficult race to call. Passing the post, he said: ‘And it’s first for Attivo, owned by, uh, Peter O’Sullevan…’
O’Sullevan called his final race at Newbury in 1997, the Hennessy Gold Cup, won by Suny Bay (trained by Charlie Brooks).
Sadly, Peter lost his wife, Patricia, to Alzheimer’s Disease in 2010, aged 83.
Sir Peter O’Sullevan died of cancer at his home in London on the 29th of July 2015.
For many, the third triumph of Red Rum in 1977 will live in the hearts and minds of many.
O’Sullevan said:
‘He’s getting the most tremendous cheer from the crowd. They’re willing him home now. The 12-year-old Red Rum, being preceded only by loose horses, being chased by Churchtown Boy. Eyecatcher has moved into third. The Pilgarlic is fourth. They’re coming to the elbow, there’s a furlong now between Red Rum and his third Grand National triumph! And 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 National.’
He was involved in charity work, fundraising for causes revolving around the protection of horses and farm animals.
In 2010, Aintree Racecourse named O’Sullevan as one of the eight inaugural ‘Grand National Legends.’
He was succeeded as lead BBC commentator by Jim McGrath (1997-2012).
To conclude:
O’Sullevan said: “It’s been a great privilege to commentate on the sport I love, to have witnessed so many remarkable moments, and to have been part of the great tradition of the Grand National.”