Peter O'Sullevan
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2015) |
Sir Peter O'Sullevan CBE | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 29 July 2015 | (aged 97)
Education | |
Alma mater | Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil |
Occupation | Sports commentator |
Employer | BBC |
Spouse |
Patricia Duckworth
(m. 1947; died 2010) |
Awards | Knight Bachelor (1997) |
Sir Peter O'Sullevan
Early life
The son of Colonel John Joseph O'Sullevan
Career
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2015) |
O'Sullevan was involved, in the late 1940s, in some of the earliest television commentaries on any sport, and made many radio commentaries in his earlier years (including the
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.
O'Sullevan commentates as Red Rum secures his unprecedented third Grand National victory in 1977
During his 50 years of commentating on the Grand National, O'Sullevan commentated on numerous historic victories. These included Bob Champion's run on Aldaniti in 1981 after recovering from cancer, 100/1 outsider Foinavon's win in 1967, and the three-times winner Red Rum in 1973, 1974 and 1977. He also commentated on the 1993 Grand National, which was declared void after 30 of the 39 runners failed to realise there had been a false start, and seven went on to complete the course. As the runners approached the second-last fence in the so-called "race that never was", O'Sullevan declared it "the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National."
O'Sullevan became known as the "Voice of Racing". In a television interview before his 50th and last Grand National in
Attivo also won the
After his retirement, O'Sullevan was actively involved in charity work fundraising for causes which revolve around the protection of horses and farm animals, including the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH), the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre and Compassion in World Farming. The National Hunt Challenge Chase Cup (run at the Cheltenham Festival) was named after him in 2008 to celebrate his 90th birthday. In 2010, Aintree Racecourse named O'Sullevan as one of the eight inaugural "Grand National Legends". His name is inscribed on a commemorative plaque at the course, alongside the likes of Ginger McCain and Captain Martin Becher.[5]
Personal life
O'Sullevan met his wife Patricia, daughter of Frank Duckworth of Manitoba, Canada, at a ball in Manchester in 1947. She died of Alzheimer's disease in 2010.
He died of cancer at his home in London on 29 July 2015.[6][7]
References
- ^ Dietz, Andrew. "Legendary race-caller Sir Peter O'Sullevan dies". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ "O'SULLEVAN, Sir Peter (John)". Who's Who. December 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ^ "Sir Peter O'Sullevan: 'Voice of Racing' dies aged 97". BBC. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ "Sir Peter O'Sullevan, former BBC racing commentator, dies aged 97". The Guardian. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Sir Peter O'Sullevan profile". Grand National Legends. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ^ Sir Peter O'Sullevan dies of cancer, Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Sir Peter O'Sullevan – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.