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Who’s/who was your fave?
I know some didn’t like him and he always slipped up, but just for the voice, Julian Wilson
I dont know why I liked John Hamner too.He always sounded about 12 years old as well despite commentatin for years.
My best though has to be (anyone know his name?) the commentator who when Dessie wins his 4th KGV and he screams ‘MARVELLOUS, MARVELLOUS’
I think this was the same man who famously said of Dancing Brave who left it too late with Sharastani that ‘Annnnnnd the favourite has got it all to do’Best of the new is maybe that David Owen is it? Lad who preceeds Jim Mcgrath on the National race.
Not into Jim Mcgraths commentating at all.
Must be a hard job though spotting the horses and saying the names so fast and how quickly a race can change.
Hi Thomas:
It’s a great job and hotly contested for. Its not for everyone, obviously. Each commentator has his own way of memorizing the silks but the ability to do that and the command of the English language separates the rest from the best.
I always liked John Hanmer and I write about Julian Wilson in my website http://btitishracecaller.blogspot.com I think the biggest challenge JW faced was the fact he never got much practice. However he was offered the job Graham Goode eventually took at ITV in 1981.
I think you mean Darren Owen who is an excellent commentator. My personal favorite of the current british commentators is Lee McKenzie who is blessed with a very good voice and still should be the BBC’s Racing Correspondent, in my view.
My hero as a commentator will always be Raleigh Gilbert. Had a great voice, he lived to commentate, taught me as a teenager to prepare thoroughly and if it wasn’t for him, I would not be a commentator now. I hada very bad speech impediment as a child and learning to imitate him helped me a great deal in overcoming it.
Craig.
I just remember Wilson sayin (I think in the 89 National) ‘they’ll have to jump the extreme right of the canal turn after an obstruction from a DEAD HORSE……’
You could hear him stutter and think ‘OMG’ after he said it as well.Best of the new is maybe that David Owen is it? Lad who preceeds Jim Mcgrath on the National race.
I think you mean Darren Owen – although to call him "new" is perhaps pushing it a bit, he has been commentating for years – although he is relatively new to the BBC commentary team.
As for the best it is hard to single one out, they all have differing styles so it is had to compare. It has been said before that, generally, the current crop of UK callers is collectively the best we have ever had.
Peter O’Sullevan in his prime is still the target to aim for, although I am sure he will, one day, be superceded as being described as the best caller and the man to oust him will be the winner of this forum’s best commentator poll for the past two years – Richard Hoiles. Richard is by far the best all round commentator we have.
Technically very accurate with a great ability to read a race rather that just go through the motions of calling a race.
Unflappable – his call of the, I think off the top of my head, 2006 Stewards Cup (although I could be wrong) was a classic – a blanket finish with less than half a length separating the the first five he called the finish perfectly.
He gets the tone just right – just listen to any of Lough Derg’s finishes this season – particularly Cheltenham or Ascot.
Finally he is always enthusiastic and professional be it the climax of the Grand National or Derby or a three runner, three mile novice chase at some gaff track.
I agree with Craig that Lee McKenzie leaving the Beeb was a pity (although they have a good replacement in John Hunt) – however the Beebs loss is the racecourses gain because he is back on the Racetech rosta and Lee is an excellent, arguably the best, "racecourse commentator". By that I mean he is excellent with the crowd at the course. For example at family meetings where there are likely to be more newcomers who aren’t familiar with what is going on, he explains what is going on and gives background information. He is also a very good commentator as well.
I know he comes in for a lot of criticism, and this will probably get me some stick, but Derek Thompson is another one who is good with the crowd and that is why a lot of the courses like him.
I grew up on Peter O’Sullevan and nothing ever really sounds as good to me. Silly I suppose. Same with Dan Maskell for the tennis and John Arlott and Brian Johnston for the cricket.
I
Dan Maskellawwwwwwww what a Ledge that man was.
Was watching old tennis matches when Wimbledon was on last year and Maskell says sod all for 10 minutes, then, after Borg hits a winner, he screams, in the poshest voice ever, ‘Oh I sayyyyy what a PEACH of a vol-layyyyy
There is a man that commentates normally for Kelso so whether he is located in the North of England i don’t know, but i like his commentary.
I don’t know what is name is though.
I
Dan Maskellawwwwwwww what a Ledge that man was.
Was watching old tennis matches when Wimbledon was on last year and Maskell says sod all for 10 minutes, then, after Borg hits a winner, he screams, in the poshest voice ever, ‘Oh I sayyyyy what a PEACH of a vol-layyyyy
I loved Dan Maskell’s commentating style at the time. It all sounds almost prehistoric these days, things having changed so much, but he really loved his game and conveyed it very well I think.
O’Sullevan had something of that as well as I remember it. I think I can remember him calling Secreto home in the Derby, having had a fiver each-way on it – a very big bet for me back then!
Edit: I’ve just realised that wasn’t O’Sullevan, but Goode. My memory
I grew up on Peter O’Sullevan and nothing ever really sounds as good to me. Silly I suppose. Same with Dan Maskell for the tennis and John Arlott and Brian Johnston for the cricket.
Same here Steerforth. Nothing beats his commentary on Arkle’s first Gold Cup or Dessies epic in 1989 or perhaps best of all calling home Red Rum in his third National. Must not forget Henry Longhurst for golf and Dorian Williams for show jumping and eventing. Of the current bunch I like Simon Holt and Richard Hoiles for racing and Mike Tucker does a great on the other equestrian sports and is, I think I am right in saying, a racecourse steward. Also Charlie Cox and Steve Parish on Moto GP they add a bit of fun to it.
Richard Hoiles is unbeatable, for all the reasons mentioned above, and I have to agree with the poster who praises derek Thompson. I cannot stick him as a presenter, he sets my teeth on edge, but he’s got a unique, friendly style that pulls the punters in with him. I wouldn’t want to hear him commentate Cheltenham, but for a rainy evening at Wolvers, he’s just the job.
Think the most important factor in commentating is accuracy and funnily enough the best commentators tend to be the most accurate and the worst the least accurate.
One thing I don’t like to hear from a commentator during a race are puns, I don’t think either of the masters of their profession (Messrs O’Sullevan & Bromley) found puns necessary.the master peter o’sullevan for me , he would build a race up during running , going right thru the field, ending with a controlled finish , always let u know about fallers, the man is a genius.
the worst peter bromleyThere is a man that commentates normally for Kelso so whether he is located in the North of England i don’t know, but i like his commentary.
I don’t know what is name is though.
If he is a Scottish chap, then that’ll probably be Doug Fraser. If he is not, I think it’s most likely to be the very fine Malcolm Tomlinson (who is indeed based in the North, in or around Beverley).
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Peter O’Sullevan was a legend. GG also good in his day but dated now. Aussie Jim is awful, Simon Holt good but slightly over-rated. Darren Owen is OK. The best now – Richard Hoiles, brilliant, truely top class IMO.
I have to agree with the poster who praises derek Thompson. I cannot stick him as a presenter, he sets my teeth on edge, but he’s got a unique, friendly style that pulls the punters in with him. I wouldn’t want to hear him commentate Cheltenham, but for a rainy evening at Wolvers, he’s just the job.
Quite. Give him a Sunday afternoon meeting branded as a Family Fun Day or similar, and whether he’s commentating or MCing, he can have the entire crowd eating out of his hand. A gift not to be disregarded lightly, whatever anyone’s wider opinion of him might be.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
I think this was the same man who famously said of Dancing Brave who left it too late with Sharastani that ‘Annnnnnd the favourite has got it all to do’
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