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The author and journalist Hugh McIlvanney has died; a scribe near or at the top of the pyramid, and his book ‘…on Horseracing’ remains one of the best ruminations on the noble game
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/25/hugh-mcilvanney-veteran-sports-reporter-dies-aged-84
The ‘six of the best’ at the bottom of the above article doesn’t include racing but if you want a taste of peak sports journalism, they’re a wonderful read regardless
From the BBC: Hugh McIlvanney, widely considered to be one of Britain’s greatest sports journalists, has died at the age of 84.
I will just copy out the first two paragraphs of Peter O’Sullevan’s Foreword to Hugh McIlvanney On Horseracing:
“This is a book of pure, breathtaking delight. The work of Hugh McIlvanney needs about as much introduction and commendation as that of Ludwig van Beethoven, with whom he shares a magical capacity to raise and refresh the spirit and to heighten the quality of human perception.
Were the world-renowned sportswriter to turn up at the racecourse (‘a place where everyday reality is suspended in favour of a theatrically heightened version’) bearing the medals which his remarkable talent has accumulated, he’d be carrying enough overweight to anchor Pegasus in the stalls; yet he’d still be odds-on to outperform the opposition with embarrassing facility. I guess one of the happiest features of the McIlvanney magic is that, as with Lester Piggott (‘a volcano trapped in an iceberg’), his fellow professionals accept him for what he is – superior.”
What a star that man was.
I have about two thousand e-books and one thousand real books; Hugh McIvanney On Horseracing is the one I would least like to lose.
Just heard the news. Have still got the newspaper cutting from when he wrote about Dessie’s Gold Cup. ‘Light Grey Eminence Soaring into Legend’ it said. Summed it all up, really.
Very sad news. A remarkable life lived and a wonderful legacy left in the form of his work.
undoubtedly the finest sportswriter of them all for me. Having taken the observer and sunday times all my adult life, it feels like something is now missing
strangely enough i googled him the day before he died to see what he had been up to since retiring. sent a shudder when i read the news
he had the most wonderful way with words whilst kedping it economical and with a total absense of self regard. he also had great knowledge of the theatre too and like don mccullum in photojournalism (on soon at the tate) he transcended his craft
a brilliant man
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