Legendary football commentator and racing owner John Motson dies aged 77

Figures from across racing have paid tribute to John Motson, the legendary BBC football commentator and racing fan, following his death at the age of 77.

Universally known as 'Motty' and often sporting one of his iconic sheepskin coats, the Match of the Day star commentated on almost 2,500 games, covered ten World Cups, ten European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport and was awarded an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001. 

He was also a passionate supporter of racing and enjoyed success as the part-owner of Hannigan’s Lodger,  a three-time scorer for Nigel Twiston-Davies in 2000, and his wife Anne owned the Lucky Story gelding Motty’s Gift, who won a three-year-old handicap at Kempton in 2010 for Walter Swinburn.

Motson loved the thrill and atmosphere of the Cheltenham Festival, and often referred to racing as his “second love”. He famously had the opportunity to purchase a share in 1998 Grand National hero Earth Summit, who went on to become the only horse to win the Aintree showpiece, Scottish National and Welsh National, but turned it down.

Earth Summit leads Suny Bay over the last in the 1998 Grand NationalCredit: Phil Smith

Nigel Payne, one-time Aintree press officer who put the Earth Summit syndicate of owners together, said: “I knew Motty for many years through my racecourse association with Ricky George, the footballer who played for Spurs, Barnet and Hereford, and is famous for scoring the winning goal for Hereford in their FA Cup giant-killing of Newcastle United.

“Motty was commentating on the game which made Ricky a star, and we were introduced. He never missed Cheltenham and was often a guest in the Ladbrokes box there. In 1992 I was putting together the syndicate for Earth Summit. I had five people, and kept asking Motty if he wanted to be part of it.

“He was desperate to buy a share, but was moving house at the time and couldn’t make the commitment. The ultimate irony is that his share was taken by Ricky George.”

Despite that, Motson took great interest in the horse’s achievements, and reportedly won a considerable sum when the gelding landed the world’s most famous steeplechase by 11 lengths from Suny Bay.

Payne added: “Motty was a good lad. I liked him a lot. He always hosted a Christmas lunch which became legendary. It was one of the most important dates in the calendar for his friends. It started at noon and used to go on until 6pm. I'll miss him.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies: John Motson "great fun to be around"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Twiston-Davies, who trained Earth Summit, recalled Motson as a man “who was great fun to be around”. He said: “He was a good friend, who you would often see on a racecourse with the Earth Summit people. He occasionally came down to the stables, but we’d always go and meet him in his hotel before Cheltenham. He loved the festival.”

Mike Dillon, former Ladbrokes PR supremo, also paid tribute to Motson. “I was privileged to know him for a great many years,” he said. “I was lucky to have watched many a game on the gantry with him.

“He adored his racing. Cheltenham was an annual pilgrimage for him. He was meticulous in his homework for football – he was obsessed with getting it right – and he used to be organised months in advance for Cheltenham. His attention to detail was greater than anyone I've known."

Dillon added: “When Motty moved to Hertfordshire he soon discovered that he was close to trainer Walter Swinburn’s stables. I introduced him to Walter, and he soon had a horse there. He was a lovely man.”

Trainer Mick Quinn grew up listening to Motson and featured in some of his commentaries during his years as a professional footballer with the likes of Portsmouth, Newcastle and Coventry.

He said: “His voice will always be one of the most recognisable in football. He was a lovely guy. I grew up listening to him as a viewer of Match of the Day, and when I played he was sometimes commentating on me. Whenever I met him in the flesh during my playing days it was a privilege. He was a fantastic person, a true legend of football commentators.”

Mick Quinn: "He was a lovely guy"

He added: “I didn’t see him too often on the racecourse, but I remember one occasion when I did at Cheltenham. He came up to me and asked, ‘Any tips, Micky’? ‘You’re the one with the sheepskin coat, John!" I replied.

Motson is survived by his wife Anne and son Frederick.

'I went to all four days of the festival and backed 16 of the 28 winners'

John Motson did a Q&A with the Racing Post Weekender in 2011, revealing how his interest in racing offered a release from football. Here are some of the best bits . . .

What is your most memorable day's racing?
I would have to give you two answers to that question each for entirely different reasons and both involving Cheltenham. The first time I attended the festival was in 1994 and before the racing started I was introduced to Peter Scudamore. Like any novice racegoer I was keen to know what was fancied and Peter informed me that one horse I should definitely ignore was his ride in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Yes, you know where this is going and you're right. His mount Arctic Kinsman won at 50-1! For a happier time I would say this year's festival [2011] – I was there all four days and managed to back 16 of the 28 winners (including Henry Cecil's winner in the charity race). On the first day I was lucky enough to pick six of the seven winners. My betting is not too scientific though as I sometimes back more than one in a race, but at the prices available in those big fields it makes sense.

Most memorable day as an owner?
My wife owns a horse with Walter Swinburn called Motty's Gift and we've had some smashing days following him around. The most enjoyable would have been at Kempton last April when he won over seven furlongs. We had a great night with all of the family there.

Has racing always been a passion?
No, it hasn't. The first time I really got into it was at the 1994 festival, but I am also known as the man who turned down a National winner. My very good friend, Ricky George, the ex-footballer, offered me a share in a horse called Earth Summit, which to my eternal regret I turned down. He went on to become the only horse ever to win the English, Welsh and Scottish Nationals. Ricky and I are still great friends, in fact we are just starting out on the after dinner circuit together. One of the reasons I got into racing was that I needed a release from football, something to take my mind off the soccer and racing made me feel so welcome.

Who is your favourite racehorse of all time?
I obviously don't remember the great Arkle but I have seen some pretty impressive horses in the time I have been racing. I remember with great affection Tony McCoy's first Gold Cup winner Mr Mulligan trained by Noel Chance. He was a lovely looking horse and if memory serves me right I backed him at a big price.

Do you have a favourite racecourse?
Although I have a great passion for Cheltenham, I enjoy racing all over the place. When work permits I love going to Sandown and Kempton, which are great tracks. I also like Brighton where we went a couple of times last year with Motty's Gift. But nothing quite beats Prestbury Park, does it?