Keeping your cool: racing commentators on the battle to stay impartial

Former Black Caps cricketer Ian Smith has drawn praise for his professionalism in providing an impartial commentary of the exceptionally dramatic Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand on Sunday. But what must it be like for racecourse commentators when calling on a race in which they have a vested interest?

'As soon as you take the headset off, you scream your head off!'

Commentators have taken inspiration from Sir Peter O'Sullevan, who memorably called his own Attivo to Triumph Hurdle victory at the Cheltenham Festival in 1974 and Be Friendly in the King's Stand in 1967 among many others.

Richard Hoiles had the pleasure of calling Blue Sky Thinking, who raced in his colours as part of the Triple Trio Partnership, to a first success in a maiden at Ascot in 2002.