'Daylight robbery for Richard Kingscote' - it's time to help Chris Cook pick the best racing commentary from 2025

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Before the hedonism of Christmas comes the most important task in the Front Runner's year, choosing the best racing commentary of the past 12 months. We've been doing this for three years now and, if we're being honest, I'd really like one of the broadcasters to seize this idea and run with it, or else one of the major awards nights that pack the calendar for racing folk in December.

Oh well, we're still waiting for that to happen, which perhaps means I haven't made a sufficiently strong case. But it seems deeply weird to me that something which so obviously lends itself to competition and an annual trophy still doesn't have one.

I know from your letters that strong views are held about what works in a commentary and what does not. As a group, I think we're opposed to casually importing Americanisms and in favour of race-callers who show their love for the game, whether by the passion that comes across in their voice or their deep knowledge of the sport and its participants.

Some of them might feel a bit modest about it, but the reality is that commentators are a key part of racing's show. When an ordinary race starts, they have the chance to bring it alive, even for those of us without a stake in the outcome.

When we want to remind someone of the biggest races ever, we quote the commentary. Just a very short excerpt, maybe six little words, can be enough to conjure moving memories from decades ago, and there are so many of us who will immediately understand references like: "The mare's beginning to get up . . . hats off and a tremendous reception . . . three Gold Cups!"

Best Mate's third Gold Cup in 2004 was accompanied by a memorable piece of commentary from Simon HoltCredit: Edward Whitaker

So it's a thrilling power that commentators have, which must therefore feel like a great burden of responsibility at times, a lot of pressure. They all must spend time before a big race, mulling over possible lines or phrases that could be used to tell the story and perhaps capture the moment, reminding themselves not to use that particular cliche for which they have a known weakness, engaging in vocal exercises. 

They share a press room with the reporters and photographers but they are not like us. We're the theatre critics, frowning as we mull over the value of what we're seeing. They're performers just as much as the runners and riders, which is why they tell all the best jokes in the lulls between races. That and the fact they have nothing else to do . . .

There are now four awards for different types of writer at the Derby Awards. Meanwhile, commentators must compete with much more famous TV presenters for Broadcaster of the Year, which has only once been won by someone whose main gig is as a race-caller (John Hunt in 2015).

It can't be right. They deserve focused recognition.

And that's where I need you. We're going to have a vote next week to decide which was the best racing commentary of 2025. It can be anywhere in the world, but I accept that our focus is likely to be on Britain and Ireland.

It doesn't have to be a big race. Tony Ennis came third last year for a Plumpton race that produced a miracle recovery by Joe Anderson aboard the eventual winner, Transmission.

When you reflect on everything that happened this year, what's the commentary that comes back to you? Was there someone who rose to an especially memorable occasion?

Email me at frontrunner@racingpost.com with your suggestions and I'll pick a handful of the most convincing for next week's vote. If you include a few sentences to justify your choice, we'll try to include it in Readers' Letters.

To get you started, here's a few that I think would be worth their place on any shortlist:

Richard Hoiles was masterful in catching every detail of an enthralling Arc and there was a nicely judged touch of romanticism when he called them running "underneath the rainbow" at the turn for home.

Hoiles was also good in a dramatic, terribly unsatisfactory race you might remember from Goodwood: "Qirat has stolen the Sussex Stakes! Daylight robbery for Richard Kingscote..."

Los Angeles (far side) gets the better of Anmmat in a thrilling finish to the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

Jerry Hannon, winner of Commentary of the Year for the first two times we did it, is always a great man for a close finish and did well with the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Anmaat moved up classily, looked the winner but couldn't sustain his run and Hannon delivered a fine, celebratory cry of "Los Angeles!" as the line came.

The recent John Durkan was another good advert for Hannon as he described Gaelic Warrior's spirited response to Fact To File, when the rest of a strong cast were never given a line to deliver.

John Hunt, our winner last year, gave an accomplished description of the Sagaro Stakes, when a small field and a steady pace was working against him for the first mile or so. Even so, Hunt was excellent company, as always, with his nicely judged observations, building to a surprise outcome as Yashin overturned Coltrane.

Mark Johnson caught the mood of a rapidly changing Eclipse finale, when, as far as I could tell, he allowed himself a single breath in the whole of the final furlong.

David Fitzgerald pleasingly made reference to the "glittering CV" of Rebel's Romance as that handsome hoss got a Royal Ascot success in the Hardwicke. You would naturally expect me to include this one, but it's worth a listen for the skilful ratcheting up of drama.

Fitzgerald also had that crazy finish to the Arkle and handled it impressively, even if he was clearly ready for the next breath he was able to take after Jango Baie crossed the line.

Three days later, Stewart Machin enjoyed similar luck when he got to call the Triumph, in which Poniros confounded almost all of us. I especially liked that Machin saw Poniros coming well before the final flight, when there were still five in front of him.

Hopefully, there's some food for thought in there. Whether you like any of these or some other race, do please get in touch to share your ideas.

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