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Sir Peter O'Sullevan: 'Voice of Racing' dead after long illness aged 97

The BBC's longtime horseracing commentator has died at his home in London

Doug Bolton
Wednesday 29 July 2015 22:25 BST
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Sir Peter O'Sullevan at Newmarket racecourse in 2011
Sir Peter O'Sullevan at Newmarket racecourse in 2011 (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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Famous horseracing commentator, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, has died at the age of 97 following a long illness.

During his long career, he commentated on 50 Grand Nationals and 14,000 individual races before he retired.

He was the BBC's main racing commentator from 1948 until 1997, and was described by the company as "an icon in the sport."

He was knighted in 1997, just weeks after he commentated on his last race.

He died at his home in London.

This story will be updated.

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