Peter Bromley has reached the finishing post of a commentary career which spanned six decades.

But it was business as usual as he prepared for this year's Vodafone Derby - his last in the hot seat.

Bromley has retired after 41 years calling all the big races for BBC radio, yet he wanted no fanfare.

The 72-year-old made his usual rigorous preparations and hoped all goes well on the day.

Speaking to BBC Sport Online ahead of the big day, he said: "It certainly won't be emotional beforehand because it's just another race I'll have to get right.

"I'll stay overnight in a hotel, work on the jockey's colours, have an early supper and get a good night's sleep.

"I will get to the course early, build up my racecard and prepare for the Derby at 3.50."

Bromley spent his childhood living near Cheltenham, the home of National Hunt racing.

He taught himself to ride on the hills around nearby Winchcombe and his experience on horseback has given him a unique insight from the commentary box.

"It's been an enormous help to be able to study tactics from a jockey's point of view," he explains.

"I do feel I'm in a position to give them more credit than most."

After leaving school, and a spell in the Army, he became a racing commentator before joining BBC TV in the 1950s where he briefly worked alongside Sir Peter O'Sullevan.

Bromley was switched to radio, and the two Peters became the twin voices of racing on the different mediums.

The radio commentator felt it was the right time to retire this year after calling his 200th Classic race.

Among his audio archive are some of the great Derbys, including most of legendary jockey Lester Piggott's nine victories.