BBC SPORT | OTHER SPORTS | Bromley to bow out

BBC radio's voice of racing Peter Bromley has announced he will retire from the commentary box this summer.

His 41 years behind the mike will end appropriately enough with the commentary on the Epsom Derby, which takes place on 9 June.

His career in broadcasting began when injury thwarted his aspirations as an amateur jockey.

He gave his first BBC radio commentary at Newmarket on 13 May 1959.

His rise was swift, becoming BBC racing correspondent later that year, the first sports correspondent ever appointed by the Corporation.

Peter is an iconic figure in the racing world and his brilliant reading of races and fantastic grasp of his sport has been legendary

Peter Salmon

Arguably his most famous words came during Shergar's runaway victory in the 1981 Derby - "You'll need a telescope to see the rest!" - and the emotional victory of Aldaniti and Bob Champion in the same year, which actually reduced Bromley to tears.

Bromley, now 71, revealed: "I was going to retire when I turned 70 but the BBC rather wanted me to go on and do 200 Classics.

"I lost a couple of Legers - Michael Seth-Smith did one when I was on holiday and I missed another a couple of years ago when my knee blew up.

Great innings

"So I was two short and I will complete the 200 with the 1000 Guineas.

"But I thought it would be better to go on and get another couple in the bag in case I got to the pavilion and the scorer had made a mistake!

Lester Piggott
Piggott: Just one of the racing greats Bromley has followed
"The Derby will be my last ever commentary. I've had a great innings so I hope to live until June!"

Bromley feels he has been privileged to witness a golden era in racing.

"I think I've seen the best there has been in racing," he said.

"My career almost coincided with Lester Piggott's, I've had 40 Derbys and 41 Nationals and could anyone ask for anything better than to call all the big races? It's been a wonderful privilege."

Among the great horses that have passed his commentary box are Sea Bird, Nijinsky, Arkle, Red Rum, Mill Reef, Shergar and Dancing Brave.

"It's been a catalogue of great names," he said.

Asked to name the highlights, Bromley said: "All three of Red Rum's Nationals were remarkable, the first one with Crisp was spectacular.

"Arkle winning his first Gold Cup, Nijinsky's triple crown and the 200th Derby - it's been a very memorable 40 years."

Great love

Bromley is looking forward to devoting more time to his hobbies and to being able to relax at the races.

"My hobby is gundogs and I will probably, in an amateur way, carry on training them - it's my great love.

My admiration for the current crop of commentators is immense because the standard is so high

Peter Bromley

"I'll be looking forward to going racing without the pressure, to see a big race and not have to learn the colours.

"I think there is a time to go and I think I've reached it.

"Travelling is becoming a real bug-bear, my heart bleeds for young commentators starting out.

"There's a lot of hard work in this job and my admiration for the current crop of commentators is immense because the standard is so high."

Peter Salmon, director of BBC Sport, said: "Peter is an iconic figure in the racing world and his brilliant reading of races and fantastic grasp of his sport has been legendary.

" We wish him all the best for his retirement."


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