Battle royal that developed into greatest race ever run

If great commentaries make great races then Peter O’Sullevan’s voice hangs heavy on racing history. 

Born in 1918 and a son of South Kerry, O’Sullevan sidestepped any risk of a Kenmare accent by decamping to the English public school system at a young age where he settled on the plummy, if less musical, tones that built him an illustrious career at the BBC.

And it was on this very day 40 years ago that Peter spun his unique vocal magic around what is still routinely described as the greatest Flat race ever run when Grundy and Bustino engaged in a furious midsummer gunfight under Ascot’s blazing sun.