Peter O'Sullevan - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Sue Lawley's castaway this week has been the voice of racing for half a century. Due to retire in November 1997, Peter O'Sullevan calculates that he has commentated on some 14,000 races.

After calling his last Grand National earlier this year he perhaps breathed a sigh of relief, because even after 50 broadcasts he admits to still finding the responsibility nerve-wracking. Horses have always been his life. He owns them, bets on them, writes about them and campaigns for their welfare, with the same enthusiasm that he had as a young boy riding with his grandparents' groom, Truelove.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Piano Concerto 5 in E Flat Major by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: Ends and Means by Aldous Huxley
Luxury: Bottle Of Calvados

Further episodes of Desert Island Discs: Archive 1996-2000

Further podcasts by BBC Radio 4

Website of BBC Radio 4