Legendary racing commentator and former Daily Express journalist Sir Peter O’Sullevan left the bulk of his estate of £9.8million to animal and horse welfare charities.
The late Sir Peter O’Sullevan
Sir Peter – known as the voice of racing and famed for his trademark sheepskin coat – commentated on 50 Grand Nationals and 14,000 other races for BBC television and radio.
He died aged 97 in July, a widower since 2010 when his beloved wife Pat died after 62 years of marriage.
The couple had no children.
Sir Peter, who was also a racehorse owner, spent 36 years as racing correspondent for the Daily Express.
He left artwork, mementoes and cash to friends including figures in the racing industry such as jockey Lester Piggott and his godchildren.
Legacies of £20,000 each went to the Riding For The Disabled Association, the Animal Health Trust, the Injured Jockeys Fund, the British Racing School and the Cinnamon Trust which helps the elderly and dying care for their pets.
The rest of his estate was left to his own charity – the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust – which he founded in 1997.
Its administrator Nigel Payne said: “I was absolutely flabbergasted when I found how much he had left. I knew there was money, but I had no idea it was so much.
“He had investments and quite a big share portfolio. He was extremely loved by everybody from the Queen to the local homeless chap selling the Big Issue. He was a remarkable man, one of the greatest you could meet.”
Peter O’Sullevan – at the races in 1952
His will left his painting entitled The Finish by Royal Academy artist John Skeaping to Lester Piggott and his wife Susan.
His Patek Philippe wrist watch was left to the Irish businessman and racehorse owner JP McManus and a bronze greyhound sculpture went to sports writer Hugh McIlvanney.
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