Broadcaster McCririck Dies

[Wandering Eyes]

John McCririck, one of British racing’s most familiar faces on television broadcast for more than a quarter century, died Friday in London aged 79.

McCririck–known as ‘Big Mac’ to many in the racing world–was an unmissable character with his deerstalker hat, sideburns and cigar, and thrived at the heart of what he called the ‘betting jungle.’

A statement released by his family said, “award-winning journalist, broadcaster and for many years the face of British horse racing, John McCririck, passed away at a London hospital on Friday, July 5 aged 79.

“John’s interest in horse racing and betting began at Harrow where he was the school bookie. On leaving he worked for an illegal street bookmaker then legally on-course where he learned the art of tic-tac, clerking bets and making a book. John cut his teeth in racing journalism on ‘Formindex‘, a tipping sheet otherwise known as ‘The Golden Guide‘. He went on to write for the Sporting Life where he won British Press Awards, ‘Specialist Writer of the Year’ and ‘Campaigning Journalist of the Year.’

“John joined ITV in 1981 for Shergar’s Derby then became a household name as part of the Channel 4 Racing team when they took over coverage of the sport in 1984. His flamboyant broadcasting style from the heart of the betting ring proved extremely popular with racing fans and beyond. John continued to work for Channel 4 Racing until 2013, as well as satellite channel At The Races. In this time he transcended the world of racing, appearing on numerous mainstream TV news and light entertainment programmes including Question Time, The Weakest Link, Celebrity Wife Swap and Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 and 2010. Despite suffering ill health in recent months, John continued to make several TV and radio appearances. He is survived by Jenny, his wife of 48 years. His funeral will be private.”

The British Horseracing Authority was among those to pay tribute to McCririck, tweeting: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of John McCririck. Throughout a lengthy and colourful career, one thing was always clear–his enduring passion and love for the sport of horse racing. He was a recognisable figure and resonated with the wider public. Our condolences go to his family.”

McCririck’s former Channel 4 colleague and champion jockey John Francome said, “He was eccentric, incredibly generous–he was brilliant at his job. He was great company and I loved him.

I knew he’d been ill for a while. I feel very sorry for Jenny as they were a great team.

“He reached outside the sport–the two names that were mentioned by people outside racing were Frankie Dettori and Big Mac. He had a persona for TV, he was nothing like what you saw on screen, he was a lovely man.”

Frankie Dettori shared Francome’s sentiments.

“I met him for the first time when I was very young. I was 16 and I was an apprentice. He was a big part of my racing life since I started,” Dettori said. “He was very flamboyant and controversial, but I always got on really well with him. We did a few things together and he will be missed.

“He did put on a bit of a show, but underneath it all he worked very hard and was very knowledgeable about racing. He was a larger than life character. I’m very sad for Jenny, his wife.”

Multiple champion jump jockey Sir Anthony McCoy said, “John was just about the most recognisable figure in horse racing when I came to England; people had only just heard of Frankie Dettori, so it was John or Lester Piggott. That says a lot about him to say that he wasn’t a trainer, owner or jockey. He had attitude, he had a voice and said what he thought, he wasn’t frightened of upsetting somebody. I don’t think I was ever on the end of one of his jockey bashings–thankfully.

“There’s a good chance in this day and age, with everything needing to be so politically correct, he might not have been the great character on TV now that he was in the 80s and 90s. You don’t get away now with saying what Big Mac or John Francome did, so for that reason it’s a lot harder now and more restrictive than then, but back in the day that team did a great job of representing horse racing. They made it as easy and enjoyable to watch as possible, but the world is changing.

“He was very good at promoting the sport, he was a very bright man, well-educated and, while he had an opinion, what you have to say is he tried to be constructive. He was a punters’ man, that’s what he was there for.”

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