During this time he described some of the greatest moments in the history of, amongst others, Britain’s most popular race, the Grand National. When Sir Peter died at the age of ninety-seven in July 2015, there ended the life of an extraordinary man who was to many an iconic legend; universally known as "The Voice of Racing".
Racing art was his great love but, beyond that he collected works from his travels, particularly from North Africa, seeking out artists in remote places. His love of art was fuelled by his inquisitive and intelligent nature and he often observed hidden depths in paintings that others missed.
Peter was intrigued by artists and, as early as the late 1930s, he became friends with many. John Skeaping became a life-long comrade in arms, sharing a much loved greyhound whom they raced at White City just after the War. Sir Alfred Munnings and Edward Seago became friends and, in recent years, leading international equestrian artists were willingly cajoled to use their talents to raise money at his highly successful annual charitable trust lunch and auction. Peter was enormously respectful of their creativity and talents which said a great deal of the man. Famously, reference and acknowledgement was always made in his commentaries to any trophy or work of art which is, to this day, unusual. A further legacy of the great man.
JM Finn & Co is delighted to be supporting an exhibition of Sir Peter’s work and memorabilia, which will be held at the Osborne Studio Gallery in Knightsbridge from 8th-31st March of which a beneficiary will be the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust. For more information on the exhibition please visit the gallery website.