News

Hoysted remembered for contributions to calling

28th Mar 2010

Sydney Morning Herald - Chris Roots - Saturday, 27 March 2010

The racecallers' racecaller Des Hoysted, who died in a Sydney nursing home on Thursday night aged 86, is remembered as ''a legend'' of his craft. Hoysted's racecalling colleagues praised his ability and passion in a career that spanned more than 50 years.

''When I started at Sky, Des was there and it was great to work with a legend,'' Sky Racing's present No.1 caller, Matthew Hill, said. ''He was a person that I learned a lot from and really was one of the greats.''

Hoysted called his first race on Boxing Day in 1948 at Wodonga but within a couple of years he was in Sydney as understudy to Joe Brown at the ABC and later to Ken Howard. He moved to 2GB in 1952, but it was at 2UE where Hoysted made his mark after joining the station in 1959. He called 20 Melbourne Cups for the station and only finished there when it ceased broadcasting races in 1983.

''As a racing commentator Des was held in the highest esteem by all,'' racecalling great Ian Craig said. ''He was a broadcaster I always wished to emulate.''

Hoysted continued to work around the Sydney racetracks conducting post-race interviews and feeding racecallers information from the stewards' room.

''Des's accuracy will always be unparalleled,'' Sky Racing's John Tapp said. ''His enthusiasm never waned and his knowledge of the sport was always very highly respected. His contribution to radio has been most significant. His contribution to the race broadcasting profession has been magnificent. Des did a superlative job over many years.''

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys paid tribute to Hoysted as a man who entertained and made an impact on everyone he met.

''Des had the rare talent to make you feel good every time you spoke to him,'' V'landys said. "He would always greet you with a smile, and his positive, effervescent personality just shone. Des was a personality racecaller adding theatre to his calls. He will be missed as a commentator, and more importantly as a good bloke of the turf."

Hoysted is survived by his wife, Pat, and children Raymond and Joanne.