Legendary BBC racing commentator urged to retire by punters after making ‘terrible’ error
LEGENDARY BBC racing commentator Derek Thompson has been told by punters ‘he can’t continue’ after completely botching the call on this race.
Thommo was behind the mic for the all-weather action at Wolverhampton on Monday evening when he made the confusing blunder.
He called 11-2 Initial Blue the leader turning for home in the Class 5 race over seven furlongs.
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But it turned he had got the horse mixed up with 12-1 Sea Baaeed, who was the actual leader.
Thompson, who has been a major figure on 5Live and Channel 4’s coverage over the years, called Initial Blue the leader and likely winner right down the straight – despite him lugging lengths behind – until he realised his mistake with a few yards to go.
He managed to correct himself and proclaim Sea Baaeed the winner just in time.
Initial Blue finished fourth, some five-and-a-half lengths behind the winner.
In fairness the silks were very similar, although you could argue Sea Baaeed was distinctive by the all-white cap jockey Rob Hornby was wearing.
Initial Blue’s rider Sean Levey had a big white hoop through the middle of his top and a blue star on his white cap.
The commentary mix-up – dubbed by some a ‘car crash’ – made it very confusing for punters, especially those who thought they were onto a winner with Initial Blue.
Thompson is a huge figure in racing and responsible for one of the most replayed clips ever, which was likened to the ultimate Alan Partridge moment.
Believing his colleague was about to interview a woman, he said: “I see you’ve been joined by a beautiful young lady.”
Only for the recently-retired Bob Cooper to reply: “It’s a man actually, Derek.”
Sadly this latest blunder didn’t draw so many laughs, with some urging him to retire as a consequence.
One punter said: “He can’t continue. That’s shocking.”
Another posted online: “Imagine listening on the radio thinking you are on a winner.”
And a fellow punter wrote: “I thought my horse had won!”
Another comment read: “It’s now so bad it’s good.”
However, some backed Thompson no matter what, with one saying: “I think racing has a LOT more wrong with it than an icon giving us comedy value every year. Keep going, Thommo.”
And another posted: “He’s a living legend, no need, we all make mistakes.”
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