Racecaller John Russell, who passed away this week aged 93, was prominent among a cohort of legendary racing commentators who were the eyes and ears of millions of punters throughout Australia.

JR, as he was affectionately known, began calling races in the 1960’s, when regular televised racing was almost non-existent.

In pubs and clubs, in TAB’s and in the kitchens and living rooms, the mantel radio or transistor were the link between punters and racecourses around the nation, and it was the descriptive commentaries of Russell and his colleagues, the likes of Bill Collins, Bert Bryant and Joe Brown, to name a few, that kept them entertained and informed.

2024 VRMA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER SAM FREEDMAN.