Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters

Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.

- By Nick Townsend

I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.

In a statement, John and his surviving daughter Amy had reflected that: "the devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words."

There are no words to offer solace in such circumstances. But what I can do is offer an insight into a man whose eloquent tones have enlivened horseracing, football and Olympic action but who, throughout nearly four decades, always placed his family first.

In 2019, I interviewed him for The Racing Paper, at one time part of the stable that publishes Racing Ahead. In most interviews, a wife, husband or partner and children of a racing figure tend not to feature prominently. John was different.

When we'd first met, at a Horserace Writers and Photographers lunch (he had been named Broadcaster of Year an award named after the iconic figure Peter O'Sullevan at the event in 2015) by the Horserace Writers and Photographers' Association. We sat and chatted on a table at the periphery of the room, you could not ask to meet a character less inclined to court celebrity.