Racing presenter fights back tears in tribute to John Hunt’s wife and daughters

A colleague of John Hunt has paid an emotional tribute to the racing commentator after the tragic passing of his wife and two daughters.

Hunt’s wife Carol and daughters Hannah and Louise were tragically killed with a crossbow on Tuesday in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

It is a tragedy keenly felt by the horse racing world, of which Hunt is a much-loved member.

On Friday, Hunt’s Sky Sports racing colleague Gina Bryce paid a touching tribute to her friend.

She said: “We start today’s programme by expressing our deepest sympathy and condolences to our much-loved and hugely respected colleague and friend, John Hunt

“The act of savagery that has robbed his beloved wife Carol and cherished daughters Hannah and Louise of their lives is something we will never be able to comprehend or come to terms with.

“The horror experienced by this kind and loving family and the grief that John and his daughter Amy will now carry with them is unfathomable.

“John is a friend, a mentor and a role model to me, and I speak for myself and everyone at Sky Sports Racing and Attheraces in saying that, ‘John, we are here for you now and always. You are in our hearts and our thoughts.’

“Rest in peace, Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt.”

Hunt’s fellow racing commentator Richard Hoiles, paid tribute to his friend at the start of ITV’s programme at Newmarket on Thursday.

Hoiles said the commentator would often talk about his wife, Carol Hunt, and two daughters, Hannah and Louise, and recalled how, at an “annual shindig at Christmas 20 odd years” he proudly showed pictures of his daughters to people in the pub.

“It’s impossible to rationalise such a heinous, pointless and terrible act in modern day society really,” he said.

“I’ve known John for 30 years. We started out together and during that time he’s become one of the most respected and liked members of the press room.

“Respected because of his fantastic ability, not just in racing, but in other sports such as swimming for the BBC at the Olympics.

“And liked because of his easygoing personality, good sense of humour, his excellent company and, if you spend even a few moments in his company, the odds are that the talk will turn to family.

“There’s plenty of people in the press room – I have no idea of their family.

“But we all felt we knew Carol and the girls, possibly far better than we actually did.

“It has been a folklore that after our annual shindig at Christmas 20 odd years ago we’d all retired to the local pub and out would come John’s wallet with pictures of the girls at primary school, who he’d share with random bar staff and anyone else who would care to listen.”

He added: “In the helter skelter of modern-day life it’s quite easy to lose track of the things that we hold dear, but John never has.

“I know I hugged my kids tighter last night on leaving for here. Knowing that that simple pleasure has been cruelly snatched away from one of mine, and many in the press room’s, greatest friends.

“Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family is held, as will be shown by the many tributes that will be held up and down the country today.”

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