Alastair Down (journalist)
Alastair Down | |
|---|---|
 Down in 2006 | |
| Born | 9 February 1956 |
| Died | 1 November 2024 (aged 68) |
| Alma mater | University of York |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, broadcaster |
| Years active | 1979–2024 |
| Employer | Channel 4 Racing (before 2001–2012) |
| Spouse |
Frances (m. 1988) |
| Children | 4[a] |
| Awards | Racing Writer of the Year (5 times) |
Alastair Down (9 February 1956 – 1 November 2024) was an English journalist and broadcaster who wrote for Sporting Life and Racing Post and covered horse racing for Channel 4 Racing.
Early life and education
[edit]Down was born on 9 February 1956. His father, Gordon, was an insurance broker. He graduated from Tonbridge School and later from the University of York.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Down started his career in 1979 with Raceform, shortly before joining The Sun. He then joined Sporting Life 2 years later, in 1981.[1] He was made the lead presenter of Channel 4 Racing in 2001.[3] When Channel 4 Racing employed a new production company in 2012, Down was dropped along with John McCririck and Mike Cattermole, which ended his frequent television appearances.[1]
A collection of his writings, titled The Down Side: The Very Best of Racing’s Top Writer and TV Presenter, was published in 2012.[4] Its sequel, Cheltenham et Al: The Best of Alastair Down, was compiled by Sean Magee and published in 2014.[2] The book won the 2015 British Sports Book Award in the Best Horse Racing Book category, the last one to do so.[5]
Personal life and death
[edit]Down was married to Frances since 1988 and had 4 children.[2] His daughter, Saskia, was killed in the 2019 London Bridge stabbing.[6] According to the Racing Post, he never recovered emotionally from her death and drinking became a "safe haven" for him.[7]
Down resided in the Cotswolds as of 2012.[7] He died on 1 November 2024, at the age of 68, after a brief illness.[1][8]
Awards and honours
[edit]Down received the Racing Writer of the Year Award from the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association 5 times, first in 1994 and most recently in 2018.[9] He was the only journalist to receive the award 5 times.[10] He was awarded the President’s Award by the association in 2022, receiving it in 2023.[11] The press room of the Cheltenham Racecourse was renamed after him in his honour in October 2024.[12]
Bibliography
[edit]- The Down Side: The Very Best of Racing’s Top Writer and TV Presenter (Hardcover, Raceform Limited, 1 January 2012; ISBN 1908216050, 978-1908216052, ASIN 1908216050)
- Cheltenham et Al: The Best of Alastair Down (Kindle Edition, Racing Post Books, 28 October 2014; ASIN B00P02EZKO)
- Cheltenham et Al: The Best of Alastair Down (Paperback, updated and revised, Racing Post Books, 18 September 2015; ISBN 1910498033, 978-1910498033)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Ashforth, David (1 November 2024). "Alastair Down". Association of Mirror Pensioners. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Alastair Down, ebullient racing journalist and broadcaster who won a string of awards – obituary". The Telegraph. 2 November 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Redcar pays tribute to the legendary writer who poked fun at the course". Redcar Racecourse. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Down, Alastair (May 2012). The Down Side: The Very Best of Racing’s Top Writer and TV Presenter. Raceform Limited. ISBN 978-1-908216-05-2.
- ^ "Previous winners". British Sports Book Awards. 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Lloyd, Howard (1 November 2024). "Tributes paid to racing stalwart Alastair Down". Bristol Post. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ a b Ashforth, David (1 November 2024). "Alastair Down: a master conjuror of words and a cherished advocate for racing". Racing Post. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Lees, Jon; Hart, Peter (2 November 2024). "Channel 4 legend dead just one month after receiving huge accolade". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Tributes Flow For Legendary Racing Writer Alastair Down, Who Dies Aged 68". Thoroughbred Daily News. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Alastair Down: Racing writer and broadcaster dies aged 68". BBC Sport. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ Cleary, David (5 December 2023). "2023 HWPA Derby Awards - winners announced". HWPA. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Lees, Jon (1 November 2024). "Channel 4 icon dies just a week after being given huge honour". The Mirror. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
Notes
[edit]- ^ 1 deceased