Ray Benson The Preserver passes on

Always dapper, polite and engaging, veteran Victorian racing media man Ray Benson has passed away at the age of 84 having suffered cancer for some time.

Benson called his first race at Sale in 1957 and became a household name in Victorian racing throughout the 1970s and 1980s  firstly on 3DB Radio - where he was deputy to legendary caller Bill Collins - and also on television network Channel 7. 

Ray had originally wanted to be a jockey but realised he was too tall, so opted to become nearly the next best thing, a racecaller. 

He enrolled in Lee Murray’s Radio School in Melbourne,before landing his first gig working for 3TR in the Gippsland area.  

He moved back to Melbourne in 1960 after joining 3UZ,  and made the move to 3DB in 1972. 

After nearly three decades of calling the races he hung up his microphone in 1985, but remained active in the thoroughbred industry for the next 35 years. 

He teamed up with Jenny Chapman to provide mounting yard mail for Sky Racing and also established his successful Trial Form business, which collated results and reports from every trial across the country. 

Racing Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Morrison, paid tribute to Benson, saying: “Ray was a racing fanatic and a natural caller who brought the races to life on both radio and TV.   

“He was a very familiar face at racetracks right across Victoria and his passion for the industry always shone through in his race calls. He was an extremely popular member of the VRMA, and was always willing to give his time and advice to younger race callers starting out in their careers. 

“Ray is a great loss to the industry and we send our deepest condolences to his family.”

“Ray Benson was an icon of the race calling profession,” said Matt Hill, VRMA President. “He was the ultimate professional that had the respect of the listening public. 

“He will forever be linked to the memorable days of the Showgrounds harness racing and his ability to find winners was unmatched. 

“Ray was very willing to assist young race callers and give them as much guidance as possible. On behalf of the committee and members of the VRMA, we send our condolences to his family and friends.”

Ray's other love away from racing was Essendon Football Club, of whom he was a lifelong supporter.

Benson is survived by his two sons Alistair and Stuart, five grandchildren and his close friend, Marjory Brown.