Des Hoysted

Des Hoysted (1923 – 25 March 2010) was an Australian radio broadcaster and horse racing identity. He was a racecaller for 51 years in what is widely regarded as the golden era of the Australian turf.[1]

Hoysted called his first race on Boxing Day in 1948 at Wodonga, Victoria,[2] and then joined the ABC in Melbourne as an understudy to Joe Brown. He moved to 2GB in 1952, but made his mark in 1959 when he joined 2UE.[3] He called 20 Melbourne Cups for 2UE and only finished there when the radio station ceased broadcasting the races in 1983.[4]

For many years, Hoysted continued to work around Sydney racetracks, mainly as a broadcast advisor, bon vivant, and tent tipper.[5] He unofficially retired from the track in 2001.[6]

He died at the age of 87, on 25 March 2010 in a Sydney nursing home, survived by his wife, Pat, and children Raymond and Joanne.