Vale race caller Ray Benson

Veteran race caller Ray Benson, a long-time voice of Victorian racing, has died aged 84 after a battle with cancer, Racing Victoria and the Victorian Racing Media Association said.

Benson called his first race at Sale in 1957 and rose to prominence through the 1960s and ’70s on 3DB radio and later Channel Seven, becoming one of the most recognisable callers of his era.

After abandoning childhood ambitions of becoming a jockey, he trained at Lee Murray’s Radio School, worked in Gippsland before joining Melbourne station 3UZ, and was later mentored by Bill Collins following his move to 3DB in 1972.

He retired from race calling in 1985 but remained deeply involved in the industry for decades through Sky Racing mounting yard coverage and his influential Trial Form business, which compiled trial data from around the country.

Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison and VRMA president Matt Hill described Benson as a natural caller, mentor and icon of the profession, while noting his lifelong support of Essendon and that he is survived by his sons Alistair and Stuart, five grandchildren and close friend Marjory Brown.