Vale Ray Benson

It is with great sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victorian Racing Media Association (VRMA) announce the passing of respected race caller Ray Benson, who has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 84.  

Benson called his first race at Sale in 1957 and became a household name in Victorian racing throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, firstly on 3DB Radio before later progressing to Channel 7.

Having realised he was too tall to fulfil his childhood dreams of becoming a jockey, Benson instead enrolled in Lee Murray’s Radio School in Melbourne, where he would hone his craft twice a week before landing his first gig working for 3TR in the Gippsland area.  

He subsequently moved back to his birthplace of Melbourne in 1960 after joining 3UZ, and having earned his race calling stripes there Benson made the move in 1972 to 3DB, where he was mentored by the late Bill Collins.

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.”

Benson’s other main passion outside of racing was Essendon Football Club, supporting the ‘Bombers’ his entire life and becoming good friends with several of the club’s players.

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