The message I received from John Hunt shows what a man he is – we’re all here for him during this terrible time
OH, Hunty. Words will mean little to you right now. But everyone is here for you. Anytime, at any day or night.
That won’t ease the pain. But out here there is a family for you loving you, just like those close to you right now in your mum and remaining daughter Amy.
This column comes days after my friend and colleague, the commentator John Hunt, found his wife, Carol, and daughters Hannah and Louise had been killed at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
When I heard the news I was left numb and shed plenty of tears. I’m sure many of you did.
I later messaged on X that ‘no words needed for what has happened to @huntycaller’.
I stand by that.
But how could I write a column today and simply ignore such a tragedy? Impossible.
On Wednesday, the day after the alleged murders, I sent a brief message to Hunty.
I did not expect a reply. But I got one.
“Thank you Matty, all love back at you xx.”
In that short sentence everything you need to know about John Hunt shines through.
Caring, loving, thoughtful.
Also slightly cheeky! Hunty is the only person who calls me Matty. It always makes me laugh. He also always makes me smile, even when I’m moaning to him about something.
Hunty broadcasts with a twinkle whatever he might be talking about. He’s the ultimate professional. A happy soul.
That inner joy oozes from his love for so many things. West Ham, racing and karaoke to name just three. But most of all it comes from family.
On a number of occasions I have called Hunty about a shift swap or something equally banal, and when he has answered at home there has always been noise.
Family having fun together, or John out in the garden. He’s the family man every person dreams of.
I believe he also has all the attributes that mean he will gather together the strength to get through this as best anyone could.
Of course it’s impossible to predict how any person would react to the events of this week. But I believe John feels our love.
He also has his surviving daughter Amy and his mum as a family unit that will be full of empathy.
For most of us it’s impossible to understand what makes a human being do what they have done this week.
However one might feel, to have no value of human life – being an utter sociopath – is very hard for most of us to comprehend.
Thank goodness that is the case.
As a human race we must just try harder to love and be kind. To respect. And to hope beyond hope that the suffering caused to Hunty and his family this week is never repeated. Please God.
Of course, on the racing front it’s a huge weekend, and in normal circumstances no one would be more excited than Hunty with the Group 1 My Pension Expert July Cup at Newmarket and then England in the final of the Euros at 8pm on Sunday.
If in top shape I can’t think of any reason why Inisherin won’t blow away his 11 rivals in the six furlong dash that is the July Cup.
The 2000 Guineas sixth was excellent in the Sandy Lane at Haydock and even better in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
The older 5f/6f sprinters are far from a vintage bunch and this looks up for the taking for a young up-and-coming speedster.
Kevin Ryan’s inmate is just that. Tom Eaves takes the ride and he should get a lovely lead into the finish with plenty of pace up front.
Of his rivals it will be fascinating to see how Vandeek gets on. He was poor in the Sandy Lane, but was a class juvenile taking the Middle Park for the Crisfords.
This will show us if he has trained on, but he will need to have done as Inisherin is very good.
Elsewhere, at York it’s one of the big betting races of the season in the John Smith’s Cup Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter. Boy this is hard!
My each-way selection is Kingfisher King for William Haggas and Oisin Orr. I presume this horse’s handicap mark has been saved for this race as he goes first time out off a mark of 96.
That might be generous as he’s lightly raced and started off in handicaps off 100 and was dropped 1lb when last seen for a defeat over 1m6f. It’s possible he just didn’t stay that day.
Lots to think about. Hunty, though, top of the list.