'I've enjoyed every single second of it' - RTE broadcaster Robert Hall bows out

Robert Hall will present RTE's racing coverage for the final time this weekend when the highly respected broadcaster will bow out at Leopardstown on Sunday after almost four decades with the channel.

Hall, 65, started at RTE with a radio commentary on the 1982 Irish 2,000 Guineas won by Dara Monarch at the Curragh and progressed to the television screen in the early 1990s, filling in for Tony Sweeney as a paddock judge before going on to front the channel's coverage alongside Ted Walsh.

Hall and Walsh instantly clicked on television and quickly became household favourites.

Robert Hall interviewing Joseph O'Brien at the Curragh for RTECredit: Patrick McCann

"I've had a wonderful time covering Irish racing for RTE and I've enjoyed every single second of it," said Hall. "I'm on duty at Leopardstown on Saturday and Sunday and then it will be bye-bye.

"I'm going to miss it like mad, but you have to move on in life and that's just the way it is. Live television is great fun, there's no second take. I adored it. I particularly enjoyed when I helped produce the programme. That was tremendous fun.

"I auditioned as a commentator for RTE and got the nod to call the 1982 Guineas on radio. Then, in the early 1990s, a door opened when I began to fill in for Tony Sweeney in the paddock."

Hall will be remembered most for his relationship with Walsh and their rapport.

He said: "Working with Ted was marvellous. You always had to expect the unexpected because you never knew what he was going to say. He's a wonderful broadcaster and very refreshing to listen to."

Robert Hall (left) live on RTE with Ted Walsh (right) and Ruby WalshCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Irish racing has been on the up in Hall's later years with unprecedented success at the Cheltenham Festival, but it is a horse from yesteryear who Hall retains a particular fondness for.

"I loved Danoli," he admitted. "He was always a favourite of mine. There was always an amazing atmosphere around Leopardstown whenever he ran and the public loved him. The days when Desert Orchid came over were terrific too. There were so many great days with great people that it is hard to single out one or two."

Sunday will certainly not be the end of Hall's involvement in racing as he is the joint-owner of a four-year-old filly called Shorter Skirt.

He said: "She has moved to Jack Davison and hopefully we'll have some fun with her. It's very exciting and I'm looking forward to her getting back on the track."

'The midfield general who held everything together'

Major figures pay tribute to Robert Hall . . .

Ted Walsh, trainer and RTE broadcaster

I've worked with Robert for 35 years and we travelled together to Breeders' Cups and to the Arc a few times. We come from different backgrounds but share a love for racing. He has a great knowledge of most things in racing, particularly breeding and racing politics, and he appreciates the big days. We'd have travelled together over the years just to see good horses racing.

Robert was a great pro to work with and was well capable of giving someone a grilling on television if he had to. If he thought something needed to be aired, he was in no way shy about doing it. We worked well together and I don't think I'd have worked as well with anyone else. It was a good balancing act. He was often one side of the story and I was the other, but we never stifled each other. He'd know how to get me going as well if he wanted to – he knew which buttons to press!

Barry Geraghty, jockey

Robert is a really nice man and has been a terrific ambassador for Irish racing. His voice is synonymous with Irish racing. I grew up watching Robert on RTE, as I'm sure so many did, and he always showed Irish racing in the best possible light. Himself and Ted [Walsh] have been there forever, all of my life in racing.

Robert always did a great interview. It was always easy when he was interviewing the winning jockey, but I thought he was particularly good when he had to interview a jockey or a trainer when something hadn't gone so well. He had empathy and we all really appreciated that.

Tony O'Hehir, RTE commentator and journalist

Robert was the midfield general who held everything together. He has a broad knowledge of all aspects of racing and everyone was happy to be interviewed by him. Some regarded him as the straight man in a long-running double act with Ted Walsh, and his sense of humour often broke through when responding to and trying to rein in Ted when he was off on one of his solo runs.

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