Most people wind down as they prepare for retirement – but Paul Ambrosoli is doing anything but.
‘PA’ (pictured), as he is known to most people in greyhound racing, has been busy fielding scores of messages from well-wishers this week as he prepares to call his final meeting.
The doyen of greyhound race callers, Ambrosoli will bring the curtain down on a near-50 year career at Wentworth Park this Saturday.
It promises to be an emotional night, with plenty of people keen to farewell the popular caller in style.
“I’ve had so many calls, emails and text messages wishing me all the best in retirement, for which I’m eternally grateful,” Ambrosoli said.
“Saturday night is going to be a trifle daunting, but everyone is making the task that much easier.”
Ambrosoli has become synonymous with Sydney greyhound racing after taking his first broadcasting steps in the late 1960s.
His interest in racing started before then as a child in unusual fashion.
“I was the only real racing person in the house,” he said. “I would study the form so hard.
"I also had a fascination with racing, no matter what form it took.
“Everything I did was a race, whether it was racing the person next to me or something on television. It was always about being in a race.
“I wanted to be a racing broadcaster when I was seven, so that means my childhood ambitions have been realised.
“How many people have that opportunity of fulfilling their boyhood dreams?”
Over the years he has called some of the biggest races, with his voice becoming known - and loved - by the sport's followers.
His outstanding contribution to greyhound racing was acknowledged with an induction into the Australian Greyhound Racing Association Hall of Fame.
Ambrosoli said his longevity as a caller was down to a simple recipe.
“Hard work and dedication,” he said. “There’s not much to it than that.
“You must have that dedication – and love it as well.”
Ambrosoli said he is still mapping out post-calling life – in-between dealing with the messages of support and farewells from friends, family and the greyhound racing community.
“It’s just reminding me that Saturday night will be the conclusion of my career,” he said. “It’s going to leave a huge hole in my life, that’s for sure.
“Would I do it all again? I’d do it twice over.”
Wentworth Park racing this Saturday starts at 7.30pm.
