The Voice That Redefined Calling is Trevor Denman

For more than four decades, Trevor Denman’s distinctive style reshaped horse race announcing, turning it into an art that engaged fans in a way never seen before. His energetic approach, combined with his ability to read a race in real time, set a new standard for the industry. Now, at 72, Trevor Denman has announced his retirement from Del Mar, closing the chapter on an influential career that changed race calling across American horse racing and beyond.

Trevor Denman’s journey into American horse racing was not an easy one. Having spent 12 years calling races in South Africa, he arrived in the United States with a wealth of experience but no connections in the industry. In 1983, he found himself at Santa Anita, determined to prove his abilities.

His persistence led him to the office of Frank “Jimmy” Kilroe, the senior vice president of Santa Anita. Trevor Denman’s request was simple—he wanted the opportunity to call a race at one of the most respected racetracks in the country.

Kilroe, uncertain about the request, passed it along to Alan Balch, who oversaw marketing and public relations. Balch, skeptical at first, questioned why a race at Santa Anita should be called by someone unknown in the U.S. Trevor Denman confidently responded by highlighting his experience in Durban and his passion for the sport.

Balch, still unsure, reached out to an assistant, Bill Kolberg, who had recently visited South Africa and was familiar with the race scene there. That decision ultimately paved the way for a major shift in race announcing in the United States.

Instead of simply announcing the horse positions, Trevor Denman made the American horse racing calls drama as it happened-painting for fans a better picture of what was occurring on the track. It was more different from the usual race-calling style in the U.S.

To remember, the phrase “and away they go,” became quite famous instantaneously; the lyrics like “they sprout wings!” and “he’s moving like a winner!” added an element of excitement to his calls. Trevor Denman also more excitingly put his calls because he could predict the eventual outcome even before the horses crossed the finishing line, as opposed to many other announcers before him.

His popularity rose rapidly, making him a major voice in American horse racing. His influence spread from Santa Anita to Del Mar, where he would eventually complete his career.

Retirement from Del Mar, I guess, signals the end of an era, although the contributions he made to the trade of race calling will continue to shape the industry. It was his descriptive approach to calling that made it more interesting to fans, a standard now taken up by many announcers.

Trevor Denman took enthusiasm and realism into his work. His narration of the race was not merely a narration; it was a character to bring the whole event to the next level with an interest like never before.

As he steps away from the microphone, Trevor Denman leaves behind a legacy that will not be forgotten. His influence will continue to be felt at racetracks for years to come.