DEL MAR — Longtime race caller Trevor Denman has announced his retirement after 40 years as the voice of the Del Mar Racetrack.
Denman, 72, a native of South Africa, will be succeeded by veteran announcer Larry Collmus, who calls the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup for NBC Sports.
Denman began calling races in South Africa in 1971 and has been the voice of Del Mar nearly every summer since 1984. He also called races at Santa Anita from 1983 to 2015, as well as Hollywood Park and Fairplex Park.
“This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made,” Denman said. “But my soul is telling me that now is the time.”
Denman revolutionized race calling in the U.S. with his storytelling approach, moving beyond simply listing positions to narrating the action as it unfolded.
“We knew this would eventually come with Trevor, and now it is here,” said Joe Harper, CEO of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “We’ve been so lucky to have the best in the business in our booth for all these years, and now all we can do is wish him and his wife, Robin, the very best on their road ahead.”
Collmus, 58, has called races worldwide since starting at Bowie Race Track in Maryland in 1985. He has since become one of the sport’s most recognizable voices, calling American Pharoah’s 2015 Triple Crown run, every Breeders’ Cup since 2012, and the 2023 Dubai World Cup.
“Del Mar racing fans have been so fortunate to have Trevor as the announcer here, and we’re excited that someone of Larry’s stature and experience can succeed him,” said Josh Rubinstein, president of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
Collmus has called Del Mar’s fall Bing Crosby meet since 2020 and serves as an on-camera racing analyst for FanDuel TV.
“I grew up listening to Trevor and have loved his unforgettable calls for decades,” Collmus said. “It is an absolute honor to follow him at Del Mar.”
Denman’s career spanned over 50 years, with stints calling races in the Bay Area and on the East Coast and the Breeders’ Cup when ESPN held the broadcast rights. He also provided race calls for films and television shows.
Denman now lives with his wife on a 500-acre farm in Minnesota.
