The iconic racecaller, whose distinctive cadence became synonymous with Southern California racing for more than three decades, will receive the Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence. The honor is presented jointly by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

Denman will be recognized at the 55th annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards ceremony on Jan. 22 at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida.

“What a wonderful way to end a 53-year career,” Denman said. “I am so honored to receive this award and will treasure it forever. I wish to thank Alan Balch of Santa Anita and Joe Harper of Del Mar for giving an unknown kid a chance to call at such prestigious tracks back in 1983. I also thank all the fans for their tremendous support over the years.”

Born in Germiston, South Africa, Denman initially explored racing as an exercise rider before realizing his true calling lay in the announcer’s booth. He began calling races at the age of 18 in 1971 in South Africa. 

His path to America came through racing executive Bill Kolberg, who heard Denman’s calls while visiting South Africa. When Santa Anita began searching for a new announcer, Kolberg strongly endorsed Denman. After a successful audition, Denman debuted at the Oak Tree meeting in 1983 at the age of 31.

Denman quickly separated himself from traditional American race callers. Rather than simply relaying positions and margins, he layered his calls with insight, rhythm, and anticipation, guiding listeners through the unfolding drama of a race. His signature opening, “And away they go,” along with colorful phrases such as “moving like an express train” and “they’ll have to sprout wings to catch him,” became fixtures of the sport.

Industry executive Craig Fravel likened Denman’s impact to that of a master artist.

“What Claude Monet did for water lilies with a brush and canvas Trevor Denman did for the Thoroughbred with his voice and a microphone,” Fravel said. “Those of us fortunate to hear him work day in and day out were treated to storytelling that made the pace, drama, and dynamics of a race clear from start to finish, even with your eyes closed.”

At the height of his career, Denman simultaneously called races at Santa Anita, Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Pomona. His voice also became familiar to a global audience through national broadcasts.

Among his most enduring calls were the 1989 Preakness Stakes duel between Sunday Silence and Easy Goer, and the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, when Zenyatta produced a stunning last-to-first rally. As she swept past her rivals at Santa Anita, Denman captured the moment with the words: “This is unbelievable! Zenyatta! What a performance, we’ll never forget!”

Denman served as Santa Anita’s announcer until 2015 and called races at Del Mar from 1984 through the conclusion of the 2024 season. He announced his retirement on March 6, 2025.

“This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made,” he said at the time. “But my soul is telling me that now is the time.”

Over more than 50 years, Denman also worked at tracks in Northern California and on the East Coast, called Breeders’ Cup races during ESPN’s broadcast tenure, and provided race calls for films and television programs. He now lives with his wife, Robin, on a 500-acre farm in rural Minnesota.

The Special Eclipse Award serves as formal recognition of a truth long accepted by racing fans: Trevor Denman didn’t just call the sport — he elevated it.

To read more abt Trevor, Click on this profile we did on him many years ago.

Image: Benoit