Episode #502. TRAVIS STONE🏇🌹VOICE OF THE KY. DERBY🌹🏇

Kirt Jacobs chats with Travis Stone, the voice of Churchill Dns. They discuss this year’s highly competitive 152nd KY Derby, noting it’s Stone’s 12th time calling the prominent horse race. This interview offers a direct look into the excitement & challenges in thoroughbred racing. He is the official track announcer (public address voice) for thoroughbred horse racing at Churchill Dns—the iconic venue that hosts the KY. DERBY!

Born 1-23-1984.
Hometown: Schroon Lake, NY.

In practical terms, he is the voice you hear delivering the live, rapid-fire call of each race, INCLUDING the most famous racing phrases as horses come down the stretch!

🏇 Credentials & early Career Development:

Began calling races at just 18! Developed his craft around Saratoga Race Course, 1 of the sport’s historic hubs! Before Churchill Dns, Stone called races at multiple major venues:

Aqueduct Racetrack, Monmouth Pk, Louisiana Dns, Suffolk Dns (early career).

Additional tracks include Colonial Dns, Sam Houston Race Park, & others.

This breadth is critical—race calling is a highly specialized skill requiring Instant recognition of horses, Memory of silks/colors, and precise, real-time narration under pressure.

🎤 Role at Churchill Dns:

In 2014, he replaced prior announcers & became the primary race caller & the official voice heard inside the track during the KY. Derby.

A distinct role from broadcast announcers (e.g., NBC), but equally central to the live event experience; the Churchill Dns announcer lineage includes legendary voices—placing Stone in a historically significant role!

🏆 Professional Recognition:

Named a 2-time “All-Star Announcer” in the industry! Work featured across racing media, including Daily Racing Form & Thoroughbred Times.

🎯 What Makes Him Notable:

From a technical standpoint, elite race callers like Stone must:
Track 15–20+horses simultaneously & identify them instantly by silks & motion & make a continuous, accurate call without notes. Maintain rhythm, clarity, & excitement in real time!

Considered 1 of the most demanding roles in ALL of sports broadcasting!

Clarification: Travis Stone (Churchill Downs) = track announcer (live in-venue voice); Larry Collmus (NBC) = broadcast announcer for national.📺 often confused, but they are separate roles!

Bottom Line:

Travis Stone is the voice you hear inside Churchill Dns during the KY. Derby itself—a high-prestige position, comparable to a stadium announcer combined with a play-by-play broadcaster, executed at extreme speed/ precision!