LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s by far the most recognizable audible symbol of the Kentucky Derby. The “Call to the Post” is played every year by Churchill Downs’ official Bugler Steve Buttleman.
“It’s a blessing that I get to come out here and play for the fans,” he said. “It’s just great to share the Derby with people throughout the year.
Buttleman has held this high-pressure position for 29 years, and he’s appreciated every day of it – especially since it almost didn’t happen for him.
“I actually came to the audition mainly for the experience, because I didn’t really expect to get the job, but I wanted the experience of the pressure and competing,” he said. “The day of my audition, I was having my wife’s car serviced, the brakes. I warmed up on the curb at Midas, and I came in late, but I thought I’ll just explain what happened and hopefully they’ll be OK with that. I showed up, and everyone was in a coat and tie and I was wearing cut off shorts and tennis shoes, so I just explained what happened and luckily they were like no problem just play."
Buttleman earned the job, and played his first Kentucky Derby in 1996 and he’s never looked back.
“The pressure is there every year. I feel blessed to be here for the 150th year and I always walk up the turf track about an hour before the derby, because things start happening in the pagoda and it gets busy, so I take a walk. When I get to the top of the stretch, I turn around and I see the twin spires, and all the people having a great time, and I think – God what did I do to deserve to get this job, and I say, 'thank you God, please help me to not screw up!'"
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