You know the sound. It’s that crisp, brassy flourish that cuts through the roar of 150,000 people at Churchill Downs, suddenly making everyone—from the high-rollers in the Millionaires Row to the rowdy crowd in the infield—stop what they're doing. It’s the kentucky derby trumpet song, a melody so baked into American culture that you can probably hum it right now.
But here is the thing: most people don't even know its real name.
They call it "the horse race song" or "the Derby fanfare." Honestly, even lifelong racing fans sometimes trip up on the details. That iconic 34-note melody is actually titled "First Call." It’s a military bugle call that dates back to the mid-1800s, and it’s arguably the most famous piece of music in sports that nobody knows the lyrics to. (Mostly because there aren't any.)
Why "First Call" Became the Kentucky Derby Trumpet Song
If you go back to the 1860s, you’d find soldiers waking up to this exact tune. In the U.S. Military, "First Call" was basically a "heads up" signal. It told the troops to get their gear together and prepare for formation. It wasn't the "charge" or "taps"—it was the functional, slightly frantic reminder that something big was about to happen.
How did it end up at a racetrack?
History is a bit fuzzy there. We know it was being used at Saratoga in New York by the 1860s. It likely migrated to Kentucky because the early architects of the Derby were obsessed with the pageantry of European and New York racing. They wanted the event to feel formal. They wanted it to feel like an occasion.
By the time the horses are led onto the track today, that song serves the same purpose it did for the Civil War cavalry: it’s the ten-minute warning. It tells the bettors to finish their mint juleps and the jockeys to focus.
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The Man Behind the Horn: Steve Buttleman
For over 30 years, one man has been the face of the kentucky derby trumpet song. His name is Steve Buttleman.
The story of how he got the job is kinda legendary in Louisville. Back in 1995, Buttleman almost didn't show up for the audition. He was literally at a Midas muffler shop getting his wife’s car fixed. He ended up warming up his trumpet on the curb outside the repair shop, probably looking like a crazy person to passing traffic.
When he finally got to Churchill Downs, he was late.
The other seven guys auditioning were in suits and ties, looking sharp. Buttleman? He was wearing cut-off shorts, tennis shoes, and a windbreaker. He looked like he was headed to a backyard BBQ, not an audition for the most prestigious gig in horse racing.
He played anyway. He nailed it.
Now, he plays that call about 10 to 12 times a day during the spring meet. If you do the math, he’s played those 34 notes well over 60,000 times. You’d think he’d be sick of it, but he’s gone on record saying it never gets old. He actually spends his downtime between races making rosaries and jewelry in his little "office" (the pagoda) near the winner's circle.
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What’s actually happening when he plays?
If you watch closely on TV, you’ll notice Steve’s fingers don't move. No, he isn't lip-syncing.
The song is played in the key of C. Because "First Call" is a traditional bugle call, it doesn't use any sharps or flats. This means you don't actually need valves to play it. While Steve often uses a long "herald trumpet" for the visual flair, he’s playing it like a bugle—using only his lips and breath to change the pitch.
It’s actually much harder than it looks. If your lip muscles (your embouchure) are even slightly off, the whole thing squeaks. And doing that in front of a global television audience? That’s pressure.
Misconceptions and Technicalities
One thing that bugs the purists is when people confuse the kentucky derby trumpet song with "My Old Kentucky Home."
They are two very different beasts.
- First Call: The 8-second "Call to the Post" that signals the horses coming onto the track.
- My Old Kentucky Home: The Stephen Foster ballad that the University of Louisville marching band plays while everyone cries and sings along.
Another weird detail: the song isn't exclusive to the Derby. You’ll hear it at Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and even local fairgrounds. But because the Derby is "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," Churchill Downs has basically claimed ownership of the vibe.
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The Ritual of the 34 Notes
The song is short. We’re talking maybe 10 to 15 seconds max. But those few seconds are a masterclass in tension-building.
In music theory, the melody relies heavily on the perfect fifth and the octave. It’s "open" and "bright." It cuts through the white noise of a crowd better than almost any other sequence of notes. When those first four notes hit—da-da-da-da—the betting windows officially close.
It is the point of no return.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Derby Day
If you’re planning to attend the Derby or even just host a party, knowing the lore of the kentucky derby trumpet song makes you the smartest person in the room. Here is how to actually use this info:
- Timing is everything: If you're betting online or at a window, the "Call to the Post" is your final, final warning. When you hear the horn, you have roughly zero seconds left to get that exacta in.
- The Look: If you see the bugler, notice the uniform. It’s traditional "hunting" attire—red coat (the "pink" coat), white breeches, and black boots. It’s a nod to British fox hunting culture.
- Listen for the variations: On the last day of the racing meet, Steve Buttleman sometimes sneaks in a few bars of a different song after the official call—usually something like "Auld Lang Syne" or even a holiday tune if it's the fall meet.
The next time you hear those 34 notes, remember it’s not just a song. It’s a 160-year-old military signal that survived the Civil War to become the heartbeat of a Kentucky tradition. Pay attention to the silence that follows the last note; that's the sound of thousands of people holding their breath before the gates fly open.