Luke Kruytbosch, the announcer at Churchill Downs and the “Voice of the Kentucky Derby” since 1999, has died at age 47.na Kruytbosch,” said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs and executive vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated.na was a marvelous talent with a timeless announcing style that connected directly with fans throughout North America.na was never happier than when he was in the announcer’s booth – especially on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby.na will be deeply missed.”
Kruytbosch joined Churchill Downs at the start of its 1999 spring meet, and his first call of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) came in the 125th renewal won by Robert and Beverly Lewis’ Charismatic. He called 10 consecutive runnings of America’s greatest race, including this year’s victory by IEAH Stable and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown.
Kruytbosch was only fifth announcer in the 134-year history of Churchill Downs to have called the Kentucky Derby for an on-track crowd. He launched his professional career as an announcer following his graduation from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry program.
He had honed his skills by calling races at fairs in the southwest while in college, and had his first paying job as an announcer at New Mexico’s The Downs at Albuquerque. He later called races at New Mexico’s Santa Fe and Sunland Park, and in 1991 got the job of calling Quarter Horse races at Ruidoso Downs. From there, he called Thoroughbreds at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, but then got the biggest break in his career when he moved into the announcer’s booth at Hollywood Park, where he spent three years.
Kruytbosch was not married and had no children. Funeral arrangements were incomplete as of Monday afternoon.
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