When the horse racing world focuses its collective attention on Churchill Downs Saturday for the 142nd annual Kentucky Derby, an Eastern Iowa native will once again be a key part of the pre-race festivities.
Steve Buttleman, 51, of Louisville, formerly of Cedar Rapids and a 1983 graduate of Washington High School, will serve as the Kentucky Derby's official bugler for the 21st consecutive year. He's the track's regular bugler, playing the 'call to the post' before each race at Churchill Downs.
Below are a fewfeature stories we've done on Steve through the years, as he prepares to step into the spotlight again Saturday. Enjoy!
Originally published May 6, 2006
When "Call to the Post" is played today for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., go ahead and get provincial. Swell a little bit with pride. The man at the bugle is SteveButtleman, a 1983 graduate of Cedar Rapids Washington.
"To him it's just like another day," said his father, JimButtlemanof Cedar Rapids.
But just another day for this bugler means you're going to get his best. His dad says he's "fanatic about being a perfectionist" and gives his best every race all season long at Churchill Downs.
Buttlemanis in his 11th season of calling horses to their post positions at the storied track. And that's usually at least 11 races a day in a spring meet that runs this year from April 29 to July 16. That's a lot of bugling.
WhenButtlemansees the horses coming out of the show ring today, he'll stand front and center to sound that famous call, meaning jockeys have about eight minutes to get their horses in position.
A couple of minutes later, much of the sporting world will turn its attention elsewhere, butButtlemanwill still be there to trumpet the arrival of the next race at Churchill Downs.
Originally published May 4, 2001
SteveButtlemanhas an important job Saturday.
He has to put on a bright red coat, pick up his bugle and play "Call to the Post" at Churchill Downs, the Louisville track hosting the Kentucky Derby.
"My children think it's pretty cool. Even my wife's patients think it's cooler that I'm the bugler than she is the doc."
- Steve Buttleman
Churchill Downs bugler
Buttleman, 36, formerly of Cedar Rapids, is a celebrity in Louisville.
"My children think it's pretty cool," saidButtleman, referring to Megan, 10, and Tyler, 7. His wife, Rhonda, is a doctor. "Even my wife's patients think it's cooler that I'm the bugler than she is the doc."
On the weekends,Buttlemanalso plays the national anthem at the track. During the week, the track plays a tape of him playing the anthem.
Buttleman, who's bugled at the track since 1995, makes $100 a day and $150 on Sundays.
"Call to the Post" takes 15 seconds to play, andButtlemanplays it up to 10 times per day before each race. He practices the song three hours a day.
"If I didn't practice, I'd sound like high school to me,"Buttlemansaid. "There are only 33 notes in it, but everybody that goes to the race track knows what it's supposed to sound like.
"I'm probably one of the most heard players around."
On the side,Buttleman, the son of James and GeraldineButtlemanof Cedar Rapids, teaches trumpet and plays for hire.
Kevin Marie Nuss, his boss at the race track, describesButtleman's job as "very prestigious."
"I can't imagine how stressful it is," she said. "I couldn't stand doing it. I probably would collapse into a pool of jelly."
Originally published Oct. 8, 1995
When Eastern Iowa horse-racing fans tune in to next May's Kentucky Derby, they'll no doubt recognize the stirring "Call to the Post" bugle flourish that summons horses and jockeys to the starting gate. Some of them will recognize the bugler, too.
SteveButtleman, a Cedar Rapids native and 1983 graduate of Washington High School, was chosen Friday as bugler of Churchill Downs, the famous Louisville, Ky., racetrack that is home to the Kentucky Derby.
Steve, 31, is the son of James and GeraldineButtleman, 419 23rd St. NE.
He has been a Louisville resident since enrolling at the University of Louisville shortly after high school graduation. He attended the university intermittently over the years and made his living in a variety of ways.
"But he wasn't happy until he got back into music," his mother said Saturday.
Steve agrees. "Music is a hard business, but it's really a privilege to get to do that," he said in a telephone interview Saturday.
He said he stopped playing the trumpet for seven years but took it up again in 1992 and began taking lessons from a university professor.
"He encouraged me to audition for music scholarship to re-enroll, and that's how I got back into music school to finish what I'd started in 1983."
He completed his bachelor's degree last spring and now is studying for his master's degree while teaching trumpet and working as a free-lance musician. He and his wife, Rhonda, have two children, Megan, 4, and Tyler, 18 months.
Steve said he and five other buglers auditioned at Churchill Downs on Friday morning, and his selection was announced later in the day.
During the Downs racing season, which runs from Oct. 29 to Nov. 26 in the fall and late April to early June in the spring, he will play "Call to the Post" nine to 11 times per day, six days a week.
While in high school, Steve was an all-state musician and a trumpet student of James Debth, 361 Park Terr. SE.
He is the second Debth student to become Churchill Downs bugler. Linn-Mar graduate Karen Easterday became the track's first woman bugler in 1985 while a student at the University of Louisville, also Debth's alma mater.
Debth said Saturday that he never bugled at Churchill Downs, but he did play at five Kentucky Derby races in the 1960s as a member of the University of Louisville band.
The Louisville band plays the poignant "Old Kentucky Home" at the Derby each year, he said.
Steve Buttleman playing the bugle at Churchill Downs in 2003. (file photo)
Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttleman plays for students at St. Jude Elementary on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Cedar Rapids. Buttleman is originally from Cedar Rapids and was back visiting his parents, who connected him with a teacher at the school for the special presentation. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
FAQs
During the week, the track plays a tape of him playing the anthem. Buttleman, who's bugled at the track since 1995, makes $100 a day and $150 on Sundays. "Call to the Post" takes 15 seconds to play, and Buttleman plays it up to 10 times per day before each race.
Who is the bugler for the Kentucky Derby? ›
Steve Buttleman, official bugler of Churchill Downs, makes his choice to win the Kentucky Derby 2023 at the famous racetrack on May 6.
Where is the bugler for the Kentucky Derby from? ›
In the 27 years since Steve Buttleman won the audition to become Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby's official bugler, the native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has become one of the most recognizable figures at the historic racetrack.
Who is the official bugler of Churchill Downs? ›
Steve Buttleman, Official bugler of Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby.
What is the average salary of a Kentucky Derby jockey? ›
Payout to the winning Kentucky Derby jockey
Not all of that $186,000 will stay in the jockey's pocket, though. The first-place horseman will traditionally pay a 25% fee to his or her agent and tip 5% to the valet who helped the jockey prepare his or her gear for the race.
How much does a losing jockey make at the Kentucky Derby? ›
The first-place winner in the 2023 race will get $1.86 million, with $186,000 going to the jockey. The runner-up will earn $600,000, with $30,000 going to the rider; third place will capture $300,000, with the jockey pocketing $15,000.
Who was drugged Kentucky Derby winner? ›
Medina Spirit finished half a length ahead of Mandaloun in the race, giving Baffert what was then his seventh Kentucky Derby title. Baffert was subsequently banned for two years by Churchill Downs following the positive test.
Did someone punch the Kentucky Derby winner? ›
Update (May 17, 2022): The shocking moment when an outrider punched this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, in the face immediately after the race was rightfully met with widespread backlash from many viewers—and as PETA has said, the incident could have been avoided.
Who was the filly that broke her leg in the Kentucky Derby? ›
Kentucky Derby Breakdown
Dr. Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian, stated that Eight Belles' trauma was too severe to even attempt to move her off the track. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Bramlage said the filly had fractures of the cannon and sesamoid bones in both front legs.
Does the bugler at Kentucky Derby really play? ›
Well, the bugler doesn't just turn up on the Kentucky Derby infield and NBC telecast once a year to play the 34 notes of “Call to the Post,” the iconic strand of music technically named “First Call.” No, the bugler plays that and the national anthem through all the races at all the meets across all the year at ...
Country House, A 65-1 Long Shot, Wins Kentucky Derby After Historic Disqualification. Flavien Prat rides Country House to victory during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby. In a stunning and historic Kentucky Derby upset, the horse that crossed the finish line first was not the one that was declared the winner.
Who is the trumpet player at Churchill Downs? ›
Steve Buttleman, Churchill Downs' and the Kentucky Derby's official bugler, is the man behind one of the most iconic moments on race day.
How much does the president of Churchill Downs make? ›
Compensation by Company
| Name And Title | Total Compensation |
|---|
| William E. Mudd President and Chief Operating Officer | Total Compensation $7,042,691 View details |
| Marcia A. Dall Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | Total Compensation $3,706,973 View details |
2 more rowsChurchill Downs Incorporated
Harley the Magnificent! He is an American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft horse officially named "Daisy's Chief Dane" but now is known as Harley when he escorts Thoroughbred horses to the racetrack. He is noticed whenever he is on the track at Churchill Downs or Keeneland.
Who is the richest jockey? ›
Do jockeys get paid if they don't win? ›
The real money for jockeys comes from prize money, if they can ride a horse to finish first, second or third in a race and earn part of the purse. The percentages a jockey receives for a Thoroughbred race range from 5% for a second- or third-place finish to 10% for first place.
Do jockeys keep all their earnings? ›
This ranges from 8.5 to nine per cent of winning prize-money over jumps, depending on the race. It is 6.9 per cent on the Flat. Under both codes they take home 3.5 per cent of placed prize-money. The only deduction is a ten per cent cut to their agent.
What is the lowest price paid for a Kentucky Derby winner? ›
The lowest price in the 2023 Derby is Rebel Stakes winner Confidence Game, who sold for a mere $25,000 at the aforementioned Keeneland September yearling sale.
What is the weight limit for a jockey? ›
Jockeys must be at least 16 years old. There is no set height or weight requirement, but the majority of jockeys do not weigh more than 125 pounds, many even less, with height (usually around 5 feet tall) or proportionate to their weight.
Over the last 30 years of Kentucky Derby, the average jockey age has been 36.
Which Derby winner was sent to slaughter? ›
Much to the outrage of many horse racing enthusiasts, reports indicate that in 2002, Ferdinand was sent to slaughter in Japan with no fanfare or notice to previous owners. He likely became either pet food or steaks for human consumption.
...
Ferdinand (horse)
| Ferdinand |
|---|
| Record | 29:8-9-6 |
| Earnings | $3,777,978 |
| Major wins |
15 more rowsExceller, the only horse ever to beat two Triple Crown winners, which he did in the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup, died in a Swedish slaughterhouse in 1997.
Why did Rich Strike bite another horse? ›
Her conclusion was that the horse was acting typical of an aggressive male horse. Bredar largely attributed Rich Strike's behavior to the fact that he is a stallion of a particularly tough pedigree.
Why did Rich Strike bite horse? ›
"The man did his job. He reached out and grabbed ahold of the horse, and it made the horse mad. He didn't know he was trying to help him. He thought he was supposed to outrun that horse, and he bit the guy's leg terribly — bit his arm a couple, really bad bites," Reed continued.
Why did Rich Strike bite the outrider? ›
He explained that an outrider's job is to calm the horse down for post-race interviews. Reed said Rich Strike bit Blasi and the pony because he was still in “race-mode.” “When he saw that pony coming his way, he thought he had another horse to beat,” Reed explained. “And he was trying to run by it.”
Which Derby horse is owned by a woman? ›
Elwood (foaled 1901 in Missouri) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that is best remembered for winning the 1904 Kentucky Derby and for being the first horse both bred and owned by a woman to win the Derby.
Which Triple Crown winner was euthanized? ›
Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007, at around 10:30 a.m. EST by decision of his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who indicated that they felt that his pain was no longer manageable.
Has a female horse ever run the Kentucky Derby? ›
What Gender of Horse Races in the Kentucky Derby? Both male and female horses race in the Kentucky Derby. However, only three female horses (also known as fillies) have won the Kentucky Derby. Those horses were Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980, and Winning Colors in 1988.
What did the Kentucky Derby longshot pay? ›
"I about fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,'' winning trainer Eric Reed said. "I about passed out. '' Rich Strike paid $163.60.
On the day of the races, the general admission cost jumps to $67 and $87 for Oaks and Derby, respectively. Want two days of fun? Booking a two-day ticket to Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby won't help your overall bottom line, but it does decrease the cost per day.
Is the Derby inhumane? ›
The Horrific Injuries
Horses are often euthanized on the spot when injured on the track. Broken legs, “run down,” ligament injuries, and more are all super common. It's so bad that there is a Race Horse Death Watch.
What jockey was banned from the Kentucky Derby? ›
barred Baffert from entering horses at any of its tracks through mid-2023. The punishment resulted from his 2021 Derby winner Medina Spirit failing a post-race drug test and later being disqualified from that victory in a ruling handed down this year.
How old is the oldest jockey in the Kentucky Derby today? ›
Tohill, 60, is set to ride Sunland Park Derby winner Wild On Ice in the May 6 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Who is the most famous Kentucky Derby jockey? ›
Eddie Arcaro: the most famous Kentucky Derby jockey
George Edward Arcaro, better known as Eddie Arcaro, is the most famous Kentucky Derby jockey of all time if you equate “most famous” to winningest. Born to impoverished Italian immigrants in Cincinnati, Ohio, he found great success on horseback.
Who is a very famous trumpet player? ›
1. Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong is arguably the best trumpet player of all time for his influence over jazz music. He was immensely popular with musicians in and out of the jazz scene and frequently sang alongside performances.
Who is the most famous trumpet player from the 1920s? ›
Louis Armstrong's rise to fame
His popularity was phenomenal, and throughout the 1920s he was one of the most sought-after musicians in both New York and Chicago. Armstrong's “Hot Five” and “Hot Seven” recordings remain to this day some of the best loved of the time.
Who was the black man to play in the trumpet? ›
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist.
How much does AARP president get paid? ›
The most highly compensated employees were reported to be: $1,473,672: Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO.
How much does the president of Duke get paid? ›
Here's how much Duke's top administrators, athletics personnel made in the 2019 fiscal year. The price for President Vincent Price was right—and it was over $1 million in the 2019 fiscal year, as revealed by recently released tax forms.
The net income is $155.7 million, over three times last year's $42.1 million. “All of the covered stadium seats are sold.
What casinos do Churchill Downs own? ›
Churchill Downs Incorporated owns the following racetrack and casino properties:
- Calder Casino — Miami Gardens, Florida.
- Colonial Downs — New Kent County, Virginia.
- Churchill Downs — Louisville, Kentucky.
- Del Lago Resort and Casino — Tyre, New York.
- Derby City Gaming — Louisville, Kentucky.
We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Churchill Downs. The company's largest shareholder is FMR LLC, with ownership of 12%. With 8.8% and 8.0% of the shares outstanding respectively, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and BlackRock, Inc.
How much is the mansion at Churchill Downs? ›
Even if you have the cash, you can't just buy a ticket into the Mansion. You have to be invited to purchase one. Ticket costs vary per packages, but start at around $7,500 each and go upwards to $14,000 a piece.
Who is the most famous horse ever? ›
Perhaps the most famous horse in racing history, the record-breaking Secretariat was foaled in 1970. Secretariat had a powerful stretch-running ability, giving him an edge over his competitor. It meant he could gain strength and speed as the race wore on.
Who is the greatest racehorse of all time? ›
1. Man o' War. Foaled in 1917 at Nursery Stud, in Kentucky, and bred by financier August Belmont Jr., Man o' War has received wide acclaim as the best racehorse of all time.
Who is the most famous race horse ever? ›
Secretariat – Maybe the most well-known racehorse of all time was the first in racing history to be awarded the Horse of the Year Award. His US Triple Crown performances ingrained his place in history. He became the first racehorse to win the Kentucky Derby – starting from last place – winning in under 2-minutes.
How much does a bugler make? ›
The average Bugler in the US makes $60,782.
How much do the owners make at the Kentucky Derby? ›
The purse for the 2023 Kentucky Derby is $3 million, with $1.86 million of that going to the winning horse's owner (and 10%, or $186,000, to the winning jockey). More From Your Money: Choose a high-interest saving, checking, CD, or investing account from our list of top banks to start saving today.
How much does the owner make of the Kentucky Derby? ›
In 2022, the total purse is $3 million, and the 3-year-old Thoroughbred that comes in first at Churchill Downs in Louisville will earn its owner $1.86 million of that haul — and that's just one race.
The second-place finisher will take home $600,000, with the jockey taking home $30,000. For third place, the finisher will be awarded $300,000, with the jockey earning $15,000. The rider earns $4,500 for being in fourth place, and the owner receives $150,000.
Is bugler a leadership position? ›
The Bugler is a youth leadership position within a Scouts BSA troop. They are responsible for playing the bugle, a brass instrument used to signal various activities and events within the troop, such as the start and end of the day, meal times, and flag ceremonies.
Who owns bugler? ›
The Bugler brand was first introduced in the United States in 1932 by Lane Limited. Lane became a subsidiary of Scandinavian Tobacco Group in 2011.
How much does the jockey get paid? ›
Riders also get performance-related pay in the shape of a percentage of any prize-money their mounts earn. This ranges from 8.5 to nine per cent of winning prize-money over jumps, depending on the race. It is 6.9 per cent on the Flat. Under both codes they take home 3.5 per cent of placed prize-money.
What is the largest payout for Derby? ›
Top 5 Kentucky Derby winners payouts
- Winner: $1,860,000.
- 2nd: $600,000.
- 3rd: $300,000.
- 4th: $150,000.
- 5th: $90,000.
Kentucky Derby purse 2023: Prize money for winner
The trainer and jockey each get 10% of the prize money for the win ($186,000) while the winning horse's owner takes home the remaining 80%, which equates to $1.488 million.
Who is the owner of the Rich Strike? ›
In September 2021, horse trainer Eric Reed, on behalf of Richard Dawson's RED-TR Racing, bought Rich Strike for $30,000 at a claiming race at Churchill Downs.
How much is the Secretariat worth? ›
Secretariat was estimated to be worth nearly 7 million dollars after his triumph in the 1973 Triple Crown races. Chenery made headlines by successfully syndicating Secretariat for $6.08 million and Riva Ridge for $5 million. During his stud career, 22% of his foals went on to win stakes.
How much is Rich Strike worth after winning the Kentucky Derby? ›
How much money did Rich Strike win at the 2022 Kentucky Derby? Rich Strike received $1,860,000 of the Kentucky Derby's $3 million purse as the race winner. Before his victory in the first leg of the Triple Crown, Rich Strike's career earnings totaled only $111,289.
How much did the Rich Strike get paid out? ›
An eye-popping payout of $132.40 followed for the 59-1 long shot, which ranked as the second-highest payout until Rich Strike came out of nowhere last May to overtake favorite Epicenter in the stretch and post the dramatic upset. Rich Strike returned $163.60 at nearly 81-1, second only to Donerail's $184.90 in 1913.
For the 2020 Kentucky Derby, 126 horses were entered and the total entry fees collected were over 3 million dollars. In addition to the entry fee, owners of horses who make the race are required to pay a starting fee that is $25,000 for each horse that makes the starting gate.
Who is the winningest Derby owner? ›
Most wins by an owner:
8 – Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968)
