The Sound of Winning

by Ed Meyer

posted on September 25, 2022 in Blogroll, General Discussion, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | Comments Off on The Sound of Winning

My son and I were watching a day of college football. He’s not a big fan like the old man, but still enjoyed it. “Why is it such a big deal with the fight songs and music when they get close to scoring?” – It really didn’t hit me until the game was over and I was on my way to bed. Music makes the sport, game, or event build into a fever pitch. Your excitement levels reach new highs, and you find yourself leaning closer to catch every moment. As he was walking away, he was humming the Ohio State fight song and didn’t even know it…

(1883) Ohio State University Fight Song- “Buckeye Battle Cry”, and “Across the Field” – YouTube

Racing is not above the absence of music and emotion. When you hear the “Call to the Post” at the races you can feel your hair stand up on your arm. It signals the excitement of things to come. – The call dates from the French cavalry- “Pour la Reunion des Trompettes”-1804 by David Buhl. The first U.S. usage is found in 1834 as a trumpeter’s call, according to Taps Bugler: Jari Villanueva.

(1883) Call to Post at Churchill Downs!! – YouTube

 

Once upon a time when at the races as a horse was entering the winner’s circle. You would hear a bevy of different songs playing in a brief blast. This was the rider’s favorite song and it used to catch your attention even when you weren’t watching closely. – Hearing some smooth Latin music or the dulcet tones of Lemmy from Motorhead would immediately let you know who was entering the winner’s circle. – It was popular in the early 90’s, and just faded away quietly. I liked it, and still do to this day.

In between races, as your signal gets sent out around the world, fans are treated to varied sound of jazz, rock, country and everything in between. – Some racinos have a piped in station that sells music to play in the background between races. Many people have told me they love our music and where can they find it. – Easy, just go to the races or watch us on your favorite ADW site.

Music has been an integral part of warfare and the soldier’s life since the dawn of history. Even the instruments on which music is played have themselves acquired great symbolic power — a regiment’s drums are second only to its colors as an emblem of honor and tradition. In the 18th century, the act of enlisting was described as following the drum, according to History Net.com.

Music makes the event bigger. – When you’re standing with 150,000 people and “My Old Kentucky Home” plays at Churchill Downs. I’ll bet dollars to donuts there’s not a dry eye in the house. – It reaches fans in many different ways. – When you hear the fight song at the big game, everyone is on their feet cheering the warriors to do battle in the game of sport. But nothing competes with hearing the “Call to the Post” for me. – It takes me back as a young boy standing with my dad as the horses paraded in front of the grandstand ready to do battle on the track.

Just pay attention as the big game is close, and you’ll hear dueling bands trying to drive their team into a frenzy, or the beauty and pageantry amplified by the long tradition of call to the post. – I bet it will have your full attention.