Collmus to Announce for Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale

When the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale kicks off June 29 in Maryland, auction patrons and industry enthusiasts watching the live feed will likely recognize the voice of Larry Collmus. For the first time in his career, the popular racetrack announcer, who has been the voice of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup World Championships on NBC since 2011, will try his hand at sales. 

But for Collmus, there is no better location to try something new than at the place where he first fell in love with horse racing—the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. 

"I actually grew up here. Talk about full circle," Collmus said. "I was probably at Timonium before I even knew it. I think I was in diapers. It was where I watched my first race as a young kid, so it's so neat to be back here. 

"It was my father who installed the sound system at Timonium. I used to work for him in the summer while he would do some of the fair exhibits. He would have me be in the grandstand to make sure the sound was good enough during the races, and then I right away realized how much horse racing was what I wanted to do. I got interested in racing from there. He also put in the speaker system for the Fasig-Tipton sales, so it's interesting that here I am back in Timonium where it all started." 

The sale comes at a good time for Collmus, who recently ended his five-year tenure as race caller for the New York Racing Association in January. In July, he will head to California, where he will substitute as race caller for Trevor Denman, who will not be traveling this year from his Minnesota home due to concerns over COVID-19. 

"I think Fasig-Tipton knew I wasn't working calling racing in New York anymore, and they reached out to see if I had any interest in working the sales," Collmus said. "It sounded like a fun idea, so we decided to do it. 

"I'm going to be on the stand to be one of the sales announcers, and I'm looking forward to it. Of course, I've been to several sales but never worked any, so it should be a fun experience. I've spent the last several days going over the pedigrees that I will be on the stand for and coming up with what I will say about them. I want to make sure I say it the way that everyone is used to because it's newer to me than to most of the people who will be there." 

Collmus will be working three shifts on the announcer's booth during the sale, which runs June 29-30. He will call one set during Monday's session and two on Tuesday and will be responsible for a little more than 100 horses. 

"Anytime you do something for the first time, you'll be a little on edge about it," Collmus said. "Obviously, I have a lot of experience in announcing and horse racing, and I've been to sales but never (as) the announcer. There is both excitement and nervousness to make sure it all goes well. Luckily, the people I'm working with at Fasig-Tipton are so great, and they are here to help make sure it all goes smoothly. Hopefully, we can have a great sale, and I'm very much looking forward to it."