Bill Downes Named Golden Gate Track Announcer for 2023-2024 Winter/Spring Meet

November 26, 2023

Mirahmadi To Call Final Two Weeks of Fall Meet

Stronach Group Press Release

BERKELEY, Calif.— Golden Gate Fields has hired Bill Downes as Track Announcer for the upcoming 2023-2024 Winter/Spring meet. Downes has called at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington for their last two race seasons and comes to Golden Gate with over two decades of experience in the announcer’s booth.

“We look forward to having Bill call our races,” said Golden Gate Fields Vice President and General Manager David Duggan. “He has called all over the country and provides viewers and listeners with an accurate description of a race.”

Along with his stint at Emerald, Downes has also described the on-track action at Beulah Park, Ellis Park, Indiana Grand, Presque Isle Downs, and River Downs. He began his race calling career at Arapahoe Park in 1999. A Chicago native, Downes grew up attending Arlington Park with his father, which quickly culminated into a lifelong passion for thoroughbred racing.

Golden Gate is also pleased and excited to note that Santa Anita announcer Frank Mirahmadi will be calling the final two weeks of the Fall Meet, which ends on Sunday, December 10. The Winter/Spring Meet begins the day after Christmas, Tuesday, December 26, and runs through mid-June on a Friday through Sunday basis.

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