Bucky Sallee passes the horn

For more than 50 years, George "Bucky" Sallee has been part of the fabric of

Keeneland, dazzling fans with his iconic call to the post while watching

generations of race fans grow up. Bucky recently retired to become Keeneland's

Bugler Emeritus but only after providing a lifetime of memories.

"I've been out here more than 50, and I've got a lot of memories and met a

lot of people," Bucky said. "It's been a great time. It's opened a lot of

doors."

Bucky began his Keeneland journey in the early 1960s when Frank Atkins, then

the club pro at Lexington's Picadome Golf Course who moonlighted at Keeneland,

offered him the opportunity to serve as track bugler. Since then, Bucky has

performed his signature "Boots and Saddles" for the post parade and "Assembly"

at post time, missing only one day when his first wife died on a Saturday in the

early 1970s. He reached a career milestone on Oct. 9, 2002, when he made his

10,000th call to the post at Keeneland.

Over the course of that half-century, Bucky became an integral part of the

tradition-rich Keeneland experience.

"Bucky was a very good friend of my father so before I came to Keeneland,

Bucky was already a friend and someone very special to me," Keeneland President

and CEO Bill Thomason said. "But only after being here have I been able to see

how much he means to Keeneland and how much he means to our fans and the sport.

It's very special. There will never be another Bucky."

Bucky will pass the torch to Steve Buttleman, an accomplished musician

who brings nearly 20 years of experience as a bugler to Keeneland, having

performed the call to the post at some of the nation's most prominent

racetracks, including Churchill Downs, Belmont Park and Oaklawn Park. Like

everyone else, Buttleman has fond memories of Bucky.

"I remember when I first got to play with Bucky at the (2010 Alltech FEI

World) Equestrian Games (at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington), I was

thrilled to death," Buttleman said. "I had been playing 16 years and never met

Bucky so when we finally got a chance to play together I was extremely excited.

"It's humbling. I feel honored. It's like meeting one of your heroes. Bucky

has done so much for Kentucky and the racing industry. He's a legend."

Keeneland will pay tribute to Bucky on Friday's opening day with special

commemorations prior to the first race. Fans are invited to join in honoring

Bucky by sharing their memories online at

Keeneland.com or by

dropping a letter in the "Bucky Mailbox" located adjacent to the paddock on

opening day. Bucky will sign autographs during the afternoon.

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