Johnson gets call to be 'voice of the Kentucky Derby'

British horses have already plundered the top American races and now the most prestigious race-calling job in the US has gone to an Englishman from Skegness.

Mark Johnson, who was working at Kempton's all-weather meeting last night, will be unveiled as the official race-caller at Churchill Downs racecourse today and have the privilege of commentating on the 135th Kentucky Derby on 2 May.

Johnson is just the sixth race-caller in the history of the Louisville track and has landed the job despite the British pronouncing Derby as Darby and using sayings that are alien to US racegoers.

The post became available following the death of Luke Kruytbosch, who died suddenly last July, and Johnson auditioned for the job against four other commentators who called races at the track for one week apiece between October and November last year.

Johnson, 42, who becomes the first British announcer at any major US track, said: "This is a dream come true. It is the pinnacle of my career which includes commentating on the Epsom Derby five times. I've worked with American racing for eight or nine years. I can definitely say der-by, and in fact, I'm more likely to call our darby, der-by by mistake.

"I'm not just surprised; I'm shocked, but shocked in the best possible way."

Churchill Downs vice president Tom Aronson said: "He is a unique talent, and we think he's going to have a positive impact on what we do here.