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Clem McCarthy
August 12, 1938

Clem McCarthy's seasoned voice and quick delivery conveyed the thrills of horse racing for a generation. McCarthy didn't confine himself to the announcers' booth atop the grandstand. He covered activities from the paddock and the winner's circle, and once even called a race while precariously balanced atop the trackside railing.

This audio excerpt, from the aftermath of the 1938 match race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit, highlights McCarthy's colorful style.

Audio Transcript:
Clem McCarthy:
The horse is coming back in here. This track is just a mass of photographers, newsreel men, fans, autograph hounds -- they'll be asking Seabiscuit for his autograph. They're having a hard time to get through out there. The newsreel boys and the photographers are pleading with him. Can you hear this cheering right here behind me? This mob cheering this horse. Georgie Woolf is all in for breath and he's almost as white as the white sleeves in his jacket. Almost as white...

George Woolf:
Well I want to say that I wish my old pal Red was on him instead of me. See ya Red.

Clem McCarthy:
That's good news. Georgie Woolf meant Red Pollard, the original jockey of Seabiscuit, the jockey that was so close to Seabiscuit all through his life. I've gotta get back away from this horse here. I've had my experience with horses in these spots. Azucar ran me out of here once and I don't want to get it again. But I'm all right down here. These photographers are in close. Charlie Howard is now congratulating Georgie Woolf. And when Georgie Woolf congratulated his old friend Red, he meant jockey Jack Pollard, who is in a Winthrop, Massachusetts hospital recuperating from a broken leg. And Red wanted to be here today to ride him, but I think that if Red could have seen -- don't get to close to that horse's heels there, young man -- if Red could have seen the ride that Georgie Woolf gave this horse -- [talking to the crowd] look out some of you fellas, keep your eyes open. You think that horse is a statue like the one they put under generals in the Army? He's a live, flesh and blood horse. Get back away from him. If Johnny Pollard could have been here to see this -- get off my lines there, mister -- could have seen the magnificent ride. And to show you what they expect of a horse -- get away from my lines, you. Get off of those lines. If you could see what they ask of a horse, to back in under a veritable ton of flowers being placed over his head and shoulders. And they expect the horse to take all that peaceably. He's now tramping on some of the boy's lines. He's getting his real test. I think Woolf is having a harder time right now than he had in the race.