Phil Georgeff

Phil Georgeff - the ‘Voice of Chicago Racing'
...
Phil Georgeff - the ‘Voice of Chicago Racing'

Illinois Festival named for legendary Chicago announcer held Saturday at Hawthorne

"Here they come, spinning out of the turn………"

That signature call belongs to Phil Georgeff, and for 34 years and more than 96,000 racecalls, his voice and that phrase were synonymous with Chicago racing.

A son of European immigrants, Georgeff arrived on the racetrack as a teenager, working as an unlicensed exercise boy at Sportsman's Park.After graduating from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, he took his first official job on the track as a publicity intern in 1953.

In 1959, the then 27-year-old Georgeff began calling races at the old Washington Park and at Arlington Park.His voice was unmistakable, and he developed a style all his own almost immediately.

Though he never got to call a race featuring his favorite horse, Citation -- Georgeff did paint the vocal picture for some legendary equine stars, including John Henry, Dr. Fager, Black Tie Affair, and many, many more.

Georgeff was more than just a track announcer, serving as Hawthorne's director of publicity for several years, and along with "super jock" sidekick Gerry Gallitano, he starred on the long running television show -- the "Chicago Racing Report".

For many years, Georgeff would call the Thoroughbreds by day and the harness races at night - Phil loved his job, but 33 years and over 96,000 racecalls later, the finish line was near.

On Dec. 31, 1992, Georgeff made his final call at Hawthorne.

"It was a great run," said Georgeff, who retired to Fairhope, Alabama with Bobbi, his wife of 52 years."I knew when it was time to retire.I have a lot of dear memories and no regrets.I do miss calling the big horses in the big races on big race days, but I really don't miss the racetrack, except for the friends I made in racing.I still talk to Elmer Polzin (former Chicago Tribune handicapper) and Tommy Trotter (former Arlington racing secretary) all the time.

"I'm a very lucky guy," Georgeff continued."I got to do something I loved all my working life, and I got to walk away from it when I felt the time was right for me.What more can a man ask for?

"I got to work for some wonderful people," added Georgeff, "such as Ben Lindheimer and his daughter, Marge Everett, at Arlington, and Robert F. Carey and Tom Carey, Sr., at Hawthorne.They were gentlemen, and a lady, who treated people, and employees, with respect.It's an honor to have the day of six stakes for Illinois-breds presented in my name.

"I still follow horse racing, but it's just not the same," Georgeff said.
...
Georgeff, 75, has continued to express his love for racing as an author, penning several fiction and non fiction books, including And They're Off! -- My Years as the Voice of Thoroughbred Racing, and Citation - in a class by himself.

For the first 10 years following his retirement, Georgeff returned to Hawthorne for his special day.However, that run has ended.

"Unfortunately, traveling from Fairhope to Chicago has become just too much of a hassle since the direct flight in and out of Mobile was dropped," he explained."But be sure to give everybody my regards."

Phil used to say "I'm an Illinois-bred and proud of it" - and it is in his honor that Hawthorne Race Course proudly presents the Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing!

Others comments on Phil Georgeff:
...
"It was out of respect for Phil, and his long-running role as announcer and publicity director at Hawthorne, that led to the declaration of the Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing.Phil was a most knowledgeable race caller, with skill and talent."
...
"Phil was a most talented person, always cooperative, and great to work with."
...
"Phil was always very willing to give me helpful advice as I worked to advance my career.

Phil Georgeff – the ‘Voice of Chicago Racing’Hawthorne Race Course - Press Releases
...
Phil Georgeff - the ‘Voice of Chicago Racing'
...
Phil Georgeff - the ‘Voice of Chicago Racing'

Illinois Festival named for legendary Chicago announcer held Saturday at Hawthorne

"Here they come, spinning out of the turn………"

That signature call belongs to Phil Georgeff, and for 34 years and more than 96,000 racecalls, his voice and that phrase were synonymous with Chicago racing.

A son of European immigrants, Georgeff arrived on the racetrack as a teenager, working as an unlicensed exercise boy at Sportsman's Park.After graduating from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, he took his first official job on the track as a publicity intern in 1953.

In 1959, the then 27-year-old Georgeff began calling races at the old Washington Park and at Arlington Park.His voice was unmistakable, and he developed a style all his own almost immediately.

Though he never got to call a race featuring his favorite horse, Citation -- Georgeff did paint the vocal picture for some legendary equine stars, including John Henry, Dr. Fager, Black Tie Affair, and many, many more.

Georgeff was more than just a track announcer, serving as Hawthorne's director of publicity for several years, and along with "super jock" sidekick Gerry Gallitano, he starred on the long running television show -- the "Chicago Racing Report".

For many years, Georgeff would call the Thoroughbreds by day and the harness races at night - Phil loved his job, but 33 years and over 96,000 racecalls later, the finish line was near.

On Dec. 31, 1992, Georgeff made his final call at Hawthorne.

"It was a great run," said Georgeff, who retired to Fairhope, Alabama with Bobbi, his wife of 52 years."I knew when it was time to retire.I have a lot of dear memories and no regrets.I do miss calling the big horses in the big races on big race days, but I really don't miss the racetrack, except for the friends I made in racing.I still talk to Elmer Polzin (former Chicago Tribune handicapper) and Tommy Trotter (former Arlington racing secretary) all the time.

"I'm a very lucky guy," Georgeff continued."I got to do something I loved all my working life, and I got to walk away from it when I felt the time was right for me.What more can a man ask for?

"I got to work for some wonderful people," added Georgeff, "such as Ben Lindheimer and his daughter, Marge Everett, at Arlington, and Robert F. Carey and Tom Carey, Sr., at Hawthorne.They were gentlemen, and a lady, who treated people, and employees, with respect.It's an honor to have the day of six stakes for Illinois-breds presented in my name.

"I still follow horse racing, but it's just not the same," Georgeff said.
...
Georgeff, 75, has continued to express his love for racing as an author, penning several fiction and non fiction books, including And They're Off! -- My Years as the Voice of Thoroughbred Racing, and Citation - in a class by himself.

For the first 10 years following his retirement, Georgeff returned to Hawthorne for his special day.However, that run has ended.

"Unfortunately, traveling from Fairhope to Chicago has become just too much of a hassle since the direct flight in and out of Mobile was dropped," he explained."But be sure to give everybody my regards."

Phil used to say "I'm an Illinois-bred and proud of it" - and it is in his honor that Hawthorne Race Course proudly presents the Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing!

Others comments on Phil Georgeff:
...
"It was out of respect for Phil, and his long-running role as announcer and publicity director at Hawthorne, that led to the declaration of the Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing.Phil was a most knowledgeable race caller, with skill and talent."
...
"Phil was a most talented person, always cooperative, and great to work with."
...
"Phil was always very willing to give me helpful advice as I worked to advance my career.

Phil Georgeff - the ‘Voice of Chicago Racing'

Illinois Festival named for long-time Chicago announcer held Saturday at Hawthorne

"Here they come, spinning out of the turn ...

That signature call belongs to Phil Georgeff, and for 34 years and more than 96,000 racecalls, his voice and that phrase were synonymous with Chicago racing.

A son of European immigrants, Georgeff arrived on the racetrack as a teenager, working as an unlicensed exercise boy at Sportsman's Park.After graduating from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, he took his first official job on the track as a publicity intern in 1953.

In 1959, the then 27-year-old Georgeff began calling races at the old Washington Park and at Arlington Park.His voice was unmistakable, and he developed a style all his own almost immediately.

Though he never got to call a race featuring his favorite horse, Citation, Georgeff did paint the vocal picture for some legendary equine stars, including John Henry, Dr. Fager, Black Tie Affair, and many, many more.

Georgeff was more than just a track announcer, serving as Hawthorne's director of publicity for several years, and along with "super jock" sidekick Gerry Gallitano, he starred on the long running television show, the "Chicago Racing Report."

For many years, Georgeff would call the Thoroughbreds by day and the harness races at night - Phil loved his job, but 33 years and over 96,000 racecalls later, the finish line was near.

On Dec. 31, 1992, Georgeff made his final call at Hawthorne.

"It was a great run," said Georgeff, who retired to Fairhope, Alabama with Bobbi, his wife of 52 years."I knew when it was time to retire.I have a lot of dear memories and no regrets.I do miss calling the big horses in the big races on big race days, but I really don't miss the racetrack, except for the friends I made in racing.I still talk to Elmer Polzin (former Chicago Tribune handicapper) and Tommy Trotter (former Arlington racing secretary) all the time.

"I'm a very lucky guy," Georgeff continued."I got to do something I loved all my working life, and I got to walk away from it when I felt the time was right for me.What more can a man ask for?

"I got to work for some wonderful people," added Georgeff, "such as Ben Lindheimer and his daughter, Marge Everett, at Arlington, and Robert F. Carey and Tom Carey, Sr., at Hawthorne.They were gentlemen, and a lady, who treated people, and employees, with respect.It's an honor to have the day of six stakes for Illinois-breds presented in my name.

"I still follow horse racing, but it's just not the same," Georgeff said.
...
Georgeff, 75, has continued to express his love for racing as an author, penning several fiction and non-fiction books, including And They're Off! - My Years as the Voice of Thoroughbred Racing, and Citation - in a class by himself.

For the first 10 years following his retirement, Georgeff returned to Hawthorne for his special day.However, that run has ended.

"Unfortunately, traveling from Fairhope to Chicago has become just too much of a hassle since the direct flight in and out of Mobile was dropped," he explained."But be sure to give everybody my regards."

Phil used to say "I'm an Illinois-bred and proud of it" - and it is in his honor that Hawthorne Race Course proudly presents the Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing!

Others' comments on Phil Georgeff:
...
"It was out of respect for Phil, and his long-running role as announcer and publicity director at Hawthorne, that led to the declaration of the Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing.Phil was a most knowledgeable race caller, with skill and talent."
...
"Phil was a most talented person, always cooperative, and great to work with."
...
"Phil was always very willing to give me helpful advice as I worked to advance my career.

Announcer Phil Georgeff makes his Hawthorne debut. A new drainage system and new racing surface are installed.
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August 13 - Announcer Phil Georgeff enters the Guiness Book of World Records when he calls his 85,000th race.
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October 22 - Veteran track announcer Phil Georgeff announces that he will retire at the end of the year.
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December 31-Georgeff calls his 96,131st and final race (save for a pair of 1993 and 1994 guest appearances), bringing to a close a career that spanned 34 years.
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November 10 - Hall-of-Fame rider Eddie Arcaro and Phil Georgeff preside over the inaugural inductions into the Hawthorne Jockey Hall of Fame with 21 of the greatest reinsmen so honored.
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November 11 - The voice, Phil Georgeff, returns to Hawthorne to witness the "Phil Georgeff Illinois Festival of Racing".