The home of the Kentucky Derby has a new voice — with a British accent.

Churchill Downs hired Mark Johnson as the track’s new announcer Thursday. Johnson replaces Luke Kruytbosch, who died last summer of a heart attack at age 47.

The 42-year-old Englishman won the job over four other announcers to become the voice of the track’s spring and fall meets, including the Kentucky Derby.

Johnson has been a fixture at British tracks for years, calling some of the country’s highest profile races like the Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes. Johnson called one week of races during the 2008 fall meet at Churchill Downs before getting the nod over four other finalists.