NBC Horse Racing announcers include Larry Collmus, Mike Tirico, and Nick Luck. Mike joined the Horse Racing broadcasting team in July 2016.
Thoroughbred racing holds a prominent and captivating position in sports, and NBC has positioned itself as a frontrunner in delivering this exhilarating sport to audiences throughout the United States.
NBC's coverage of races extends beyond the mere spectacle of horses thundering down the track. The network goes above and beyond, providing viewers an immersive experience with in-depth analysis and expert commentary.
NBC's race coverage also features compelling pre-race and post-race interviews, providing a platform for jockeys, trainers, and owners to share their perspectives and shed light on the behind-the-scenes intricacies of the sport.
Belmont Stakes NBC Announcers List
NBC announcers for Belmont Stakes are listed below:
- Nick Luck
- Mike Tirico
- Tom Durkin (1984-2010)
- Dave Johnson (1987-2000)
Belmont Stakes announcer Mike Tirico joined the network in July 2016 and hosted Triple Crown horse racing events while being the prominent voice of the network's major tournaments.
As stated in his NBC biography, Tirico assumed the role of full-time lead play-by-play voice for NBC Sports' Notre Dame Football coverage in August 2017.
Additionally, in the spring of 2017, he debuted as the host of NBC's Triple Crown horse racing, providing coverage for the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
Another significant figure in NBC Sports' horse racing coverage is Nick Luck, an English racing broadcaster.
Nick also contributes regularly to publications such as the Evening Standard, Sunday Telegraph, and Horse & Hound magazine. In 2017, he was appointed BBC Equestrian commentator, succeeding Mike Tucker.
Since then, he has covered various prestigious events under the BBC's banner, including the Olympics Horse Show, Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Trials, and the Olympic Games.
On the other hand, Dave Johnson has made a name for himself as a sportscaster renowned for his work in horse racing with both NBC Sports and ABC. He served as the caller for the Kentucky Derby on ABC Sports from 1978 to 1980 and 1987 to 2000, as well as for the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes from 1987 to 2000.
Although Tom Durkin took over the Triple Crown TV broadcasting duties when the rights shifted from ABC to NBC, Dave Johnson continued to provide commentary for the three spring classics on radio through the Premiere Radio Network.
Kentucky Derby Broadcast Team
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious Thoroughbred racing events with exceptional coverage from NBC's talented broadcast team.
Led by seasoned hosts, analysts, and reporters, the team brings their expertise to the forefront, providing astute commentary, in-depth interviews, and captivating narration that enhances the viewer's Derby experience.
Kentucky Derby Announcers:
- Larry Collmus
- Mike Tirico
- Bob Costas (2001-2018)
The role of the announcer is crucial to enhance the viewing experience of the Derby and provide excitement to the audience.
Larry Collmus, who joined the channel in April 2011, is responsible for being the race caller for the network's coverage of prestigious events such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Breeders Cup World Championship.
Collmus embarked on his career as NYRA's renowned race caller in 2015. Notably, he made history by calling American Pharoah's triumphant Triple Crown victory, which marked an unprecedented achievement in horse racing's grand slam.
Before his tenure with NYRA, Collmus was an announcer at esteemed race tracks, including Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Monmouth Park.
Collmus's journey in race calling commenced at 18 when he made his debut by calling his first race at Bowie Race Track in 1985. From 1985 to 1986, he was the assistant announcer at Laurel Park, Pimlico, Bowie, and Timonium Racetrack in his native Maryland.
Bob Costas was co-host for the Kentucky Derby from 2001 to 2018. In 2009, he seized on the role of hosting Bravo's coverage of the Kentucky Oaks.
Following Costas' departure from the channel, Rebecca Lowe assumed a similar role in NBC's thoroughbred racing coverage, starting with the 2019 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby Commentators:
- Jerry Bailey
- Randy Moss
- Eddie Olczyk
- Mike Battaglia
- Matt Bernier
Jerry Bailey, a Hall of Fame jockey, assumes the role of an analyst for NBC Sports' horse racing coverage, encompassing events like the Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Breeders' Cup World Championship.
Bailey has fulfilled this position since 2012 and has provided coverage for two monumental Triple Crown winners: American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.
Joining Bailey is Randy Moss, who became part of the network in 2011 and has contributed to broadcasts highlighting a pair of Triple Crown champions.
Moss has an extensive background in covering the Kentucky Derby, having reported on all but two race editions since 1980 as a newspaper reporter and television commentator.
Additionally, he has lent his expertise to racing telecasts at major racetracks across North America and international venues in Ireland, Dubai, and Barbados. Eddie Olczyk has been a handicapper and analyst for NBC Sports' horse racing coverage since June 28, 2014.
Before assuming this role, Olczyk held the position of lead analyst for NBC Sports' NHL coverage for 15 years, and he has also provided analysis for NBC Olympics' men's and women's hockey coverage on four occasions.
NBC Horse Racing Field Reporters
Field reporters working with the NBC Horse Racing team are:
- Donna Brothers
- Kenny Rice
- Britney Eurton
Kenny Rice fulfills the role of a reporter for NBC Sports Group's comprehensive coverage of thoroughbred racing. He has been actively contributing to NBC Sports' thoroughbred racing broadcasts since 2000, encompassing prestigious events like the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
In 2012, Rice expanded his involvement with the channel by assuming the position of play-by-play announcer for their "Fight Night" series, covering boxing.
Another prominent figure in NBC Sports' horse racing coverage is Britney Eurton, a reporter for major events like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Eurton debuted with NBC Sports in June 2017, providing Breeders' Cup Challenge Series coverage. She subsequently participated in her first Triple Crown for NBC Sports in 2018.
Eurton's broadcasting journey commenced in 2014 with TVG Network, where she continues to fulfill the role of a paddock host and reporter. Her responsibilities at TVG cover Thoroughbred racing in the United States and internationally.
On the other hand, Donna Brothers, who achieved recognition as the second leading female jockey in the nation by earnings before retiring in 1998, contributes as a reporter for NBC Sports' horse racing coverage. She covers significant events such as the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Brothers made history as the first person to interview victorious jockeys after their groundbreaking Triple Crown victories in the Belmont Stakes, featuring American Pharoah (ridden by Victor Espinoza) and Justify (ridden by Mike Smith).
She initially joined the network in 2000 for their broadcast of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and has since been part of NBC's award-winning broadcast team for the Eclipse Awards.
In addition to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, Brothers have provided coverage for esteemed events such as the Hambletonian Stakes, the Rolex Three Day Event, the World Equestrian Games, the AQHA World Championship Show, and Professional Bull Riding.
