Donna Brothers steps away from NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage after 26 races
Donna Brothers is stepping down from her role in NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage after participating in 26 editions of the race. A former jockey with 1,130 career wins, she has been a key part of NBC's horse racing broadcasts since 2001. Brothers, who turned 60 in April 2026, decided two years ago that this would be her final Derby and made the announcement public last week.
- ▪Donna Brothers is retiring from NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage after 26 years.
- ▪She was a professional jockey for 11 years, winning 1,130 races before retiring in 1998.
- ▪Brothers joined NBC in 2000 for Breeders’ Cup coverage and became a fixture in its Triple Crown broadcasts.
- ▪She conducted the first interviews with Victor Espinoza and Mike Smith after their Triple Crown victories in 2015 and 2018, respectively.
- ▪Brothers cited turning 60 and reaching her 26th Kentucky Derby as key milestones for her retirement decision.
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