Longtime Kentucky Derby Reporter Donna Brothers Won't Return In 2027

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will mark the end of an era for a legendary track reporter.

Donna Brothers, a former jockey with 1,130 career wins, has been part of 26 Kentucky Derby broadcasts for NBC Sports. She's been covering Triple Crown races for the network since 2000.

Unfortunately for fans of Brothers' work, the 2026 Kentucky Derby will be her final appearance as NBC's track reporter. This news was confirmed Tuesday by Richard Deitsch of Sports Business Journal.

"It's been 26 years and it has been such a fun ride. I'm really grateful for every bit of it. Because of NBC Sports I've had the pleasure of going to Geneva, Switzerland to cover show jumping and Aachen, Germany to cover the World Equestrian Games. The job has taken me all over the United States," Brothers told Sports Business Journal.

"But I turned 60 this year and 60 felt like a nice round number. I think I was 42 when [her predecessor] Charlsie Cantey retired. She was 60. I thought, 'Why would she retire now? She's still so good. She looks great.' Then by the time I hit 50, I thought I don't know if I can make it until I'm 60. But I have made it till 60. When I started covering horse racing for NBC Sports, I had just stopped riding three years prior. I retired from professional riding in 1998, then started working for NBC in 2000. I don't want to be there so long that all the jockeys on the racetrack never rode with me and didn't know me as a jockey. I think it's just time to pass the baton."

When is this year's Kentucky Derby?

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place this Saturday, May 2. As of this moment, Renegade is the odds-on favorite to win at Churchill Downs. SportsLine's horse racing expert Jody Demling, however, likes The Puma as a potential underdog.

Live coverage of the Kentucky Derby will begin at 12 PM ET. The actual race won't take place until around 6:57 p.m. ET though.

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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 4:37 PM.