Donna Brothers covered her final Kentucky Derby, marking her 26th event for NBC. Cherie DeVaux made history as the first female trainer to win the Derby with her horse, Golden Tempo.
Key points
Donna Brothers covered her final Kentucky Derby for NBC
She has been part of every Derby since NBC took over in 2001
Cherie DeVaux's horse Golden Tempo won the race
DeVaux is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby
Mentioned in this story
Donna BrothersCherie DeVaux
Golden TempoKentucky Derby
Donna Brothers and Cherie DeVaux
Credit: NBC
It was fitting that Donna Brothersâ final Kentucky Derby for NBC ended the way it did.
Brothers was covering her 26th and final Derby on Saturday before retiring after the Preakness Stakes next month. Sheâs been the backbone of NBCâs on-track horse racing coverage since the network took over the eventâs rights in 2001, the only member of the broadcast crew to have worked every single Derby since. Before Saturdayâs race, she had the walkover with trainer Cherie DeVaux, whose horse Golden Tempo would go on to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, and in doing so, make DeVaux the first female trainer in history to win the race.
The exchange between Brothers and DeVaux before the race was something out of a movie.
âIt is an honor that you get to do your last walkover with me,â DeVaux told Brothers.
Brothers turned it right back around. âIâm hoping you become the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby,â she said.
Thatâs exactly what happened. Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose Ortiz, went from dead last to first to win remarkably, with NBCâs overhead replay showing just how extraordinary the effort was. DeVaux made history. And Brothers, who spent 26 years conducting on-horseback interviews with Triple Crown winners and covering some of the most memorable moments in racing, got to be on the track for it on her way out.
DeVaux acknowledged the symmetry of it all, telling Brothers beforehand, âYou were one of the first women jockeys to win a Triple Crown race, so women like you made it easier for me. And, by the way, my career started 22 years ago at Churchill, and Iâve always admired and respected you, and it is an honor that you get to do your last walkover with me.â
What historic achievement did Cherie DeVaux accomplish at the Kentucky Derby?
Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby with her horse, Golden Tempo.
How many Kentucky Derbies did Donna Brothers cover for NBC?
Donna Brothers covered a total of 26 Kentucky Derbies for NBC before her retirement.
What was significant about Donna Brothers' final Derby coverage?
Donna Brothers' final coverage coincided with a historic win for Cherie DeVaux, making it a fitting end to her career at the Derby.
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