Tom Durkin (sportscaster)
Tom Durkin | |
---|---|
Born | Chicago, Illinois | November 30, 1950
Sports commentary career | |
Sport | Thoroughbred horse racing |
Tom Durkin (born November 30, 1950) is a semi-retired American
Life and career
Durkin was born in Chicago, Illinois. He studied drama at
In 1980, Durkin appeared as a contestant on the game show Match Game PM and won $1,000.
Durkin served as the
Durkin earned fame in this decade from calling the
Like his predecessor, Marshall Cassidy, Durkin also served as TV voice on important stakes races on ESPN beyond the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup series.
At The Meadowlands, Durkin called the
He made a flub during the 2009 Kentucky Derby when he failed to notice eventual winner Mine That Bird take a three-length lead in the home stretch. Durkin kept calling names of the horses in second and third place and ignored the front runner until just before the horse crossed the finish line.
On April 26, 2011, Durkin announced his decision not to renew his contract with NBC Sports, citing stress.[4] On May 10, 2014, Durkin announced that he would retire from his announcer position on August 31 near end of the 2014 Saratoga meet. [5] He owed his "inexpressible gratitude" to the racing fans and horseplayers in a retirement speech following his final race call.[6]
Durkin came out of retirement to call the 2023 Belmont Stakes for FOX as part of the network’s coverage for its debut of the race.[7][8]
References
- ^ "Tom Durkin to Receive Eclipse Award of Merit - General News - News | New York Racing Association - Aqueduct". www.nyra.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015.
- ^ Shulman, Lenny (September 2, 2006). "Durkin Out as TV Voice of Breeders' Cup". bloodhorse.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
- ^ "It's Official: Denman to Call 2006 Breeders' Cup". bloodhorse.com. September 6, 2006. Archived from the original on September 9, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2006.
- ^ "Durkin no longer voice of NBC, Triple Crown". bloodhorse.com. April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ Bossert, Jerry (May 10, 2014). "Track Announcer Tom Durkin Announces His Retirement". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ Drape, Joe (August 31, 2014). "And He's Off: A Track Legend Calls It a Career". The New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
- ^ Rollins, Molly (May 18, 2023). "durkin comes out of retirement to call Belmont stakes". the bloodhorse. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Legendary horse race announcer Tom Durkin comes out of retirement for 2023 Belmont Stakes". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 10, 2023.