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Tom Durkin - The Legendary US Racecaller Retires
Tom Durkin was the face of NBC Sports thoroughbred race calling across America from 1984 until 2010.
He began in 1971 calling quarter horse and thoroughbred races in Wisconsin and worked his way through the ranks, and was asked to call the races at New Yorks Aqueduct Racetrack, Bemont Park and Saratoga Springs in 1990.
Tom Durkin is one of horse racing's most identifiable voices. He served as the Breeders Cup's chief TV voice from its inception through 2005, and was a longtime broadcaster on NBC as part of the network's sportscasting crew for horse races, providing analysis, commentary and features in addition to the descriptions of races.
After the cotract for Breeders Cup coverage moved from NBC to ESPN in 2006, Durkin no longer called the Breeders Cup meetings. He became a celebrity in his own right outside of the Breeders Cup on various TV shows, including those broadcast by ESPN.
Durkin announced his retirement from race calling in April 2011 stating stress as the contributing factor.
Tom Durkin is featured heavily on You Tube with some of his hillarious and entertaining race calls. Some of the funnier ones are posted below.
Video 1: A horse called "Arrrr"
Video 2: "Whoah!" - watch the horse tailed off throughout
Video 3: Commentator wins easily "no need to call it".
Information source: Wikipedia.
Recent Comments
Voodoo 28 Jun | Posts: 1332
Bunbury R3......Cedarhurst E/W....Broome R3.......WOLFMAN best for the day....
Markovina 28 Jun | Posts: 3302
I love after my 10 mile morning walk each day sitting down and watching some of the replays - just about to watch Sat nights action OF course i never watch Menangle - track is too big and as a result single file rubbish , and boring as bat-shiit&nbs...
Chopchop43 28 Jun | Posts: 450
Isnt the point based NR system with its barrier draw conditions a handicapping system? I mean highest rated horses drawing worse off seems like a handicap
warrenrobinson 27 Jun | Posts: 592
I dont think it matters when they run,,Crowds and turnover is something in the past.. I dont have the answer. I watch at home and punt. Last time I went to G.P would have been 12 months ago to catch up with fellow trotting people..before I went to the Inters.....
sonny 27 Jun | Posts: 1366
I dont think it matters when they run,,Crowds and turnover is something in the past.. I dont have the answer. I watch at home and punt. Last time I went to G.P would have been 12 months ago to catch up with fellow trotting people..before I went to the Inters..
warrenrobinson 27 Jun | Posts: 592
Here is one for Warren , might bring back memoriesBut my Sept/Oct 1977 edition of Harness Horse which i received in the mail this week - so we are talking about nearly 50 years ago But there is a section - horses to follow re the punt - and there ab...
Frog 27 Jun | Posts: 160
WA trots, had there chance Wednesday morning/lunch Sky 1, turnoverwas much more than other mid/weeks meetings. Had a chance Bunburyevery Wednesday Sky 1.People betting at prime time for the eastern states.Not good enough for RWWA. As Saturday nights has punter...
HotJules 27 Jun | Posts: 223
All horses are scanned at the track. Before they are even saddled up.
SLIPPERGOLDEN 27 Jun | Posts: 7576
R3 Supernatural from Wubin GoldR4 Mia Gusto each way with Village Girl improvingR5 God Has DriftedR6 Grand Reserve ewR8 Prophet And Power ewRoebourne...Yes RoebourneR2 Coupe DeburjR6 Not a maddie but Magic Whistle is a best bet
rooboy 27 Jun | Posts: 1409
Rc8-OdinakaHeavy track suits - 6th run back from a spell same as last prep when he won at Belmont T/D on a heavy track and same barrier.I hope Shooter rides him the same way 4-5 deep and win.Fifth Essence/Monte Tremmezo in the 7th.