Biography:
Donna Barton Brothers (born April 20, 1966 in Alamogordo, New Mexico) is a former jockey and renowned horse racing analyst. She comes from a family steeped in the horse racing world, with her mother, brother, and sister all having successful careers in the sport. In fact, her mother was one of the first women to be licensed as a jockey in 1969.
Although Donna’s mother never pressured her to follow in her footsteps, a chance encounter with an agent when she was 21 years old led her to consider a career as a jockey. With her natural talent and love for horses, Donna decided to give it a try and began her professional career in 1987. She quickly established herself as a successful jockey, becoming one of the first-call riders for renowned trainer D. Wayne Lukas in the 1990s.
During her career as a jockey, Donna Barton Brothers amassed an impressive record of over 1,100 wins. Her prowess on the track made her one of the most decorated female jockeys of her time, and she still holds the distinction of being the second-highest earner among female Thoroughbred jockeys to this day. In 1998, after a successful and fulfilling career, Donna made the decision to retire from racing.
Following her retirement, Donna Barton Brothers transitioned into television broadcasting. She began as an interviewer at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, gaining valuable experience in the industry. She then joined Churchill Downs as an on-air racing analyst, working alongside esteemed analyst Mike Battaglia. It was during her time at Churchill Downs that Donna’s talent caught the attention of NBC Sports.
In 2000, Donna was discovered by NBC when the network was observing the races at Churchill Downs in preparation for taking over Derby coverage. Impressed by her knowledge and charisma, NBC invited her to join their team as a reporter and analyst. Her first assignment for the network was the Breeders’ Cup coverage later that year. From then on, Donna became a familiar face to racing fans as the only reporter on horseback during NBC’s coverage of the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races.
Donna Barton Brothers’ expertise and passion for horse racing made her an invaluable asset to NBC Sports and other networks. She went on to cover various racing events, providing insightful analysis and on-site reports. Her dedication to thorough research and her ability to connect with jockeys and trainers made her interviews with winning jockeys from horseback after races a highlight of the broadcasts.
In addition to her television work, Donna also served as a racing analyst for Churchill Downs’ Paddock Preview show from 1999 to 2002. She also provided on-location reports for the horseracing network TVG, covering races at Churchill Downs and the Fair Grounds from 1999 to 2002. From 2009 to 2016, Donna covered Keeneland’s Spring and Fall meets for TVG.
Donna Barton Brothers’ contributions to the world of horse racing extend beyond her successful career as a jockey and her prominent role in television broadcasting. She has been an inspiration to aspiring female jockeys, breaking barriers and proving that women can excel in a male-dominated sport. Her achievements and dedication to the sport have left a lasting impact on the history of women in horse racing.