Biography
Donna Barton Brothers was born into horse racing. Her mother, Patti Barton, was one of the first half dozen women to be licensed as a jockey in the United States—that was in 1969. Throughout Patti Barton’s career (and until four years after her retirement) she was the leading female rider in the nation by number of wins. Patti retired from racing in 1984 with just over 1,200 wins.
Both Donna’s brother, Jerry, and sister, Leah, were jockeys, but by the time Donna started riding professionally in 1987, her mother, brother, and sister had all retired from riding. That’s when Donna’s racing career took off. She rode from 1987 to 1998 and retired in 1998 as the second leading female jockey in the United States by money earned. She holds that title still, with 1,130 wins and more than $18 million in purse earnings.
Donna’s Early Years (click to enlarge)
In 1999, she began dabbling in television commentary, and since 2000, she has been a sports analyst and commentator for NBC Sports, covering the Breeder’s Cup Championships, World Equestrian Games, PBR World Championships, Kentucky Land Rover (Rolex) Three Day Event, the Triple Crown races and more. To date, she has covered 23 consecutive Kentucky Derbies, including the historic victories that took place in 2015 when American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown for the first time in 37 years, followed three years later by Justify’s domination of the Triple Crown races in 2018!
“Brothers plies her trade not on the sidelines but on a saddle, as NBC’s on-track reporter for horse racing. Year after year, she does excellent work, interviewing jockeys before and after Triple Crown races, always with an eye toward providing information for viewers.”
(Excerpt from Sports Illustrated. For the full story click here.)
Brothers is also the author of Inside Track: Insider’s Guide to Horse Racing, published in 2011 and then updated in 2014 and again in 2020. The book is geared toward bridging the gap between novice horse racing fans and the sometimes complicated ins and outs of the sport of thoroughbred racing. The book is now in its third printing. In 2014, Donna was honored by Sports Illustrated Magazine when she was awarded Best Sideline Reporter of the Year for her on-track reporting.
She currently serves as New Client Liaison for Starlight and StarLadies Racing and remains an active ambassador for horse racing, the sport she has been involved with since her earliest memory.
Little known fact: Donna received her certification to teach Bikram Yoga in 2016 and has practiced yoga for 28 years. She started working out when she became a jockey as a way to be as strong and fit as her (mostly male) competitors, but she loved the feeling of feeling well! And so her workouts have continued: yoga, weight training, spinning, sculpting… you name it. As she says on her Healthy Living page, it’s not about “looking good.” It’s about “living well”!
A big believer in giving back, she also takes an active role in the community in multiple roles, from advocating for thoroughbred aftercare to supporting backstretch resource services. Donna currently serves on the Executive Board of the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky and is a former Board member for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, and the Backside Learning Center. She continues to advocate for these organizations through her fundraising efforts. Brothers has also served as a Keynote Speaker at many events, talking about horse racing and/or inspiring people with the story of her own journey. To book Donna for a public speaking event, please reach out to her here.
When she’s not on location, or in meetings, she loves to spend time with her two dogs and her husband, Frank (not necessarily in that order!). She also skis, practices yoga, is always reading something, and loves to travel. In the past few years she’s been to Italy (three times), France, Spain, South Africa, Costa Rica (twice), Switzerland, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Amsterdam, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and many, many points around the United States, often while covering many of the nationally televised equestrian events.
Ten days to @kentuckyderby 150 🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹. This will be my 24th Kentucky Derby with @nbcsports so I took a moment to reflect… Such a joy to cover this event with @jennawolfe, @dylandreyernbc, @carolynmanno and, of course, my colleagues @britneyeurton @nickluck_tv @laschanz @randymosstv @larry_collmus, and others… over the years. And grateful for my trusted steed @moquettracing’s Sherman Tank ❤️. See you soon—from the best seat in the house 🥰!!!
If you’ll be in Saratoga Springs Belmont Stakes week, I hope you’ll join me at ‘Embrace the Belmont’ on June 4th, where we’ll dive into the heart of horse racing and support a wonderful cause! As we gear up for the 156th Belmont Stakes, let’s come together to learn the basics of handicapping and get to know the contenders. Hosted by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, I’ll be your emcee, fresh off covering the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. I’ll be joined by esteemed handicappers Acacia Clement, Maggie Morley (Wolfendale), and Seth Merrow. This event promises to deepen your understanding and appreciation for the sport. Plus, every ticket sold contributes to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc., helping our community’s most vulnerable find healing through equine therapy. Let’s make a difference while embracing the thrill of the track! Get your tickets at THSaratoga.org
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Really enjoying this book and learning about the advances of civilization through the advent of drinks (beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola). Swipe through these photos for my favorite quote about the consumption of wine at a Greek Symposium (from the Greek word ‘sympinien’, which means “to drink together”).
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I love to read, but the truth is, I “read” most books on Audible. However, these two books were actual page turners for me. It was Geraldine Brooks’s “Horse” that led me to Kim Wickens’s “Lexington.” I’ve been in horse racing my entire life, but feel like I learned more about the history of my sport, in the past month than I had in the previous 57 years. If you love horse racing, I highly recommend these books ❤️.
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So much fun playing in the snow at Telluride this week! The Louisville Ski Club trips are always fun, and so many people to ski with 😍. Loved my time on the mountain with Jill Mangold, Andy Young, Julie Watson, Jenny & Jerry Sutton, Steven Lund, Terry Dillow, John Lindemann, David Wadley… and others! Thank you Telluride, for showing us a good time 💙🤍💙.
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First ski trip of the season, and I double dipped. One week in Vail, followed by 6 days at Beaver Creek. Had an amazing time with great friends from all over the world. Two friends, who came from as far away as Germany. Next stop: Telluride. Not until February though.
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Made it to 100!!! Not gonna lie, it took some time. Years, in fact. Between @f45lyndonatwestportvillage, @sweatybuddhayoga, @cb_st.matthews, @studiopilates_stmatthews, and @bendandzenhotyoga in Louisville… it literally takes a village to keep me feeling vibrant and healthy (and focused!). I am grateful for all of these businesses. Thank you 🙏🏼. Oh, and deep gratitude for @metabolicsaratoga and @purebarresaratogasprings when we’re in New York. I so appreciate ALL of the instructors and business owners (too many to name everyone)!!! THANK YOU 🙏🏼.
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Incredibly proud of my family. This first photo was taken in 1983 just before my Mother, brother, and sister competed in a three-horse racing at Centennial Race Track in Denver, Colorado. It was a Mother’s Day race, and, of course, Mom won. The second photo is the win photo. Yes, I was there and in the photo, but everyone didn’t fit into the square format of Instagram, and it was way more important to have my mother in the photo! I was 17 years old at the time. My brother was 16. My sister was 19 ½. My mother and sister were the first mother and daughter to ride a race together in Thoroughbred racing. That was in 1982. They subsequently appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I was 16 years old, sitting at home watching, incredibly jealous that my sister was sitting RIGHT NEXT TO Michael Landon! I watched Little House on the Prairie every day after school, and he was the dad—and dreamy 😍. It’s easy to see why I’m so proud of them and immensely grateful for the trail they blazed 🙏🏼.
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