Tirico to Host NBC's Triple Crown Coverage

Mike Tirico, who was recently named NBC's primetime Olympics host, will be taking the Triple Crown hosting reins from Tom Hammond, an award-winning member of NBC Sports' horse racing team for more than three decades.

"NBC Sports is the home to the world's premier horse racing, due in no small part to Tom's passion, knowledge and relationships in the sport," said NBC Broadcasting and Sports chairman Mark Lazarus. "We are pleased that Tom is going to remain part of the NBC family and that we have someone of Mike's caliber to succeed him on horse racing."

Next week on NBCSN, Hammond will host the special 30-minute "My Kentucky Home," in which he takes a look at how Kentucky came to be the home of Thoroughbred racing. Hammond, who has covered a dozen Olympics, will return to NBC Olympics' coverage at the 2018 PyeongChang Games next February.

Tirico, making his first-ever trip to a Triple Crown event, joins NBC Sports Group's Triple Crown coverage beginning with the 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 6 on NBC, and will work the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20, and the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 10. 

"Tom's professionalism, presence and passion for the sport enhanced Triple Crown viewing for so many of us over the years," said Tirico, who made his TV horse racing debut alongside Hammond last fall on NBC's coverage of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. "He perfectly set the tone and in the process set the standard for this role. I'm honored to follow a legend and cherish the chance to work with our great team."

Hammond's TV horse racing debut came in 1984, when he was hired on what was intended to be a one-time-only basis as a reporter for NBC's telecast of the inaugural Breeders' Cup World Championships. Ever since that Eclipse Award-winning telecast, Hammond has been integral on a wide-range of NBC Sports events, highlighted by horse racing; covering his home-state Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes 16 times apiece, and 11 Belmont Stakes, including American Pharoah  's historic Triple Crown victory in 2015. A member of the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame and honored as a distinguished alumnus of the University of Kentucky, where he earned bachelor's degree in animal science and studied equine genetics as a graduate student, Hammond has also anchored NBC's Breeders' Cup coverage for more than 30 years.

"I had a great time putting together 'My Kentucky Home,' and I hope viewers will understand why I think this is a special place," Hammond said. "As I embark on a less demanding schedule at NBC, I can rest assured that the coverage of Thoroughbred racing is in good hands. That sport is very close to my heart, so I am pleased that Mike, a highly accomplished professional, will assume the role as leader of the superb NBC horse racing team. I wish them all the best going forward." 

Hammond's 30-minute "My Kentucky Home" special will debut on NBCSN next Wednesday, May 3 at 12:30 a.m. ET following Tuesday night's St. Louis-Nashville Stanley Cup Playoff game. The special will encore on NBCSN on Wednesday, May 3 at 5 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET and on Friday, May 5 within NBCSN's live Kentucky Oaks coverage and following that evening's Stanley Cup Playoff game.