NBC is catching heat from horse racing fans after making a controversial call during the 2026 Kentucky Derby broadcast. Instead of showing the full celebration—including the traditional placing of roses on the winner—the network cut away to Game 7 of the Celtics vs. Sixers NBA playoff series. The decision left many viewers fuming.
The race itself was a thriller. Golden Tempo, a longshot, charged from behind to snatch victory at Churchill Downs. It was a photo-finish moment that had fans on their feet. But the real drama came after the finish line.
As Golden Tempo’s team prepared for the iconic rose ceremony, NBC switched gears. The network had a commitment to air the NBA playoff game, and they stuck to it—much to the dismay of Derby viewers. Instead of seeing the horse draped in roses, fans were greeted with basketball pregame coverage.
Social media erupted almost instantly. “NBC, should lose their coverage of the KD. Absolute brutal post race analysis of the race with a 20 second clip of the home stretch which was filled with NBA commercials. DID anyone see the actual placing of the roses on the horse?” one fan wrote. Another added, “You cut off coverage of the Roses for the NBA. Stop it.”
The frustration wasn’t just about missing a tradition. It was about history. Golden Tempo’s trainer, Cherie DeVaux, became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. That milestone deserved a proper spotlight, but many viewers felt robbed. “Hey NBC how about showing Golden Temple getting his Roses. He won the race does he not deserve a few seconds,” one comment read.
Some fans pointed out the irony. The NBA game ended up being a good one—Philadelphia won—but for Derby fans, it didn’t matter. “Would’ve loved to have seen the horse that won the derby have the roses laid on him but I guess nbc decided a few extra minutes of basketball was more important 🙄,” one user posted.
This isn’t the first time NBC has faced criticism for its Derby coverage. But cutting away from a historic moment—the first female trainer’s win—has struck a nerve. For many, the rose ceremony is the emotional climax of the Derby. Skipping it felt like a betrayal.
For more on the race, check out Golden Tempo's stunning last-to-first win and the historic victory for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Meanwhile, other Derby stories stole headlines too. Paige Spiranac’s Derby dress photo racked up 500K views despite her not attending, and reporter Britney Eurton’s bikini photo sparked a frenzy.
As the dust settles, one question remains: Will NBC reconsider its priorities for next year’s broadcast? Fans are certainly hoping so.
