Ahead of the ”Run for the Roses” Kentucky Derby race on Saturday, May 2, NBC broadcaster Jerry Bailey, 68, a Hall of Fame jockey, was noticeably absent for a portion of the network’s live coverage.
Bailey, who eventually made his way back to Churchill Downs later that day, shared on air that he suffered a medical emergency that led him to need treatment before returning to report on the 152nd Kentucky Derby, the Daily Mail reported.
NBC Broadcaster Jerry Bailey Thanks Medical Staff
“It’s good to be back; thanks for waiting for me,” Bailey said on air as he explained that his painful kidney stones forced him to take a pause. “I’ve got to give a shoutout to the University of Louisville Hospital.”
“Their attending staff in the front, the triage team, Emily my bedside nurse, Dr. McGowan, Dr. Sawmiller, Dr. Hickman and Justin in radiology. They had me just — it was fantastic, that’s all I have to say,” the former jockey continued.
When he returned for coverage, Bailey was joined by NBC co-host Mike Tirico, who just so happened to encounter his own medical episode during last year’s Kentucky Derby.
“Great folks at the U of L, it’s so great to have you back with us. It didn’t feel the same without you,” Tirico said when Bailey returned. “You got rid of me last year with the nut allergy; we got rid of you for a few hours with the kidney stones. We’re putting you in bubble wrap next year.”
During an interview with TMZ Sports after facing his own medical incident at the Kentucky Derby in 2025, Tirico shed light on the importance of food allergies and the medical attention they undoubtedly need.
“I’ve had a peanut allergy my whole life. Unfortunate timing, but glad we could bring light to the 30 million folks who deal with food allergies all the time,” he said at the time of the frightening moment. “I’ve heard from a lot of parents, sadly parents who lost their kids to food allergies, folks who had serious reactions, who appreciated that their kids could talk about it freely.”
Both Bailey and Tirico have covered the Kentucky Derby together for nearly 10 races. While Tirico was never a jockey, Bailey is highly respected in the jockey world.
Jerry Bailey’s Incredible Career as a Decorated Jockey
After hanging up his saddle, Bailey began his broadcast career with ESPN before eventually moving over to NBC, where he has covered prominent horse races such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Bailey has been reporting with NBC Sports as a horse racing analyst since 2012, NBC Sports reported. His jockey skills landed him in the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1995 before retiring 11 years later in January 2006.
Bailey’s career as a professional jockey saw him win countless races over the span of 31 years. He won a total of 5,893 mounts, along with the winnings of $296 million, according to NBC Sports. Among many other accolades, Bailey was awarded the America’s Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey a staggering seven times during his career.
As for the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo crossed the finish line ahead of his horsemates. Golden Tempo was trained by Cherie DeVaux, who became the first-ever female trainer to win the race after conditioning Golden Tempo for his jockey Jose Ortiz.
