Kentucky Derby Fans Annoyed As NBC Cuts Away From Celebration

NBC is facing backlash for how it chose to end the broadcast of the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday night.

Golden Tempo, an underdog, came from behind to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It was a thrilling finish. Several horses were neck-and-neck toward the finish, before Golden Tempo was able to pull away - slightly - and get the historic win. His trainer, a woman, became the first female in Kentucky Derby history to win the race as a trainer.

NBC covered the win in full, though some fans were unhappy with a final part of the celebration being cut.

NBC needed to get to Game 7 of the Celtics vs. Sixers Eastern Conference first round playoff series.

So, instead of showing Golden Tempo getting his bed of roses, the network cut away to the NBA playoff game.

Kentucky Derby fans were unhappy with that decision

Fans were furious.

"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 wrote.

"You cut off coverage of the Roses for the NBA. Stop it," one added.

"No NBC video of the horse receiving the roses??" another shared.

"Hey NBC how about showing Golden Temple getting his Roses. He won the race does he not deserve a few seconds. I would have like to see more of him," one fan added.

"NBC you are terrible news reporting! You cut and went to commercial right when Golden Tempo 19 was to get his roses🌹 and trophy 🏆! You didn't like the WIN so you cut it for the world to see the glory moment in horse racing! Terrible hopefully you won't be doing next years!" another added.

"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 fan added.

Game 7 of the Celtics vs. Sixers series ended up being a good one, with Philadelphia winning, but Kentucky Derby fans remain unhappy.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 9:33 AM.