Tom Durkin
with L.A. Sokolowski, equinista
HERS: What never got the chance to be included on your
résume?
HIS: I never had a chance to include, “Graduate, St. Norbert
College.” But that changes on May 12 when I will receive
my diploma 46 years late. I was two courses short of
graduating when I started to work, and never got around
to it until this semester. I’m getting two A’s.
HERS: How old were you when you had your first paying job
and what was it?
HIS: 11 years-old. Paper boy.
HERS: On a scale of one to 10, how weird are you?
HIS: I’m a five now. That’s down about three points over the
last few years.
HERS: Give me an example of when you solved a difficult
problem.
HIS: Any time numbers are involved I’m in trouble. Spatial
stuff I am good with. Geometry I’m good at and I’m very
good with language. But if I need to add, subtract, multiply
or divide? That problem ain’t getting solved!
HERS: What’s your superpower or spirit animal?
HIS: Gotta be my cat Jack, who died a few years back. He
comes to me in my dreams and speaks English (he’s a very
good speaker, for a cat). Sometimes what he says makes
no sense, like the other night he asked me to get him a
slice of vanilla cheesecake and a pulled pork sandwich.
HERS: What’s your favorite quote?
HIS: Moderation is for people who lack commitment (I think
that’s original).
HERS: If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating
what a great 12 months it’s been, what do you hope you
achieved?
HIS: That I lost some weight to avoid a pretty serious surgery,
and I graduated from college. And have made sure
my friends and family remain a priority.
HERS: What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
HIS: I know that my ceremonial espresso is gonna happen
real soon.
28 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
EQUINE Lifestyle
The Voice of Horse Racing Says it All
What’s left to say about Tom Durkin? He was the voice of horse racing’s Triple
Crown from 2000-2010, its Breeders’ Cup from 1984 to 2005 and -- for over
two decades -- of Belmont and Saratoga race courses. He’s called over 80,000
races in the U.S. and Europe but he’s more than just a pretty voice (or collectible
bobble head). A trained actor, he majored in theater at St. Norbert
College (where he had the title role in Moliere’s Tartuffe), has had voice-over
roles in St. Vincent with Bill Murray (2014), All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) and
Mighty Aphrodite (1995), and has twice appeared on stage with The Philadelphia
Orchestra as narrator of The Horse. In addition to race calling for ESPN
and NBC Sports, he has written, produced and presented feature segments,
is a sought-after emcee and public speaker, and has been recognized with the
Jockey Club Medal and Eclipse Award of Merit, induction in to the Hialeah Park
Hall of Fame, and is a Thoroughbred Club of America Honoree. Yet the most
coveted feather in a race caller’s cap eluded him: a Triple Crown champion.
He retired just before American Pharoah won the first Triple Crown since Affirmed
(1978). We ponied up with Tom at the National Museum of Racing,
where he was looking back at his favorite (1990-2014) Belmont Stakes calls.
HERS: What would the closest
person in your life say if I asked
them what one characteristic
they totally dig about you and
which one drives them insane?
HIS: That I don’t take things too
seriously and… that I don’t take
things too seriously!
HERS: If you worked outside the horse world what would
you be doing?
HIS: I’d be an actor.
HERS: Tell me something that’s true that almost nobody
agrees with you on.
HIS: People walking down the street with cell phones will
eventually cause more deaths than disease.
HERS: What was the last costume you wore?
HIS: Santa Claus.
HERS: Can you tell me about a time when you almost gave
up, how you felt about that, and what you did instead of
giving up?
HIS: I almost gave up calling races on Breeders’ Cup Day
1986. I was a nervous wreck and had to work very hard to
overcome my ‘stage fright.’
HERS: What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?
HIS: Get out my video of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and join
the fun.
HIS & HERS
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