A Look Back at Tommy Roberts – A Horse Racing Legend

Horse racing has lost one of the last remaining celebrities of the sport during it’s peak years of the 1950s through the 70s. Tommy Roberts passed away recently at the age of 96 after a fight with cancer. Tommy’s career included executive positions at both Florida and New Jersey racetracks. He was familiar to horse racing audiences with his nationally televised “The Race of the Week” from Hialeah Park, when the track was the winter palace of the “Sport of Kings.” Mr. Roberts was named “The Father of Simulcast” by BloodHorse magazine for his innovation that now brings live racing to outlets around the world.

Roberts began his career as a radio broadcaster in the Philadelphia area during the late 1940s. He had a golden voice that would have an influence on much of his spectacular career.

He brought his radio skills to war torn Korea during that brutal conflict. His radio show “The Armed Forces Korean Network” was broadcast throughout South Korea and as far away as Japan. He also produced “On Stage Korea” where he introduced Hollywood stars to the battle tested GI’s with the likes of Academy Award winner William Holden, actor Mickey Rooney and his great friend from Philadelphia, singer Eddie Fisher.

When he returned home, he was offered a job at Garden State Park, a major horse racing venue of that era. Within a short time he was named publicity director. Always the innovator, in 1960 he planned an extravagant, fan friendly day of racing for the rebirth of the Jersey Derby. The event produced a record for both attendance and pari mutuel betting for the state of New Jersey.

For years he called the feature race of the day on radio for all three of New Jersey’s racetracks. His smooth voice could be heard throughout the mid- Atlantic states, thrilling the fans with picture perfect descriptions of the ongoing races.

Another of the many faces of Tommy was his career as the play by play announcer for the NBA’S Philadelphia 76ers and his beloved Philadelphia Eagles football team. For his accomplishments, he was inducted as a proud member of the Broadcasting Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame.

He was also well known in the world of professional boxing. Tommy produced numerous championship fights for Madison Square Garden Productions, including the Heavyweight Championship bout between Joe Frazier and Oscar Bonevena.

South Florida was Tommy’s backyard. It was there that those of us old enough to remember had a chance to see him perform his magic with NBC’s nationally televised “The Race of the Week.” Every Saturday during Hialeah Park’s fabulous winter meeting, he could be seen in the paddock interviewing the important personalities who were involved with that day’s Stakes Race. The show was a success that lasted for 23 years. Tommy Roberts surely had more than a knack for longevity.

His success was booming. During Secretariat’s run for the record books in 1973, he called the Triple Crown events on 800 radio stations across the country.

When John Brunetti purchased Hialeah, he asked Tommy to become his right hand man as Vice-President and General Manager of the racetrack. He loved Hialeah and worked diligently on making improvements to the facility.

Tommy Roberts made his reputation in horse racing and radio. That’s a gimme. He was way more than that. Tommy was about to alter the course of the horse racing industry.

His baby was a little thing called SIMULCAST. The great innovator introduced the concept to Nevada Casinos in 1983. What started with 30 outlets blossomed into today’s worldwide industry. Mr. Roberts may well be called the savior of horse racing. The sport was on the decline as casinos offered quick action, entertainment and fine dining. Players were comped with meals and shows to entice their gambling dollar.

Racetracks were losing business faster than Seattle Slew could run six furlongs. Simulcast put live horse racing in living rooms and off track wagering facilities. Attendance on track may have declined, but the off track wagering skyrocketed. Tommy had given the sport the lifeline that it so badly needed.

Tommy was one of the last of the lions who rose to prominence in one of the greatest eras of sports. It is fitting that he would leave the scene during the Saratoga racing meet. For many years he and his wife Vicky called Saratoga Springs their summer home. Here, he could be found at his box at the racetrack nearly every day after a morning round of golf at Saratoga Golf and Polo Club.

Tommy was brilliant, articulate and serious. On the other hand, he had a quick-wit, was funny, and could light up a dark room. He also was a great story teller. The amazing thing about hearing them was that every one was true and most were hilarious.

His many friends within and outside the horse racing community will surely miss him. I know that I will.