At this point it is not breaking news that revered horse racing announcer Tom Durkin is retiring. Although news of Durkin’s retirement has been covered by multiple mainstream media outlets, CBS News has assembled a quick video interview that captures what the announcing icon has meant to the sport of horse racing.
"This is my particular passion, describing the races, the competition," Durkin told CBS News. "And I love telling stories. I love language."
Durkin went on to add that every race needs a plot.
"All stories have plot and narrative," he said. "Some plots are bigger, some are more dramatic. But there's something there for every race."
Durkin told CBS News that he has tried to just ‘let it rip’ in his calls once the horses break from the gate.
"Predictability is the enemy of drama," he said. "And if it's called a 'style,' fine, but that's just me."
(With files from CBS News)