Kentucky Derby, Belmont among most-watched sporting events

On its biggest days at least, horse racing isn't lagging so far behind America's top sports for attention.

Both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes appeared on Sports Media Watch's midyear listing of the most-viewed sporting events in the U.S.

The NFL, Winter Olympics and NBA playoffs dominate the top of the list. Beyond that, however, the two Triple Crown legs held their weight, with the Derby coming in at No. 38 and the Belmont at No. 46.

Consider that the Derby's race segment was watched by more people than final round coverage of The Masters; that even in a World Cup year, only three soccer games made the Top 50; and that there were no Major League Baseball games on the list.

Internationally, the Triple Crown should gain a larger audience next year. It was announced Monday that Sky Sports Racing has signed a deal to broadcast the Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

"The Kentucky Derby is an institution in the US, and in recent years, the achievements of American Pharoah and Justify have brought the Triple Crown series to mainstream attention around the world," said Matthew Imi, At The Races' chief executive.