Peyton Manning plans 2 TV features about Rich Strike

Former star NFL quarterback Peyton Manning’s television production company, Omaha Productions, plans two projects about Rich Strike, winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby at 80-1 odds.

Manning's company teamed with Amazon Prime Video to produce a documentary and a scripted film for the streaming channel, according to a Deadline report confirmed by trainer Eric Reed and a spokesperson for Omaha Productions. 

Both projects will center on Reed and his backstory. He followed his father into the horse business and was devastated when his Central Kentucky barn burned down in 2016 after a lightning strike, killing 23 horses.

He claimed Rich Strike for $30,000 for owner Richard Dawson in 2021, and the colt got into the Kentucky Derby starting gate only because of a late scratch.

“Last year’s Derby was a day I’ll never forget, it was something beyond my wildest dreams,” Deadline quoted Reed as saying. “I am so excited that Peyton and Omaha Productions will help me share this story with the world. I hope we can show people how amazing things can happen to all of us, if we just believe in the power of hope, hard work, and a little bit of luck.”

Manning, who said he attended the Kentucky Derby while playing for the Indianapolis Colts, told Deadline that Rich Strike’s story resonated with him. “What we talk about at Omaha is to unify and uplift,” he said. “We want to create things that celebrate community and family.”

Manning said he hadn’t attended the Derby since moving to the Denver Broncos, but he will be at Churchill Downs on Saturday, where he will meet Reed. And, like every year he has attended, he will bet $100 to win on No. 18, his jersey number when he played football.