Cherie DeVaux made history on May 2, 2026, as her horse Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby, making her the first female trainer to achieve this milestone. The victory took place at Churchill Downs, where Golden Tempo surged from behind to clinch the win, beating 17 rivals and capturing the attention of a crowd of 150,415.
Why it matters: DeVaux’s triumph is a personal achievement and a landmark moment for women in horse racing. It highlights the growing presence of female trainers in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
- Golden Tempo was sent off at odds of 23-1, initially seen as an underdog before pulling ahead in the final moments of the race.
- This win marks DeVaux’s first Kentucky Derby victory and solidifies her place in the history books.
- The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes on May 16 and the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
Driving the news: The 152nd Kentucky Derby unfolded dramatically, with Golden Tempo breaking slowly and trailing the pack. Jockey Jose Ortiz executed a masterful ride, guiding the horse through heavy traffic to finish strong.
- Golden Tempo edged out Renegade, who finished second at 5-1 odds, by a neck, with longshot Ocelli coming in third at 70-1.
- Ortiz celebrated his first Derby win after previously achieving success with the Kentucky Oaks just a day earlier.
- The race showcased the first-ever brother pairing to finish first and second among jockeys, with Jose and Irad Ortiz in the spotlight.
State of play: Cherie DeVaux, 44, hails from Saratoga Springs, New York, and began her career in horse racing as an exercise rider. She transitioned to training in 2018, quickly rising to prominence.
- Before the Derby, DeVaux had over 300 career victories, including 21 wins in 2026 alone.
- Her stable earned $10.2 million in 2024 and saw six horses win graded races in 2025, demonstrating her competitive edge in the racing world.
- DeVaux's husband, David Ingordo, encouraged her to pursue training, believing in her potential at a time when she felt uncertain about her career path.
The big picture: DeVaux's victory is part of a broader trend of increasing female representation in horse racing, a field historically dominated by men. Her win comes just three years after Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race.
- Antonucci’s win at the Belmont Stakes in 2023 paved the way for DeVaux, highlighting a shift in the sport's dynamics.
- DeVaux expressed hope that her accomplishment will inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams in racing and beyond.
- “You can dream big, and you can pivot. You can come from one place and make yourself a part of history,” DeVaux said.
What they're saying: DeVaux’s emotional reaction to her win resonated with many in the racing community and beyond.
- “It’s an honor to be that person for other women or little girls to look up to,” she stated, emphasizing the significance of her role as a trailblazer.
- Jose Ortiz shared his joy, saying, “It’s a dream come true; this is the biggest race in the world.”
- DeVaux credited Ortiz’s skillful riding as instrumental in Golden Tempo’s success, stating, “He did a masterful job of getting him there.”
By the numbers: The Kentucky Derby featured 18 horses after two were scratched, and Golden Tempo's victory was historic for several reasons.
- Golden Tempo became just the second horse to win from the No. 19 post position, following I’ll Have Another in 2012.
- The race time was recorded at 2:02.77 for 1 1/4 miles on a fast track.
- Golden Tempo paid $48.24 for the win, marking a lucrative return for those who backed the horse.
What's next: Following this historic win, DeVaux will aim to build on her success as the racing season progresses.
- The Preakness Stakes on May 16 will be her next opportunity to showcase her skills as a trainer.
- DeVaux hopes to continue breaking barriers for women in horse racing and inspire the next generation of trainers.
- With her growing success, the racing world will follow closely closely to see what DeVaux achieves next.