On Saturday, trainer Cherie DeVaux made history at Churchill Downs when her colt Golden Tempo made a dramatic late charge to win the Kentucky Derby. She was the first woman trainer to do so.
Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose Ortiz, came from near the back of the pack to win the 152nd Run for the Roses, beating the favorite in a thrilling stretch run. The colt won the 1¼-mile race by a neck at odds of 23-1, finishing in 2:02.27.
An emotional DeVaux embraced family members trackside after the win, repeating, “We did it,” as the magnitude of the moment set in. While she had downplayed the historical implications earlier in the week, the victory cements her place in racing history—and removes the long-standing question of when a woman trainer would finally win the Derby.
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“This inspires people,” DeVaux said afterward. “Women—young or old—can see this and believe they can do it too.”
DeVaux’s win is a full-circle moment for her. She started her career as an exercise rider at Churchill Downs more than 20 years ago. Later, she trained with Chuck Simon, who she said helped her rise to the top. DeVaux said she would honor him by leaving a rose from her Derby garland at his old barn.
Golden Tempo had to overcome some obstacles on the way to victory. DeVaux and her team spent weeks working on the colt’s focus, trying out different pieces of equipment like blinkers while also taking care of small health issues. Still, she was sure of his running style: he was a deep closer who would do well in a field with a lot of speed.
Ortiz kept Golden Tempo patient early before making a sweeping move around the final turn, navigating traffic and choosing an outside lane to surge past competitors
“I felt like I had horse,” Ortiz said. “Once we got outside, I knew we had a shot.”
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This article appears in April 24-May 7, 2026.
