Cherie DeVaux has etched her name in history as the first female trainer to achieve a victory at the prestigious Kentucky Derby. DeVaux and her horse, Golden Tempo, claimed the top prize with an impressive finish time of 2:02.27 in the celebrated 1 1/4-mile race held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 2.
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Upon her historic win, DeVaux expressed her joy and sense of responsibility. “I’m just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to,” she stated, reflecting on the significance of her achievement. At 44 years old, she appeared at the event in a striking red blazer, beaming with pride after Golden Tempo triumphed with odds of 23-1.
Golden Tempo’s victory not only marked a personal milestone for DeVaux but also signified a landmark achievement for jockey Jose Ortiz. This latest win represented Ortiz’s first victory at the Kentucky Derby, solidifying his status as a champion in the sport after previously winning both the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness. Renegade captured second place, with Ortiz’s brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., in the saddle, while Ocelli completed the top three.
In the moments following the race, DeVaux fought back tears as she shared her excitement with reporters. Surrounded by family, including her nephew Maverick, she gushed, “I don’t even have any words right now. Just so, so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a wonderful job, a masterful job of getting him there. He was so far out of it.” This emotional moment underlined the significance of the achievement not just for DeVaux, but for women in the field of horse racing.
Historically, women have faced significant barriers in racing, with only 19 out of 152 Kentucky Derby starters being trained by female trainers. Prior to DeVaux, Shelley Riley came the closest to winning, finishing as a runner-up in 1992. With this latest victory, DeVaux becomes only the second female trainer ever to triumph in a Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci’s win at the Belmont Stakes in 2023 with Arcangelo.
DeVaux hails from Saratoga Springs, New York, and has a lineage rooted in Standardbred racing. Initially embarking on a career in medicine at SUNY Albany, she made the pivotal decision to leave her studies and pursue her passion for horse training. Having spent six years as an assistant under the guidance of the late trainer Chuck Simon, and a further eight years with respected trainer Chad Brown, she eventually received her trainer’s licence in 2018. DeVaux celebrated her first winner in March 2019, setting the stage for this remarkable achievement.
As the week unfolded before the Derby, DeVaux expressed her desire to be seen for her capabilities as a trainer, rather than simply as a female in a male-dominated field. However, she acknowledged the importance of her success as a source of inspiration for women of all ages. “By doing this, I am inspiring other young women, and that I am proud of,” she remarked in an interview. “Women — young, old, whatever age — can look up to me and say, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.'”
DeVaux’s historic win at the Kentucky Derby not only brings her personal accolades but also paves the way for future generations of women in the sport. Her story highlights the potential for success in an arena traditionally ruled by men, serving as a motivational tale for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps. As DeVaux continues her journey, her triumph will undoubtedly resonate far beyond the racetrack, encouraging a change in the landscape of horse racing in the years to come.