Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, guiding Golden Tempo to victory at Churchill Downs.
A decade-long gamble on herself finally paid off at Churchill Downs, where Cherie DeVaux delivered a Kentucky Derby win that rewrites a long-standing chapter of the sport.
Misryoum reports that DeVaux. who spent more than a decade training other people’s horses while chasing a chance to lead a stable of her own. became the first woman to train the winning horse in the Kentucky Derby.. Her victory came with Golden Tempo, which surged late to defeat one of the favorites in a dramatic finish.
This matters beyond racing because the Kentucky Derby has long been treated as a barometer for tradition in American sports, and milestones like this often shift what fans believe is possible.
DeVaux’s path to the winner’s circle was built through persistence and incremental responsibility.. She began as a stable worker before moving into assistant trainer roles, including work with established names in the industry.. In 2018. after earning her trainer’s license. she struck out on her own. aiming to prove that she could succeed independently rather than waiting for her dream to arrive.
The early stretch wasn’t smooth, and the pandemic interrupted momentum for many racing operations. Still, DeVaux kept going, later securing major success on the national stage, and ultimately arriving at the Derby with a team that knew how to capitalize when it matters most.
In this context, the win also reflects how elite sports careers are often shaped by timing, resilience, and the willingness to take on risk when the stakes are highest.
On Saturday, Golden Tempo’s journey to victory mirrored the kind of climb DeVaux had pursued for years. The horse came from the back of the field and finished strongly to capture the Run for the Roses, with jockey Jose Ortiz playing a key role in keeping the effort alive when pressure mounted.
DeVaux also made clear how personal the moment was. emphasizing gratitude for the people who helped bring the plan to fruition.. She had spoken in the lead-up to the race about wanting to be the first woman to win a Kentucky Derby. and after the victory. she framed the result as both a professional achievement and a statement about representation.
At the end of it all, Misryoum notes the significance of her message: when barriers fall, they change the outlook for the next generation. For aspiring trainers and young fans watching from the sidelines, this kind of success can feel like permission to aim higher.
With the Kentucky Derby secured, questions naturally turn to what comes next. DeVaux indicated she would consider future plans based on how Golden Tempo responds in the days after the race, choosing not to lock in decisions immediately as the road ahead closes in.