Golden Tempo delivered a stunning 23-1 upset at the 2026 Kentucky Derby, giving trainer Cherie DeVaux a historic first.
A 23-1 long shot sprinting through the back of the pack made the 2026 Kentucky Derby feel like it belonged to a fairytale nobody saw coming.
Golden Tempo. guided by jockey Jose Ortiz. powered to victory Saturday at Churchill Downs after navigating traffic from near the rear.. The win sent shockwaves through the stands and reshaped expectations for what the Triple Crown season can produce. especially after the horse surged past the leaders over the final stretch.
For Cherie DeVaux, the triumph carried a special weight: it marked a historic breakthrough in a sport that has long been shaped by men in top training roles. In the wider view, it also underscores how quickly tradition can make room for new faces when results land on the biggest stage.
Renegade finished second, with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle, while another long-shot contender, Ocelli, placed third. The race featured only 18 horses after Great White was scratched late following a mishap that led to his jockey being removed, a disruption that altered the field at the start.
DeVaux, visibly emotional after the finish, struggled to put the moment into words, describing the victory as something she could hardly process. Her journey to this point included years of building her own stable, and this weekend brought the payoff on her first try at winning the Derby.
Moments like this matter beyond the track because the Kentucky Derby is one of the most widely watched events in American sports. When a landmark win arrives from a less-favored path, it can shift attention and open doors for people who have historically been underrepresented.
Ortiz’s performance was also notable: the win came as part of a dominant weekend at Churchill Downs. following a separate victory in the Kentucky Oaks earlier the day before.. According to the race setup, his Derby score arrived after multiple attempts without success, making the breakthrough even more striking.
Now, the focus turns immediately to the next chapter of the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes is scheduled for May 16 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and Golden Tempo’s connections will have to weigh whether to pursue the rare sweep.
In American racing, the leap from one milestone to the next can be as much about timing and strategy as it is about talent. However this story develops at Pimlico, the Derby result has already guaranteed it a place in the sport’s modern history.