Cherie DeVaux makes history and becomes first female trainer of a Kentucky Derby winner
Golden Tempo was being ridden by Jose Ortiz
Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train the winner of the Kentucky Derby after Golden Tempo came from the back of the pack and charged down the stretch to get win Saturday’s big race. DeVaux is just the second female trainer to win any Triple Crown race after Jena Antonucci won with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. She won the Derby in her first opportunity, eight years since starting her own stable.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz and with a crowd of more than 100,000 watching and roaring at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo passed favorite Renegade just before the wire to win the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:02. 27 at odds of 23-1. Renegade was second, with brother Irad Ortiz Jr.
aboard, and long shot Ocelli was third. “I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said. “I just can't.
Just so, 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.