Cherie DeVaux And José Ortiz Make History Winning Kentucky Derby 152

José Ortiz and Golden Tempo capped a worst to first run in winning Kentucky Derby 152 for trainer Cherie Devaux Coady Photography The Kentucky Derby is always historical. Sometimes, however, there is a little something extra special about the chapter it creates and the combination of Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz, and Golden Tempo in Kentucky Derby 152 is one that will be forever remembered. Cherie DeVaux Becomes First Female Trainer To Win Kentucky Derby In case you didn’t already realize it, girls rule the world.

In becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, Cherie DeVaux has further exemplified that fact. Eighteen previous female conditioners had saddled horses for the world’s most famous race with the first being Mary Hirsch back in 1937 with a horse interestingly enough named No Sir (finished 13 th ). Shelley Riley had come the closest to the winner’s circle with Casual Lies when he finished second in 1992.

The female influence has become more prominent in recent years as DeVaux was the ninth woman to bring a horse to the first Saturday in May since the turn of the century. If you ask this dedicated horsewoman who began her training carer in 2018 about her history-making accomplishment she quickly puts it in a humble perspective. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 02: Cherie DeVaux trainer of Golden Tempo #19, is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, celebrates with the trophy in the winner's circle following the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Getty Images “The racetrack is a tough place and it doesn’t care if you are a man or a woman”, says DeVaux who guided More Than Looks to a win in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile. “Being a woman or my gender has never really crossed my mind in this journey of mine. Not everyone has the same constitution as I have mentally.