LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a historic moment that will forever change the landscape of horse racing, Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train the winner of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, as her 3-year-old colt Golden Tempo stormed to victory in the 152nd running of the prestigious race at Churchill Downs. Jockey Jose Ortiz, riding in his 11th Derby, finally secured his first win in the Run for the Roses, guiding Golden Tempo through a packed field to cross the finish line in front of a roaring crowd.

The victory marks a seismic shift in a sport long dominated by male trainers. DeVaux, who went out on her own in 2018 after years as an assistant to Chad Brown, has steadily built a reputation as one of the sport’s most talented and respected conditioners. With Golden Tempo’s triumph, she has cemented her place in the annals of racing history.

The Race: A Thrilling Finish at Churchill Downs

The 152nd Kentucky Derby, run at 1 1/8 miles on a fast track under sunny skies, featured a deep and competitive field of 20 horses. Golden Tempo, sent off at generous odds, broke cleanly from the starting gate and settled mid-pack as the early pace setters battled for the lead. Ortiz, known for his patience and tactical brilliance, kept his mount relaxed along the rail, saving ground as the field thundered down the backstretch.

As the field turned for home, Ortiz angled Golden Tempo off the rail, found a seam, and asked his horse for run. The bay colt responded with a powerful turn of foot, splitting horses and accelerating past tiring rivals. In the final furlong, Golden Tempo dug deep, holding off a late surge from the runner-up to win by a decisive length. The winning time was 1:49.87.

The victory was emotional for Ortiz, who had come close in previous Derbies but never tasted victory. After crossing the wire, the veteran jockey pumped his fist, then pointed to DeVaux in the winner’s circle, acknowledging her role in the historic triumph. “This is everything,” Ortiz said afterward. “I’ve been trying for 11 years. To do it with Cherie, who believed in this horse, who believed in me, it’s unbelievable. She’s a genius.”

Cherie DeVaux: A Trailblazing Career

Cherie DeVaux’s path to the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle began long before she struck out on her own. Originally from New York, she grew up around horses and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a trainer. After graduating from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program, she went to work for Chad Brown, one of the sport’s premier trainers.

For years, DeVaux worked as an assistant, learning the intricacies of training top class thoroughbreds. She absorbed Brown’s attention to detail, his innovative training methods, and his ability to manage large barns of talented horses. In 2018, she decided to launch her own stable.

The first horse she trained was a filly named Take Charge Tina. That modest beginning belied the success to come. DeVaux built her stable gradually, claiming horses, developing young stock, and winning races at tracks across the country. Her reputation grew as a trainer who could improve horses, keep them sound, and spot talent in the sales ring.

By the mid-2020s, DeVaux was winning graded stakes races and training for top owners. Her barn became known for its professionalism and its family atmosphere. She was respected not only for her results but for her kindness, her humility, and her willingness to mentor young people in the industry.

Golden Tempo: A Colt on the Rise

Golden Tempo, a bay colt by a top sire out of a stakes winning mare, was purchased as a yearling for a modest price. Under DeVaux’s care, he developed into a late blooming star. He broke his maiden impressively, then stepped up into allowance company, winning with authority. His first stakes attempt resulted in a close second, but he came back to win a prep race at Keeneland that convinced DeVaux to point him toward the Derby.

Throughout the spring, Golden Tempo trained exceptionally well at Churchill Downs. His morning workouts were eye catching, and DeVaux grew increasingly confident. “He’s a fighter,” she said before the race. “He doesn’t like to lose. He has that will to win.”

The colt’s pedigree suggested he would relish the Derby distance, and his running style was suited to a large field. Ortiz, who had been aboard for several of his victories, had developed a strong rapport with the horse.

Jose Ortiz: Finally a Derby Winner

For Jose Ortiz, the victory was the culmination of a long and frustrating pursuit. The Puerto Rican born jockey has been one of the top riders in the country for years, winning multiple Eclipse Awards and dozens of Grade 1 races. But the Kentucky Derby had eluded him.

In his previous 10 Derby starts, Ortiz had come close several times, finishing second and third, but never winning. The pressure mounted with each passing year. This year, with Golden Tempo, he felt a different energy. “I knew this horse had something special,” Ortiz said. “Cherie had him ready. I just had to do my job.”

Ortiz’s ride was a masterclass in patience and positioning. He avoided traffic, saved ground, and timed his move perfectly. “When I asked him, he gave me everything,” Ortiz said. “I could feel him accelerating. I knew we had it.”

A Historic Moment for Women in Racing

Cherie DeVaux’s victory is being celebrated as a breakthrough for women in a sport where female trainers have long been underrepresented. While women have succeeded as jockeys, owners, and breeders, the training ranks have been slower to diversify.

“Cherie has shown that talent and hard work know no gender,” said a spokesperson for the Kentucky Derby Museum. “She’s not the first woman to train horses, but she is the first to win the Derby. That’s a huge step forward.”

DeVaux deflected praise after the race, crediting her staff, the owners, and the horse. “This is not about me,” she said. “It’s about the team, the horse, and everyone who believed in us. I hope this inspires young girls who love horses to never give up. If you have a dream, work hard, and anything is possible.”

Reaction from the Racing World

The racing community erupted in celebration following Golden Tempo’s victory. Fellow trainers, jockeys, and owners took to social media to congratulate DeVaux.

“She’s been an inspiration to me for years,” said trainer Brittany Russell, who has campaigned several top horses. “This is so well deserved. Cherie is one of the best.”

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Derby multiple times, offered his congratulations. “Cherie is a great trainer. She’s paid her dues. This is a big moment for the sport.”

The Celebration: Tears, Smiles, and Roses

In the winner’s circle, DeVaux was draped in the traditional garland of roses. She wiped away tears as she embraced Ortiz and the horse’s owners. “This is surreal,” she told reporters. “I can’t believe it happened.”

Her first horse, Take Charge Tina, was now a distant memory. From that humble start to the heights of Churchill Downs, DeVaux had proven herself among the very best in her profession.

What’s Next for Golden Tempo?

With the Derby victory, Golden Tempo will likely be pointed toward the Preakness Stakes in two weeks, the second leg of the Triple Crown. DeVaux has not committed to running, saying she will evaluate the colt’s condition before making a decision.

If Golden Tempo runs and wins, he would head to the Belmont Stakes with a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since 2018. Regardless, his place in history is secure as the horse that carried the first female trainer to victory in the Run for the Roses.

A Lasting Legacy

Cherie DeVaux’s win will be remembered as a watershed moment for horse racing. It shattered a barrier that had stood for a century and a half. Young women who dream of training thoroughbreds now have a living example to look up to.

“She’s the nicest person,” one of her assistants said, echoing a sentiment shared by many. “And now she’s a Derby winner. It couldn’t happen to a better person.”

As the sun set over Louisville, the racing world celebrated a historic achievement. Golden Tempo had won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, and Cherie DeVaux had made history.