Cherie DeVaux Becomes First Female Trainer to Win Kentucky Derby

*TL;DR: Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby at 24‑1 odds, making trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman ever to claim the race.

Context The Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, draws over 150,000 spectators each May. Historically dominated by male trainers, the 152‑year‑old event has seen only 18 women saddle a Derby contender. On Saturday, the 18‑horse field at Churchill Downs produced a surprise: Golden Tempo, a longshot at 24‑1, surged from the back of the pack to win by a neck.

Key Facts - Cherie DeVaux, 44, of Saratoga Springs, New York, became the first female trainer to win the Derby. She earned her training licence in 2018 and has accumulated more than 300 career victories, including 21 wins in 2026 before the race. - Jockey Jose Ortiz guided Golden Tempo, who broke slowly and trailed the field before launching a late charge from the outside. The horse’s victory marked Ortiz’s first Derby win. - The race finished with Renegade, the 5‑1 co‑favorite ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., in second place and 70‑1 longshot Ocelli in third. - DeVaux said, “It really is an honour to be that person for other women or other little girls to look up to. You can dream big, and you can pivot.” She credited her husband’s encouragement and her upbringing with seven brothers for her resilience. - The win adds DeVaux to a short list that includes Jena Antonucci, the second woman to train a Triple Crown race winner.

What It Means DeVaux’s triumph shatters a long‑standing gender barrier in American horse racing and provides a visible role model for women and girls interested in the sport. The upset also underscores the volatility of betting markets; a 24‑1 shot prevailed over the 5‑1 favorite, reminding bettors that odds are not guarantees. As the Triple Crown series moves to the Preakness Stakes on May 16, attention will turn to whether Golden Tempo can repeat the feat and whether more female trainers will emerge as serious contenders.

*Watch the Preakness results and any subsequent entries by female trainers for signs of a broader shift in the sport’s competitive landscape.*