History at Churchill Downs: Cherie DeVaux Becomes First Woman to Win Kentucky Derby

 History was made at Churchill Downs on Saturday as Golden Tempo surged down the stretch to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, delivering trainer Cherie DeVaux to a milestone no woman had reached before. The 23-1 longshot closed from well off the pace to capture the Run for the Roses, giving DeVaux her first Derby starter and her first Derby victory in front of a roaring Louisville crowd.

The win unfolded on a cool, fast afternoon in Louisville. Golden Tempo broke from an outside post, settled near the back of an 18-horse field, and began his move around the far turn as jockey Jose Ortiz angled him wide. In the final furlong, the colt edged past the leaders to win by a neck in 2:02.57 and paid $48.24 for a $2 win ticket.

For Ortiz, the victory was very deeply personal and long overdue. In his 11th Kentucky Derby mount, the veteran rider finally broke through after years of close calls and tough trips. He guided Golden Tempo with patience and confidence, trusting the colt's late kick and delivering a ride that perfectly matched the race shape.

DeVaux's journey began in 2018 when she left a successful career as an assistant to trainer Chad Brown to start her own stable in Kentucky. Her first horse, Take Charge Tina, represented humble beginnings and early mornings. Eight years later, she arrived at Churchill Downs with a resume that included Grade 1 wins and a Breeders' Cup victory, but the Derby remained the sport's ultimate test for any trainer.

That test was passed emphatically on racing's biggest stage. DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in its 152-year history, a barrier that had stood despite decades of talented women working at the highest levels. She is now the second woman to win any Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci, who captured the 2023 Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo.

In the post-race celebration, DeVaux spoke about representation rather than personal glory. She emphasized that the win showed what is possible when opportunity meets preparation, and she hoped young women watching from barns, backstretches, and grandstands across the country would see themselves in her team and believe they truly belong.

The Derby itself played out as a classic edition of America's most famous race. After late scratches reduced the field, the pace was honest up front, setting the stage for a closer. Golden Tempo, overlooked in the betting despite steady workouts, weaved through traffic and displayed the tenacity and heart DeVaux had praised all week during morning training.

Beyond the result, the victory carries broader meaning for horse racing in the United States. A sport built on tradition welcomed a new chapter, with a female trainer reaching its biggest stage and a longshot colt delivering the kind of stirring finish that keeps fans returning each first Saturday in May. For Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo, and Jose Ortiz, the 152nd Derby will forever be remembered as the day history was made.