First woman trainer to win Kentucky Derby sends – Sports News
Cherie DeVaux celebrates with the trophy within the winner’s circle (Image: Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
Cherie DeVaux had one singular ambition driving her coaching profession, which she articulated clearly within the lead-up to Saturday’s race.
“The only thing I want to do in my career is be the first female to win a Kentucky Derby,” she revealed to LEX18. On Saturday night at Churchill Downs, as Golden Tempo powered down the stretch to edge out Renegade by a neck, that dream crystallized into historical past.
At 44, DeVaux shattered a 152-year barrier, changing into the primary woman to practice a Kentucky Derby champion. Golden Tempo, a 23-1 longshot positioned far back for many of the race, unleashed a commanding late run from the skin to cowl 1 1/4 in 2:02.27 on a fast filth floor. Earlier, one horse tumbled and unseated his rider simply earlier than reaching the gate.
Jockey Jose Ortiz, winless in 10 prior Kentucky Derby makes an attempt, steered the horse to victory, claiming his maiden Run for the Roses triumph simply at some point after capturing the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always a Runner.
In the rapid moments following the win, DeVaux was visibly emotional. “I honestly don’t know,” she expressed. “I’m just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to.”
Cherie DeVaux is the trainer of Golden Tempo and have become the primary feminine trainer to win the Kentucky Derby (Image: Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Raised within the Saratoga Springs area of New York with household roots in Standardbred racing, DeVaux honed her experience during six years below trainer Chuck Simon, adopted by eight extra years as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Chad Brown. She secured her trainer’s license in 2018, recorded her inaugural victory in March 2019 and progressed persistently thereafter.
Among her high performers prior to Saturday have been More Than Looks, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile champion, Grade 1 victor Vahva, and She Feels Pretty, the 2025 Eclipse Award Champion Turf Female. Golden Tempo marked her debut Kentucky Derby entry.
Leading up to the race, she had been cautious concerning the historic magnitude of her endeavor, publicly tempering expectations about creating historical past. However, an sudden assembly on the backstretch close to her steady during Derby week reworked her outlook.
Encountering a younger lady there compelled her to confront the significance of what victory would symbolize.
“It would be irresponsible of me to not acknowledge that what I’m doing does inadvertently make a difference, even if it’s not my intent,” she defined. “My brothers are a lot bigger than me, so I think that’s what shaped me. I’ve had to fight and scrap and be heard so that I could survive growing up.”
DeVaux’s triumph arrived three years after Jena Antonucci turned the primary feminine trainer to declare any Triple Crown race, steering Arcangelo to success within the 2022 Belmont Stakes. The Derby, being the game’s most coveted occasion, elevates that accomplishment to an fully new degree.
Ortiz was equally overcome with emotion. “This is a dream come true,” he said. “This is the biggest race in the world. I get to ride it almost every year, but to win is special.” Golden Tempo’s report now stands at 3-0-2 throughout 5 profession begins for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, after beforehand ending third within the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in March. Attention now turns to the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel within the Triple Crown, scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Maryland.
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