Cherie DeVaux makes history in Kentucky Derby 2026 with Golden Tempo

Cherie DeVaux made history as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby as Golden Tempo bested an 18-horse field in the 152nd Run for the Roses. Afterward, an emotional DeVaux clutched her nephew, Maverick, with tears welling up as she embraced family members on the track.

"We did it," she exclaimed. "We did it."

The former exercise rider got her start at Churchill Downs 22 years ago under trainer Chuck Simon, who passed away before being able to see her claim the ultimate prize in horse racing. The victory was for him as much as it was for any young girl watching the race who now believes they can follow in her footsteps as a trainer.

DeVaux said earlier in the week that she doesn't center her entire personality around being a female trainer. After all, the hat she sported on the backside during the week of preparation plainly stated, "I'm not for everybody." But she realizes the weight of her accomplishment.

"By doing this, I am inspiring other young women, and that, I am proud of," DeVaux said. "Women —young, old, whatever age — can look up to me and say, 'If she can do it, I can do it.'"

Saturday is what having a wide-open field looks like, and one of the reasons why DeVaux felt she had a chance to win all along.

She said earlier in the week that a deep closer like Golden Tempo would have a chance to win with all the speed in the race despite being more of a "maybe he can win, if ..." type of contender than a true favorite. Things fell the right way against the 18-horse field, just as DeVaux envisioned they could when the decision was made to enter the race and not just for the novelty of participating.

So with all the adjectives in the future that will come to describe his trip in the race, DeVaux is only concerned that "winner" will be attached.

Just getting to the First Saturday in May seemed a bit challenging for this Derby field. Six horses — including Silent Tactic, Right to Party, and Corona de Oro — scratched between the post draw and post time.