Greenberg honors Cherie DeVaux, Donna Brothers after historic 2026 Kentucky Derby

Yahoo Sports3h ago10 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg declared May 11 as 'Donna Barton Brothers Day' and honored Cherie DeVaux as an 'honorary citizen of Louisville' after their historic achievements at the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

Key points

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg proclaimed May 11 as 'Donna Barton Brothers Day'
Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby
DeVaux was named an 'honorary citizen of Louisville'
Brothers' coverage of the Derby spanned 26 years
Greenberg honored both women for their contributions to horse racing

Mentioned in this story

Cherie DeVauxDonna Barton BrothersLouisville

Kentucky Derby

Greenberg honors Cherie DeVaux, Donna Brothers after historic 2026 Kentucky Derby

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg proclaimed May 11 as “Donna Barton Brothers Day” and named DeVaux an “honorary citizen of Louisville” during a May 11 news conference at Metro Hall.

DeVaux made history May 2 as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby with Golden Tempo. Derby 152 also marked Brothers’ last time covering the longest continuously-held sporting event in America after 26 years.

“It’s a great day to honor two legends, two pioneers in the world of horse racing who just excelled on the world stage this past weekend and have done so much leading up to this weekend,” Greenberg said.

He described Brothers and DeVaux as individuals who have “helped build the sport” and will help “lead it into the next generation.”

Following her mother’s footsteps, Brothers spent 12 years as a jockey before retiring in 1998 as the second-leading female rider in the nation by earnings. Broadcasting came next, an unexpected pivot that required her to stretch beyond her racing roots.

Since then, Brothers has earned multiple honors, including the Jim McKay Award for Excellence in Broadcasting, and recognition from Sports Illustrated, which named her the best sideline reporter. She’s also been a steady advocate for the racing industry and the Louisville community, championing programs close to her heart.

“When I bought my first home here in 1996, I claimed Louisville as my city,” Brothers said. “Thank you for claiming me back.”

Brothers had chosen Golden Tempo as her predicted winner and walked with DeVaux ahead of the race.

“I know how hard Cherie has worked to get to this point, and I wanted to make sure that even though her horse was a long shot, that she was taken seriously,” Brothers said. “That was the main reason.”

Q&A

What historic achievement did Cherie DeVaux accomplish at the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.

Why was May 11 declared 'Donna Barton Brothers Day' in Louisville?

The day was proclaimed to honor Donna Barton Brothers for her contributions to horse racing and her final coverage of the Kentucky Derby after 26 years.

What recognition did Cherie DeVaux receive from Louisville's mayor?

Cherie DeVaux was named an 'honorary citizen of Louisville' by Mayor Craig Greenberg.

How long did Donna Barton Brothers cover the Kentucky Derby?

Donna Barton Brothers covered the Kentucky Derby for 26 years.