Trainer Cherie DeVaux expressed hope during the stretch run of Golden Tempo at the 152nd Kentucky Derby. As the horse gained ground, her excitement grew, culminating in a heartfelt reaction.
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At the top of the stretch in the 152nd Kentucky Derby, things didn't look great for 23-1 longshot Golden Tempo.
But trainer Cherie DeVaux never gave up hope.
As jockey Jose Ortiz guided her horse out of traffic and to the outside, she could sense something special was happening. "Come on, Jose!" she screamed.
And when Golden Tempo picked up the tempo and started gaining ground on the leaders, the possibility set in.
"Oh my God! OH MY GOD!!"
Beating morning-line favorite Renegade by a neck, Golden Tempo made DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner in the storied history of the race.
DeVaux's reaction was priceless.
When the situation seemed dire, she sunk her head onto the railing in front of her. But as Ortiz made his move, she pulled herself forward as her feet came off the ground and started kicking the podium, almost in rhythm with the horse's gallops.
Then when Golden Tempo did win, DeVaux broke down for a brief moment before the celebratory hugs began.
Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Aboard T O Elvis, jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates winning The Churchill Downs Grade I stakes at 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 2, 2026.
Cherie DeVaux expressed hope and excitement, urging jockey Jose Ortiz as Golden Tempo gained ground on the leaders.
Golden Tempo was a 23-1 longshot in the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
Jockey Jose Ortiz guided Golden Tempo during the race.
At the top of the stretch, things didn't look great for Golden Tempo, but the horse later gained momentum.
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Horses break from the starting gate in the first race of the day during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Aboard T O Elvis, jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates winning The Churchill Downs Grade I stakes at 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 2, 2026.
1 / 14
Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Aboard T O Elvis, jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates winning The Churchill Downs Grade I stakes at 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 2, 2026.
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Horses break from the starting gate in the first race of the day during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
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Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
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Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
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A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
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People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
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Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
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Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
It was a magical and historic moment.
Especially when DeVaux was able to share it on the infield with Ortiz and her champion horse.
Only 19 starters in Derby history have been trained by women. Before DeVaux, the closest a woman had come to the winner's circle was Shelley Riley, who finished second with Casual Lies in 1992.
"By doing this, I am inspiring other young women, and that, I am proud of," DeVaux said. "Women â young, old, whatever age â can look up to me and say, 'If she can do it, I can do it.'"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trainer Cherie DeVaux reacts to Golden Tempo winning Kentucky Derby