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."

DeVaux said earlier in the week that she doesn't center her entire personality around being a female trainer. After all, the baseball cap she sported on the backside during the week of preparation plainly stated, "I'm not for everybody." She realizes the weight of her accomplishment, but she's also glad the question of being the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby never has to be asked again.

"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.'"

DeVaux had to remind herself of that when she first established her own barn in 2018. It took 11 months for her to win her first race, but even during those times, she was unwavering in her belief that she could be successful.

"I'm one of those thick-minded people that thinks that its always going to work out," DeVaux said while stating her husband was instrumental in her taking the leap to become a trainer and they began with a three-year plan to see how it developed.

But even thick-minded people don't necessarily believe hard work will pay off with a win in the Kentucky Derby.

"Never in my life did I think I would," DeVaux said.

Until she started training Golden Tempo.

DeVaux said earlier in the week that a deep closer like Golden Tempo would have a chance to win because the field had a lot of speed. Things fell into place 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.

DeVaux said there was a joke that she would be a "one-and-done" trainer for the Kentucky Derby, but "now I think I'm gonna have to do this again."

Just getting to the First Saturday in May seemed a bit challenging for this Derby field. Six horses scratched between the post draw and race start.

Trainer Brad Cox had a contender in Fulleffort who had to withdraw on Thursday, and trainer Gustavo Delgado, who won the 2023 Derby with Mage, had his colt The Puma scratch on the morning of the race due to swelling in his leg. Great White scratched as the horses were being led into the starting game.

It marked the sixth Derby in the past eight years to run with fewer than the full 20 horses. (The lowest amount during that stretch came during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when 15 horses competed and the race was moved to September.)

Winning was a full-circle moment for DeVaux, who got her start at Churchill Downs 22 years ago as an exercise rider. She later learned under the tutelage of trainer Chuck Simon, who passed away last year from cancer 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 she wouldn't be in the position she is without Simon.

"I am here because of him because he pushed me, he pushed my boundaries, he gave me direction when I needed it," she said of the man she said was like a big brother.

She planned on taking one of the flowers she took from the garland of roses and leaving it at Simon's old barn on the backside of Churchill Downs.

DeVaux still may not be for everybody, but her win should be appreciated by everyone.

Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at [email protected], follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.