Cherie DeVaux becomes first female trainer to win Kentucky Derby

May 2, 2026Updated May 3, 2026, 5:10 p.m. ETCherie DeVaux made history as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner on May 2, when Golden Tempo authored a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the 152nd Run for the Roses.DeVaux, 44, watched the race trackside wearing a bright red blazer and with tears in her eyes. She sounded breathless when she was interviewed by NBC and asked what the win meant to her."I honestly don't know, I'm just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to," DeVaux said.Golden Tempo won as a longshot at 23-1 odds. It was the first Kentucky Derby win for jockey Jose Ortiz, who guided Golden Tempo through a furious charge down the backstretch to cross the wire in 2:02.27.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.What to know about Derby-winning trainer Cherie DeVauxDeVaux was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, and raised in a horse racing family. However, she initially pursued a career in medicine and was