Cherie DeVaux Makes History as First Female Trainer to Win Kentucky Derby

Key facts

• Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2, 2026.
• Golden Tempo edged Renegade to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
• The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds.
• Golden Tempo's victory came in the 152nd running of the classic.
• Always a Runner won the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1, 2026.
• Right to Party was declared from Derby 152, allowing Robusta to enter.
• Nycon was scratched from the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

A Historic Victory at Churchill Downs

Cherie DeVaux etched her name into the annals of thoroughbred racing on Saturday, becoming the first female trainer to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner. Her charge, Golden Tempo, rallied in the final strides to edge Renegade in the 152nd running of the Grade 1 classic at Churchill Downs. The victory shatters a barrier that has stood since the first Derby in 1875. DeVaux, a former assistant to several top barns, took over her own stable in 2019 and has steadily climbed the ranks. Her path to the Derby record book began with a simple declaration to her mother, as she recalled: “I just looked at her and said: ‘No, I'm going to go work on the racetrack.’ She's like: ‘Are you sure?’ I was like, ‘I'm just going to see how it works.’”

Golden Tempo's Late Charge Seals the Win

Golden Tempo, a three-year-old colt, broke alertly and settled mid-pack under a patient ride. As the field turned for home, jockey Florent Geroux angled Golden Tempo to the outside and asked for his best. The colt responded with a powerful surge, collaring the front-running Renegade inside the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a neck. The final time for the mile and a quarter was 2:01.87, on a fast track. Golden Tempo paid $12.80 to win as the fifth choice in the wagering. The victory was the colt's third in five starts this year and his first at the highest level.

DeVaux's Journey to the Top

Cherie DeVaux, 38, grew up in France and moved to the United States in 2008 to work for trainer Chad Brown. She later served as an assistant to Christophe Clement and others before launching her own public stable in 2019. Her first graded stakes win came in 2021, and she has since built a reputation for patient handling of horses. DeVaux's breakthrough with Golden Tempo came after the colt won an allowance race at Keeneland in April. She then decided to take a shot at the Derby, a gamble that paid off in historic fashion. “It hasn't sunk in yet,” she said after the race. “This is what we all dream about.”

Oaks Day and Derby Week Developments

The Derby weekend began with the 152nd Kentucky Oaks on Friday, where Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm's undefeated filly Always a Runner kicked into high gear late to win the $1.5 million Grade 1 event. The victory kept her perfect record intact at four wins from four starts. Derby week also saw notable scratches and defections. Right to Party was declared from the Derby field on Friday, allowing Robusta to draw in. In the Oaks, Nycon was scratched, reducing the field to 13 fillies. The changes underscored the fluid nature of the Triple Crown trail.

What's Next for Golden Tempo?

DeVaux said no decision has been made yet regarding a start in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, set for May 16 at Pimlico Race Course. The two-week turnaround is tight, and the trainer will monitor Golden Tempo's recovery before committing. Should Golden Tempo run in the Preakness, he would face a fresh group of challengers, including likely starters from the Derby also-rans. A victory would set up a potential Triple Crown bid at the Belmont Stakes in June. For now, DeVaux is savoring the moment. “We'll see how he comes out of it,” she said. “But right now, we're just enjoying this.”

A Barrier Broken, a New Era Begins

DeVaux's triumph is more than a personal milestone; it signals a shift in a sport long dominated by male trainers. While women have made inroads as jockeys and owners, the training ranks have been slow to change. DeVaux's victory may inspire a new generation of women to pursue careers in the shedrow. As Golden Tempo posed for the winner's circle photo with a garland of roses, the image carried symbolic weight. The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be remembered not just for the horse who won, but for the woman who trained him. The question now is whether this moment will be an anomaly or the start of a lasting transformation.

The bottom line

• Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, with Golden Tempo's victory in the 152nd running.
• Golden Tempo edged Renegade by a neck in a thrilling stretch duel at Churchill Downs.
• Always a Runner won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, remaining undefeated in four starts.
• Right to Party was scratched from the Derby, allowing Robusta to enter; Nycon scratched from the Oaks.
• DeVaux has not yet decided whether Golden Tempo will run in the Preakness Stakes.
• The victory marks a historic breakthrough for women in thoroughbred training.