Golden Tempo claims historic Kentucky Derby victory in first win for female trainer
The 152nd running of the Run for the Roses saw a late rally from Golden Tempo secure a narrow win ahead of Renegade and Ocelli at Churchill Downs.
Golden Tempo has been crowned the winner of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, marking a historic milestone as trainer Cherie DeVaux becomes the first female to win the event. The victory was secured at Churchill Downs on Saturday, where the horse completed the 1¼ mile race in 2:02.27 on a fast track.
Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, Golden Tempo executed a late push to overtake the favourite, Renegade, to claim the win by a narrow margin. The result places the horse ahead of second-placed Renegade and third-placed Ocelli in the final standings of the prestigious race.
This triumph establishes DeVaux as only the second woman in history to win any Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci's victory with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. DeVaux achieved this breakthrough in her first opportunity as a trainer, having established her own stable eight years prior to this event.
Ownership of Golden Tempo is shared between Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables. The race was attended by a crowd exceeding 100,000 spectators, who witnessed the historic outcome of the Saturday contest.
Jockey Jose Ortiz also secured a landmark achievement with this victory, marking his first win in the Kentucky Derby. The win ensures that payouts for picking Golden Tempo to win are now available for those who backed the horse.
The winner is officially awarded the Garland of Roses, the traditional prize for the Run for the Roses. This result cements Golden Tempo's place in the annals of horse racing history alongside the other great winners of the event.
