Historic Derby victory marks milestone for female trainer Cherie DeVaux

Cherie DeVaux has etched her name into the annals of horse racing history as the first woman to train a winner of the Kentucky Derby. The historic result occurred on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, where her mount Golden Tempo rallied from the rear of the field to defeat the favourite, Renegade, by a narrow margin at the wire.

The victory came in front of a crowd exceeding 100,000 spectators, who witnessed a race that defied pre-race expectations. Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, started the contest at odds of 23-1. The horse charged down the stretch in the final quarter-mile, overtaking the top contenders to finish the 1¼-mile distance in a time of 2:02.27.

This triumph represents a significant breakthrough for female trainers in the sport. DeVaux becomes only the second woman to win any Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci's victory with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. DeVaux achieved this milestone in her first opportunity as a trainer, having established her own stable eight years prior to this event.

Jockey Jose Ortiz also secured a landmark achievement, claiming his first career Kentucky Derby title in his 11th attempt. His success came less than 24 hours after he won the Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for three-year-old fillies. Ortiz guided Golden Tempo through the final furlongs with a masterful ride, navigating the horse past Renegade, who was ridden by his brother Irad Ortiz Jr., to take second place.

The field for the 151st running consisted of 18 horses, a number reduced from the original entries due to late scratches. Great White was withdrawn from the race after flipping and throwing his jockey, while other contenders such as The Puma and Silent Tactic were also ruled out in the days leading up to the event. These withdrawals altered the dynamics of the race, contributing to the dramatic nature of the finish.

DeVaux, who had previously downplayed the significance of her gender in the context of the win, later acknowledged the broader implications of her achievement. She expressed a desire to serve as a role model for girls who aspire to follow in her footsteps, stating she was "just so, so, so happy" for the outcome. The win cements her legacy as a representative of women in a sport where such representation has historically been limited.

The victory at Churchill Downs serves as the opening leg of the Triple Crown season. While the 151st running concluded with this historic upset, preparations are already underway for the 152nd Kentucky Derby, which is scheduled to take place on 2 May 2026. The upcoming event is expected to feature a field of 19 runners, maintaining the tradition of one of the world's most prestigious thoroughbred races.