This is the incredible moment Cherie DeVaux realized she had made history as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in its 152-year existence.
Captured in a viral clip at Churchill Downs, DeVaux was seen erupting in pure joy as Golden Tempo surged across the finish line to secure a thrilling victory.
The 44-year-old trainer, who has long been a rising star in the industry, couldn’t contain her emotions, celebrating with her team as Golden Tempo crossed the line.
Speaking after the race, DeVaux said: ‘I’m just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to.’Â
Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, Golden Tempo managed to navigate a crowded 18-horse field to deliver the historic result at Churchill Downs.
While the sport has seen legendary female figures before, DeVaux is the only one to ever stand in the winner’s circle as the primary trainer of a Kentucky Derby champion.
This is the incredible moment Cherie DeVaux realized she had made history as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in its 152-year existence
Speaking after the race, DeVaux said: ‘I’m just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to’Â
Golden Tempo, which entered the starting gate at 23-1 odds, won the Kentucky Derby
Social media was immediately flooded with tributes to the trainer, with fans praising her ‘humble’ nature and her ‘legendary’ status in the making.
‘History was made today, and there is nobody more deserving than Cherie,’ one fan wrote on X.
While another added, ‘The ceiling has finally been broken at Churchill Downs.’
Golden Tempo, which arrived at the gate at 23-1 odds, overcame a massive distance to catch up to, then overtake, the pack to beat out morning favorite Renegade.
Renegade came second, marking the eighth straight year that the morning favorite failed to win the most famous run in American horse racing. Ocelli, which entered the starting gate at 70-1 odds, finished third while Chief Wallabee came fourth.
It’s a tough defeat for Renegade’s owner, Mike Repole. The brash founder of Vitamin Water and Bodyarmor parent company Glaceau – who invests heavily in horse racing, the UFL and in St. John’s’ men’s basketball team – has now lost the Kentucky Derby nine times.
Jockey Jose Ortiz, who won the Kentucky Oaks the night before atop filly Always a Runner, was dead last at the final turn and managed to guide the horse to victory. He won the Derby by passing his brother, Irad Ortiz, who rode Renegade.
Devaux becomes the second woman to ever win a triple crown race – joining Jena Antonucci who trained 2023 Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo.
