In a historic moment at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo clinched victory in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for trainer Cherie DeVaux. She became the first woman to train a winner in the initial race of the prestigious Triple Crown series.
Golden Tempo surged ahead in the final stretch of the 1 1/8-mile race, securing a memorable win for DeVaux. Trailing behind were Renegade in second place and the underdog Ocelli, who finished third.
DeVaux’s achievement makes her only the second female trainer to claim victory in any Triple Crown event, following Jena Antonucci’s success with Arcangelo at the 2023 Belmont Stakes. Remarkably, DeVaux won the Derby at her first attempt, just eight years after establishing her own training stable.
Initially downplaying the significance of potentially being the first woman to train a Derby winner, DeVaux later embraced her role as a trailblazer for aspiring young female trainers. She is one of only 18 women to have ever saddled a horse in the iconic race.
Jockey Jose Ortiz displayed exceptional skill, leading Golden Tempo to victory in what was his 11th attempt at the Derby. This win also allowed him to outshine his brother Irad, who rode Renegade, in their family rivalry.
The race featured 18 contenders after Great White was withdrawn at the last minute due to an incident where the horse flipped and unseated its jockey.
