Cherie DeVaux becomes first female trainer of Kentucky Derby winner

Golden Tempo Wins Kentucky Derby, First Female Trainer Cherie DeVaux Achieves Historic Victory

In a surprising turn of events, Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, emerged victorious at the 2023 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The 44-year-old trainer from Saratoga Springs, New York, made history as she became the first woman to saddle the winner of the most famous horse race in the United States.

Golden Tempo was sent off at odds of 24-1 and broke slowly under jockey Jose Ortiz before making a late charge from the outside to claim the win by a neck. The field consisted of 18 horses, with Renegade finishing second and Ocelli third.

DeVaux, who earned her training license in 2018 after taking a break from assisting other trainers, has had a successful career, earning over 300 victories, including 21 wins in 2026 before the derby. She is now the second woman to train the winner of a Triple Crown race and the 18th woman to saddle a horse in the derby.

In an emotional post-race interview, DeVaux expressed her gratitude and humility, crediting her husband for inspiring her to pursue her dream of training. “We can do anything we set our minds to,” she said. The victory marked a significant milestone for DeVaux, who has overcome obstacles throughout her career.

Source: Al Jazeera