A Defining Moment in Racing: The First Female Trainer to Win the Kentucky Derby
The win no one saw coming: Cherie DeVaux’s landmark derby victory.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be remembered as a turning point in the history of American horse racing. For the first time since the race’s inception in 1875, a woman stood in the winner’s circle as the official trainer of the Derby champion. Cherie DeVaux’s victory was not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for a sport that has long been shaped by tradition and, historically, limited access for women at its highest levels.
DeVaux’s path to this achievement reflects both persistence and a deep-rooted understanding of horsemanship. She began her professional career working under established trainers, where she developed the technical knowledge and discipline required to succeed in a highly competitive industry. In 2018, she took the step of opening her own stable, a move that carries considerable financial and professional risk. From that point forward, she steadily built a reputation for developing horses with patience and precision rather than rushing them into competition before they were ready.
Prior to her Derby success, DeVaux had already demonstrated her capabilities on prominent stages. She trained graded stakes winners and earned recognition at the Breeders’ Cup level, achievements that positioned her among the sport’s rising elite. Notably, her work with top fillies, including an Eclipse Award winner, signaled that her program could compete with the most established operations in the country. These accomplishments, while significant, did not guarantee a Derby win, an outcome that depends as much on timing, opportunity, and the right horse as it does on skill.
That horse, in this case, was Golden Tempo. Entering the 2026 Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo was not considered a favorite. His odds reflected skepticism from bettors and analysts alike, many of whom questioned whether he possessed the speed and experience necessary to contend with the top three-year-olds in the field. However, the Derby has long been known for producing unexpected outcomes, and Golden Tempo delivered one of the most memorable performances in recent years.
The race itself unfolded in dramatic fashion. After breaking from the gate, Golden Tempo settled near the back of the pack, a position that often proves difficult to overcome in a race as fast-paced and crowded as the Derby. As the field moved through the early stages, the leaders established a demanding pace. It was not until the final turn that Golden Tempo began to make a sustained move, gradually closing the distance between himself and the front runners. In the stretch, he accelerated with remarkable determination, overtaking horse after horse before ultimately securing victory in the final strides.
The financial implications of the win were substantial. The Kentucky Derby purse in 2026 totaled $5 million, with the winning connections receiving just over $3 million. While the monetary reward is significant, it represents only one dimension of the achievement. A Derby victory elevates a trainer’s career in ways that extend far beyond a single race, influencing future opportunities, attracting higher-caliber horses, and solidifying a place within the sport’s history.
More broadly, DeVaux’s victory carries important implications for horse racing as an institution. For decades, women have played essential roles within the industry, as exercise riders, grooms, assistants, and veterinarians, yet their representation among top-level trainers has remained limited. Structural barriers, including access to ownership networks and high-quality horses, have historically made it more difficult for women to reach the sport’s upper tiers. While progress has been made in recent years, the absence of a female Derby-winning trainer persisted as a symbol of these challenges.
This context makes DeVaux’s accomplishment particularly meaningful. It demonstrates that the barriers, while real, are not insurmountable. Visibility matters in professional sports, and moments like this have the potential to reshape expectations. Young women entering the field can now point to a clear example of success at the highest level, which may, over time, influence both participation and opportunity.
It is also important to recognize that DeVaux’s victory did not occur in isolation. Other women have made significant strides in Triple Crown racing in recent years. In 2023, Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race when her horse captured the Belmont Stakes. That achievement marked a critical step forward, demonstrating that women could succeed on racing’s biggest stages. However, the Kentucky Derby, often regarded as the most prestigious and visible race in the United States, remained unconquered until now.
There have been additional near-misses and notable efforts by female trainers who have qualified horses for the Derby and competed respectably, even if they did not ultimately secure victory. Each of these efforts contributed incrementally to the broader shift within the sport, challenging long-standing assumptions and expanding the range of who is seen as capable of succeeding.
What distinguishes DeVaux’s Derby win is not only its historical significance but also the manner in which it was achieved. Golden Tempo’s come-from-behind performance required precise judgment in training and race preparation. Conditioning a horse to finish strongly in a race as demanding as the Derby involves careful planning, from managing workouts to selecting prep races that build endurance without overexertion. The result was a horse that peaked at exactly the right moment, a reflection of both natural ability and deliberate preparation.
In considering the broader meaning of this moment, it is useful to view it not as an endpoint but as part of an ongoing evolution within horse racing. Change in established institutions often occurs gradually, shaped by individual achievements that collectively alter perceptions over time. DeVaux’s victory represents one such achievement, highly visible, deeply symbolic, and grounded in years of work that preceded it.
Ultimately, the 2026 Kentucky Derby will be remembered not only for Golden Tempo’s powerful finish but also for what the victory represents. It highlights the importance of opportunity, the value of perseverance, and the potential for progress within even the most tradition-bound environments. For the sport of horse racing, it signals a step toward a more inclusive future. For those who follow the industry closely, it serves as a reminder that history is not fixed; it is shaped by those who are willing to challenge its boundaries.
