Trending Now - Cherie Devaux Makes History at Record-breaking Kentucky Derby
WHO:
Variety - Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
WRAL - Donna Brothers, a former jockey with 1,130 career wins, was working her final race as a commentator on NBC’s coverage of the Derby.
WRAL - José Ortiz was the jockey for Golden Tempo.
WHAT:
WRAL - Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby by a neck after starting dead last and making a significant comeback in the final stretch.
WRAL - DeVaux stated, “He’s a dead closer,” referring to Golden Tempo's racing style.
WRAL - Jockey José Ortiz described Golden Tempo as having “a lot of ability, but he’s very lazy,” indicating the horse's slow start.
WRAL - DeVaux expressed her surprise at winning, saying, “I couldn’t believe it. None of us really can believe it.”
WRAL - DeVaux joked about her future plans, stating, “There was a joke that I’m going to be a one-and-done, but now I think I have to do this again.”
Variety - The Kentucky Derby was a historic moment for women in horse racing.
WRAL - Cherie DeVaux's horse, Golden Tempo, won the Kentucky Derby as a 24-1 underdog.
WRAL - Golden Tempo won by a neck after a come-from-behind victory.
WRAL - DeVaux has earned more than $32 million since obtaining her license in 2018.
WHERE:
Variety - The Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs.
WHEN:
WRAL - DeVaux's career started 22 years ago at Churchill Downs.
WRAL - DeVaux mentioned a pivotal moment in her career occurred in the summer of 2017.
WHY:
WRAL - DeVaux initially planned to become a doctor but gravitated toward horse racing due to family involvement.
WRAL - DeVaux's spouse, David Ingordo, encouraged her to pursue a career in horse training.
HOW:
WRAL - DeVaux credited her success to “faith in the process, faith in the horse and faith in Jose. Lot of faith. Gotta have faith.”
WRAL - DeVaux started her career by walking horses at a farm and later learned to ride them.
WRAL - DeVaux trained under Chuck Simons for six years at Saratoga Race Course before moving to Chad Brown’s operation.
(UPDATED May 4, 2026 04:11 UTC)
Golden Tempo made a stunning comeback to win the Kentucky Derby by a neck after starting in last place, with jockey José Ortiz noting the horse's impressive ability despite a slow start. Trainer DeVaux expressed her disbelief at the victory, saying, “I couldn’t believe it. None of us really can believe it,” while also humorously contemplating her future in racing, suggesting she might not be a "one-and-done" after all. She credited the win to her unwavering faith in the process, the horse, and Ortiz, emphasizing that “lot of faith” is essential in the sport.
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(UPDATED May 3, 2026 23:12 UTC)
In a historic moment for women in horse racing, Cherie DeVaux made headlines as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby with her horse, Golden Tempo, who triumphed as a 24-1 underdog after a thrilling come-from-behind victory. The event, held at Churchill Downs, also marked the final race for Donna Brothers, a former jockey with an impressive 1,130 career wins, as she provided commentary for NBC's coverage. DeVaux, who has earned over $32 million since obtaining her license in 2018, began her career 22 years ago and was encouraged by her spouse, David Ingordo, to pursue her passion for horse training.