Golden Tempo gives Cherie DeVaux history-making win in Kentucky Derby

May 02, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Golden Tempo wins the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.(Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Cherie DeVaux became the first female to train a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner when Golden Tempo rallied from last to edge Renegade in Saturday's 152nd running of the Churchill Downs classic.

A homebred for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, the 23-1 chance was ridden by Jose Ortiz, who was turning the big-race double after guiding Always a Runner to victory in Friday night's Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The final yards of the $5 million contest turned into a brotherly rivalry. Irad Ortiz Jr. was galvanizing Renegade to make a move in deep stretch, only to be overhauled by his brother Jose aboard Golden Tempo.

Golden Tempo, the first Derby winner sired by Hall of Famer Curlin, negotiated 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.27 and paid $48.24.

Curlin was also the grandsire of runner-up Renegade, the slight second choice at 5.65-1, and third-placer Ocelli, a maiden who outperformed his 70-1 odds. Renegade is out of the Curlin mare Spice Is Nice, while Ocelli is by Curlin's son Connect.

Japan Road invitee Danon Bourbon briefly threatened to make history of his own. After stalking the fast pace set by Dubai shipper Six Speed in splits of :22.68, :46.44, and 1:10.90, Danon Bourbon seized command at the top of the stretch. He made his bid for glory, but his proximity to the pace told late, and he began to tire.

Ocelli, one of the also-eligibles who drew into the field, surprisingly emerged from the pack to tackle Danon Bourbon. Then Renegade and Golden Tempo swept past them.

Chief Wallabee finished with interest on the inside for fourth, relegating the gallant Danon Bourbon to fifth. Incredibolt, Commandment, and the other Japanese hope, Wonder Dean, rounded out the top eight. So Happy reported home ninth, trailed by Emerging Market, 5,05-1 favorite Further Ado, Potente, Six Speed, Robusta, Albus, Intrepido, Litmus Test, and Pavlovian.

Great White was scratched at the gate. The Puma was withdrawn Saturday morning, while Silent Tactic, Fulleffort, and Right to Party were ruled out over the preceding days. The fourth also-eligible, Corona de Oro, did not get in by scratch time Friday morning.

Thanks to the $3.1 million winner's share, Golden Tempo brandishes a $3.433 million bankroll from a 5-3-0-2 record. The bay took the Fair Grounds Road to the Kentucky Derby, winning the Lecomte (G3) before placing a distant third in the Risen Star (G2) and a closer third in the Louisiana Derby (G2). The addition of blinkers helped him in that final prep, and he took a massive leap forward to make history on Saturday.

'He's a dead closer,' DeVaux said, 'and the Louisiana Derby really solidified he was getting there from the eighth pole home. If he had extra ground, he was going to make it. We had to have faith in the process, faith in the horse, faith in Jose (Ortiz). That was an incredible experience. I’m so proud of this horse.'

In 18 previous Derby starts by female trainers, Shelley Riley had come closest when Casual Lies was runner-up in 1992. Now DeVaux, with her very first Derby runner, has rewritten the record book.

'Being a woman or my gender has never really crossed my mind in this journey of mine,' DeVaux said in the postrace news conference. 'I have to say, the racetrack is a tough place. It's a tough place if you are a man. It's a tough place if you're a woman.

'The thing that really has become apparent to me is that not everyone has the same constitution as I have mentally. It really is an honor to be able to be that person for other woman or other little girls to look up to.

'You can dream big, and you can pivot. You can come from one place and make yourself a part of history.'

The moment Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. pic.twitter.com/SfEjnsBdTB

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2026