First Female Trainer Wins Kentucky Derby with Golden Tempo

A thunderous roar erupted at Churchill Downs as Golden Tempo crossed the finish line, but the real victory belonged to the woman who prepared him for this moment.

Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in 152 runnings of America's most prestigious horse race. Her horse, Golden Tempo, claimed the roses on May 2, 2026, in a finish that rewrote racing history.

The achievement shatters a barrier that has stood since the first Derby in 1875. While women have competed as jockeys and owners, no female trainer had ever led a horse to victory in the Run for the Roses until DeVaux.

"Women can do anything we set our minds to," DeVaux said after the race. Her words carried extra weight at a track where generations of talented women had come close but never broken through.

Why This Inspires

DeVaux's win represents more than one person's achievement. She joins a growing movement of women transforming traditionally male-dominated sports from the inside out.

Young girls watching at home now have proof that the biggest stages in racing are truly open to them. Every barrier that falls makes the next one easier to break.

The victory comes at a time when women are making unprecedented gains across professional sports, from coaching to executive leadership. DeVaux's Derby win adds momentum to a movement that shows no signs of slowing.

Golden Tempo may have won the race, but DeVaux opened the door for everyone who follows.