First Woman Trainer Wins Kentucky Derby with 23-1 Upset

History galloped across the finish line at Churchill Downs on Saturday when Golden Tempo delivered the Kentucky Derby's first-ever victory for a female trainer.

Cherie DeVaux watched her 23-1 long shot thunder past the field in the final stretch, securing her place in racing history. In the Derby's 152-year run, no woman had ever trained the winning horse until now.

Jockey Jose Ortiz guided Golden Tempo from dead last at the top of the stretch to first at the wire. The comeback was so dramatic that DeVaux said she "kind of blacked out" watching the final moments unfold.

The win was extra sweet for Ortiz, who faced off against his own brother Irad riding the second-place horse Renegade. Just one day earlier, Ortiz had won the Kentucky Oaks, making him the ninth jockey to sweep both prestigious races in the same weekend.

"This is the biggest race in the world for me," Ortiz said through tears after the race. "It's a dream come true."

The race itself had a rocky start when Great White reared up and threw his rider before entering the gate, causing a five-minute delay. Once underway, Golden Tempo stayed patient in the back while favorites battled for the lead.

Then came the magic moment. At the three-sixteenths pole, DeVaux thought, "We're probably going to win this." Ortiz asked Golden Tempo for everything, and the horse delivered.

Why This Inspires

DeVaux's victory breaks a barrier that stood for more than a century and a half. She follows Jena Antonucci, who became the first woman to train a Triple Crown race winner at the 2023 Belmont Stakes.

"I'm glad that I can be a representative of all women everywhere," DeVaux told NBC after the race. "That we can do anything we set our minds to."

Her words carry weight beyond the racetrack. In a sport traditionally dominated by men, DeVaux proved that talent and determination matter more than outdated expectations.

The victory also highlights the power of believing in your horse when others don't. Golden Tempo was dismissed by oddsmakers at 23-1, but DeVaux and Ortiz saw something special.

For two brothers competing against each other, for a long shot proving doubters wrong, and for a barrier finally broken, Saturday's Derby will be remembered as the day when perseverance won the race.