Cherie DeVaux Becomes First Female Trainer To Win Kentucky Derby

In case you didn’t already realize it, girls rule the world. In becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, Cherie DeVaux has further exemplified that fact. Eighteen previous female conditioners had saddled horses for the world’s most famous race with the first being Mary Hirsch back in 1937 with a horse interestingly enough named No Sir (finished 13^th ). Shelley Riley had come the closest to the winner’s circle with Casual Lies when he finished second in 1992. The female influence has become more prominent in recent years as DeVaux was the ninth woman to bring a horse to the first Saturday in May since the turn of the century. If you ask this dedicated horsewoman who began her training carer in 2018 about her history-making accomplishment she quickly puts it in a humble perspective.

“The racetrack is a tough place and it doesn’t care if you are a man or a woman”, says DeVaux who guided More Than Looks to a win in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile. “Being a woman or my gender has never really crossed my mind in this journey of mine. Not everyone has the same constitution as I have mentally. You can dream big and become a person that is a part of history. It is an honor for me to be that person other women and little girls can look up to.”

Of course, winning the Kentucky Derby is a dream come true for any Thoroughbred trainer. The path that leads to the big day is special, but seeing it all come to fruition and walking to the winner’s circle is euphoric.

“We had a plan with Golden Tempo all along and we knew he was a talented horse”, says DeVaux, who has her training operation with about 120 horses based in Kentucky. “He was continuing to develop and after he won the LeComte Stakes at Fair Grounds in his second start back in February we just wanted to get him to the first Saturday in May. It didn’t bother us that he finished third in the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby, we just wanted enough points to get in the Kentucky Derby. We know how he runs and there was lots of speed on paper. He settled at the back and then did what he usually does. I saw (jockey) Jose (Ortiz) put him in position at the top of the stretch and at the three sixteenths pole I thought we were going to win. After that I just was so overwhelmed I kind of blacked out. I am so proud of this horse and our whole team. Now I am glad I don’t have to answer the question about if I will be the first female to win the Derby.”

Jose Ortiz Enjoys First Kentucky Derby Win With A Perfect Ride on Golden Tempo

Jose Ortiz has ridden to prominence in recent years. Recognized as one of the top jockeys in the sport, he has become one of the most sought-after riders in Thoroughbred racing. His piloting prowess had been on display the preceding day as he booted home Always A Runner to a first place finish in the Kentucky Oaks. So, why was he riding a 23 to 1 shot in the world’s most famous race? Here is where this story get more heart-warming than your childhood woobie.

“Loyalty to Cherie DeVaux is why I was riding Golden Tempo in this race”, says Ortiz, who has won over 3,000 races in his career. “She has always been very good to me and I had ridden him in all of his previous (4) starts. We always knew he had a lot ability but was just a little lazy, especially out of the gate. I wanted to be loyal to Cherie and I knew Golden Tempo was going to be my Derby horse all along.”

The riding wizardry was witnessed in Kentucky Derby 152 as Ortiz guided his horse from post 19 over to the rail straight out of the gate. Understanding the running style of Golden Tempo, the Eclipse Award winning jockey (2017) allowed the other seventeen runners to the heavy lifting (22.68 opening quarter mile,46.44 half mile) as he watched them all from well back as the rolled up the back stretch in this mile and a quarter journey. With a half mile remaining, Ortiz urged his mount and the result was Golden. Still 12^th with a quarter mile remaining, the Tempo picked up and the real running started. Unleashing the horsepower beneath him, Jose steered outside the other runners and Golden Tempo gobbled up ground with amazing strides. Timing it perfectly the two who worked as one finished a neck in front and galloped into history.

“I know he is a deep closer so I wasn’t worried about being last early”, says Ortiz, who has also won the Preakness (2022) and Belmont Stakes (2017). “We were just looking for a big late run and looks like we timed it just right. I couldn’t be prouder for Cherie, the horse, and the owners (Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable). I am very happy we won the race.”

This was the first win in the Kentucky Derby for Jose Ortiz and he became the ninth jockey in history to win both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year. It was his third win aboard Golden Tempo in five career starts.