History was made at Churchill Downs on Saturday as Golden Tempo stormed from the back of the pack to capture the Kentucky Derby, and with it, trainer Cherie DeVaux etched her name into the sport's record books. DeVaux became the first female trainer in the 152-year history of the Run for the Roses to lead a horse to victory—a milestone that resonated far beyond the winner's circle.

Golden Tempo, a 23-1 longshot, spent most of the race lurking behind the leaders before making a dramatic surge in the final strides. Jockey Jose Ortiz piloted the colt to his first Derby win, but all eyes were on DeVaux as she celebrated the breakthrough moment. The win was a testament to patience and precision, as Golden Tempo saved energy early and unleashed a powerful kick when it mattered most.

DeVaux, 44, hails from Saratoga Springs, New York—a town synonymous with horse racing—and grew up immersed in the sport. After initially pursuing a pre-med track in college, she pivoted to her true passion, working as an assistant trainer under Chuck Simon and later Chad Brown before launching her own stable in 2018. Since then, she has steadily built a reputation for developing top-tier talent: her stable earned $10.2 million in 2024 and saw six different horses win graded races in 2025. Entering Saturday, her horses had already amassed $2.1 million in earnings this year, with lifetime earnings reaching $32.9 million, according to America's Best Racing.

For DeVaux, horse racing is a family affair—her husband, David Ingordo, is also a trainer. Together, they represent a new generation of horsemen and women reshaping the sport. While some Derby trainers have run their own stables for decades, DeVaux has achieved the sport's ultimate prize in just eight years as a head trainer, proving that talent and determination can rewrite history.

This victory isn't just a personal triumph—it's a watershed moment for women in horse racing, a sport where female trainers have long fought for recognition. DeVaux's name now stands alongside the legends of the Derby, and her journey from upstate New York to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs is an inspiration for anyone chasing their dreams, no matter the odds.