When David Ingordo encouraged his wife to pursue horse training in the late 2010s, he likely never imagined the history they'd make together. Fast forward to the 152nd Kentucky Derby, and Cherie DeVaux became the first woman trainer to win the iconic race—a moment that will forever be etched in equestrian lore.

Now, basking in the glow of that triumph, DeVaux is taking a heartfelt moment to honor the man who started it all. The 44-year-old trainer posted an emotional birthday tribute to her husband on X (formerly Twitter), thanking him for being her rock through every stride and stumble.

"Happiest of birthdays to the one who is the reason I became a trainer," DeVaux wrote. "David saw potential in me and believed in me long before I believed in myself. He has been my biggest supporter, my therapist, my sounding board, and my wailing wall through every high and low since the day we met. None of this journey would have been possible without him beside me. He deserves the world and so much more. Happy 50th birthday, David ❤️"

While the couple has kept the exact timeline of their meeting private, it's known that by 2017 they were in a relationship and soon married. At that time, DeVaux was working as an assistant trainer for Chad Brown, quietly questioning her future in the sport. But Ingordo—a respected bloodstock agent with a keen eye for talent—saw something she couldn't yet see in herself.

"I always say that talent and class are evident in horses and people very quickly," Ingordo told Yahoo Sports. "I'd watch Cherie and see her, and I knew her from her previous job. I could see who was really doing the work. And I told her, 'You're too talented to be an assistant. It'd be a waste if you don't try it.'"

DeVaux recalls that Ingordo gave her a simple challenge: give it three years. That leap of faith transformed her from an assistant into a history-making trainer, proving that sometimes the best investments aren't in horses—but in the people who train them.