Trainer Cherie DeVaux has spent decades perfecting her craft, and her historic Kentucky Derby win might just be the beginning of a legendary career. After becoming the first female trainer to claim victory at the iconic race, her family and fans alike are already anticipating more triumphs to come.
Before Cherie DeVaux won a Breeders' Cup race, before one of her horses earned an Eclipse Award, and before she became the answer to Siri's question—"Who was the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby?"—she faced a challenge familiar to every new trainer: getting quality horses. The year was 2018, and she had just married David Ingordo, a leading bloodstock agent. Surely, he would bring her top-tier talent, and DeVaux would be on her way to success.
Except… it took DeVaux 11 months to win her first race.
"That was 100% my fault," Ingordo admitted. "We gathered up some horses of our own; we were totally self-funded. And the collection of horses I gathered up were yaks and llamas and sheep. They weren't related to the equine species. I told her, 'You should have divorced me for the effing horses I put in there.'"
Ingordo shared this story on a crisp Sunday morning outside Barn 37 at Churchill Downs, where dozens of cameras and reporters gathered to capture every word from his wife—just 12 hours after she made history.
"Good thing I don't have social anxiety," DeVaux quipped as she stepped in front of the crowd.
DeVaux reported that Golden Tempo, the horse who carried her to victory, was doing well, happily munching hay in his stall just 50 feet away. Two hours later, he would take a 70-mile van ride back to DeVaux's base at Keeneland. A decision on whether Golden Tempo will head east to Laurel Park for the May 16 Preakness Stakes won't be made for several days.
DeVaux celebrated with family late Saturday night, finally getting to sleep at 1:30 a.m. She allowed herself to "sleep in a bit," not rising until a whole four hours later. Her phone buzzed with more than 800 text messages, and she was already thinking about packing for a flight to New York, where she was scheduled to appear on NBC's "Today" at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
"I don't know if the enormity of this has sunk in yet," she said.
But DeVaux, 44, has never forgotten where she came from. Growing up in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.—a town synonymous with thoroughbred racing—she learned early on that success in this sport requires patience, grit, and a steady hand. Her journey from those humble beginnings to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs is a testament to her resilience. And if her family's predictions hold true, the best is yet to come.