LOUISVILLE, KY (352today.com) – It was completely unexpected, especially with a horse that was being sent off at odds of 23-1, but thoroughbred trainer Cherie DeVaux did something that had never been achieved previously on May 2, 2026, becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
‘Golden Tempo, a son of the 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, was only making his fifth lifetime start, but it was the watershed moment that saw DeVaux accomplish a feat that no woman had ever done, winning the 152nd edition of the Kentucky Derby, that captured the nation’s imagination. In 2023, Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a Classic race, when Arcangelo won the Belmont Stakes.
Golden Tempo is owned by the partnership of the Phipps Stable and Vinnie and Theresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable. The winner of the Kentucky Derby took home $3.1 million of the $5 million purse. Golden Tempo had finished third in his last start, the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (Gr.2) on March 21, 2026. Vinnie Viola owns the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers.
DeVaux won the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile with More Than Looks.
And in a series of firsts, Jose Ortiz, who was riding in his 11th Kentucky Derby, also won his first Kentucky Derby. Ortiz owns a farm in Ocala with his wife, former jockey Taylor Rice.
Robert and Lawana Low’s and Mike Repole’s Renegade finished second, and the Todd Pletcher charge was ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz’s older brother. Renegade was broken and trained in Ocala at J.J. Pletcher’s Payton Training Center, with J.J. Pletcher being Hall of Fame conditioner Todd Pletcher’s father. Renegade added $1 million to his lifetime earnings for finishing second in the race and has now bankrolled $2,031,500.
The Puma, who was broken and trained by Hidden Brook’s Mark Roberts in Williston, was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby because of leg swelling due to a skin infection.
Further Ado, who was broken and trained by Scott Kintz’ Six K’s Training and Sales in Reddick, finished 11th.
“I just hope he comes back good, I don’t see why he won’t, and he’ll live to win another day,” said Kintz. “The Breeders’ Cup’s ahead of him, the Travers, there’s still a lot of good races ahead of him.”
Potente, who was broken and trained in Ocala by Niall Brennan, finished 12th.
Litmus Test, who was broken and trained in Ocala by David Scanlon, Finished 17th.