Cherie DeVaux is set to make her first start at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, bringing Golden Tempo to the 152nd running of the race with a chance to make history in 2026. No female trainer has ever trained the Kentucky Derby winning horse, and DeVaux says she wants to change that.
“The only thing I want to do in my career is be the first female to win a Kentucky Derby,” DeVaux said. “This is our first Derby starter, and we’re one step closer.”
DeVaux already has a winning Breeders' Cup horse on her record, giving her résumé some weight before her first trip to the Derby. She said she does not frame the challenge as male versus female, but added that she tries to be a strong role model while doing the best she can.
The Kentucky Derby has long been defined by its history, and DeVaux is stepping into that history at a moment when the race is once again looking for a new name in the record books. Her presence with Golden Tempo does not end the debate over who can win the sport’s biggest races, but it does put a female trainer one step closer to breaking through at Churchill Downs.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” DeVaux said. “You have to be willing to fail to be able to succeed.”