Full Breakdown
Golden Tempo Wins 152nd Kentucky Derby, First Female Trainer to Triumph
5/3/2026, 6:55:59 AM
Core Event
On May 2, 2026, Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz, captured the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The colt posted a time of 2:02.27 for the 1¼-mile distance, edging favorite Renegade by a neck; Ocelli finished third. The victory marked the first Derby win for a female trainer.
Background & Context
The Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, has been run since 1875. Before 2026, no female trainer had won; Jena Antonucci was the first woman to win a Triple Crown race in 2023.
Key Figures
Trainer Cherie DeVaux (44) previously assisted Chuck Simon and Chad Brown. Jockey Jose Ortiz (32) is Irad Ortiz Jr.’s brother. Golden Tempo (23-1) is owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable; Renegade (6-1) was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
Timeline
- May 1: Ortiz won the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always a Runner.
- Early May 2: Five horses (Great White, The Puma, Right to Party, Silent Tactic, Fulleffort) were scratched, leaving 18 starters.
- Mid-race: Golden Tempo fell to last before launching a stretch run.
- Finish: Golden Tempo crossed first at 2:02.27; Renegade second, Ocelli third.
Data & Statistics
Purse $5 million; winner’s share $3.1 million (80 % owners, 20 % trainer/jockey). Attendance >100,000. Golden Tempo paid $48.24 win on a $2 ticket.
Official Statements & Responses
DeVaux said she “could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to” and was “so, so, so happy for Golden Tempo.” Ortiz noted his grandfather’s absence, called the win his dream achieved, and said he became the ninth jockey to win both the Oaks and Derby.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list DeVaux’s age as 44 or 32, Golden Tempo’s odds as 23-1 or 24-1, and the field size as 18 or 19 starters. No dissenting commentary on the outcome appears in the available reports.
Why It Matters
DeVaux’s win shatters a gender barrier, offering a role model for women trainers; the upset also highlights Derby unpredictability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't even have any words right now,” DeVaux said. “I just can’t. Just so, so, so happy for Golden Tempo.” — Cherie DeVaux, Trainer
- “I’m glad I could be representative of all women everywhere, that we can do anything we set our minds to.” — Cherie DeVaux, Trainer
- “I get to ride it almost every year, but to get to win it, it's just special,” — Jose Ortiz, Jockey
- “He is the ninth jockey to complete the double — Brian Hernandez Jr.” — Jose Ortiz, Jockey
What’s Next
DeVaux has not yet committed Golden Tempo to the May 16 Preakness Stakes, saying the horse’s response will guide the decision. Ortiz will target the Preakness, hoping to become the first jockey to win the Oaks, Derby and Preakness in a single season.
