History made: DeVaux first female trainer to win Kentucky Derby

Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby as Golden Tempo charged home from last to make history.

In scenes like Michelle Payne’s famous Melbourne Cup win on Prince of Penzance in 2015, Devaux addressed her feat in the victory press conference.

“Being a woman or my gender has never really crossed my mind in this,” DeVaux said. “The thing that really has become apparent to me is [that] not everyone has the same constitution I have mentally.”

“It really is an honour to be that person for other women or other little girls to look up to.”

“You can dream big and you can pivot, you can come from one place and make yourself a part of history.”

Devaux had been an assistant trainer but decided in 2018 to try her luck as the boss and has become one of the most successful female trainers in the States.

She was not worried when Golden Tempo was back last in the Derby and by the top of the straight her confidence was growing that he would pull off a surprise victory at $23.

“That’s how he runs, so it’s not like we really did anything different than he had done in his previous starts,” Devaux said. “About the three-sixteenth pole [300m mark], I thought we’re probably going to win this.”

 “And then I really kind of blacked out after that.”

 

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Jose Ortiz became the 11^th jockey to complete the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double after winning the Oaks on Always a Runner on Friday.

Ortiz ran down his brother Irad Ortiz Jr. on Renegade to win the Derby with Ocelli running third.

“I want him to win the Derby, of course,” Jose said. “I know it’s his dream as well. But it happened that way. I think he should be happy. His horse ran a very good race. He’s a very nice horse.

 “Today’s my day and Golden Tempo’s day.”