At this year’s Kentucky Derby Cherie DeVaux made horse racing history. As the trainer of Golden Tempo, she became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.
For those in the community curious about the world of Thoroughbred racing, Cherie Devaux is a name worth knowing. With her years of hands-on experience in training, and growing up surrounded by racehorses, Cherie has built a successful career around her passion for the sport.
“I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed exercise rider, and I never would have believed I’d be sitting up here today,” DeVaux said following Saturday’s race. “Never in my life did I think I would.”
Photo from Abbie Parr – ASSOCIATED PRESS
Early Life and Passion for Racing
Cherie DeVaux is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer from Saratoga Springs, New York. Raised in a harness racing family, she was surrounded by horses from an early age. Born on Dec. 2, 1981, DeVaux initially planned to pursue a career in the medical field. She attended Florida Gulf Coast University before transferring to the University at Albany.
However, a summer job in Saratoga Springs reignited her interest in horse racing and ultimately changed the course of her career.
DeVaux is one of 10 children, with seven brothers and two sisters. Her brother, Jimmy DeVaux, is a well-known driver and trainer with more than 5,000 racing wins. Her parents, Janet and Adrian “Butch” DeVaux, supported her decision to pursue horse training professionally. Her father spent more than four decades as a trainer, while her mother shared the family’s deep passion for horses.
Photo from Nellie Carlson, Paulick Report
Building a Career in Thoroughbred Racing
DeVaux has carved out a remarkable career in the competitive world of Thoroughbred racing. Over the years, Cherie has advanced to key roles in horse training and management, overseeing the development of young Thoroughbreds and guiding them to success on the track. Based in Kentucky, she established her own stable in 2018 after serving as a top assistant to Chad Brown, and has since become a leading trainer with multiple Grade 1 wins and over $36 million in earnings. Her work emphasizes her performance along with the well-being of the horses. This quality has earned her respect throughout the local racing community.
Heading into the 2026 Kentucky Derby, her horse "Golden Tempo" started the week no longer being considered as a favorite with odds 23-1. But DeVaux believed in Golden Tempo’s potential just enough to lead him to victory.
The Kentucky Derby started slow but everything turned around in the final stretch of the race.
With an impressive rise, Golden Tempo overtook the race, captivating the group and ending with an unforgettable victory. With this, Cherie DeVaux made history as the first women trainer, to train a Kentucky Derby winner.
With a proven track record of success, Cherie DeVaux continues to shape the future of horse trainers through her devotion to the sport.
What’s Next for Cherie DeVaux?
Following her historic Kentucky Derby win, DeVaux is focusing her attention on managing her top-tier stables in Kentucky and New York.
On Wednesday, May 5, DeVaux announced that Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes in order to focus on the horse’s long-term racing future. The decision was made with the horse’s health and longevity as top priorities.
Golden Tempo is expected to return to racing on June 6th at the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs.
Information in this article is provided from Americas Best Racing, Equibase, Paulick Report.
