Golden Tempo won the 152nd [1] Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The victory represents a landmark shift in the sport of horse racing, as it marks the first time a woman has trained the winning horse in the history of the race [1].

Golden Tempo entered the race as a long shot with winning odds of 23-1 [3]. The horse competed against a field of 18 starters [4]. According to race reports, the victory was secured by a late-race surge that allowed Golden Tempo to move from the back of the pack to the finish line [1, 2].

Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Derby [1]. Her achievement breaks a long-standing gender barrier in one of the most prestigious events in U.S. sports.

Jockey José Ortiz also reached a significant milestone during the event. By winning the race, Ortiz became the ninth jockey to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby in the same calendar year [2].

The race took place at Churchill Downs, where the event has been held since its inception. The combination of DeVaux's training and Ortiz's riding strategy allowed the underdog horse to overcome the odds in a competitive field [1, 2].

“Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Derby.”

The victory of Golden Tempo is more than a sporting upset; it is a systemic milestone for gender representation in equestrian sports. By becoming the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby, Cherie DeVaux has dismantled a historical ceiling for trainers, potentially opening doors for more women to ascend to top-tier training roles in U.S. racing.