Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby [1] on Saturday, May 2, 2026 [2], at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky [3].
The victory marks a historic milestone for the sport, as trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby [4].
Owner Daisy Phipps Pulito received the trophy during the presentation ceremony following the race [5]. The event celebrated the performance of Golden Tempo [6] and the professional achievement of DeVaux, who broke a long-standing gender barrier in the winner's circle of the premier U.S. racing event [4].
Churchill Downs hosted the 152nd edition of the race [1] in a field that culminated in this first-time victory for a woman in the trainer's role [4]. The victory is the result of the combined efforts of Pulito, DeVaux, and the horse, Golden Tempo [6].
Throughout the event, the atmosphere at the Louisville track focused on the rarity of the achievement. While many women have owned winning horses, the role of the trainer requires a specific set of technical and strategic responsibilities that had not resulted in a Derby win for a woman until this Saturday [4].
Pulito and DeVaux shared the spotlight during the official trophy presentation [5], marking the conclusion of the 152nd running of the race [1].
“Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.”
The victory by Cherie DeVaux represents a significant cultural shift in the traditionally male-dominated sphere of Thoroughbred racing. By becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, DeVaux has established a new precedent for leadership and technical expertise in the sport's most prestigious event.
