How Cherie DeVaux Shattered Kentucky Derby’s Gender Barrier
The Kentucky Derby’s winner’s circle had never seen a female trainer—until Cherie DeVaux stormed past the old guard with Golden Tempo. This isn’t just another Derby upset; it’s a seismic shift for an industry that’s been notoriously slow to embrace gender diversity in its highest ranks. For decades, the training roster at Churchill Downs has read like a roll call of men, with women largely relegated to peripheral or supporting roles. DeVaux’s victory punches a hole in the glass ceiling that’s persisted since the Derby’s inception in 1875.
DeVaux’s route to the Derby wasn’t paved with privilege or shortcuts. She spent years as an assistant under heavyweights like Chad Brown, building a reputation for meticulous preparation and sharp horse management. Even as more women entered the sport—often in grooming or exercise roles—few cracked the trainer code. The licensing process, client acquisition, and the politics of horse ownership skewed male, and DeVaux faced skepticism at every turn. Her rise signals not just personal tenacity, but a slow-cooking change in racing culture: owners finally willing to bet on skill instead of gender.
This win matters beyond the sport. Horse racing, especially at the Derby level, is a microcosm of American power structures. DeVaux’s breakthrough isn’t just symbolic—it challenges every assumption about who belongs in high-stakes competition. The ripple effect will reach young women watching from the sidelines, owners looking for talent, and racing boards forced to reconsider their hiring biases. As Al Jazeera notes, DeVaux’s win is both a milestone and a litmus test for an industry overdue for an overhaul.
Golden Tempo’s Unexpected Victory: A Statistical Breakdown
Golden Tempo carried 21-1 odds into the Derby, mirroring the skepticism surrounding both horse and trainer. Few analysts gave her a serious shot; most models favored established stables and horses like Thunderbolt or Empire’s Edge, both running at sub-5-1 odds. Golden Tempo’s past performances—three placings but no major stakes wins in her last five starts—painted her as a long shot. Yet in a field of 20, she surged from mid-pack at the three-quarter pole and clocked a final time of 2:02.11, outpacing favorites by nearly half a second.
This isn’t the first time a Derby underdog has stunned bettors. In 2019, Country House won at 65-1, and in 2005, Giacomo shocked the field at 50-1. But Golden Tempo’s win stands out: she didn’t just capitalize on a chaotic race, she ran a tactically perfect trip, exploiting gaps and conserving stamina for the final stretch. The payout was substantial—$44.60 for a $2 win bet, marking her as one of the most lucrative Derby bets in the past decade.
For jockey Jose Ortiz, this victory marks a personal watershed. Ortiz had logged 15 Derby rides without a win; his best previous finish was third in 2022. With over 2,800 career wins and earnings topping $120 million, Ortiz was already an elite rider, but the Derby trophy eluded him. Now, he joins the ranks of Derby-winning jockeys, which could reshape his reputation and future mounts. Ortiz’s tactical patience and decision-making under pressure were pivotal, offering a textbook case of how experience and composure can turn an outsider into a champion.
Diverse Perspectives on DeVaux’s Derby Win from Industry Stakeholders
Reactions from inside the racing world were immediate and polarized. Fellow trainers, including seasoned names like Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox, admitted surprise but underscored DeVaux’s work ethic and horse management skills as decisive factors. Pletcher commented post-race that “talent always rises,” subtly hinting that gender shouldn’t be a barrier—but acknowledging it often is. Veteran jockeys praised Ortiz’s ride, but many pointed to DeVaux’s preparation as the difference-maker.
Racing officials, particularly those at Churchill Downs, scrambled to frame the win as evidence of racing’s inclusivity. Yet some insiders argue the industry still has far to go. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association issued a congratulatory statement, but privately, several board members expressed concern about whether this would spark meaningful systemic change or simply be celebrated as a one-off.
Gender equality advocates in sports seized on the moment. The Women’s Sports Foundation called it “historic,” but cautioned against complacency: women still make up less than 10% of licensed trainers at major tracks. Social media erupted with fan support, trending #DeVauxDerby for two days. Some media outlets focused on DeVaux’s narrative, others on the broader context—an imbalance between celebration and actual reform.
Not all fans embraced the result. Traditionalists grumbled about “luck” and “novelty,” while younger audiences hailed it as overdue progress. The split mirrors racing’s generational divide—old guard resistant to change, new blood eager for disruption. The moment is more than a headline; it’s a flashpoint that exposes the industry’s deep-seated biases and its ongoing struggle to adapt.
Tracing the Evolution of Female Trainers in Horse Racing History
DeVaux’s victory stands on the shoulders of pioneers like Helen Van Ness, who became the first licensed female trainer at a major U.S. track in 1969. Yet Van Ness was never given a Derby-caliber horse. In the 1980s and 1990s, women like Kathy Ritvo and Lisa Lewis broke into Grade 1 races, but opportunities remained scarce. Ritvo, for instance, became the first woman in nearly 25 years to train a Breeders’ Cup winner in 2013, but Derby contenders remained elusive.
The slow opening of doors has mirrored broader social changes. In the 1970s, women gained access to jockey licenses after a lawsuit—only to face decades of exclusion from prime mounts. Trainers faced similar hurdles: owners preferred the “safe bet” of male trainers, citing tradition, supposed physical demands, and networking advantages. The numbers tell the story: as recently as 2010, fewer than 5% of Derby starters had female trainers.
DeVaux’s win recalls other landmark moments, like Julie Krone’s Belmont Stakes victory in 1993—the first woman jockey to win a Triple Crown race. Krone’s triumph was supposed to spark a tidal wave of opportunity, but progress came in fits and starts. DeVaux’s breakthrough is different: she’s not just winning a race, she’s reshaping who gets to compete for the sport’s highest honors. Her path—from assistant trainer to Derby winner—will become a blueprint for ambitious women in racing, unless the industry reverts to old habits.
What Cherie DeVaux’s Triumph Means for the Future of Horse Racing
Hiring practices in racing are notoriously opaque, often relying on personal connections and track record over formal interviews. DeVaux’s win forces a reckoning: will owners start hiring based on merit, or will entrenched networks resist change? Early signals point to more inquiries from owners seeking “fresh eyes” for their stables. If DeVaux lands more top horses, she could trigger a feedback loop—success breeding opportunity, and vice versa.
Training roles may see a slow but steady influx of younger women. Racing schools and mentorship programs, often short on female representation, are reporting increased interest. DeVaux’s visibility, especially in media interviews and post-race coverage, turns her into a recruiter by default. Her methods—data-driven conditioning, individualized race strategy—are gaining attention from both old-school and analytics-minded newcomers.
Sponsorship is another battleground. Brands eager to spotlight diversity are lining up: Golden Tempo’s win triggered a 30% spike in inquiries for sponsorship, according to Churchill Downs’ marketing data. Media coverage will likely track DeVaux’s next moves, shifting focus from novelty to sustained performance. Fan engagement could expand, with younger viewers and women more likely to tune in as the sport sheds its “boys’ club” reputation.
If the industry takes this moment seriously, racing could see a realignment—where talent trumps tradition, and the winner’s circle welcomes more firsts. The risk is complacency: a single win doesn’t erase decades of bias. But DeVaux’s victory gives the industry a rare opportunity to redefine its future.
Predicting the Long-Term Impact of DeVaux’s Derby Win on the Sport
DeVaux’s milestone is a catalyst, not a cure-all. The Kentucky Derby—and major races like the Preakness and Belmont—will likely see incremental rises in female trainers and owners. If DeVaux repeats her success, the pressure for diversity will intensify; a second Derby win would force racing boards to actively recruit and promote women trainers.
Gender diversity trends are already shifting. Since 2015, the number of women trainers at top-tier tracks has doubled, but still lags behind Europe, where regulatory quotas have nudged the numbers higher. U.S. racing could follow suit, either through informal networks or formal mandates. The next five years may bring more visibility, but not parity: entrenched interests don’t yield quickly.
DeVaux herself faces new challenges. Winning the Derby means more scrutiny—every performance, every client decision will be dissected. If she falters, critics will claim her victory was a fluke; if she succeeds, she’ll set a new standard. The opportunity is immense: she could shape training methods, influence hiring practices, and mentor the next wave of women in racing.
The sport’s biggest risk is inertia. Without structural change—more transparent hiring, investment in female talent, and ongoing media focus—the moment could fade. But if DeVaux’s path inspires owners, fans, and regulators to rethink who gets a shot, the Derby’s winner’s circle may never look the same again. Expect to see more women not just training, but winning, within the decade. The odds are finally shifting.
Why It Matters
- Cherie DeVaux's win shatters a long-standing gender barrier in elite horse racing.
- Her success challenges the male-dominated culture of high-level sports training.
- This breakthrough could inspire more women to pursue leadership roles in racing and beyond.
