Cherie DeVaux became the name everyone searched for after the Kentucky Derby 2026, and not just because Golden Tempo crossed the line first. The moment carried weight beyond the result. A 23-1 longshot surged from last to first, but it was the trainer behind that horse who truly shifted the conversation. In a race known for its history, DeVaux quietly carved out a new chapter.Golden Tempo’s charge through traffic stunned Churchill Downs, yet the story did not begin there. It had been building for years. Long before Derby day, DeVaux was learning, adjusting, and waiting for a chance that often felt just out of reach. When it finally arrived, she did not miss it.
Who is Cherie DeVaux?
Cherie DeVaux, 44, grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York, a place where racing is part of everyday life. Her early path did not point straight to the track. She studied pre-med in college before realizing her future belonged elsewhere. That decision led her to work under trainer Chuck Simon, where she began from the ground up.DeVaux spent eight years as an assistant to Chad Brown, refining her eye for detail and learning how to manage elite horses. In 2018, she stepped out on her own and built her stable. The results followed. More than 1,800 starts, hundreds of wins, and a growing reputation.
Cherie DeVaux’s family and personal details
Racing has been a part of DeVaux’s life. Her father worked in harness racing, and her sister Adrianne has also stepped into training after working alongside her. The sport is not just a career. It is part of her family’s rhythm.She is married to bloodstock agent David Ingordo and shares a close bond with her stepdaughter Reagan. That connection shows up in small ways. Some of her horses carry names inspired by family. After the Derby, those closest to her were right there, sharing the moment as it happened.
What did Cherie DeVaux say after the Kentucky Derby win?
The scale of the win took a moment to sink in. “I honestly don’t know, I’m just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to,” DeVaux said.Later, still processing the moment, she added, “I don’t even have any words right now. I just can’t.”There was also appreciation for the ride itself.“Jose did a masterful job at getting him there. He was so far out of it.”
Does Cherie DeVaux train other horses?
Golden Tempo may have brought global attention, but DeVaux’s stable was already producing strong results. She trained More Than Looks to a Breeders’ Cup Mile win and guided She Feels Pretty to multiple stakes victories. On Derby weekend alone, several of her horses placed or won in other races, showing depth beyond a single headline moment.
Cherie DeVaux bet on herself
Her journey was not built overnight. After years as an assistant, DeVaux reached a point where she wanted more control over her path.“It was a conversation with my now husband,” she said. “I was burnt out from being an assistant trainer. I wanted to do something more for myself, have a little bit more of a personal life.”That choice changed everything. What began as a leap of faith turned into a steady climb. On Derby day, that climb reached its peak, with Golden Tempo making the same kind of run his trainer once imagined for himself.
