"DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby."
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs. Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz and trained by Cherie DeVaux, won the race.
Race Details
Golden Tempo, a longshot at odds ranging from 23-1 to 24-1, won by a neck. The horse broke slowly and was at the back of the field with half a mile remaining before rallying from the outside to take the lead in the final stretch. The winning time was 2 minutes and 2.27 seconds for the 1.25-mile race.
Renegade, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., finished second. Ocelli finished third.
Field and Attendance
The race originally had 20 horses entered, but several scratches reduced the field to 18. The horse Great White was scratched on race day after flipping and throwing his jockey. Other scratches included Silent Tactic, Fulleffort, Right to Party, and The Puma.
Attendance was reported as 150,415.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux
Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. This was her first entry in the race. DeVaux is the second female trainer to win a Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci, who trained Arcangelo to win the 2023 Belmont Stakes.
DeVaux began her career 22 years ago as an exercise rider. She obtained her training license in 2018 and earned her first win in 2019. Prior to the Derby, she had accumulated over 300 victories and over $32 million in purse earnings. She is the 18th woman to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby.
Jockey Jose Ortiz
Jockey Jose Ortiz won his first Kentucky Derby in his 11th attempt. The previous day, he won the Kentucky Oaks, the top race for 3-year-old fillies. Ortiz is the ninth jockey to win both races in the same year.
Key Background Information
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes is scheduled for May 16, and the Belmont Stakes is scheduled for June 6.