Louisville, Ky. — Under the twin spires of Churchill Downs on a chilly Saturday evening, the sports world witnessed an unforgettable milestone. The 152nd running of the iconic race delivered a shocker as the Kentucky Derby 2026 winner, a resilient colt named Golden Tempo, roared from dead last to claim the roses. But the true story of the night belonged on the sidelines. Cherie DeVaux officially became the first woman to win Kentucky Derby honors as a trainer, shattering a 152-year-old glass ceiling and rewriting the history books of thoroughbred racing.
A Comeback for the Ages: Churchill Downs Results
The 152nd Kentucky Derby got off to a chaotic start. The race went off at a chilly 54 degrees with a reduced 18-horse field under partly cloudy skies. The field had already seen late drama when major contenders like Great White—who reared and fell on the track—and The Puma were scratched leading up to post time. Out of the gate, things looked bleak for the Golden Tempo horse, running from post position No. 16. The 23-1 longshot bumped into traffic early and was shuffled to the absolute back of the pack. As the leaders set fractions of :22.68 for the opening quarter and :46.44 for the half, Golden Tempo was dead last, giving little indication of the historic push that was about to unfold.
However, jockey Jose Ortiz masterfully navigated his mount outside, avoiding the congestion on the rail and initiating a blistering pace down the final stretch. As the record-setting crowd roared, Golden Tempo charged past the frontrunners, locking eyes with 5-1 co-favorite Renegade. In a storybook twist, Renegade was ridden by Jose's own brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., turning the final, lung-bursting strides into an intensely personal sibling rivalry. Golden Tempo matched Renegade stride for stride before prevailing by a mere neck, crossing the finish line with an impressive final time of 2:02.27. It was one of the closest finishes in modern Derby history.
The complete Churchill Downs results proved highly lucrative for bettors. Longshot Ocelli (70-1) took third, while Chief Wallabee and Danon Bourbon rounded out the top five. Sired by Hall of Famer Curlin, Golden Tempo paid $48.24 to win, $19.14 to place, and $11.90 to show, triggering a $2 exacta payout of $278.86 and a massive $0.50 trifecta payout of $5,625.39.
Cherie DeVaux Trainer: A Historic Milestone for Women in Racing
For Cherie DeVaux trainer of the champion colt, Saturday evening marked the culmination of a grueling, eight-year journey since starting her independent stable. By claiming victory with her first-ever Derby entry, DeVaux became only the second woman in history to win any Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci's Belmont Stakes triumph in 2023.
Before the race, DeVaux walked to the Churchill Downs paddock alongside former jockey Donna Brothers, discussing the legacy of women in the sport. When the 24-1 underdog finally crossed the wire draped in roses, the moment acted as a literal passing of the torch. "I'm glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere, that we can do anything we set our minds to," an overwhelmed DeVaux shared in the winner's circle. Her milestone victory not only etched her name into the annals of the sport but also solidified her position as a tangible role model for young girls entering the equine industry.
Brotherly Battles and Record Purses
The 152nd Derby was just as monumental for the Ortiz family and the horse's connections, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable. Jose Ortiz captured his first Kentucky Derby win in 11 career tries, completing a remarkably rare weekend sweep after winning the Kentucky Oaks on Friday evening aboard the filly Always a Runner. "I just wish my grandpa was here, but I know he's looking from heaven," an emotional Ortiz stated. "Just very happy that I get my life dream goal achieved." Meanwhile, the financial stakes matched the absolute prestige of the event. Competing for a bumped-up $5 million purse, Golden Tempo's connections took home a staggering $3.1 million. Renegade claimed a cool $1 million for his runner-up effort, while third-place Ocelli walked away with $500,000.
Looking Ahead to the Triple Crown 2026 Schedule
With the Run for the Roses officially concluded, the thoroughbred racing world turns its immediate attention to Baltimore, Maryland. According to the Triple Crown 2026 schedule, the second jewel of the series, the Preakness Stakes, is set to take place on Saturday, May 16.
While Golden Tempo immediately becomes the headliner among early Preakness Stakes favorites, his owners remained entirely noncommittal in the Churchill Downs winner's circle regarding whether their champion will make the trip to Pimlico Race Course. The grueling two-week turnaround often gives modern trainers pause, but the alluring opportunity to chase the elusive Triple Crown may be too tempting to pass up.
Regardless of whether Golden Tempo races in Maryland, his legendary comeback and DeVaux's barrier-breaking triumph guarantee that the 2026 Kentucky Derby will be celebrated as one of the most significant chapters in the sport's modern era.
