Kentucky Derby 2026: Cheri Devaux makes history as Golden Tempo wins after late surge

Cheri Devaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby as Golden Tempo rallied from last place to win by a neck at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Joe Ortiz raised the 23-1 shot 4-1 favorite Renegade — ridden by his brother Irad Ortiz Jr. — to a breathtaking finish line, while Ocelli finished third in the 152nd edition of the race.

“Today is my day and Golden Tempo’s day,” said Joe Ortiz, after winning the most prestigious event in American flat racing at the 11th attempt.

“I definitely want (brother Irad) to win the Derby – I know it’s his dream too – but it happened that way. I think he should be happy, his horse ran very well.”

DeVaux, the winning trainer, said he never imagined he would win the Kentucky Derby.

“I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed bush-tailed exercise rider and I can’t believe I’m sitting here today,” he added.

Golden Tempo was behind the 18-strong field a half mile into the one-and-a-quarter mile race.

Renegade was also off the pace, trailing by about 15 lengths midway through the race as he tried to become the first horse to win from the inside gate in 40 years.

But after storming into the final the favorite seemed to have secured victory, only for Golden Tempo to overtake him over the line, winning in a time of two minutes 2.27 seconds.

Joe Ortiz followed up his victory in the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always A Runner on Friday to become the ninth jockey to win both races in the same year.