History was made at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, as Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, guiding her long shot Golden Tempo to a thrilling victory in the 152nd Run for the Roses.

With jockey Jose Ortiz in the saddle, Golden Tempo surged to the front at 23-1 odds, crossing the finish line in 2:02.27 for the 1 1/4-mile classic. The win wasn't just a milestone for DeVaux—it also completed Ortiz's Triple Crown collection, adding the Derby to his previous wins in the Belmont Stakes (2017) and Preakness Stakes (2022).

"I honestly don't know," DeVaux, 44, told NBC through tears as she hugged her nephew Maverick trackside. "I'm just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to."

Dressed in a bright red blazer, DeVaux watched her bay colt rally from far off the pace, overtaking Renegade (ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.) and long shot Ocelli down the stretch. The victory shattered a barrier that had stood for over a century—only 19 women had ever entered a horse in the Derby, with Shelley Riley coming closest in 1992 with a second-place finish on Casual Lies.

"I don't even have any words right now," DeVaux added, surrounded by family. "Just so, so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a masterful job getting him there. He was so far out of it."

For the sport of horse racing, this is a watershed moment that will inspire a new generation of trainers, jockeys, and fans. And for anyone who's ever dreamed of defying the odds, DeVaux's historic run proves that with grit, skill, and a little golden speed, anything is possible.