History was written in the dirt at Churchill Downs this weekend. In a moment that has captured the hearts of sports fans and social media users alike, Cherie DeVaux officially became the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby after her horse, Golden Tempo, surged to a stunning victory on Saturday, May .
The -year-old trainer was visibly overwhelmed as the reality of the milestone set in. “I don’t even have any words right now. I just can’t,” DeVaux told reporters while wiping away tears. “I’m just so so so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose [Ortiz] did a wonderful job, a masterful job getting him there.”
A Viral Family Moment
While the win itself was groundbreaking, it was a tender moment between DeVaux and her -year-old daughter, Reagan, that truly went viral. Reagan joined her mother and father, David Ingordo, during the post-race interview, proudly telling the world that the win was “truly an honor.”
“I’m proud of you, I really am,” Reagan told her mom in a clip that has since been shared thousands of times on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.
Fans quickly flooded social media to celebrate the mother-daughter duo. “Seeing her daughter tell her how proud she is… that’s the real win today,” one user commented on Instagram. Another added, “Cherie DeVaux just showed every young girl out there that the winner’s circle belongs to them too!”
Dreams Come True for Jose Ortiz
The victory was equally emotional for jockey Jose Ortiz, who secured his very first Derby win while competing against his own brother, Irad Ortiz Jr. While Irad was riding the heavy favorite, Renegade, it was Jose and Golden Tempo who outran the competition, including favorites So Happy and Further Ado.
“It’s very special,” a tearful Jose said after the race. “I just wish my grandpa was here… I’m just very happy that I get my goal, my life-dream goal, achieved.”
Jose, who moved from Puerto Rico to the U.S. in the mid-s, offered an inspiring message to aspiring jockeys back home. “Dreams do come true, you just got to dream big,” he said, emphasizing the importance of hard work and responsibility.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
For DeVaux, who started her own lead training operation in after years as an assistant, the victory was the culmination of a lifelong goal. Just one day before the race, she told local news outlet Lexington that she hoped to be a “strong role model” for young women in the industry.
“The only thing I want to do in my career is be the first female to win a Kentucky Derby,” she said on Friday. “This is our first Derby starter, and we’re one step closer.”
By Saturday afternoon, she wasn’t just “one step closer”—she was in the history books. “I’m glad that I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything that we set our minds to,” she added during her victory lap.
A Star-Studded Affair
As always, the “Run for the Roses” attracted plenty of A-list attention. Among the crowd witnessing the historic moment were UNC football coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
Also continuing an emotional annual tradition was Dannielynn Birkhead, the -year-old daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith. Dannielynn made her customary appearance alongside her father, Larry Birkhead, looking all grown up as they took in the historic sights of the day.
As the celebration continues in Louisville, the conversation online remains centered on DeVaux’s incredible achievement. In an industry long dominated by tradition, Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo have proven that the future of horse racing is bright, inclusive, and faster than ever.
