A New Era at Churchill Down Cherie Rewrites History
LOUISVILLE, KY — For over a century and a half, the Kentucky Derby has been known as
"The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports." But on this historic Saturday, those two minutes
belonged to someone who spent over two decades working toward them from the shadows.
The Winning Charge
The atmosphere at Churchill Downs was electric as more than 100,000 spectators roared.
Golden Tempo, a son of Curtin, entered the gates as a 23-1 underdog. Navigating a crowded
field of 17 other horses, jockey Jose Ortiz found the lane around the final turn. In a heart-
stopping stretch run, Golden Tempo surged forward to pass the favorite, Renegade, winning by
a neck with a time of 2:02.27.
A Journey of Persistence
Cherie Decaux's victory is not just a win for the record books; it is a victory for anyone who
believes in the "long game. DE Vaux started her career 22 years ago on these very tracks as an
exercise rider. Her transition to trainer was marked by grit, technical precision, and a willingness
to "pivot" when necessary.
Beyond the Track
While the win settles a week of questions regarding Golden Tempo's form and technical
adjustments like blinkers, the true weight of the moment was captured days earlier. DE Vaux
recalled seeing a young girl on the backstretch, realizing that her presence in the winner’s circle
would serve as a beacon for others.
Coming from a family of nine siblings, DE Vaux credits her "toughness" to her upbringing. She
now stands alongside Jena Antonucci as the only women to have trained a winner of a Triple
Crown race, marking a definitive shift in the landscape of professional horse racing.
The Takeaway
Cherie DeVaux’s story is a reminder that success often comes to those who focus on the
work when no one is watching. Whether it’s managing "cracked heels" on a colt or
dreaming big while riding exercise laps at dawn, history is made in the details.
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