Kentucky Derby 2026: Watch Cherie DeVaux react to Golden Tempo’s mad dash to win the race

The 2026 Kentucky Derby was one to remember, with 23-1 long shot Golden Tempo getting the unexpected victory in a magical moment for trainer Cherie Devaux

DeVaux, who made history as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, got to watch jockey Jose Ortiz lead Golden Tempo on a mad dash down the stretch, narrowly beating out his brother Irad and co-favorite Renegade.

DeVaux’s incredible reaction to the race is also something to celebrate. The trainer’s enthusiasm and excitement grew more and more during Golden Tempo’s sprint from 18th to first until the thrilling moment that the long shot crossed the finish line, as shared by America’s Best Racing.

As Golden Tempo rounded the corner and started down the stretch, DeVaux saw the potential of the horse’s run before anyone else. The trainer started banging her fist on the table, encouraging Ortiz as he found space on the outside and sprinted towards the end.

“Come on, Jose,” she screamed. “Come on Jose!”

As Golden Tempo pushed past the final cluster of racers, DeVaux was jumping up and down, her voice rising until the moment Golden Tempo crossed the finish line, at which point DeVaux collapsed with joy, before celebrating the moment with her friends and family in the box. DeVaux’s 15-year-old daughter, Reagan, was in tears by the end of the race.

In an interview on the broadcast after the race, DeVaux praised Ortiz’s performance in coaxing Golden Tempo down the stretch

“I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said. “Jose did a wonderful job, masterful job at getting him there. He was so far out of it and he has had so much faith in this horse.”

DeVaux also spoke on what it was like to make history.

“I’m glad that I could be a representative of all women everywhere, that we can do anything we set our minds to,” she said.