Cherie DeVaux
First female trainer ever to win the Kentucky Derby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cherie DeVaux (born December 2, 1981)[1] is an American thoroughbred racehorse trainer. In 2026, she won the Kentucky Derby as the trainer of Golden Tempo, becoming the first woman to train a derby winner.[2]
Early life
DeVaux was born in Saratoga Springs, New York and raised in Florida.[3] She has nine siblings (seven brothers and two sisters).[4] DeVaux previously worked as an assistant trainer for Chuck Simon and Chad Brown.[3]
Career
DeVaux started her horse training business in 2018 with eight horses, and on her 29th start won her first race.[5][6] She trained several horses for Breeders' Cup races in 2021, 2023, and 2024, winning the 2024 Breeders' Cup Mile as the trainer of More Than Looks.[1][7][8] She also trained She Feels Pretty to 2025 American National Champion Female Turf Horse honors, the first for herself as well as owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson.[9] During her racing career, She Feels Pretty has won multiple Grade 1 races including the Natalma Stakes at 2, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at 3 and the E.P. Taylor Stakes at 4.[10][11]