Golden Tempo

Golden Tempo is a bay colt that was bred in Kentucky by Phipps Stable out of Grade I-placed, graded stakes winner Carrumba.^[3] Carrumba was sired by Bernardini (sired by A.P. Indy), whose tail-female line goes back four generations with the Phipps family to Blitey.^[4] Carrumba did her best running at one mile or longer, highlighted by a victory in the 2016 Grade III Top Flight Invitational Handicap at 1+1⁄8 miles. She also broke her maiden at the same distance.^[5]

Golden Tempo's sire is Curlin, the 2007 and 2008 American Horse of the Year. He stood earlier in 2026 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms for $225,000 but, due to declining fertility, was relieved of stud duty.^[3]

Golden Tempo is owned in partnership by the Phipps Stable and Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable.^[6]

Golden Tempo is trained by Cherie DeVaux, the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.^[7][8] She is the second to win the Belmont.^[9]

Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby, ridden by José Ortiz.^[6] Before the race, Golden Tempo's odds were given at 23-1. Early in the race, the horse was in last place. When rounding the final corner, Golden Tempo overtook 5 runners heading into the corner's exit, arriving at 13th place before the straight. Deep into the race, Golden Tempo was far behind the leader, but moved forward from 13th place to take the lead coming down the outside in the final stretch.^[10][11] Kyle Feldscher of CNN summarized the horse's performance at the end of the race, writing:

But when the time came to make history, Golden Tempo kicked into gear and – guided by Ortiz – weaved through the field before eventually overtaking Renegade and the rest of the pack in the final moments of the race. He won, officially, by a neck – a finish that will go down in Derby lore as one of the most thrilling in race history.^[12]

It was announced on May 6, 2026, that Golden Tempo would skip the 2026 Preakness Stakes, thus becoming the second straight Derby winner to give up the chance at the Triple Crown.^[13]

Golden Tempo's next race was the Belmont Stakes, where he won by 1+1⁄4 lengths. With jockey Jose Ortiz, he again came from behind, beating Renegade and Commandment at the finish.^[14]

• Golden Tempo is inbred 3S x 5D to the stallion Mr. Prospector, meaning he appears in the third generation on the sire side and in the fifth generation (via Seeking the Gold) on the dam side of his pedigree.