Cherie- please tell me you brought tissues, because I can barely see through this as I write it. I am so unbelievably proud of you. Of your team. Of David and Reagan. From a trainer’s perspective, what you did with Golden Tempo was masterful, you didn’t just show up, you brought a horse over that belonged, a horse that looked like a winner every step of the way. But from a sister’s perspective… I don’t even have the words for what this means. Growing up with so many years between us meant I didn’t just have a sister, I had a window into your world. Those daily phone calls while you were at Churchill Downs with Chuck… they weren’t just updates, they were little pieces of a life I wanted so badly to understand. I’ll never forget being 8 years old, getting sent to Kentucky to visit you, and somehow ending up in the winner’s circle with Chuck that week. Like it was normal. Like that was just what life looked like around you. All those mornings you brought me to the barn in Saratoga… I can still see it so clearly. You out there galloping, and me standing next to Chuck, completely in awe, watching you move like you belonged out there long before the world ever told you that you did. I remember standing at the rail, so small, so certain, saying my dream was to ride a horse at Saratoga. And somehow… I did plenty of times(more than I wanted some days) And then time kept moving, like it does. And suddenly we were standing next to each other in the winner’s circle again, this time for your first graded stakes with Gam’s Mission, back at Churchill. I didn’t think I could ever cry harder for a horse than I did that day.
Until Nickel crossed the wire at Aqueduct, a horse I trained. And I understood, just a little more, what this life takes from you… and what it gives back. And then last night. I stood in that paddock next to Pearl like plenty of times before at Churchill Downs and watched my sister walk in and make history. Not just for women. Not just for the sport. But for herself. For every single morning, every sacrifice, every moment where it would’ve been easier to walk away, but you didn’t. We may be on very different paths in the same industry… but please know this, there is nothing but admiration from this direction.
I love you.
More from history-making trainer Cherie DeVaux: "It really is an honor to be able to be that person for other women or other little girls to look up to. You can dream big, and you can pivot. You can come from one place and make yourself a part of history."
paulickreport.com/news/triple-cr…
The sport of kings has found its queen 👑
Cherie DeVaux is the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. 1 out of 152. A Golden moment at Churchill Downs 💛
Truly wonderful to see a family like the Phipps who have been involved in the game for so long and probably have created some of the finest female bloodlines in history finally get their Derby...and with a history making trainer who is just one of the best in the game...male or female....period!!!
Cherie DeVaux worked as an assistant for over a decade, learning under some of the top trainers before starting her own barn in 2018.
Her horses have won her over $33M in career earnings, and she is now the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
He campaigned all winter with us in New Orleans. He broke his maiden here, won the Lecomte and hit the board in the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby. Now Golden Tempo has upset @KentuckyDerby 152 for
@reredevaux@jose93_ortiz. Congratulations!