Golden Tempo wins 2026 Kentucky Derby

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Golden Tempo captured the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, marking a historic first for female trainers. 

The 3-year-old bay thoroughbred colt charged down the final stretch in the 1 1/8-mile race to give trainer Cherie DeVaux her first Triple Crown race victory. She became the first female trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby and just the second ever to win a Triple Crown race. 

Golden Tempo ridden by Jose L. Ortiz wins the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Louisville. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

"I don't even have any words right now," an emotional DeVaux said on the NBC broadcast after upsetting the race to overcome early favorite Renegade. 

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Jockey Jose Ortiz won the Derby for the first time in his career. It was his 11th attempt, and he beat out his brother Irad, who rode the Todd Pletcher-trained colt.  

Renegade nearly became the first Derby winner out of the inside No. 1 post position in four decades after pulling away from the pack in the final stretch, but it wasn't enough to overpower Golden Tempo's final strides.  

Cherie DeVaux, trainer of Golden Tempo, celebrates after becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby during the 152nd running of the race at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026 in Louisville. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

"It’s not the one we would have chosen," Pletcher said before the race, foreshadowing its result. "It’s not ideal, but it’s what we got and we’ll do the best we can with it."

The field was reduced to 19 instead of the maximum 20 early Saturday morning after The Puma was