Cherie Devaux, first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, visits Kentucky Horse Park

Trainer Cherie Devaux, who made history this year by becoming the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, visited the Kentucky Horse Park in Kentucky, according to WKYT. Her visit came after Golden Tempo’s major run through the sport’s top events, including the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.

WKYT reported that Devaux’s breakthrough season centered on Golden Tempo, who won the Kentucky Derby earlier this year. The colt later captured the Belmont Stakes five weeks after the Derby, extending the span of Devaux’s first-place accomplishment across two of Thoroughbred racing’s most prominent races.

The Kentucky Horse Park, a major statewide attraction and event venue for equine activities, served as the setting for Devaux’s stop, WKYT said. The report described the visit as a chance to connect the Derby-winning story with Kentucky’s horse-industry institutions and facilities.

Devaux’s milestone was tied to the role of trainer, a position responsible for preparing a horse for competition and coordinating training schedules leading up to major races. With Golden Tempo’s Derby win, Devaux became the first woman to achieve that Kentucky Derby training landmark, a distinction WKYT highlighted as part of her broader season.

In addition to the Derby result, WKYT noted that Golden Tempo’s Belmont Stakes win reinforced the colt’s momentum after Kentucky’s signature race. The Belmont victory, occurring five weeks after the Derby, placed the same Derby-winning campaign into the spotlight again and helped bring more attention to the trainer behind the effort.

Devaux’s visit also underscored how statewide equine venues such as the Kentucky Horse Park continue to serve as public-facing touchpoints for the racing industry. For residents and visitors, stops like these can provide a clearer view of the people behind major wins, beyond the race-day moment.

WKYT’s report did not provide additional specifics about the itinerary at the Horse Park, such as meetings, formal remarks, or any announced program details. Further reporting would be needed to confirm any scheduled appearances, comments, or participation in Horse Park events tied to the visit.

The Kentucky Horse Park and the racing community typically rely on the media coverage of prominent figures to draw interest and sustain public engagement in the industry. Devaux’s appearance, following a historic Derby outcome, places that attention directly on Kentucky’s equine institutions in the wake of the year’s top-level racing achievements.