The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be remembered not only for the thrilling come-from-behind victory of longshot Golden Tempo but also for the history made by Cherie DeVaux, who became the first female trainer to win the “Run for the Roses.” As the 44-year-old native of Saratoga Springs, New York, wept in the winner’s circle, the celebration extended far beyond the track—it was a deeply personal triumph for a tight-knit clan that had driven nearly 14 hours from New York just to witness the race. The victory was a testament not only to DeVaux’s skill but also to the unyielding support and deep horseracing roots of her family, whose story is as compelling as the race itself.
DeVaux’s journey to the winner’s circle was forged in a family environment where horses and competition were a way of life. When asked about her toughness and resilience, she credits a childhood racing not just horses, but also her siblings. “I credit growing up with seven brothers and two sisters for my toughness,” DeVaux has said, a detail that underscores the chaotic but formative environment of her youth.
In total, her parents, Janet and Adrian “Butch” DeVaux, raised ten children spanning two marriages, creating a highly competitive and supportive family unit. Growing up in the Saratoga Springs region, a historic hub for racing, and being the daughter of Butch DeVaux, a man who worked in Standardbred (harness) racing, meant that a love for the sport was deeply ingrained in her from the start.
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A Racing Pedigree: Parents and Siblings
For the DeVaux family, horsemanship is a shared language. Cherie’s father, Butch DeVaux, worked extensively in Standardbred racing, laying the foundation for the family’s involvement in the sport. However, it was the chaotic and lively experience of growing up with so many siblings that she considers the key ingredient to her success. Her brother Jimmy DeVaux is a prominent driver and trainer, having amassed over 5,000 wins in his career, proving that the family’s talent spans multiple disciplines of racing.
GOLDEN TEMPO WINS THE 152ND KENTUCKY DERBY 🐴
CHERIE DEVAUX BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE TRAINER TO WIN THE HISTORIC RACE 👏 pic.twitter.com/mRBYocNVGD
— ESPN (@espn) May 2, 2026
While her seven brothers contributed to her toughness, it is her younger sister, Adrianne DeVaux, who shares the most public journey with her. Despite a 16-year age gap, the sisters are both trainers, though they possess starkly different personalities. Adrianne, 26, worked as Cherie’s assistant for four years before launching her own training career in 2024. “I’m unique in our family because I’ve always been serious, I’ve always been self-driven,” Cherie has said about her character, noting that her sister is more “carefree” and “personable”.
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Their dynamic was on full display during the family road trip to the Derby, where superstition reigned supreme. “No one was allowed to say we’re going to win because I’m superstitious,” Adrianne explained, enforcing a strict code of silence that even their father had to follow.
Ethnicity and Cultural Roots
When discussing ethnicity, Cherie DeVaux’s identity is first and foremost tied to her upstate New York upbringing. She is an American of European descent, a detail often unremarked upon in public profiles because her cultural identity is so deeply intertwined with the specific, tight-knit world of American horseracing rather than a distinct immigrant narrative. Her lineage reflects a quintessentially American story of rural, working-class determination, where family legacies are built not on wealth, but on grit and proximity to the track.
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Beyond her blood relatives, Cherie has built her own family. She is married to David Ingordo, a prominent Thoroughbred bloodstock agent. Cherie is also a stepmother to his daughter, Reagan Ingordo, a role she embraces fully. She has named multiple horses after Reagan, including “Reagan’s Honor,” demonstrating that for DeVaux, family is not only where you come from, but who you choose to champion as well. This expansive definition of family—tough professional siblings, a supportive husband, and a devoted stepdaughter—provides the complete picture of the stable behind the history-making trainer.
