Historic Derby 152 Victories: A New Chapter in Kentucky Derby History

A Taste of Kentucky Blog: Gifts, Traditions & Kentucky Living May 04 2026
The finish line of the 152nd Kentucky Derby with Jose Ortiz riding Golden Tempo and making history with the first female trainer to win.

Kentucky Derby 152 will be remembered as far more than another thrilling run beneath the Twin Spires. It became a landmark moment in racing history. It added a bold new chapter to one of America’s most treasured sporting traditions. This running gave fans the pageantry, tension, and excitement they expect from Derby Day. It also delivered something even more lasting. It gave history made in real time.

For racing fans, Kentucky Derby 152 reminded everyone that even traditional events still have room for breakthrough moments. For Kentucky, Louisville, and the wider horse racing world, this race carried special meaning. It honored the past while reshaping what the future can look like.

At the center of it all was the winning horse and the remarkable team behind that victory.

A Historic Win Led by the First Female Trainer to Win the Kentucky Derby

The most groundbreaking achievement of the 152nd Kentucky Derby was the victory of Golden Tempo. The horse was trained by Cherie DeVaux, the first female trainer in history to win the Kentucky Derby. That moment alone secured this running a lasting place in the record books. Jockey Jose Ortiz rode to victory, with his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr, finishing second.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux kisses the trophy after her horse Golden Tempo with Jose L. Ortiz won the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux kisses the trophy after her horse Golden Tempo with Jose L. Ortiz won the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. DeVaux is the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 2026.

For more than a century and a half, the Kentucky Derby has represented the highest level of American horse racing. To become the first woman ever to train a Derby winner is not just a personal triumph. It is a milestone for the entire sport. It reflects years of work and deep knowledge of the horse. It shows strong leadership and the ability to perform under immense pressure.

This victory mattered because it broke one of the Derby’s longest-standing barriers. It showed that history can still move forward, even in an event so deeply rooted in tradition. It also gave aspiring trainers everywhere a powerful example of what is possible.

That is part of what made Kentucky Derby 152 so meaningful. The win did not simply add another name to the list of champions. It changed that list forever.

The Winning Horse Earned a Place in Derby Lore

Every Kentucky Derby winner becomes part of racing history. Some winners carry extra significance because of what their victory represents. In Kentucky Derby 152, Golden Tempo did exactly that. The horse was expertly guided by jockey Jose Ortiz and trained by trailblazing Cherie DeVaux.

This was not just a horse crossing the finish line first. This was the horse at the center of one of the Derby’s most important outcomes. Its performance delivered a historic first for its trainer. It helped create one of the most memorable storylines in recent Derby history.

The horse’s win now stands as a symbol of progress, perseverance, and excellence. Long after the final times and race-day headlines fade, this Derby champion will be remembered. It will be honored for the barriers broken and the new standard set.

That is what separates a memorable win from a historic one.

A Remarkable Family Story: Brothers Finish First and Second

Another unforgettable part of the 152nd Kentucky Derby was the emotional story of jockey Jose Ortiz and his brother Irad Ortiz Jr. They finished first and second in the race. Both rode remarkable horses. Jose guided Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, to a historic victory. In a sport built on fractions of seconds, elite skill, and fierce competition, that kind of family result is extraordinary.

To see two brothers ride into the top two spots in the Kentucky Derby feels almost too perfect to script. Yet on this stage, in this race, it happened. One brother guided the winner to victory. The other finished just behind in second. Together they created a family achievement that will be remembered for years.

Golden Tempo jockey Jose Ortiz, left, reaches to receive congratulations from his brother Irad Ortiz after Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby May 2, 2026.
2026 Kentucky Derby winning Golden Tempo jockey Jose Ortiz, left, reaches to receive congratulations from his brother Irad Ortiz after Golden Tempo won the Derby. Irad Ortiz was on second-place Renegade. Photo credit: Matt Stone/Courier Journal

This added a deeply human layer to the history made that day. The Kentucky Derby is always rich with spectacle, but this result gave fans something personal and emotional to hold onto. It was not only about competition. It was about family, pride, and a shared place in Derby history.

Moments like this help explain why the Derby remains so beloved. It is never only about the race itself. It is about the stories that rise from it.

Celebrate Derby 152 with Official Memorabilia

Historic moments deserve to be remembered, and the 152nd Kentucky Derby is one of those moments. From the groundbreaking win by the first female trainer in Derby history to the unforgettable first-and-second finish by brothers, this running stands apart. It is a Derby worth celebrating for years to come.

If this race captured your attention, inspired your admiration, or earned a place in your personal Derby memories, now is the time to act. Mark the moment meaningfully. Order official Kentucky Derby memorabilia to commemorate this historic event. Keep a piece of Derby 152 with you long after race day has passed.

Whether you are a lifelong racing fan, a proud Kentuckian, or someone who loves being part of history, official memorabilia matters. It is a meaningful way to honor this milestone. Celebrate the victory. Remember the breakthroughs. Share the story.

Order your official Derby 152 memorabilia today. Commemorate one of the most historic runnings the Kentucky Derby has ever seen.

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