Cherie DeVaux’s Historic 2026: A Defining Year for Women Trainers in American Horse Racing

From the early pioneers to today’s championship-winning horsewomen, the remarkable achievements of Cherie DeVaux, Jena Antonucci, Lindsay Schultz, Amelia Green, Linda Rice, and Brittany Russell reflect an important evolution in American Thoroughbred racing.

LEXINGTON, Kentucky — November 11, 2026. — When Golden Tempo crossed the finish line first in the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, the victory represented much more than another upset in America’s most famous horse race. It was a historic moment for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first woman ever to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner.

The son of Curlin, sent off at odds of 23-1, delivered an impressive closing performance under jockey Jose Ortiz, defeating Renegade by a neck before more than 150,000 spectators at Churchill Downs.

For DeVaux, who began her career as an exercise rider at the same racetrack more than two decades earlier, it was the realization of a professional ambition that had taken years of dedication and hard work.

But what followed made the accomplishment even more remarkable.

Five weeks later, Golden Tempo captured the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, becoming a two-time Triple Crown race winner and making DeVaux the first female trainer in history to win two American classics.

The significance of these victories extends well beyond the records. DeVaux’s extraordinary season has coincided with other important achievements by female trainers across the country, adding new chapters to a history that began nearly a century ago.

The successes of Jena Antonucci, Lindsay Schultz, Amelia Green, Linda Rice, Brittany Russell, and others provide a compelling picture of how women are establishing themselves among the most respected and competitive professionals in American Thoroughbred racing.

Cherie DeVaux: From the Backstretch to the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle

DeVaux’s rise through the training ranks has been built on experience, patience, and a clear understanding of the horses under her care.

A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, she developed her horsemanship working with Chuck Simon before spending nearly eight years as an assistant to Chad Brown, one of the most successful trainers in North America.

When she opened her own stable in 2018, she was entering a highly competitive business in which establishing relationships with owners and obtaining quality horses are essential to long-term success.

Her first victory came in March 2019 with Traveling at Gulfstream Park. Two years later, Gam’s Mission provided her first graded stakes success in the Regret Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.

The progression continued with She Feels Pretty, winner of the 2023 Natalma Stakes (G1) at Woodbine, followed by More Than Looks, who delivered DeVaux’s first Breeders’ Cup victory in the 2024 Mile (G1) at Del Mar.

She Feels Pretty subsequently earned the 2025 Eclipse Award as champion female turf horse, another important milestone for the growing operation.

By the beginning of 2026, DeVaux had already established herself as one of the country’s leading trainers. What changed this season was the magnitude of her accomplishments and the variety of horses delivering those results.

Golden Tempo began his 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds before finishing third in both the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2).

Those performances did not necessarily make him an obvious Kentucky Derby winner, but his late-running style suggested that the additional distance at Churchill Downs could suit him.

DeVaux’s confidence in the colt was rewarded with his Derby victory. Her decision to bypass the Preakness Stakes and give Golden Tempo additional time before the Belmont also proved successful.

At Saratoga, he once again demonstrated his determination and closing ability, winning the final leg of the Triple Crown by 1¼ lengths.

DeVaux had already enjoyed another outstanding result earlier on that Belmont Stakes program when Englishman captured the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) by 5¾ lengths, equaling Saratoga’s seven-furlong track record of 1:20.40.

Two Grade 1 victories on the same afternoon, achieved with horses possessing completely different racing characteristics, provided further evidence of the depth and versatility of her operation.

Englishman added the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) in August and concluded his racing career with a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. His retirement to Lane’s End Farm for the 2027 breeding season was announced in November.

Golden Tempo, meanwhile, competed against older horses in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), finishing sixth.

Although neither horse added another championship victory at Keeneland, DeVaux had already enjoyed a season that secured her place in the sport’s history.

Her influence was recognized beyond the racing industry when TIME included her among its 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026.

For someone who started her career riding horses during the early morning hours at Churchill Downs, the recognition reflects an extraordinary professional journey.

The Women Who Opened the Doors

To appreciate the historical importance of DeVaux’s achievements, it is worth looking back at the women who helped establish the profession long before female trainers became regular participants in major racing events.

One of the earliest pioneers was Mary Hirsch, daughter of Hall of Fame trainer Max Hirsch.

In 1937, Hirsch became the first woman to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby when No Sir competed in the Run for the Roses. Although he finished 13th, her participation represented a significant step forward at a time when opportunities for women in racing were extremely limited.

It would take another 89 years before a woman trained the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Other important milestones followed during the decades between those two historic moments.

In 1996, Jenine Sahadi became the first female trainer to win a Breeders’ Cup race when Lit de Justice captured the Sprint. She repeated that accomplishment the following year with Elmhurst.

Laura de Seroux achieved another breakthrough when Azeri captured the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and was subsequently named Horse of the Year, becoming the first horse trained by a woman to receive that distinction.

Kathy Ritvo added her name to the history books in 2013 when Mucho Macho Man won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, making her the first female trainer to capture that prestigious event.

Janet Elliot, meanwhile, received one of the industry’s highest honors in 2009 when she became the first female trainer inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame, recognized for her outstanding career in steeplechase racing.

These accomplishments were achieved by women who spent years building successful careers in an industry where opportunities and recognition did not always come easily.

Their achievements established a foundation for the generations that followed.

Jena Antonucci: The First Triple Crown Breakthrough

One of the most important developments in this progression came in 2023.

When Arcangelo won the Belmont Stakes (G1), Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a race in the American Triple Crown series.

Arcangelo, a son of Arrogate, followed that performance with a victory in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and subsequently earned the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male.

Antonucci’s success was particularly meaningful because Triple Crown races have traditionally been dominated by established training operations with considerable resources and decades of experience.

Her ability to develop Arcangelo into a classic winner demonstrated that a relatively smaller operation could compete successfully against the industry’s most prominent stables.

Three years later, DeVaux added another dimension to that history with Golden Tempo.

Together, the achievements of Antonucci and DeVaux represent a significant advancement for women in Thoroughbred racing, particularly in the highly competitive division of 3-year-old colts.

Their records also provide an important reference point for owners evaluating trainers based on their ability to prepare horses for the sport’s most demanding races.

Lindsay Schultz Adds Another Historic Victory in 2026

While DeVaux was making history in the Triple Crown, another female trainer was preparing to achieve a major breakthrough at Monmouth Park.

On July 18, Lindsay Schultz became the first woman to win the Haskell Stakes (G1) when Baby Vino scored an upset victory at odds of 28-1.

The accomplishment was even more impressive considering that Baby Vino was the first horse Schultz had ever saddled in a Grade 1 race.

The son of Vino Rosso had broken his maiden earlier in the season at Oaklawn Park before winning the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth. His Haskell victory confirmed his rapid improvement and represented a significant moment in the young trainer’s career.

Schultz, who operates divisions in New Jersey and Kentucky, joined DeVaux in making 2026 a particularly memorable year for female trainers.

Their victories also demonstrated that important opportunities are opening at different stages of professional development.

While DeVaux had spent years building a nationally recognized operation before winning the Derby, Schultz achieved her first Grade 1 success in her first attempt at that level.

Both accomplishments carry considerable significance, particularly for younger horsewomen considering a career as independent trainers.

Amelia Green: An Emerging Name Worth Watching

Another trainer enjoying a strong 2026 season is Amelia Green, whose rapid development has attracted attention throughout the New York racing circuit.

Originally from England, Green gained experience under legendary trainer Henry Cecil before moving to the United States, where she eventually spent seven years working for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

She launched her own training operation in late 2024, winning with her first starter, On Command, at Aqueduct.

Her first full season produced 18 victories in 2025, but the improvement in 2026 has been substantial.

Green has recorded 40 victories and more than $3.1 million in purse earnings this year, demonstrating the steady growth of her stable and her ability to compete successfully on one of the country’s most demanding racing circuits.

Among her accomplishments was a victory in the Ruthless Stakes with Two Bits.

Although she remains in the early stages of establishing her independent career, Green represents an interesting example of the next generation of trainers developing their own businesses after gaining valuable experience with established operations.

Her perspective also highlights an important consideration in this discussion.

Green has expressed that she wants to be judged as a successful trainer, rather than simply as a successful female trainer, as she shares “I feel very lucky that I have always been treated fairly in the industry and haven’t been judged or treated differently for my gender. I know other women can’t necessarily say the same, but in my experience being female hasn’t held me back in anyway, and I’m thankful for that. I think the biggest thing is to keep your head down and if you don’t act like you’re a different gender, you won’t get treated any differently, so put in the work and effort in the Barn and the right people will notice.”

That distinction deserves attention because it reflects what meaningful progress should ultimately represent: recognition based on ability, results, professionalism, and horsemanship.

Linda Rice: Excellence Built Through Consistency

While DeVaux, Schultz, and Green have attracted attention with important milestones in 2026, Linda Rice continues to demonstrate another essential aspect of success in horse racing: longevity and consistency.

With more than 2,900 career victories, Rice holds the distinction of being the winningest female Thoroughbred trainer in North American history.

Her career has been closely associated with the New York racing circuit, where she has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to compete against some of the country’s most established trainers.

In 2009, she became the first woman to win the Saratoga training title, an accomplishment of considerable significance at one of America’s most competitive racing meetings.

Her 2026 season included another strong Saratoga campaign, with 40 victories, the highest total of her career at the Spa.

Unlike the individual milestones associated with specific championship races, Rice’s record reflects the ability to maintain a successful racing operation season after season.

It takes exceptional dedication to compete regularly, manage a large stable, maintain relationships with owners, develop horses of different levels of ability, and remain successful over several decades.

Rice’s achievements have helped establish an important standard for women entering the profession.

Her career demonstrates that female trainers can achieve sustained leadership within major racing circuits, not only occasional success in prestigious events.

Brittany Russell: Building a Successful Racing Business

Brittany Russell offers another valuable example of the progress women are making in the training profession.

Since establishing her own stable in 2018, Russell has developed one of the leading operations in Maryland racing, with success extending into major stakes competition.

In 2023, she became the first woman to finish a calendar year as Maryland’s leading trainer, an achievement she repeated in 2024.

She continued that success in 2025, recording 108 victories in Maryland and earning recognition as the state’s leading trainer.

Russell has also demonstrated that female trainers can develop competitive operations with meaningful participation in graded stakes races and major racing events.

Her success is important because building a stable requires considerably more than preparing horses to compete.

It involves managing personnel, controlling expenses, working closely with owners, identifying promising horses, and making the daily decisions necessary to keep an operation competitive.

Russell’s achievements reinforce the increasing presence of women not only as successful horsewomen but also as respected business leaders within the racing industry.

A Changing Landscape for Women in American Racing

The accomplishments of these trainers are not isolated events. Together, they suggest that the role of women in American Thoroughbred racing continues to evolve.

For decades, women have been an essential part of the sport, contributing as exercise riders, grooms, assistant trainers, veterinarians, breeders, owners, and professionals throughout racing and breeding operations.

Many of those responsibilities have always demanded extensive knowledge of horses and considerable dedication.

What has changed is the increasing visibility of women leading successful training operations and competing for the industry’s most prestigious championships.

There are practical implications to this progress.

Owners are making substantial investments in horses and expect their trainers to produce results. As female trainers continue to win important races and establish consistent records, their achievements provide additional evidence of their ability to manage elite Thoroughbreds.

This recognition can contribute to greater opportunities, stronger relationships with owners, and access to higher-quality racing prospects.

It also creates visible career paths for young women working in training barns who may aspire to eventually establish their own operations.

However, it would be premature to suggest that every challenge has disappeared.

The financial demands of operating a stable, competition for quality horses, the importance of owner relationships, and the difficulty of breaking into established racing circles remain significant considerations for anyone pursuing a training career.

What is encouraging is that more women are demonstrating that they can overcome these challenges and compete successfully at the highest level.

Their achievements are helping to change perceptions, not through statements or expectations, but through results on the racetrack.

The Historical Importance of 2026

Looking at the broader history of American racing, 2026 deserves recognition as an especially significant year for female trainers.

DeVaux became the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby and the first to train winners of two different Triple Crown races.

Schultz became the first woman to win the Haskell Stakes.

Rice continued expanding a career record unmatched by any other female trainer in North American Thoroughbred racing.

Green enjoyed an impressive season of growth, while Russell maintained her position among the leading trainers in the Mid-Atlantic region.

These accomplishments followed the groundwork established by pioneers such as Mary Hirsch, Jenine Sahadi, Laura de Seroux, Kathy Ritvo, and Jena Antonucci.

There is an important connection between these generations.

The women who broke barriers decades ago helped create opportunities that later trainers could pursue. Today’s successful horsewomen are expanding those opportunities even further through their performances and professional accomplishments.

The most meaningful aspect of this evolution may be that the conversation is gradually changing.

Instead of questioning whether women can compete against the sport’s most successful trainers, the racing industry is increasingly recognizing female trainers as established contenders for its biggest races.

And that is an important distinction.

Looking Ahead: A Future Defined by Ability and Results

Cherie DeVaux’s remarkable 2026 season will forever be associated with Golden Tempo’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes victories.

Those accomplishments alone have secured her a special place in American Thoroughbred racing history.

But their broader significance may become even clearer over the coming years.

The next generation of female trainers will enter the profession knowing that women have already won the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Haskell Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and other major championships.

They will also have the examples of trainers such as Rice and Russell, whose consistent success demonstrates that establishing a competitive operation is achievable over the long term.

The objective should not simply be to celebrate the next female first, although those milestones will always deserve recognition.

The more important measure of progress will be the continued presence of women among the country’s leading trainers, competing for major championships, attracting prominent owners, developing successful stables, and receiving recognition based on their professional accomplishments.

The racing industry has always depended on talented and dedicated horsepeople, regardless of gender.

What the accomplishments of DeVaux and her contemporaries demonstrate is that women are not only contributing to the success of American Thoroughbred racing. They are increasingly among the professionals leading it.

And perhaps that will be the most lasting legacy of 2026: a year in which the achievements of female trainers made history while helping establish a future in which their success at the highest levels of the sport is viewed as a natural part of American horse racing.

Author: CARLOS MORALES – Agentes 305

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