The path to 2026 Kentucky Derby glory ultimately ran through a legacy that stretched nearly as long as that of the storied race itself, with the Phipps’ family’s century-long involvement in racing once more bearing fruit. In the post-race winners’ press conference, the importance of being able to draw upon the Phipps family legacy of foundation mares was cited.

But before that moment arrived, Golden Tempo himself was a little lost in the shuffle. This is not to say he didn’t have Derby-worthy credentials. He came into the race a Grade 3 winner and with stakes placings in higher-level graded stakes races on the Derby prep trail.

The star power of Renegade, the flashy 11-length triumph in the Blue Grass Stakes that Further Ado notched were perhaps diverting enough to take focus from Golden Tempo. The heartwarming story of So Happy, racing from the Mark Glatt stable just a few months after the unexpected passing of his wife, also drew a lot of media coverage.

But Golden Tempo’s team had faith in him and his ability and Cherie DeVaux said after the race that they were there for the horse, not for their egos. He brought them there, and he took them all the way to a pinnacle of racing glory. It was beautiful to see what a cohesive team they are.

Any Kentucky Derby has the potential to be a roller-coaster of a race. The 152^nd edition seemed to almost have more than its share, all coalescing to make for quite the exciting moments shortly prior to post time and on to the finish line.

Great White, a horse who garnered attention for his massive 17.2 hand size, perhaps was rattled by the crowd or the noise of the largest group of people he or any of the other runners would ever appear before in a race. He reared skyward, and physics took over, bringing him on his side on the track near the starting gate. Fortunately, he didn’t hit his head and also just avoided his jockey Alex Achard, also on the ground, as he got back to his feet. Quickly grabbed by a nearby outrider, and without ample time to evaluate him after a hard fall, he was prudently scratched. It was the right decision for the best interest of the colt, but I could sense the palpable disappointment of Achard through the screen So close to the chance of riding his first Kentucky Derby ever, over on the cusp of beginning.

That scratch prompted a reorganization, with horses already loaded in the gate backed out as post position numbers were rearranged. Reloaded, they were off!

Renegade, in post position one, was nearly slammed sideways by the momentum of the horses to his outside. Even with that, he robustly held his ground as much as possible and held on to keep surging forward.

Further Ado, with the flashiest margins of victory of any in the field, also appeared to get into a bumper car type situation coming out of the gate, so common in this race.

He was one of three co-favorites at post time, indicating even the bettors weren’t certain there was a clear contender to be most likely to wear the roses.

And when the finish line approached, it seemed a bit like a free-for-all and more of what made it quite a roller coaster. Wonder Dean, one of two Japanese contenders, looked well-poised to give Japan its first Kentucky Derby victory. Then, improbably, the maiden Ocelli took over the lead and for a wild few seconds he looked like victory would be his.

Then at last it all became clear, as Golden Tempo finished his charge from the back of the field and held off Renegade for the victory. Trainer Cherie DeVaux and her family were beside themselves with joy and elation, and so was the colt’s jockey Jose Ortiz.

Before the race, Donna Barton was the only NBC analyst to pick Golden Tempo. It is her last Kentucky Derby broadcast and she mentioned how she would like to see a female trainer win.

As she spoke to Ortiz aboard Golden Tempo on the way to the winners’ circle, the emotion hit him strongly. Eleven Kentucky Derby rides and his first win in the storied race. Even more than winning the race, thoughts of his family made it emotional. He said he wished his grandfather could be there, but knew he was watching from heaven. It was an echo of Calvin Borel years ago saying he wished his mother and father could be there to see what he’d made of his life, and as someone who lost a beloved family member less than a year ago, I understand so well the emotion that can hit when milestones and time march on without a integral person to share them with. And the desire to think that somewhere, somehow, they still know.

While Cherie DeVaux waited to greet Ortiz and Golden Tempo, heralding her as the first victorious female trainer in the Kentucky Derby began. She acknowledged that by saying, “I’m glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere, that we can do anything we set our minds to.”

That was a great perspective to have. Winning the Derby, even with her being the first female trainer to do so adds another historic accomplishment to the race, is a trainer achievement above all, regardless of gender.

I myself have often wondered at the under-representation of women in many facets of racing in areas where it shouldn’t be unexpected to see them especially in a sport that has had centuries to keep pace with women pursuing career goals.

One of DeVaux’s responses to a media question in the post-race press conference spoke a bit to the heart of why that might be. She said, “The racetrack’s a tough place. It’s a tough place if you’re a man. It’s a tough place if you’re a woman. The thing that has really become apparent to me is not everyone has the same constitution as I have, mentally and it really is an honor to be able to be that person for other women or girls to look up to. You know, you can dream big and you can pivot. You can come from one place and make yourself a part of history.”

Reflecting upon that statement and my own stints of working at the racetrack I see perfectly how that aligns with anyone taking home the elusive Kentucky Derby trophy is a demanding endeavor indeed. Days as a racing journalist are long. Days as a racetrack photographer are long. While they are not as much on the front lines as being a trainer or a jockey, a groom or an exercise rider, it is still all a part of the same day. Follow the racing circuits. Miss family milestones, family dinners, travel constantly. I have been a hotwalker too and away from the track mucked out stalls and fed horses. I’ve been up at 5 a.m. To be at the track to hotwalk. And I was actually thrilled to do it. I’ve seen how some grooms live, 3 in a small tack room for the duration of a meet. It does take a lot of focus and dedication. It takes a passion.

When I think of all of that, I can see why day in and day out, year in and year out, it may be hard indeed for people of any gender to keep going, especially to find the path to historic glory. That is definitely what the Kentucky Derby is, as DeVaux said, whether one is a man or a woman.

It really does take a team, and planning, and luck. And also it is wonderful that a woman did finally achieve this. It is wonderful to have that representation for women and girls who want to dream big. Sometimes seeing someone similar to them achieve such a feat (and even not sugarcoating the challenges) can be all it takes to inspire more to try to emulate her path.

Daisy Phipps Pulito, also in the post-race interview, answered a reporter’s question about why she chose DeVaux to train Golden Tempo and a few other of their horses. “I love the way she works with horses. I love the way she develops a horse… We thought Golden Tempo would be a great match and it was.”

She also noted that she was familiar with DeVaux from prior association through racing, and that living in Kentucky meant she could observe her train and fully assess if she would fit with some of the Phipps horses.

Especially on a golden Saturday in May, how well she could fit with a Phipps horse shone. They did indeed find a matching tempo.