Cherie DeVaux made history Saturday as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, guiding thoroughbred Golden Tempo to a dramatic come-from-behind victory by a neck under jockey Jose Ortiz.
The milestone, combined with other potential firsts for jockeys, trainers, and horses, drew a record live audience averaging 19.6 million viewers across NBC and Peacock.
Viewership peaked at 24.4 million during the roughly two-minute race, a 12% increase from the 2025 peak.
DeVaux’s emotions overflowed on camera as she celebrated the win. “It really is an honor to be that person for other women or other little girls to look up to,” she said afterward, per the Associated Press.
“You can dream big, and you can pivot. You can come from one place and make yourself a part of history.”
Ortiz battled neck-and-neck with his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the day’s top favorite, Renegade.
The victory capped a strong evening for NBC, which has averaged 15 million or more viewers for 11 of the past 13 Kentucky Derby telecasts. The network has expanded pre-race coverage and spotlighted compelling backstories, including DeVaux’s breakthrough and veteran jockey Mike Smith’s bid to become the oldest winner at age 59.