Cherie DeVaux has made history as the first woman to train the winner of the Kentucky Derby, as Golden Tempo charged from the back of the pack and down the stretch to get to the finish line first in the biggest event in horse racing.

DeVaux is just the second female trainer to win any Triple Crown race after Jena Antonucci won with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. She won the 152nd Derby in her first opportunity, eight years since starting her own stable.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz and with a crowd of more than 100,000 watching and roaring at Churchill Downs on Saturday (Sunday AEST), Golden Tempo passed favourite Renegade just before the wire to win in two minutes 2.27 seconds. Renegade was second, with brother Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, and long shot Ocelli was third.

"I don't even have any words right now," DeVaux said.

"I just cant. Just so, so so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a wonderful job, a masterful job of getting him there. He was so far out of it."

During the week, DeVaux shifted from downplaying what it would mean to be the first woman to train a Derby winner to understanding she's a role model to girls who might want to follow in her footsteps some day. She's just the 18th woman to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

"I'm glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to," DeVaux added.

Ortiz showed off the riding prowess that has made him so successful in recent days to win the Derby for the first time in his 11th try. It came a little under 24 hours since he also won the Kentucky Oaks, the top race for three-year-old fillies.

"I get to ride it almost every year, but to get to win it, it's just special," Ortiz said.

"I just wish my grandpa was here, but I know he's looking from heaven. Just very happy that I get my goal, my life dream goal achieved."

The Kentucky Derby went on with just 18 horses after Great White was a late scratch for flipping and throwing his jockey. Track veterinarians made the call to scratch the long shot who got into the field on Wednesday when Silent Tactic was ruled out because of a foot injury.