Horsepower. Identity.
That’s the headline here, really. Cherie DeVaux just rewrote a chapter of racing history, becoming the first female trainer to hoist the Kentucky Derby trophy. But the real story isn’t just the win itself; it’s the profound, almost elemental declaration of self that underpins it. This isn’t about a new business strategy or a product launch; it’s about an individual’s unwavering commitment to a singular, all-consuming passion that shapes every facet of her existence. And let’s be clear: this is a narrative that intentionally sidesteps the often-expected milestones society presumes for women.
For DeVaux, the thrill of victory isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s the culmination of a life steeped in the equestrian world, from her parents’ harness racing roots to her own rodeo days. But thoroughbred racing? That was an accidental immersion. She started at the bottom, as a hot walker, a role so entry-level it makes intern sound like a C-suite executive. Yet, even then, her sights weren’t set on the trainer’s podium. An exercise rider gig, once a fleeting ambition, was cut short by a broken leg. The overarching desire, however, remained: to simply have horses woven into the fabric of her life. Now, they are her life. And she’s unequivocally cool with that.
The Type A Architect of Her Own Destiny
Growing up, DeVaux was a Type A personality in a sea of Type Bs. Forget Pinterest boards for aspirations; she was scrawling post-it notes detailing her radio competition goals. When her mother, in a moment of well-intentioned maternal pragmatism, suggested she didn’t have to strive for straight A’s, DeVaux found the very notion preposterous. The idea of settling, of not pushing the limits of one’s own capabilities, is simply alien to her DNA.
Yet, even with this inherent drive, the leap to launching her own horse training business was a source of significant internal debate. She was already in a plum position, an assistant trainer at one of the sport’s premier stables. The mechanics of training horses? That she understood implicitly. But the nebulous, often brutal, realities of entrepreneurship – the financial gambles, the operational headaches, the sheer, unadulterated risk – felt like staring into an abyss. It was a calculated hesitancy, a logical pause before the plunge.
A Marriage, a Business, and a Complete World Flip
The year 2017 marked a seismic shift. A marriage proposal from her husband came with a vital question: where did she see her future? His support was unconditional; if she wanted to train horses professionally, they’d do it together. This conversation wasn’t just talk; it was the catalyst for a radical life reordering. Sunday, she walked away from her respected assistant role. Monday, Cherie DeVaux Racing was born. And that Friday? She tied the knot and, in a move that compounded the upheaval, became a stepmother.
Suddenly, the fiercely self-reliant individual found herself navigating a new constellation of responsibilities. The predictable rhythm of a structured job dissolved into the chaotic, unpredictable currents of building a business from scratch, all while integrating a new family dynamic. It was, to put it mildly, a lot. Even now, years later, she admits the feeling of being perpetually overwhelmed hasn’t entirely vanished, but she’s learned to coexist with that discomfort. She’s adapted, bending rather than breaking.
The Financial Reality Behind the Prize Money
Sure, the numbers look staggering: over $36 million in prize money from horses she’s trained. But here’s where the corporate gloss often distorts the picture. DeVaux’s business, like any training operation, operates on a commission basis, and the overhead is astronomical. Horse training isn’t a passive investment; it’s a labor-intensive, capital-draining endeavor. Her business has indeed experienced exponential growth, but that growth has been fueled by relentless reinvestment. Up until very recently, her venture was the financial deficit in the family ledger, with her husband’s horse-breeding business shouldering the bulk of the expenses.
Her personal compensation structure reflects this reality. A steady salary, with bonuses reserved for truly monumental wins. The Derby trophy hasn’t yet translated into a bonus payout. Part of this is the inevitable lag in prize money disbursement, but another part is simply the sheer exhaustion – the whirlwind of post-victory recognition, while exhilarating, is also profoundly draining. It’s the quiet hum of sustained effort, not the loud bang of instant riches.
Embracing the Spotlight: A Platform for Change
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the ‘motherhood’ question. DeVaux is unequivocal. She’s never harbored a desire for her own children. The image of her holding a baby at the track? That’s her nephew. Her vision of familial connection involves being the ‘cool aunt’ who spoils her nieces and nephews, a role that clearly brings her joy and allows her to maintain her core identity.
Because, and this is critical, being a trainer is her identity. The 5:30 AM track calls are non-negotiable. Vacations are a logistical nightmare, a near-mythical concept. A recent attempt at a getaway was abruptly cut short by a horse-related emergency back home, even while they were thousands of miles away in Florida. The constant responsibility for around 120 horses renders the idea of unplugging almost laughable.
Her ambition isn’t solely about personal accolades or financial gain. DeVaux wants her legacy to be a positive force within the sport, an industry often mired in criticism, some of it entirely justified. However, she’s a witness to significant, positive shifts – marked improvements in equine safety and aftercare protocols. The progress over the last five years alone has been, in her words, “leaps and bounds.”
She didn’t set out to shatter glass ceilings or be a trailblazer for female trainers. That title, the first female to win the Kentucky Derby, landed on her shoulders through sheer dedication and undeniable success. Now, armed with this hard-won platform, she’s ready to step into the light and use it for the betterment of the sport she loves. It’s a story not just of winning a race, but of winning the right to define oneself on one’s own terms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will Cherie DeVaux train racehorses forever? DeVaux’s deep commitment suggests a long future in horse training, though she is actively working on taking intentional time off. Her identity is intertwined with the sport.
How did Cherie DeVaux become a horse trainer? She started as a hot walker, working her way through college and college, eventually transitioning to various roles within the racing industry before founding her own training business.
Is horse training a profitable business? While prize money can be substantial, horse training is a business with high overhead and commission-based earnings. DeVaux has been reinvesting profits back into her growing business.
