The Kentucky Derby is the most iconic horse race in sports, and Golden Tempo is the latest horse to be linked to the history books at Churchill Downs. Learn more about the Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo’s jockey, Jose Ortiz, owners, trainer, Cherie DeVaux, and the horse.
Ortiz is the horse’s jockey while DeVaux made history as well. Devaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
“I honestly don’t know,” Devaux told NBC when asked what it felt like to make history. “I’m just glad that I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to.”
Despite long odds, Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby at 23 to 1. Golden Tempo is owned by a joint partnership between Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) and St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola).
Heading into the race, Renegade was among the favorites at 5 to 1 in the Kentucky Derby odds. Other contenders included So Happy (6 to 1), Commandment (7 to 1), Further Ado (7 to 1) and Chief Wallabee (9 to 1).
Here’s what you need to know about Golden Tempo, your 2026 Kentucky Derby winner.
Kentucky Derby Purse: How Much Money Does the Winner, Golden Tempo, Make?
GettyCherie DeVaux trainer of Golden Tempo #19 celebrates after becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The 2026 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million with the winning team, Golden Tempo, set to earn $3.1 million. This money is divided among the owners, jockey and trainer.
How Much Money Does the Kentucky Derby Winning Jockey, Jose Ortiz, Make?
The exact earnings of each Kentucky Derby jockey depends on their agreement with ownership. According to CBS Sports, the winning jockey typically earns 10% of the purse.
Back in 2025, the winning jockey earned $310,000 for notching a victory at Churchill Downs.
Golden Tempo’s Jockey, Jose Ortiz, Has Earned More than $307 Million During His Career
Heading into the Kentucky Derby, Ortiz had earned more than $307 million over his career in 18,854 starts, per Equibase. Ortiz is originally from Puerto Rico.
The victory marked Ortiz’s first Kentucky Derby win. Ortiz also won the Kentucky Oaks on the eve of the Kentucky Derby.
The veteran jockey also has wins at the Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes.
Kentucky Derby Odds & Horses for 2026
Four horses were scratched from the Kentucky Derby field. This includes The Puma who was scratched just hours before the Kentucky Derby started.
Ahead of the Kentucky Derby, The Puma generated plenty of buzz amid rumors that Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce had purchased an ownership stake in the horse.
| POST POSITION | HORSE | ODDS |
| 1 | Renegade | 5/1 |
| 2 | Albus | 50/1 |
| 3 | Intrepido | 55/1 |
| 4 | Litmus Test | 34/1 |
| 6 | Commandment | 7/1 |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | 14/1 |
| 8 | So Happy | 6/1 |
| 9 | 8/1 | |
| 10 | Wonder Dean (JPN) | 20/1 |
| 11 | Incredibolt | 27/1 |
| 12 | Chef Wallabee | 9/1 |
| 14 | Potente | 23/1 |
| 15 | Emerging Market | 11/1 |
| 16 | Pavlovian | 52/1 |
| 17 | Six Speed | 40/1 |
| 18 | Further Ado | 7/1 |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | 36/1 |
| 21 | Great White | 29/1 |
| 22 | Ocelli | 50/1 |
| 23 | Robusta | 50/1 |
How Much Money Did the Kentucky Derby Winning Horse, Golden Tempo, Cost?
Unlike many of the other Kentucky Derby contenders, Golden Tempo was homebred so the horse did not have a purchase price. The average price for the non-homebred Kentucky Derby horses was $492,445, per Yahoo Sports.
Ortiz edged out his brother Irad Ortiz Jr., Renegade’s jockey, to get the Kentucky Derby victory.
“Not really, I want him to win the Derby, of course,” Ortiz explained to NBC after winning the Kentucky Derby. “I know it’s his dream as well.
“But it happened that way and I think he should be happy his horse ran a very good race. He’s a very nice horse.”
Kentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo Had Been Dealing With Cracked Heels
Golden Tempo had been dealing with cracked heels leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Obviously, the horse was able to overcome the minor injury to impress at Churchill Downs.
“Not a big deal, but he’s training great, he’s happy, he’s moving wonderfully out there, so I’m really pleased with him,” DeVaux told FanDuel Racing during an April 28, interview.
“… It’s just a little abrasion. They’re not bad, but they’re funny. They can be persistent, and it’s just when they gallop, sometimes it will aggravate them.”
Kentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo: Meet Horse Trainer, Cherie DeVaux & Jockey, Jose Ortiz