In historic fashion, Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux, Vincent Viola, and Daisy Phipps Pulito were all involved in the victory.
Ortiz was the man in the thick of the action as Golden Tempo’s jockey. DeVaux made history by being the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. But who are Viola and Pulito?
Here is what you need to know about them.
Daisy Phipps Pulito, Owner of Golden Tempo
Daisy Phipps Pulito and Vincent Viola are the owners of Golden Tempo. Pulito is part-owner and racing manager of the Phipps Stable.
According to Thoroughbred OwnerView, she is a part of numerous foundations and has a long history of participation in Thoroughbred breeding and racing.
“She also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame,” the website reports. “She became a Member of The Jockey Club in 2009. Previously, she served in a variety of television production capacities through the years with CBS Sports, The Golf Channel, and NTRA/Breeders’ Cup.”
“Pulito lives in Lexington, KY, with her husband David and two children.”
The last horse of hers that won a Kentucky Derby was the 2013-winning horse, Orb.
Co-Owner of Golden Tempo, Vincent Viola
Vincent Viola has varied interests. Not only is he a co-owner of Golden Tempo, but he is also the owner of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Additionally, he was the co-owner of the Kentucky Derby-winning horse, Always Dreaming, in 2017.
Viola owns the St. Elias Stable. St. Elias Stable has a solid record in 2026. They have had three first-place, three second-place, and three third-place finishes this year. St. Elias Stable has earned a total of $623,030 from races.
Over the lifetime of the stable, they have 95 first-place finishes, 77 second-place finishes, and 71 third-place finishes. In 490 career starts, the stable has collected $8,753,063 in winnings.
More About Golden Tempo, the 2026 Kentucky Derby Winning Horse
Golden Tempo is the winning horse from the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Here is what his bio on the Kentucky Derby website.
“Golden Tempo represents the deepest frustration in pedigree handicapping: everything points to the Derby being right for him except the sire’s track record in the race itself,” the website says. “Curlin has produced three Kentucky Derby runners-up , Exaggerator, Good Magic, and Journalism , but has never crossed the wire first as a sire. The irony is that Golden Tempo’s specific cross, Curlin out of a Bernardini mare, is one of the most proven mating patterns for classic stamina in American breeding, and his dam, Carrumba, won at 1⅛ miles.”
“Trainer DeVaux has produced a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and a 2025 champion turf mare. The numbers need to step up considerably after consecutive thirds since his Lecomte win. But if you’re looking for a genuine dark horse with the late kick to challenge for a piece of the exotics, and you’re willing to bet against the Curlin Derby curse, Golden Tempo deserves a place in your tickets.”
2026 Kentucky Derby Winners: Who Are Golden Tempo’s Owners?