Local roots, historic win: DeVaux captures Kentucky Derby

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — One of the biggest wins in sports has a deep Southwest Florida connection.

Cherie DeVaux, who grew up in Englewood, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, becoming the first female trainer to capture the race.

Long before the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs, part of DeVaux’s journey took shape at a local Englewood stable, where Cheryl and Keith Rowley say she became part of their family.

“We call her bonus family,” Cheryl Rowley said. “She’s like one of our own.”

The Rowleys first met DeVaux through her mother, when she needed a place to board her horse. That connection quickly grew. 

After graduating from Lemon Bay High School and attending Florida Gulf Coast University, DeVaux would spend weekends living with the Rowleys, working with their horses and traveling across Florida to barrel racing competitions.

“Jumping in a truck and running her throughout the state of Florida, barrel racing with her horse, Babe,” Keith Rowley said. “Those memories were just so special.”

On Saturday, the couple watched DeVaux’s horse, Golden Tempo, rally from behind to win the Derby, a moment they say was both shocking and unforgettable.

“Here he comes from behind, it was like, ‘Oh wow, our bonus child just won the freaking Kentucky Derby,’” Cheryl Rowley said. “We were just in shock.”

The Rowleys say DeVaux’s success is no surprise. They describe her as driven, determined and deeply committed to her horses, traits they saw years ago at their stable.

“As a parent, it’s just amazing to see what she has done,” Cheryl Rowley said. “You get chills thinking about it.”

Even as her career has taken her to racing’s biggest stages, the Rowleys say DeVaux has stayed connected. They’ve visited her in Kentucky, including trips to Keeneland, and even got a chance to see and connect with Golden Tempo before the Derby.

For them, the moment is about more than a historic win, it’s about watching someone they consider family reach the top.

“There were so many tears of joy,” Keith Rowley said. “We just couldn’t believe it.”

The Rowleys say they know this is just the beginning, and they expect to see more of DeVaux’s horses in the winner’s circle.