Brown's former assistant DeVaux back at Keeneland with her own string

The name Cherie DeVaux in the trainer column of the Keeneland program might be new to fans, but she is well known in the racing community. DeVaux, who is married to Central Kentucky-based bloodstock agent David Ingordo, was closely associated with champion Lady Eli when she worked for trainer Chad Brown.

DeVaux, who spent eight years with Brown, obtained her trainer’s license in 2018 before earning her first victory March 29 at Gulfstream Park. On Sunday, DeVaux will send out her first Keeneland starter, Dixiana Farms’ Primela, in the Appalachian (G2).

Primela, a 3-year-old daughter of Orpen, is one of about a dozen horses DeVaux is training at Keeneland.

The filly finished fourth in the March 2 Herecomesthebride (G3) at Gulfstream after making her first seven starts in France.

“She is a lovely filly and has quite a lot of energy,” DeVaux said. “She is training really well. I couldn’t ask for her to be doing any better.”     

DeVaux said Primela benefited from her North American debut in the Herecomesthebride.

“She has mostly been running in sprints where she was forwardly placed,” DeVaux said. “In the Herecomesthebride, she was farther back than what would have been ideal. But she came with a really nice run and got a lot out of the race both educationally and fitness wise. In the Appalachian, we hope she is not so far back.”

DeVaux is from the Saratoga Springs, New York, area, and her family is involved in Standardbred racing. Her brother Jimmy has won more than 5,000 races as a driver/trainer. DeVaux gravitated toward the Thoroughbred world when she became a stable worker for Chuck Simon at Saratoga. She spent six years working for Simon before transferring to the Brown barn where she became an assistant.

Lady Eli, who won the 2015 Appalachian, sold in foal to War Front for the sale-topping price of $4.2 million at Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale.

DeVaux plans to visit the champion, who delivered a colt March 21 at nearby Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms.

“When I have a free moment, the first thing I am going to do is see Lady Eli and her foal,” she said. “It will be exciting to see her as a mom. Last April (2018) I went to see her, and she knew I was the lady with the treats. She is very sweet around me as long as I come bearing gifts.”