Like so many female leaders and role models today, American thoroughbred racehorse trainer Cherie DeVaux’s career started with the life lessons learned on a Little League Softball® diamond. Before making history as the first female trainer to win two Triple Crown races in 2026 – the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes – DeVaux laced up her cleats and grabbed a glove at Englewood Area (Fla.) Little League.
An inspirational leader who continues to make an impact in the horse racing industry, inspiring Girl with Game® around the world to chase their dreams, DeVaux was enshrined as the 10th female alumna and 67th overall member of the Little League Hall of Excellence as part of the opening day festivities of the 2026 Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile.
“From her experiences as a young Little Leaguer to making history at the highest level of her profession, Cherie has proven what it means to be a Girl with Game. The Hall of Excellence recognizes our program’s graduates who take the lessons they learned as children and use them to become leaders and role models as adults,” said Patrick Wilson, Little League President and CEO. “We are incredibly proud to recognize her accomplishments and hope her induction inspires Little Leaguers for generations to come.”
On the Little League diamond as a child, DeVaux developed an early appreciation for teamwork, community, having fun, and the importance of learning from those around her. She credits Little League with establishing the foundation for skills she continues to use as a leader in her organization, Cherie DeVaux Racing, today.
“It’s extremely important to play sports when you’re a child, especially for women. There are an overwhelming number of women leaders who have been involved in organized sports at a young age. Little League has always been a great program, especially in my life, because you start from the very basics and you cultivate those skills to eventually do complex things,” said DeVaux. “Little League created a sense of community for me and for so many kids today. I remember having fun with my teammates, peers, and even my coaches.”
Behind the big victories seen by millions is a philosophy that closely reflects the values DeVaux first experienced as a young female athlete. Overseeing a stable of more than 120 horses across three competition divisions, she understands that success at the highest level is never an individual accomplishment. Like on a softball field, where nine athletes work together to get three outs, DeVaux credits a collective commitment to supporting one another through setbacks and pushing each other to work hard as the key to victories. In the big moments, whether it is a garland of roses and a Kentucky Derby Trophy, or a World Series Championship Banner, DeVaux has learned the importance of staying grounded.
“You must stay true to yourself and stay true to what has gotten you to where you are,” said DeVaux. “I’ve been in those moments in sports where you have to just take a deep breath and ground yourself. One thing I’ve learned in sports that’s carried through is that a bad day is a bad day. You don’t have to make it a bad week. A bad at bat only lasts for a moment, and then you go back into the dugout, collect yourself, and be there for your team.
DeVaux becomes the first alumna in the horse racing industry to be enshrined into the Hall of Excellence and joins other Girls with Game like women’s professional hockey league Olympic Gold Medalist, Krissy Wendall Pohl; United States Women’s National Soccer Team superstar and World Cup winner, Sydney Leroux; and University of Washington Head Softball Coach, Heather Tarr. DeVaux is joined by Ed Stack, Executive Chairman of DICK’S Sporting Goods, in the 2026 class of enshrinees.
“There have been a lot of exciting things that have happened since the first Saturday of May, but this one is a bit more meaningful to me, being inducted into the Hall of Excellence,” said DeVaux during her on field ceremony at the LLBWS. “One of the biggest lessons I learned through playing and participating in Little League throughout my young career is confidence. Believe you belong on the field, be willing to compete even when the odds are against you, and let those lessons that have stayed with you help move you forward.”
To learn more about Little League’s notable alumni, visit LittleLeague.org/Alumni. If you know of a notable Little League graduate that is not listed on our website, please fill out our Little League Alumni Submission Form.