Brown assistant DeVaux to open own stable

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Cherie DeVaux has left Chad Brown’s outfit, where she has been an assistant for the last eight years, and will soon open her own stable.

“I feel it’s a really good time after the all the success we’ve had lately and having had the experience to work with some really great horses and really great people,” DeVaux said. “I’m now feeling like it’s time to pursue my own professional goals.”

DeVaux, 36, joined Brown’s operation in May 2010. She helped Brown’s stable develop into what is now arguably the top stable in the country. Brown has won the last two Eclipse Awards as North America’s outstanding trainer. In 2017, Brown won his first classic, the Preakness, with Cloud Computing. He won two more Breeders’ Cup races last year, bringing his total to 10 since he went out on his own late in 2007.

DeVaux drew a social media following when she shared images of and updates on Lady Eli, the popular turf mare who developed laminitis in summer 2015 and ultimately came back to win Grade 1 races and an Eclipse Award.

DeVaux, who worked for Chuck Simon for five years before joining Brown’s staff, admitted it wasn’t easy to leave an operation that has enjoyed as much success as Brown’s, but felt if she was ever going to try training on her own, this was the time.

“It’s extremely hard to leave at a time when everything is going so well,” DeVaux said. “It took a lot of thought. Obviously, there’s a huge risk in what I’m doing, but I’m excited for the opportunity to enjoy my own successes.”

DeVaux said she is hoping to begin accepting horses at Belmont Park right after the Kentucky Derby.

“Cherie was a valuable member of our team and we’ll miss her leadership,” Brown said. “I’m confident she’ll do well.”