Golden Tempo's 2026 Kentucky Derby Win Draws Record Viewership as Trainer DeVaux Makes History

The 2026 Kentucky Derby set a new viewership record with an eye-popping number on Saturday.

NBC Sports announced that Golden Tempo's victory was watched by an average of 19.6 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-watched Kentucky Derby on record.

According to a release, viewership peaked at 24.4 million viewers from 7-7:15 p.m. ET, the largest ever for an NBC Sports presentation of the Kentucky Derby. The 2025 average audience of 17.7 million viewers was the most since 1989, but this year's topped that by 11 percent.

Golden Temp's victory made Cherie DeVaux the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner.

Next up on the schedule will be the 151st Preakness Stakes on May 16. Golden Tempo will be looking to take another step toward the historic Triple Crown.