Golden Moment

Golden Moment captures one extraordinary finish—and several pieces of racing history within it.

At the 152nd Kentucky Derby, longshot Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by José Ortiz, came charging from the back of the field to catch favorite Renegade, ridden by José’s older brother, Irad Ortiz Jr. Golden Tempo prevailed by just a neck. 

With that victory, DeVaux became the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner. And José and Irad became the first brothers in Derby history to finish first and second. 

But it was what happened just after the finish that inspired this painting.

Still aboard their horses, the brothers reached toward one another for a fist bump—a spontaneous moment of respect between two fierce competitors who also happen to be family. 

Rendered against a dramatic black background with expressive color and hand-applied gold leaf, Golden Moment celebrates more than victory. It is about history being made, a woman breaking a barrier 152 Derbies in the making, two brothers reaching the pinnacle of their sport together, and the bond that remains when the race is over.

Some victories are bigger than the finish line.

Details: Original acrylic and 23k gold leaf on canvas · 30” × 40” · One-of-a-kind original · Signed by Michele Benton · Certificate of Authenticity included · Created in New York

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