Fresh off her Kentucky Derby triumph, Cherie DeVaux is looking toward the future with an exciting group of yearling colts acquired by West Point Thoroughbreds in partnership with St. Elias Stable, Woodford Racing and Belladonna Racing.

For Cherie, the process began with something that cannot be measured on a pedigree page or in a conformation photograph.

“We’re looking for that special something in a horse,” she explained. “You’re trying to look for that extra something in their personality, in their presence, in their demeanor.”

She sees those qualities throughout this year’s group.

“A lot of the yearlings that we bought this year do fit that. They’re not just going out there going through the motions. They’ve got a bit of presence about them, a little bit of swagger, a little bit of professionalism.”

DeVaux emphasized the strength of the collaboration among the ownership groups and the bloodstock teams involved, including her husband bloodstock adviser David Ingordo and his team.

“We were fortunate to get many that we really liked,” she said. “The team did really, really hard work.”

Watch Cherie discuss the process and her impresions of 4 yearlings that still have availability.