Zenyatta

Zenyatta (foaled April 1, 2004) is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the first 19 starts in a 20-race career. Her sole defeat came in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic by a neck to Blame, as she attempted to defend her win in the 2009 event. Despite the loss, she was named the 2010 American Horse of the Year. She was also the American Champion Older Female Horse in 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016.

For other uses, see Zenyatta (disambiguation).

Zenyatta
Zenyatta winning the Lady's Secret Stakes
SireStreet Cry
GrandsireMachiavellian
DamVertigineux
DamsireKris S.
SexMare
Foaled (2004-04-01) April 1, 2004
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
CountryUnited States
ColourDark Bay/Brown
BreederMaverick Productions, Limited
OwnerJerry & Ann Moss
TrainerJohn Shirreffs
JockeyMike Smith
Record20: 19–1–0
Earnings$7,304,580[1]
Major wins
El Encino Stakes (2008)
Apple Blossom Handicap (2008, 2010)
Milady Handicap (2008, 2009)
Vanity Handicap (2008, 2009, 2010)
Clement L. Hirsch (2008, 2009, 2010)
Lady's Secret Stakes (2008, 2009, 2010)
Santa Margarita Handicap (2010)

Breeders' Cup wins:
Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (2008)
Breeders' Cup Classic (2009)
Awards
American Champion Older Female Horse
(2008, 2009, 2010)
American Horse of the Year
(2010)
Secretariat Vox Populi Award[2]
(2010)
Honours
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee (2016)
Zenyatta Stakes (2010)
NTRA "Moment of the Year" (2008, 2009)
Lifesize statue at Santa Anita Park (2012)

Zenyatta was a late developing horse, not making her first start until late in her three-year-old year, winning a maiden race on November 22, 2007 then an allowance race in December. As an older horse in 2008 through 2010, she recorded seventeen consecutive graded stakes wins with 13 of them at the Grade I level. In 2009, she became the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. Her other major wins include the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic in 2008, the Apple Blossom Handicap in 2008 and 2010, the Vanity in 2008-2010, the Clement L. Hirsch in 2008-2010 and the Lady's Secret in 2008-2010. The Lady's Secret was subsequently renamed in her honor.

Zenyatta developed a passionate following, attracted by a combination of her athletic prowess, her personality and the "dance moves" she made while in the walking room and post parade prior to racing.[3] She was known for her closing finishes, often spotting early front runners large leads, then overtaking her opponents down the final strides.[4][5] However, some racing experts questioned the quality of the opposition in the majority of her races on artificial surfaces in California.[6]

Background

Zenyatta is a dark bay mare who was bred in Kentucky by Eric Kronfeld's Maverick Production, Limited.[1][7] She was sired by Street Cry, who was the 2002 UAE Horse of the Year after winning that year's Dubai World Cup. In addition to Zenyatta, Street Cry also sired 2007 Kentucky Derby-winner Street Sense, Australian Horse of the Year Winx, Australian champion Whobegotyou, and 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.[8] Zenyatta is out of Vertigineux, and thus is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Balance. Vertigineux, a winning daughter of Kris S., was named the 2008 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.[9]

Zenyatta was sold as a yearling at the 2005 Keeneland September Sale for $60,000 to Jerry and Ann Moss. The relatively low price was the result of a skin disease that broke out a few days before the sale.[7] She was named after the album Zenyatta Mondatta, by The Police, who were signed to A&M Records by Jerry Moss.[10] She was trained by John Shirreffs and guided by jockey Mike Smith for 17 of 20 starts. David Flores rode Zenyatta in her first three starts.

Zenyatta is a powerfully built mare with a "tremendous" shoulder and hip, but "less than ideal" ankles. Her height was reported by various sources at between 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm) and 17.2 hands (70 inches, 178 cm) at the withers. Her stride was estimated at 26 feet (7.9 m).[7] During her racing career, she reportedly weighed 1,225 lb (556 kg).[11] Shirreffs was patient while she grew into her large frame. Soon after Zenyatta arrived at his stable, he commented to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, his wife and stable manager, "If I can get her right, she'll be my Michael Jordan."[12]

On the backstretch, Zenyatta was known as a kind and curious horse with a "Zen-like calm". Before races, she relaxed herself by walking or prancing with an elevated stride, leading to comparisons with dressage horses. "She stretches so much doing all that dancing that she's actually ready to go," said Smith. "You don't have to do a lot with her. She knows that people around her are watching. She knows that she not only has to go out there and compete, but she has the whole package. She's a great entertainer."[3]

Racing career

2007: three-year-old season

On November 22, 2007, Zenyatta made her debut in a Maiden Special Weight at a distance of ​6 1⁄2 furlongs over Hollywood Park's artificial track surface. She broke last in a field of twelve and was still in tenth place after half a mile. She swung wide turning into the stretch and drew clear to win by three lengths.[13]

On December 15, Zenyatta made her next start in an allowance race at Hollywood Park over a distance of ​1 1⁄16 miles. She trailed the field for the first half mile then began to move into position while swinging wide on the final turn. In the stretch, she drew along the early leader and continued to draw off to win handily by ​3 1⁄2 lengths.[14]

2008: four-year-old season

On January 13, 2008, Zenyatta made her four-year-old debut in the Grade II El Encino Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The field contained Grade I winners Tough Tiz's Sis and Romance is Diane, who both carried 122 pounds. Since Zenyatta had not yet won at the stakes level, she received a six pound allowance. She broke last in the field of six but was only four lengths behind Tough Tiz's Sis, who set a moderate pace of 47.77 seconds for the first half mile. Zenyatta swung wide turning into the stretch and steadily made up ground, drawing clear in the final strides to win by ​1 3⁄4 lengths over Tough Tiz's Sis. "She could be anything, I mean really anything," said Jerry Moss. "We're just so proud of her and enjoying every day with her."[15][16]

Zenyatta traveled to Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on April 5 for her first start on dirt and her first Grade 1 attempt. It was also the first time she was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. She faced champion Ginger Punch, who had won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic and was heavily favored at odds of 2-5. Ginger Punch went to the early lead and set a moderate pace with Zenyatta ​9 1⁄2 lengths back after half a mile. Zenyatta began her move midway on the final turn while swinging four wide. She reached the lead in mid stretch and won going away by ​4 1⁄2 lengths over Brownie Points, with Ginger Punch a further ​3 1⁄2 lengths back in third.[17][18]

Zenyatta returned to California for her next start at Hollywood Park on May 31 in the Milady Handicap. She broke poorly and was squeezed back but remained fairly closely bunched with the other four horses as Romance is Diane set "turtle-like fractions" of 24.74 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 48.19 for the half. Despite the slow pace, Zenyatta was able to close strongly down the stretch and drew clear by ​2 1⁄2 lengths under a hand ride. "She always makes everyone look like they stopped," said Ann Moss. "It's like she's out for a gallop and everyone else is stopping."[19][20]

On July 5, she was entered in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. She was assigned top weight of 124 pounds, while her main rivals Tough Tiz's Sis and Sealy Hill carried 121 and 118 pounds respectively. Zenyatta made an earlier move than usual and took the lead in mid-stretch, then held off Tough Tiz's Sis to win by half a length. Smith felt Zenyatta had not been at her best. "She was not tested at all, but I was tested," he said. "She was just pulling [herself] up the whole time. Around the turn, she was pricking her ears. She was not even running. She was basically galloping through the stretch. She made me work hard, but she was just loafing."[21][22]

On August 2, she was entered in the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar. She again carried top weight of 124 pounds, spotting her seven rivals from five to twelve pounds. She trailed early behind a fast early pace and was eleven lengths behind after half a mile. She began making up ground around the far turn and moved to the lead in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a length. She set a new track record of 1:41.48 for ​1 1⁄16 miles.[23][24]

On September 27, Zenyatta entered the Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Her mail rival in the four-horse field was Grade I winner Hystericalady, who came into the race off an eight-length win in the Molly Pitcher.[25] Hystericalady went to the early lead and set a slow early pace. Zenyatta relaxed in fourth place just a few lengths behind, then swung wide turning into the stretch. She gained the lead in midstretch and drew off under moderate urging to win by ​3 1⁄2 lengths. She clocked negative splits throughout the race, running each quarter faster than the one before it. Her splits were :24 4/5, :23 4/5, :23 1/5, :22 3/5, with a final sixteenth in :06 flat. She finished the ​1 1⁄16 miles in a stakes-record 1:40.30 and established herself as the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic in October.[26][27][28]

Zenyatta in the walking ring at the 2008 Breeders' Cup

On October 24, 2008, Zenyatta was sent off as the 1–2 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, held during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita. The field included four other horses who had won at the Grade I level in 2008: Ginger Punch, who had won the Ogden Phipps and Go For Wand Handicaps since losing to Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom, Carriage Trail (Spinster Stakes), Cocoa Beach (Beldame) and Music Note (Gazelle Stakes).[29] Zenyatta dropped back at the start behind a moderate pace set by Bear Now. Still ​7 1⁄2 lengths behind after three-quarters of a mile, she started to make up ground on the final turn. She circled the field at the top of the stretch and won by ​1 1⁄2 lengths over Cocoa Beach.[30][31] Her time of 1:46.85 for ​1 1⁄8 miles was the second-fastest in the race's history.

"Today, she was just showing off," said Smith. "Used to be, she'd get nervous and sweaty when the people were hollering at her. Today, she just started dancing when they did that. She's just figured it out."[31]

With a perfect record of seven wins in 2008, all at the Grade I or II level, Zenyatta was the easy winner of the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female Horse. She finished second in the voting for Horse of the Year to Curlin, who had won five of his seven starts.[32] Her win in the Ladies Classic was named the NTRA Moment of the Year.[33]

2009: five-year-old season

Zenyatta was given a layoff after the Breeders' Cup, then resumed training in February.[34] She was expected to make her four-year-old debut on May 1, 2009 in the Louisville Distaff at Churchill Downs. However, she was scratched from the race after heavy rains made the track sloppy.[35]

Instead, she made her first start of the year on May 23, 2009 in the Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park. She was assigned the top weight of 126 lbs, conceding four pounds to stablemate Life is Sweet, who was also a Grade I winner, and up to 14 pounds to the other horses in the field of six.[36] Behind a moderate pace, Zenyatta dropped to the back of the pack, trailing by twelve lengths after half a mile. She started her move on the far turn and was forced to briefly check. Smith swung Zenyatta wide and she took the lead with a sixteenth of a mile remaining to win by ​1 3⁄4 lengths over Life Is Sweet. Smith explained that he and Garrett Gomez, the jockey of Life is Sweet, "played some games" while battling for position on the turn. "It was all clean and fair. She's so handy that when I eased up on the pedal, she backed up for me, came around and it was over."[37][38]

On June 27, Zenyatta faced five rivals in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. She carried 129 lbs, while Grade II winners Dawn After Dawn and Briecat carried 114 and 116 pounds respectively.[39] Briecat went to the early lead and set moderate fractions. Zenyatta rated ​6 1⁄2 lengths behind down the backstretch, then moved wide to take the lead in the stretch. She won by ​2 1⁄2 lengths over Briecat in a time of 1:48.15 for ​1 1⁄16 miles. "It was a short field and she had a lot of weight on her and I didn't want her to have so much to do, so I stayed a little closer than normal," said Smith. "But when I asked her, she lengthened her stride and it was pretty much over then."[40][41]

On August 9, Zenyatta faced a field of six in the Clement L. Hirsch, now run as a stakes race under allowance weight conditions. She and Life is Sweet both carried 123 pounds, with the other fillies and mares carrying 119 pounds. Lethal Heat went to the early lead and set a very slow pace of :48.84 for the half mile and 1:13.64 for the three-quarters. Zenyatta was still last at that point with ​6 1⁄2 lengths to make up on the relatively fresh front runners. With a furlong left to run, she still had ​4 1⁄2 lengths to make up, but closed to win by a head over Anabaa's Creation.[42]

Because of the slow early pace, she completed the ​1 1⁄16 miles in 1:43.24, nearly two seconds slower than her time in the previous year's race. However, she had run the final quarter in an excellent 22.49 seconds, hitting a speed of roughly 40 miles per hour. Smith admitted that he had underestimated the rest of the field while focused on tracking Life is Sweet, who finished fourth. "But then I looked up and the competition had gotten away from both of us. I just kind of flagged (Zenyatta) with the stick and she started hitting that stride."[43]

On October 10, Zenyatta again faced off with Life is Sweet, Lethal Heat and Cocoa's Beach in the Lady's Secret Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. Behind another slow early place, she stayed closer to the early leaders this time. She took the lead in deep stretch and pulled clear to win by ​1 1⁄4 lengths under a hand ride. This extended her winning streak to thirteen, tying her with Personal Ensign for the longest undefeated record at the elite level in North American racing history. Smith said she had several gears to spare despite the ease of her victory. "She has an amazing turn of foot," said Smith, "one that I've never seen before. No disrespect to the other horses today, but she only ran about four jumps when we turned for home and then she shut it down."[44][45]

Breeders' Cup Classic
See also: 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic

On November 7, Zenyatta's connections opted to enter her against male horses in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park instead of trying to defend her title in the Ladies' Classic. Life is Sweet confirmed the quality of Zenyatta's west coast opposition by winning the latter race by ​2 1⁄2 lengths.[46] Meanwhile, Zenyatta faced a deep field of twelve in the Classic. The Polytrack racing surface was a factor in the betting on the race: some horses that ran well on natural dirt did not adapt well to the "plastics", whereas some turf-based horses handled it very well. European-based horses had run one-two in the 2008 Classic and two Group One winners, Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over, were among the favorites in the 2009 version. The North America contenders included three-year olds Mine That Bird (Kentucky Derby) and Summer Bird (Belmont Stakes, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup). Among the older horses in the race, Gio Ponti, who had won the Arlington Million and Man o' War, was highly regarded, as were Einstein (Santa Anita Handicap), Colonel John (a Grade I winner who was second in the Goodwood Stakes in his previous start) and Richard's Kid (Pacific Classic).[47][48]

Zenyatta caused a brief delay before allowing herself to be loaded in the starting gate. As she started to settle, Quality Road started to create problems of his own, bucking and rearing up in the outside stall before breaking through the barrier. Quality Road was scratched while all the other horses were unloaded and reloaded. When the race finally began, Zenyatta was flat footed and trailed the field by ​15 1⁄4 lengths after the first quarter, run by pacesetter Regal Ransom in a leisurely 24.16 seconds. She was still 9 lengths behind after three-quarters of a mile, but began making up position while racing just off the rail around the final turn. Still in ninth and ​6 3⁄4 lengths back with a quarter mile remaining, Smith swung her to the outside for racing room. Zenyatta accelerated and began to rapidly gain ground, then pulled clear to win by a length over Gio Ponti.[49][50]

Track announcer Trevor Denman had kept an eye on the mare throughout the race, noting she had a lot of work to do at the top of the stretch. As she moved to the lead, he exclaimed, "Zenyatta is flying on the grandstand side. This, is, un-be-lievable! What a performance! We will never see another like this."[51][52][53]

Zenyatta was given a hero's welcome on her return to the winner's circle, with many fans holding signs honoring "Queen Z." Ann Moss said, "Every moment with her is just a pleasure. And she’s so feminine. She’s just dancing and strutting and enjoying her beautiful, majestic self. And that’s a gift."[12]

Zenyatta became the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, and also the first horse to win two different Breeders' Cup races. "She's a freak, what can I say?" said Gio Ponti's trainer, Christophe Clement. "My horse ran a great race, but he couldn't beat her."[49]

"I believe if there was another horse ahead of [Gio Ponti]," said Smith, "she would have caught him, too. She still had run left."[49]

The win set up a spirited debate over who should be Horse of the Year: Zenyatta or the equally brilliant three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra. Both were undefeated over the course of 2009. Zenyatta had won the Classic while beating the strongest field of the year. However, Rachel Alexandra had dominated the field in the Kentucky Oaks, the filly equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, then beat the colts in the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first filly to win that race since 1924. She finished her year with wins in the Haskell against colts and the Woodward Stakes against older male horses. Rachel Alexandra ultimately won the balloting by 130 votes to 99.[54]

On December 22, Zenyatta was runner-up to tennis player Serena Williams for 2009 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.[55] The Oak Tree racing association announced that they would rename the Lady's Secret stake in her honor.[56]

On December 26, opening day of the 75th year of the Santa Anita meet, Zenyatta jogged around the grandstand in what was then thought to be the final parade of her career.[57]

2010: six-year-old season

The Mosses initially had intended to retire Zenyatta after the Classic, but announced on January 16, 2010, that she would remain in training.[58] On January 18, Zenyatta won her second Eclipse Award as American Champion Older Female Horse of the 2009 season.[59]

Since the middle of 2009, attempts had been made to have Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta face each other directly on the racetrack. On February 5, Oaklawn Park announced that it would increase the purse of the Apple Blossom to $5 million if both horses entered the race. Oaklawn also changed the distance of the race to ​1 1⁄8 miles and made it an invitational event for the 2010 running. Both sets of connections indicated their intention to attend if their horses were in top form.[60]

On March 13, Zenyatta made her six-year-old debut in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita Park. She was assigned 127 lbs and spotted her seven rivals 11 to 16 pounds. She wove through traffic mid-stretch to get clear and won under a hand ride, eased before the wire. She completed the ​1 1⁄8 miles in 1:48.20 and won by ​1 1⁄4 lengths.[61] On the same day, Rachel Alexandra though, who had not run since the Woodward Stakes in September 2009, was defeated in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course. It was later announced that she would not run in the Apple Blossom.[62] The two horses would never meet.

With the purse reverting to $500,000, the Apple Blossom attracted a field of just five, with Zenyatta the overwhelming favorite at 1-20. She made her usual move on the final turn and coasted to a ​4 1⁄2-length win. She completed the ​1 1⁄8 miles in 1:50.71. Her record of sixteen consecutive wins matched Cigar, Mister Frisky and Citation for the longest winning streak for North American horses in races not restricted to state-breds.[63][64]

On June 13, 2010, Zenyatta won her 17th straight race in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park by half a length under 129 pounds. Still in last place at the head of the stretch, she was at first unable to close ground on St. Trinians, to whom she conceded 9 pounds. Smith noted that although Zenyatta had "hit a real big gear" in the stretch, St. Trinians had responded in kind. "I said, Whoa, [St. Trinians] is serious. She's going to make me run. I was working at it until the last 100 yards and then I knew I'd outgrind her." With the win, Zenyatta surpassed the records of Citation and Cigar for consecutive victories in unrestricted races.[65][66] She also tied the world record set by Rock of Gibraltar for consecutive Grade/Group I victories.

On August 7, Zenyatta was the 1-10 favorite in the Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar. The pace was very slow – :25.41 for the first quarter-mile and :50.61 for the half. Zenyatta started her move on the turn and hit the lead earlier than usual. Although she was never hard pressed, she won by only a neck. "She was literally playing," said Smith. "I hit the button a little too soon. When she gets in front, she thinks its over. She wants to salute the fans."[67][68]

The win broke the world record set by Rock of Gibraltar for consecutive Grade/Group I victories. It also tied Eclipse for consecutive victories without a defeat. With the win, Zenyatta captured her 12th Grade I race and tied the All-time North American record (set by two-time champion Bayakoa) for Grade I victories by a filly/mare.

Shirreffs had considered sending Zenyatta to the east coast for her final prep for the Breeders' Cup.[67] However, he ultimately decided to keep her at home and entered her in the Lady's Secret on October 2 instead (the name change for the race to the Zenyatta Stakes was deferred for a year). The race was held at Hollywood Park because of concerns over the Santa Anita racing surface.[69] Zenyatta broke slowly and took her normal place at the back of the pack but was only ​4 1⁄2 lengths behind after half a mile. She swung to the outside coming off the final turn and gradually took the lead and drew off to win by half a length.[70]

Zenyatta broke the North American record for Grade I victories by a filly/mare with her 13th Grade I win. It was also her ninth consecutive Grade I victory (then a world record, since tied by Frankel, then broken by Winx). In addition, she broke the all-time North American female earnings record (formerly held by Ouija Board).

On November 6, Zenyatta attempted to become the first North American horse to retire undefeated with 20 wins and the second horse to repeat in the Breeders' Cup Classic after Tiznow. She faced one of the strongest fields in the history of the race, including Blame (Stephen Foster Handicap and Whitney Handicap); Lookin at Lucky (Preakness and Haskell Invitational); Quality Road (Metropolitan Handicap, Donn Handicap and Woodward Stakes); Paddy O'Prado (Secretariat Stakes); First Dude (runner-up in the Preakness); Espoir City(Japan Cup Dirt); and Haynesfield (Jockey Club Gold Cup). "I would imagine that when this race was designed, when they came up with the concept in 1982, this is what they had in mind," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "It brings the best horses in the world together, on a neutral playing field, on a traditional dirt surface. We'll see what happens."[71][72]

Zenyatta had a sluggish start and seemed to struggle with the surface —– looking "like a rocking horse", according to The New York Times. After half a mile, she trailed the early leaders by 15 lengths. Around the far turn, she started to make up ground. Blame had also started his move and reached the lead by mid-stretch. Zenyatta was moving fast but faced a wall of horses in front of her. Smith moved her out wide then made several more adjustments before the mare was able to find running room. In deep stretch, she started to close ground rapidly but came up a neck short. After the race, Smith was in tears, blaming himself for the defeat. "I got away slow and got squeezed out of there," he said. "I couldn't level her off. If you have to blame anyone today, it would be me."[73][74]

"In defeat she didn't lose anything," said Al Stall Jr, the trainer of Blame. "I don't think you'll find anybody criticizing anything she's ever done, much less today. We were fortunate to have the right horse on the right day at the right time."[75]

With her second-place earnings of $900,000, Zenyatta surpassed Tiznow, John Henry, and Alysheba in all-time North American earnings (male or female) with earnings in excess of $7,304,580. She also broke the all-time Breeders Cup earnings record (previously held by American Horse of the Year and two-time Breeders Cup Classic champion Tiznow). At the time, the top-five Breeders Cup earners were: Zenyatta: $4,680,000, Tiznow: $4,560,400, Goldikova (IRE): $3,508,200, Conduit (IRE): $3,240,000, and Curlin: $2,955,000.

With three Grade I wins in 2010 and the head-to-head victory over Zenyatta, Blame's connections believed he deserved to be named Horse of the Year.[76] Ultimately however that honor went to Zenyatta, with five Grade I wins in 2010.[77] She was also named Champion Older Female Horse while Blame was unanimously named the Champion Older Male Horse.[78]

On December 18, 2010, Zenyatta was runner-up to skier Lindsey Vonn for 2010 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.[79]

On January 20, 2011, Penny Chenery announced that Zenyatta was named the 2010 recipient of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award.[80]

On March 23, 2011, Zenyatta became the first horse to win the William H. May Award. The award honors an individual or group that has provided "meritorious service" to the industry. Past recipients include racing industry greats such as John R. Gaines (Breeders' Cup founder), Joe Hirsch (founder of the National Turf Writers Association), Bob and Beverly Lewis, Stanley Bergstein, and Richard Duchossois.

Competition

Prior to the 2010 Breeders' Cup, noted handicapper Andrew Beyer wrote that he doubted that Zenyatta ranked among the greatest horses in American racing history because she had faced weaker competition in the majority of her races. All but three of her starts were in California and only two starts were against male horses. In particular, Beyer felt that the California's move to artificial "all weather" track surfaces during her racing career deprived some of her rivals of one of the historical strengths of California-based horses: early speed.[6] In her narrow defeat to Blame at Churchill Downs on a traditional dirt surface, she overcame many of those doubts as the 2010 Classic was considered one of the deepest fields in its history with seven Grade I winners.[71] Zenyatta defeated two champions in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (Gio Ponti and Summer Bird), champion Ginger Punch in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, and Canadian champion (Sealy Hill in the 2008 Vanity. Other Grade I/Group One winners that she defeated included: Colonel John; Richard's Kid; Einstein; Tough Tiz's Sis; Cocoa Beach; Music Note; Life Is Sweet; Switch; Rip Van Winkle; Twice Over; Awesome Gem; Girolamo; Mine That Bird; Hystericalady; Romance Is Diane; Double Trouble; Santa Teresita; and Carriage Trail.

Racing Statistics
Date Age Distance Race Grade Track Surface Odds Field Finish Winning Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin		 Jockey Ref
Nov 22, 2007 3 ​6 1⁄2 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Hollywood Park All weather 5.50 12 1 1:15.22 3 lengths David Flores [13]
Dec 15, 2007 3 ​1 1⁄16 miles Allowance Hollywood Park All weather 1.20* 7 1 1:40.97 ​3 1⁄2 lengths David Flores [14]
Jan 13, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄16 miles El Encino Stakes II Santa Anita Park All weather 1.20* 6 1 1:40.61 ​1 3⁄4 lengths David Flores [16]
Apr 5, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄16 miles Apple Blossom Handicap I Oaklawn Park Dirt 1.80 6 1 1:42.64 ​4 1⁄2 lengths Mike Smith [17]
May 31, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄16 miles Milady Handicap II Hollywood Park All weather 0.30* 5 1 1:41.17 ​2 1⁄2 lengths Mike Smith [20]
July 5, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄8 miles Vanity Handicap I Hollywood Park All weather 0.30* 7 1 1:49.51 ​1⁄2 length Mike Smith [22]
Aug 2, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄16 miles Clement L. Hirsch Handicap II Del Mar All weather 0.60* 8 1 1:41.48[lower-alpha 1] 1 length Mike Smith [24]
Sep 27, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄16 miles Lady's Secret Stakes I Santa Anita All weather 0.70* 4 1 1:40.30[lower-alpha 2] ​3 1⁄2 lengths Mike Smith [28]
Oct 24, 2008 4 ​1 1⁄8 miles Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic I Santa Anita All weather 0.50* 8 1 1:46.85 ​1 1⁄2 lengths Mike Smith [30]
May 23, 2009 5 ​1 1⁄16 miles Milady Handicap II Hollywood Park All weather 0.20* 6 1 1:42.30 ​1 3⁄4 lengths Mike Smith [38]
June 27, 2009 5 ​1 1⁄8 miles Vanity Handicap I Hollywood Park All weather 0.30* 6 1 1:48.15 ​2 1⁄2 lengths Mike Smith [41]
Aug 9, 2009 5 ​1 1⁄16 miles Clement L. Hirsch Stakes I Del Mar All weather 0.20* 7 1 1:43.24 Head Mike Smith [42]
Oct 10, 2009 5 ​1 1⁄16 miles Lady's Secret Stakes I Santa Anita All weather 0.40* 7 1 1:42.89 ​1 1⁄4 lengths Mike Smith [45]
Nov 7, 2009 5 ​1 1⁄4 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Santa Anita All weather 2.80* 12 1[lower-alpha 3] 2:00.62 1 length Mike Smith [50]
March 13, 2010 6 ​1 1⁄8 miles Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap I Santa Anita Park All weather 0.30* 8 1 1:48.20 ​1 1⁄4 lengths Mike Smith [61]
April 9, 2010 6 ​1 1⁄8 miles Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes I Oaklawn Park Dirt 0.05* 5 1[lower-alpha 4] 1:50.71 ​4 1⁄4 lengths Mike Smith [63]
June 13, 2010 6 ​1 1⁄8 miles Vanity Handicap I Hollywood Park All weather 0.50* 6 1[lower-alpha 5] 1:49.01 ​1⁄2 length Mike Smith [66]
Aug 7, 2010 5 ​1 1⁄16 miles Clement L. Hirsch Stakes I Del Mar All weather 0.10* 6 1[lower-alpha 6] 1:45.03 Neck Mike Smith [68]
Oct 2, 2010 6 ​1 1⁄16 miles Lady's Secret Stakes I Hollywood Park All weather 0.10* 5 1[lower-alpha 7] 1:42.97 ​1⁄2 length Mike Smith [81]
Nov 6, 2010 6 ​1 1⁄4 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Churchill Downs Dirt 1.00* 12 2[lower-alpha 8] 2:02.28 (Head) Mike Smith [82]

An asterisk after the odds means Zenyatta was the post-time favorite.

  1. New track record
  2. New stakes record
  3. First filly or mare to win the Breeders Cup Classic. First horse to win two different Breeders Cup races
  4. Tied the all-time North American record with 16 consecutive victories in unrestricted races (held by Citation and Cigar)
  5. Broke the all-time North American record with 17 consecutive victories in unrestricted races. First mare to win this race 3 times
  6. Broke the world record with 8 consecutive Grade/Group I wins. Tied Eclipse with 18 consecutive victories without defeat. First mare to win this race 3 times
  7. Broke the all-time North American record for Grade I victories by a filly/mare. Tied the all-time North American record for consecutive victories without defeat. Broke the all-time North American female earnings record. First mare to win this race 3× (consecutive years)
  8. Broke the all-time Breeders Cup earnings record (previously held by American Horse of the Year and 2-time Breeders Cup Classic champion Tiznow)

Popularity

Zenyatta was selected three years in a row (2008–2010) for NTRA's Moment of the Year Award, for her 2008 Ladies' Classic victory, historic 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic victory, and narrow defeat in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.[83] She finished second in the voting for AP Female Athlete of the Year in both 2009 and 2010.[84] She was featured in O[85] and W Magazine[86] and in a profile on 60 Minutes[87] in 2010 prior to her historic attempt at 20 consecutive victories in the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic. In a public opinion poll by the Daily Racing Form, 87% of people voted for her to be the 2010 Eclipse Horse of the Year.[88] Thousands appeared for her retirement ceremonies at Hollywood Park[89] and Keeneland Race Track[90] despite frigid 18-degree temperatures at Keeneland.

Retirement

On November 17, 2010, Zenyatta was slated to be retired. She arrived at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, on December 6, 2010.[91] On February 23, 2011, she traveled by van to Darley Stud, where she was bred to Bernardini.[92] On March 29, after coming up negative on a 45-day pregnancy checkup, Zenyatta was bred again to Bernardini.[93] She was announced to be in foal 60 days later.[94] Zenyatta later give birth to a dark bay colt, eventually named Cozmic One, on March 8, 2012.[95] Cozmic One had two starts in 2015 and performed poorly at the track.[96] He was subsequently retired and in 2018 became an ambassador for the Retired Racehorse Project after training at De Sousa Stables.[97]

On May 8, 2012, she was confirmed in foal to Tapit.[98] She delivered a chestnut colt, Ziconic,[99] on April 1, 2013, her 9th birthday. Ziconic began his racing career in 2016, and, like his dam, demonstrated a come from behind running style.[100] Ziconic was winless in twelve starts, though did run second twice and third an additional three times, making him more successful than his older half brother. On June 12th, 2019, it was announced that Ziconic was retired from racing and would retrain as an eventer.

On June 14, 2013, she was confirmed in foal to Claiborne Farm stallion War Front.[101] She delivered a dark bay filly, nicknamed "Z Princess," on Easter, April 20, 2014, at 12:03 am. The filly was euthanized as a weanling on October 28, 2014 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, after an accident in the paddock.[102]

On May 27, 2015, Zenyatta was confirmed to be in foal, again bred to War Front, after receiving a year off from breeding. She gave birth to a dark bay colt with a blaze on April 10, 2016. The colt died two days later due to complications from meconium aspiration syndrome.[103]

Zenyatta was bred to Medaglia d'Oro on May 2, 2016, and delivered a bay filly on May 9, 2017, at 8:50 pm.[104] The filly was named Zellda, and is in training with Shirreffs.[105]

She was next bred to Into Mischief on June 3, 2017, and confirmed in foal in July, but lost the pregnancy in April 2018 following a placental abruption. She was not bred in 2018 to give her time to recover.[106][107][108]

Zenyatta was bred for the 2019 breeding season to Candy Ride and produced a filly on May 17, 2020.[109]

Pedigree
Pedigree of Zenyatta (USA), dark bay or brown mare, 2004
Sire
Street Cry (IRE)
1998		 Machiavellian (USA)
1987		 Mr. Prospector Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Coup de Folie Halo
Raise The Standard
Helen Street (GB)
1982		 Troy Petingo
La Milo
Waterway Riverman
Boulevard
Dam
Vertigineux (USA)
1995		 Kris S. (USA)
1977		 Roberto Hail To Reason
Bramalea
Sharp Queen Princequillo
Bridgework
For The Flag (USA)
1978		 Forli Aristophanes
Trevisa
In The Offing Hoist The Flag
Mrs. Peterkin (family 4-r)[110]
gollark: My reactor is 9x9x9 and only 1000%.
gollark: I mean, I can manually update the pack files, but then the server won't update unless I also edit that, and then my friend won't be able to join.
gollark: I would use it but my modpack installer system requires that there be a public URL to access it.
gollark: Otherwise known as "microseconds" by sane people.
gollark: Kilonanoseconds?

See also

References
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  2. http://www.secretariat.com/fan-club/vox-populi-award
  3. Drape, Joe (April 8, 2010). "Part Rockette, Zenyatta Steals the Show". The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  4. "The Early Lead - Zenyatta: a star prepares to give her final performance in Breeders' Cup Classic". voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  5. Pedulla, Tom (September 24, 2013). "The Magnificence of Zenyatta". America’s Best Racing.
  6. Beyer, Andrew (September 30, 2010). "Andrew Beyer - Zenyatta's fast, but doesn't belong in racing's pantheon". Washington Post. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  7. Hunter, Avalyn. "Zenyatta (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  8. Hunter, Avalyn. "Street Cry (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  9. "Coolmore: Zenyatta's Dam Vertigineux Has Died". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  10. Miamiherald.com March 10, 2011
  11. Drape, Joe (October 23, 2008). "Filly's Record Is Music to Her Entourage's Ears". The New York Times. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  12. Haskin, Steve. "Haskin's BC Wrapup: Z One and Only". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  13. "Chart for November 22, 2007 at Hollywood Park". www.equibase.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  14. "Chart for December 15, 2007 at Hollywood Park". www.equibase.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  15. "Zenyatta Stings El Encino Rivals". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  16. "Chart of the El Encino". www.equibase.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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  18. "Zenyatta Blows Away Apple Blossom Foes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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  21. Mieszerski, Bob (July 6, 2008). "Zenyatta coasts in Vanity Handicap". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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  55. "Tennis No. 1 Serena is top female athlete". ESPN. December 30, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
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  57. "Zenyatta, John Henry Honored on Opening Day". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
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  60. "$5 Million Lure to Get Rachel, Zenyatta". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
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  70. "19 Down, One Big One to Go for Zenyatta". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
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  72. Pedulla, Tom. "Unbeaten Zenyatta tops record 184 entries for Breeders' Cup - USATODAY.com". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
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  84. Lindsey Vonn Tops Zenyatta for 2010 AP Female Athlete of the Year As Horse Is Again Runner-Up - Daily Blend - NESN.com
  85. http://www.oprah.com/world/The-2010-O-Power-List/20
  86. Zenyatta's winning streak: Society: Wmagazine.com
  87. "Is Zenyatta the best racehorse ever?". CBS News. May 1, 2011.
  88. Horsemen: Give Zenyatta HOY - ESPN
  89. Zenyatta's California fans get chance to say good-bye - ESPN
  90. Zenyatta and her fans enjoy one last dance - ESPN
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  101. Zenyatta Foals Tapit Colt
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  108. http://www.zenyatta.com/news/taking-time-off Taking Time Off
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  110. "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Cub Mare - Family 4-r". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
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