After the Auction: Ontology

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

Few stallions in the Thoroughbred breeding industry have experienced recent success as immense as Tapit’s. The son of the late Pulpit has been tremendous as of late, siring a plethora of graded stakes winners and high-selling horses. Attracting many top mares, such as Havre de Grace and Zenyatta, he is among the most sought-after studs in the business.

Tapit
Photo by Terri Cage

To own an offspring of Tapit is to possess a jewel. Fortunately for Reddam Racing, LLC, they have a jewel in Ontology, a two-year-old son of Tapit. One of my selections at the OBS March Sale earlier this year due to the power he displayed in the breeze show, Ontology was privately purchased by Reddam Racing at that auction for the price of $210,000.

Ontology has raced twice and although he did not win either of those starts, he has proven himself as a talented individual, having already added black-type to his name. After a solid runner-up effort in his debut at Hollywood Park on June 22 behind Alpine Luck, Ontology returned three weeks later in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes, in which he faced six others. Tracking the pace from the inside, the chestnut colt remained along the rail, rallying well to miss victory by a half-length, finishing second to Alpine Luck yet again.

Although Ontology has yet to visit the winner’s circle, the colt has clearly displayed talent in the early stages of his career, already proving himself as a stakes-quality racehorse.

Pedigree Musings

Tapit was among the top five sires in North America in both 2011 and 2012 and has sired a multitude of grade one-winning millionaires, including Careless Jewel, Hansen, Joyful Victory, Stardom Bound, and Tapitsfly. Early on in his stud career, it seemed as if Tapit could only produce precocious juveniles and the occasional speedy sophomore rather than horses that could carry their brilliance beyond their three-year-old year. However, offspring like Joyful Victory, Tapitsfly, Tapizar, and Testa Matta – have disproved this theory, having captured grade/group ones at four years old or older.

Tapit is a son of the late Pulpit, a fantastic sire who has begat such grade one winners as Corinthian, Ice Box, Purge, Pyro, Rutherienne, Sky Mesa, Stroll, and Tapit himself. Pulpit is of course a son of the great A.P. Indy, the sire of nearly thirty grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which Ontology descends has been highly successful, as A.P. Indy is also the sire of the additional productive studs Bernardini, Congrats, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, and Stephen Got Even.

Ontology is the first foal out of the stakes-winning mare Shytoe Lafeet, who earned more than $330,000 on the track, to race. A daughter of 2000 Guineas (GI) champion King of Kings, Shytoe Lafeet allows Ontology to share his broodmare sire with the grade one-winning Regally Ready, as well as the additional graded/group stakes winners Alexandros, Channel Lady, and Shimraan. The Tapit/Northern Dancer sire line on which Ontology is bred is the same that has produced the grade one winners Laragh and Tapizar.

Through his dam, Ontology is a direct descendant of three Reine De Course mares: Up the Hill, Gentle Tryst, and Cinq a Sept. The latter, a winner of the Irish Oaks, also resides in the tail female line of the great Triple Crown champion Secretariat, in addition to the spectacular stallions Cure the Blues and Malibu Moon. The Up the Hill line is the same one that produced Preakness Stakes (GI) winner Elocutionist and two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (GI) champion Alleged.

Paynter: A Miraculous Comeback

An updated version of my December 30, 2012 article, "Paynter: A True Superstar"

Paynter
Photo by Casey Phillips

Just four Thoroughbreds galloped down the stretch in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park on February 18, 2012. One emerged the clear winner, exuding class as he drew away to score by 4 ¼ lengths. His name was Paynter.

The three-year-old bay colt caught my eye, greatly impressing me. I envisioned a future superstar, a horse that would go on to bigger and better things. Perhaps this horse would not make it to the Kentucky Derby (GI); perhaps he would not even make it to a Triple Crown race. But I knew this horse would become something special. However, I never expected him to become as special as he has.

Paynter did become quite the superstar on the track, with performances that included a game runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes (GI) and a dominant victory in the Haskell Invitational (GI). But it was what he did after those races that made him a true superstar.

Following his victory in the Haskell, Paynter was struck with a fever, which only became a far more serious issue. Much too quickly, his illness became colitis and Paynter was soon also diagnosed with laminitis. Death seemed inevitable.

Paynter spent months fighting the diseases that had attacked him. Under the care of veterinary clinics in the northeastern United States, Paynter struggled to defeat his illnesses. Many days passed on which his connections and growing fan base feared they would lose him forever.

But Paynter fought hard. With the true heart of a champion, Paynter struggled to stay alive, fighting to defeat the hardships that had stricken him. After several months, however, he achieved the impossible. With a team of supporters, including not only his loving owner Ahmed Zayat and the veterinarians that treated him, but also the thousands of fans that prayed for his recovery, Paynter became healthy again.

After spending two and one-half months at Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center, the awe-inspiring son of Awesome Again returned to where he belongs: the racetrack. Shortly after being awarded the Vox Populi Award, an honor his devoted fans ensured he would receive, Paynter resumed training in Bob Baffert’s barn in California. He had overcome the impossible, displaying an incomparable fighting spirit to survive what nearly claimed his life.

Baffert gradually prepared Paynter for his return to racing, monitoring how his body was handling the rigors of training. Over several months, the Zayat Stables-owned colt became more fit. His large fan base eagerly awaited his return and on June 14, 2013, more than ten months after he initially became ill, Paynter miraculously returned to the races for the first time since he’d captured the Haskell.

Prior to the race, Paynter made quite the impression, his dark coat glimmering beneath the June sun as he pranced about the paddock, eager to make his return to competition. This was what he was bred for, what he loved to do. And finally, after the toughest battle he could face, he had returned to his true passion.

Making his return to the races in an allowance optional claiming event at Hollywood Park, Paynter encountered seven rivals, including four South American group one winners, a graded stakes winner, and a stakes winner. As soon as Paynter broke from the gate, he determinedly pursued the lead, gaining a clear advantage over the graded stakes-winning Majestic City down the backstretch.

Although Majestic City gained ground on Paynter as the favorite led the field into the far turn, Paynter found more, beginning to draw clear. Turning for home, the dogged bay kicked away, lengthening his advantage on his opponents. As the crowd cheered for the miracle horse before him, Paynter simply did what he loved to do, galloping toward a 4 ½-length triumph. Displaying sheer power and resolve, Paynter brought tears of joy to the eyes of many.

Paynter winning his comeback race
Photo by Casey Phillips

This time last year, Paynter was full of promise. He’d just finished a game second in the grueling final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, and was being prepared for a summer campaign. Despite months spent fighting for his life, Paynter has reached yet another promising moment in his life. He has returned to the brilliance he showed on the track last year and ahead of him is the continuation of the career of a gifted Thoroughbred that is one of the most resolute to ever live.

There was Lazarus. There was the Buffalo Bills against the Houston Oilers in a 1993 playoff game. There was Greg LeMond, Rocky Bleier, Mario Lemieux, Ben Hogan, Tommy John, Da Hoss. And now there’s Paynter, a horse with one of the greatest comeback stories of all-time. 

Eblouissante: Zenyatta's Dazzling Half-Sister

With some paragraphs drawn from "Recent Remarkable Broodmares"

Zenyatta
Photo by Terri Cage

The dark, large horse loped along the backside of Hollywood Park on Thanksgiving Day, several lengths separating the debuting three-year-old filly from the pacesetter. It was just another maiden race, featuring a field of Thoroughbreds that, as three-year-olds or older, weren’t nearly as exciting as a group of maiden juveniles. But that dark, large horse swept past her rivals in the stretch with a stunning turn of foot that left witnesses in awe of her triumph. Little did the world know, this filly would become America’s sweetheart, garnering over $7 million in earnings, winning thirteen grade one events, and capturing the hearts of racing fans across the world. The filly was none other than Zenyatta.

Almost exactly five years later, Zenyatta’s half-sister, Eblouissante, debuted at Hollywood Park, becoming one of the most hyped maidens of all-time. Prior to her initial race, the huge, dark-colored three-year-old filly had recorded forty-five works under trainer John Shirreffs, acquiring a large fan club before she even went to post for the first time. As the considerably sized filly sauntered before fans in the post parade for her first start, the racing world was abuzz regarding whether or not Eblouissante could live up to the hype.

She did. Breaking from the third gate among a field of eight as the only first-time starter in the group, Eblouissante emerged from the starting gate cleanly, settling amid the closers with Corey Nakatani aboard. With just one horse behind her, Eblouissante galloped easily into the backstretch, racing along the rail. Her long, dark tail flowed behind her, her powerful stride covering ground as she ran near the rear of the field. It was impossible not to see shades of Zenyatta as one gazed upon the debuting filly.

Eblouissante appeared comfortable down the backside and began to inch forward as the far turn approached. With minimal urging from Nakatani, Eblouissante gradually commenced her rally as the track began to curve, passing the forerunning group with easy strides in just a short amount of time. By the time the field reached the quarter pole, Eblouissante was just a length behind the leader, looming large on the outside as the fillies prepared to enter the homestretch.

Despite not being the carrier of the Moss’ silks, it was like watching Zenyatta as the Thoroughbreds came into the final stretch. To Nakatani’s asking, Eblouissante accelerated, overtaking the leader mid-stretch while displaying an impressive turn of foot, galloping effortlessly to a 4 ¼-length victory with an authoritative stride that resembled that of her older sister.

It’s no secret that this maiden winner has a royal pedigree. Just her title of “Zenyatta’s half-sister” is intimidating enough. However, there is more to her ancestry than that.

Interestingly, Eblouissante is sired by Bernardini, who is also the sire of Zenyatta’s first foal. Bernardini, victor of three grade ones, has proven to be a quality sire in his young stud career, producing five grade one winners. The choice for many top-class racemares, Bernardini is a son of the great A.P. Indy, who has produced nearly thirty grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which Eblouissante descends has been highly successful, as A.P. Indy is also the sire of such productive studs as Congrats, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, Pulpit, and Stephen Got Even.

The dam of Eblouissante is of course the incredibly successful Vertigineux, who quickly became a useful broodmare when her first foal, Where’s Bailey, became a black-type winner in the South. But she really made impressions when her second foal, Balance, had a terrific two-year-old campaign in southern California, winning a stakes race while placing in not only a non-graded stakes, but also the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (GI). Balance furthered Vertigineux’s value when she later triumphed in the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI), the Santa Anita Oaks (GI), the La Canada Stakes (GII), and the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (GI). Shortly after Balance’s career ended came the debut of not only Vertigineux’s best offspring, but one of the best racehorses the world has ever seen: Zenyatta. The great mare went nineteen-for-twenty, winning thirteen grade ones, including the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), the latter in which she became the only female racehorse to ever win the race. Zenyatta captured four Eclipse Award titles throughout her career– including Horse of the Year. Vertigineux has also produced Souper Spectacular, an earner of over $100,000 who has twice finished fourth in grade three events.

Vertigineux had the support of Kris S as her sire when she entered her career as a broodmare, as the son of the influential Roberto has recently proven to be among the best broodmare sires. Vertigineux herself is out of a successful broodmare, being a daughter of the dam of the multiple stakes-winning and group stakes-placed Restrained and the group stakes-placed On the Staff. Her damsire, the Argentinian Horse of the Year Forli, was also the broodmare sire of such horses as the champions Nureyev, Precisionist, and Swale. As a member of female family four, Vertigineux is among an elite group that descends from the Layton Barb mare. Other descendants of this female family include the dams of the Triple Crown winners Assault and Gallant Fox, as well as the champions Afleet Alex, Bowl of Flowers, Hail to Reason, Real Quiet, and Sunny’s Halo. Vertigineux was recently named not only 2008 Broodmare of the Year, but also a Reine De Course mare, and rightfully so.

One cannot expect for Eblouissante to become another Zenyatta, as the racing world will never see another Zenyatta. However, we do seem to have another superstar on our hands. Regal bloodlines and famous sister aside, Eblouissante’s debut truly lived up to her name, which means “dazzling” in French. A Thoroughbred simply cannot have much more remarkable parentage than this filly and it is impossible to deny that Eblouissante’s maiden victory was brilliant.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

In its fifth running, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf will be a grade one race for the first time. We haven’t seen a superstar come out of the race yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one emerges this year. The race is full of talented colts this year, including horses that could have a future either on dirt or turf.

Here are my top four picks for the Juvenile Turf:

1. Finale: After finishing third and fourth in two maiden special weights on the dirt, the Todd Pletcher two-year-old switched to the turf. The son of grade one winner Scat Daddy relished the grass in his turf debut, romping by 5 ¾ lengths. Running just off the pace, Finale took the lead with about a furlong to go, finishing the final furlong in 11:55 seconds for a final time of 1:08.70 for six furlongs.

The bay colt made his stakes debut in his next start, dominantly winning the Continental Mile Stakes over the Monmouth Park turf course by 10 ½ lengths. In his third start over the turf, which was also his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, Finale broke slowly and battled down the stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length in the Summer Stakes (GIII) at Woodbine. Todd Pletcher has been working the colt at a half-mile distance over a dirt track at Belmont Park. The colt, who obviously loves the turf, arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday with the rest of Todd Pletcher’s string. Though overshadowed by stablemates such as Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty, Finale has a good chance to make a name for himself.

2. State of Play: Last year, Team Valor International-owned Pluck won this race. Now, their colt State of Play is looking to make it a repeat for them. The colt by War Front has only raced twice, but both of those starts have been wins.

A fever kept him from running in what was supposed to be his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, but the flashy bay colt has been training well for Graham Motion. His most recent work was a five furlong breeze over Keeneland’s synthetic track, in which he turned in a time of 1:01.60. The colt is undoubtedly bred for the turf, as his sire War Front has sired successful turf horses such as Soldat and Summer Soiree. He has not raced since the beginning of September, but I believe he has plenty of raw talent to be competitive. Check out the Juvenile Spotlight I wrote about him at: http://pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com/2011/09/juvenile-spotlight-state-of-play.html

3. Dullahan: The half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird has this race as first preference over the Juvenile. The son of Even the Score is coming into the Breeders’ Cup off a win in the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (GI) over Majestic City at Keeneland. The race was on the synthetic, which is quite similar to turf.

The chestnut broke his maiden in that race, as the best he had finished prior to the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity was second. In his final start before his grade one victory, Dullahan finished third to State of Play in the With Anticipation Stakes (GII) at Saratoga. I don’t think he can match the top two, but the colt is improving and will be a factor on race day.

4. Majestic City: The chestnut colt, who made a name for himself in southern California over the summer by winning three straight races, including the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (GIII), has lost his last two starts. However, they both have been very good performances.

At the beginning of September, Majestic City crossed the wire in second to Drill in the Del Mar Futurity (GI), but was disqualified to third for bumping with Creative Cause. He made his final start before the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity, finishing second to Dullahan.

With two wins at Hollywood Park and a good second place finish at Keeneland, Majestic City has a very good record on synthetic surfaces, which as mentioned, are often similar to turf. On October 22, Majestic City worked over the Santa Anita turf, turning in a half-mile work in the time of 47.60 to record a bullet work. His connections decided to enter him in the Juvenile Turf.

The colt’s sire, City Zip, is a tremendous turf sire, having sired talented turf horses such as Get Serious and Unzip Me. All signs suggest that Majestic City will have no problem with running on the turf. Don’t forget about this colt on race day; he has a lot to offer, including one of the most important qualities: heart.

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Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Last year, we saw a huge upset in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf when Shared Account won at 46-1. It’s a turf race at the Breeders’ Cup, so it will surely provide the classic international turf battle. Will we see another long shot win or will it be one of these four? Will the Americans be able to stand up for themselves?

Here are my top four picks for the Filly & Mare Turf:

1. Stacelita: Stacelita’ s first start in the United States was a tall task, as she faced the males in a grade one race. She finished third to Teaks North and Chinchon in the United Nations Stakes (GI). Then it was her time to shine on American turf. She won the prestigious Beverly D. Stakes (GI) at Arlington Park on Arlington Million Day, defeating the most talented American turf females impressively. On a yielding turf course at Belmont Park on October 1, the daughter of four-time leading German sire Monsun easily won the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (GI).

The Chad Brown trainee has been training over the Belmont inner turf course and though many of her works haven’t been very flashy on paper, I’ve noticed a pattern in several of her last works: slow work, fast work, slow work, fast work, slow work. I’m not worried at all about her training regimen, as Chad Brown definitely knows what he’s doing.

Since Midday will likely be Stacelita’s top rival in the Breeders’ Cup, it should be pointed out that Stacelita finished second to Midday last year in the Nassau Stakes (GI) at Goodwood. Yes, she lost to Midday, but that was last year and this is this year. It helps that Stacelita is coming into the BC with 2 consecutive victories. Midday, on the other hand, is coming into the BC with 2 consecutive losses. Stacelita may have started out as a European, but she is an American now and she is America’s best shot at winning the Filly & Mare Turf.

2. Midday: Her performance in her final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, the Champion Stakes (GI), in which she finished fourth, was quite flat. Of course, she had to travel wide and cover a lot of ground, but it was not the Midday we’re used to seeing. Before the Champion Stakes, she hadn’t finished worse than third since November of 2008, when she ran in her first stakes as a two-year-old.

However, Midday is always dangerous. She has an impressive record in this race, as she won it in 2009 and finished a close second last year. If she wins this year, she will become just the second horse to win the race twice (the first was Ouija Board). I believe it will be a tougher task for her this year with a stronger American line-up and tough Europeans, but as mentioned, Midday is always dangerous.

3. Dubawi Heights: This filly, bred in Great Britain, also has plenty of European ties. She made her first six starts on that continent, but has since raced primarily in southern California for the Simon Callaghan barn. She has not finished worse than second this year. In fact, her only loss came to Stacelita, in which she finished second in the Beverly D.

After two consecutive graded stakes wins at Hollywood Park, including the Gamely Stakes (GI), Dubawi Heights finished behind Stacelita in the Beverly D. She returned to southern California, winning the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (GI) at Santa Anita while holding off Cozi Rosie.

Her two works after her Yellow Ribbon victory have been impressive. Traveling a half-mile on October 15 over the Santa Anita dirt surface, Dubawi Heights worked in 47.60. A week later, she turned in 59.80 for five furlongs. She is definitely talented and training well, but I’m not sure if she can catch the top two.

4. Cozi Rosie: Maybe she’s just a sentimental favorite and that’s why she’s landed in fourth, but I think this filly has a huge amount of potential on the turf course, especially if it comes up firm. She has not finished off the board this year and has turned in a good performance each time. As a closer, she’ll likely enjoy the extra ground. Her recent works hint that she is building up stamina, as her last five works have been at either five furlongs, six furlongs, seven furlongs, or a mile. The Breeders’ Cup will certainly provide her with the toughest competition she’s ever faced, but she always tries hard.

Honorable Mentions:
Nahrain: She’s undefeated in four starts and coming off a group one win. I think that speaks for itself.
Announce: She finished second to Nahrain by a nose and was closing fast. This filly is classy and consistent: a deadly combination.

*Update (10/26): Midday is now likely going in the Turf against the males rather than the Filly & Mare Turf.
*Update (10/29): Cozi Rosie is out.

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From Lone Star to National Fame

Awesome Gem
Photo by Mary Cage

Usually the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII) isn’t a very productive race on the national scene, but it was extremely productive this year. The top three finishers all went on to be very successful throughout the rest of the year, especially this weekend.

The winner of the LSP Handicap was eight-year-old Awesome Gem.  The hard-knocking gelding went on to finish second in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (GIII) and after a disappointing fifth in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (GI), Awesome Gem won the Longacres Mile Handicap (GIII) before flying to finish an impressive second in the Goodwood Stakes (GI) on Saturday.

Flat Out
Photo by Mary Cage

The horse that closed rapidly to finish second in the LSP Handicap was Flat Out. In his next race after the LSP Handicap, Flat Out finished sixth in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI). He rebounded with a jaw-dropping victory in the Suburban Handicap (GII). The son of Flatter has since become one of the top-rated horses in the nation, having finished second in the Whitney Handicap (GI) and Woodward Handicap (GI). On Saturday, he impressively won the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (GI). He is expected to be one of the favorites in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).

Game On Dude
Photo by Mary Cage

He had won the Lone Star Derby (GIII) as a three-year-old. As a four-year-old, Game On Dude came into the LSP Handicap with a win in the Santa Anita Handicap (GI) and a second-place finish in the Charles Town Classic Stakes (GIII). In the LSP Handicap, Game On Dude became tired in the Texas heat and finished third. He rebounded with a terrific nose loss to stablemate First Dude, who has since been retired, in the Hollywood Gold Cup. After the big race at Hollywood, Game On Dude faded in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (GI) to finish fourth. However, he rebounded on Saturday to take the Goodwood under Chantal Sutherland in his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup.

The top three finishers will all be at Churchill Downs on the first weekend in November for the Breeders’ Cup and will most definitely not be at high odds. It’s not often that horses from Lone Star go on to be some of the top horses in the nation, but I must say that I’m very proud of the Grand Prairie track for attracting such wonderful horses. I’m mostly definitely looking forward to seeing these three in person for the second time this year, this time at the World Championships.

Note: Dean's Kitten, who won the Dallas Turf Cup on the same day as the Lone Star Park Handicap, was a very close second to Cape Blanco in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (GI) and looks to be one of the top horses for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

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Zenyatta: The Queen of Horse Racing

As soon as we were presented with the opportunity to give an informational speech of our choice in speech class, my mind immediately wandered to horse racing. However, that subject was too broad to give a brief speech over. My mind then zoomed in on Zenyatta. This is the speech I wrote for that assignment. By the time I was done giving my speech, basketball, football, and hard-core metal fans in my class had become fascinated with the great mare.

On April 1, 2004, a Thoroughbred filly was born. Yes, it was April Fool’s Day, but this horse is no fool.

Her name is Zenyatta.

       

Photo: Terri Cage

As a yearling, she was bought for the bargain price of $60,000, which is cheap for a racehorse. She was bought by Jerry & Ann Moss, who named her Zenyatta after The Police album, Zenyatta Mondatta. In fact, the Moss’s had won the Kentucky Derby earlier that year with Giacomo, named after Sting’s son, as Jerry Moss is a record producer who happens to be good friends with Sting. Many of the Moss’s horses have music-related names, but the Moss’s never could have guessed how famous Zenyatta’s name would become.

The dark bay/brown filly grew to be a monstrous size. John Shirreffs, Zenyatta’s trainer, slowed down the young horse’s training, not wanting to cause any permanent damage to her bones, muscles, or joints.

It paid off.

On Thanksgiving Day 2007, the gigantic filly made her racing debut as a near 4-year-old, a very late start for a racehorse. In the race for non-winners, Zenyatta effortlessly swept across the finish line at Hollywood Park first. A month later, she raced in her first allowance race. Again, she won easily.

After that, she took the racing world by storm, defeating champion fillies and mares such as Ginger Punch with ease. She’d run her undefeated streak to 8-for-8 coming into the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, the most prestigious race for female racehorses.

After the race, all the headlines said she’d made the championship win look too easy.

The popular mare took home the Eclipse Award for Older Female of the Year and was just beat out for Horse of the Year, though many believe she should have won that award as well.

The mare, who was 17.2 hands high – nearly 6 feet tall at the top of the shoulder – was known for running behind all the other horses for the whole race, until the homestretch, when she struck to the lead with style. With each and every spectacular race, Zenyatta gained more and more fans.

Throughout 2009, Zenyatta continued to wow fans by winning each of her races in a thrilling fashion. As the 2009 Breeders’ Cup approached, fans wondered if the wildly popular mare would race in the Ladies’ Classic, for females only, or the Classic, open to males and females.

The remarkable mare chose the Classic. She was the only female in the race. She would race against the most accomplished 11 male racehorses in the world – including the Kentucky Derby winner – putting her perfect 13-for-13 record on the line.

The grandstand shook with screaming fans as the incomparable mare soared to victory, becoming the only female in history to win the Classic.

Zenyatta now stood at the pinnacle of racing, but again, she was narrowly beat out for Horse of the Year by another outstanding female, Rachel Alexandra. Again, many people believed she should have won the prestigious award.

The Moss’s announced that the mare was retired, but Zenyatta acted like she didn’t want to quit. She continued to train and it was soon announced that she would continue to race.

Zenyatta easily won her comeback race, now with a perfect record of 15-for-15.

People began pitting her against Rachel Alexandra and a huge offer of $5 million for a race in Arkansas, the Apple Blossom, was made for the two to race together. After Rachel Alexandra lost her comeback race, Zenyatta and just four other horses entered the race.

Zenyatta had won the race before, back in 2008. It was on a dirt surface, which was different from the synthetic surfaces she normally raced on. Plus, it was in Arkansas and she’d only raced outside of California once, and that was when she’d won the Apple Blossom in 2008.

It was no trouble for her. She won the 2010 Apple Blossom by over 4 lengths, one of her biggest margin of victories ever.

Zenyatta continued to thrill fans as she won more races as she pointed toward the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic, held at the prestigious Churchill Downs in Kentucky. By the time the Breeders’ Cup rolled around, she’d gone undefeated in nineteen races, tying the record for consecutive wins.

Photo: Terri Cage

On that cold November night at Churchill Downs, I watched in person as Zenyatta fell just half a head short to the best male racehorse in the country. She passed him right after the finish line.

She’d been the best horse in the race and she’d run a better race than the winner. Zenyatta, a second-place finisher for the first time, got a standing ovation from her many loving fans.

Despite her loss, she’d proven doubters wrong in arguably the most spectacular race ever run by a horse that didn’t win. No other horse could have done as well as she had with the horrible trip she’d had throughout the race. And in hearts and minds of racing fans everywhere, she was 20-for-20.

Facebook pages were created by fans petitioning for her to win Horse of the Year.

She did. She beat out the only horse to ever beat her on the track to win the most prestigious award in all of horse racing.

Then she was retired. For real this time. She was seven-years-old, which is old for a horse to compete in a race.

She moved from California to Kentucky and was turned out to pasture at one of the most renowned farms in the country, Lane’s End. She was bred to Bernardini, one of the greatest racehorses of the past decade, towards the end of February, but the pregnancy unexpectedly ended. She was bred to Bernardini again on April 3 and has since been confirmed in foal. Though she’ll never set foot on a racetrack again, her offspring will capture the hearts and minds of race fans like she did.

And Zenyatta will be known as one of the greatest racehorses of all time and will forever be a legend.


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