The "Unbelievable" Zenyatta | 5 Extraordinary Wins By Remarkable Mare | 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic
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Published 2020-03-17
You're left in awe of her sheer talent as a racehorse and ability to close from the back of the field at such a rapid pace, often producing sustained runs.
She claimed 19 wins in her 20-start career, which saw her net victories in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic, 2008 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Lady's Secret Stakes (2008, 2009, 2010), Clement Hirsch Handicap (2008, 2009, 2010), Vanity Handicap (2008, 2009, 2010), Santa Margarita Handicap (2010), Milady Handicap (2008, 2009), Apple Blossom Handicap (2008, 2010) and El Encino Stakes (2008).
Her only defeat came at the hands of Blame in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic under lights at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, in what would be her swansong. After giving away too much ground at the start of the race, Zenyatta fell agonisingly short right on the wire. If it wasn't for this loss, she'd have an unblemished record.
Throughout her career on the racetrack, the daughter of Street Cry was ridden by master jockey Mike Smith and trained by John Shirreffs.
When you think of outstanding racemares, who comes to mind?
We'll get the ball rolling with the likes of Beholder, Ruffian, Winx, Enable, Songbird, Black Caviar, Rachel Alexandra, Lady's Secret, Almond Eye, Treve, Oh So Sharp, Miesque, Ouija Board, Gentildonna, Goldikova...the list goes on.
That's where you come into play!
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All Comments (21)
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I've seen all of Zenyatta's replays probably 100 times and each year that goes by makes what she did even that much more incredible. Her running style, her physique, and incredible awareness of what she was doing is once in a generation. A case could be made then and now that she is the greatest filly or mare of all time and one of the greatest racehorses regardless of gender of all time.
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She was twice the size of every horse she raced against. She looked like she was barely moving but her stride was gigantic.
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What an incredible horse. She just loved to lay back and smoke them at the end. She even did it against the best boys on the planet. A legend of horse racing.
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I had the unbelievable opportunity to watch Zenyatta race live six times including the 2008 and 2009 Breeder’s Cup. She’s a super horse 🐎.
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When I was a kid, I saw Ruffian run. She was huge, majestic, beautiful, and like lightning. When she stood with her head up and ears pointing straight up, she was something to see, just like Zenyatta. I watched as that dove flew up in front of her causing her to mis-step and break down in her match race with Foolish Pleasure. I gotta admit I cried. Like with Barbaro everyone hoped for a miracle and she would pull thru. I know everyone wanted a match race with her and Rachel Alexandra but for me, too many bad memories with Ruffian. I’m glad it didn’t happen. What a horse AND she can dance.
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Man, I love Zenyatta. Never in any hurry and making everyone panic with her always being last and then it's boom, bye Felisha! 👋❤
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She is lightening In a bottle. It always amazes me how much bigger she is than any other horse in the field. Thanks for sharing. Always a joy to relive the dream unfolded.
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I have watched zenyatta race more times than I can count and yet I still get goosebumps everytime. The world may never know another horse as phenomenal as she was
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Charlie Walker said of Secretariat “ take me to the outside”, well the same can be said of Zenyatta. Two of the greatest horses, massive and loved to run!
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I cry every time I see her run. What an outstanding horse
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That Breeders Cup Race was insane, and one of the best races ever.
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19/20 race record. Unbelievable horse! And she defeated the boys in the 2009 Breeders Cup. Mindblowing!
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i love zenyatta! shes just so massive she makes it look easy
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Personally my favorite horse of all time just the most exciting love that horse.
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When having trouble spotting Zenyatta, just look for the biggest horse on the track. She is one huge mare!
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She takes my breath away!
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The horse that got me into racing. Queen Z.
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Greatest horse ever! Greatest jockey ever! By far the biggest goose pimples this everyday horse player of 41 years gets EVERYTIME I watch these races! Going to 2008 Pacific classic was one of the best decisions I made in my life. I took off work , drove in from Vegas! The most enjoyable fun loving day of my life , the crowd was electric, it was like we all knew each other for years! THANK YOU ZENYATTA THANK YOU MIKE SMITH
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That last race, gets me every time, no matter how many times I see it, that fight for it w St. Trinians at the end! That'll get your day going for you. Comparible to the mornings first cup! ❤
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Race 5: The commentator got extremely emotional when Zenyatta is about to win. Man, I felt it too.
