Zenyatta Narrowly Misses a 20th Consecutive Win at the Breeders' Cup

Zenyatta Narrowly Misses a 20th Consecutive Win at the Breeders’ Cup

Formerly undefeated Thoroughbred race horse Zenyatta ended her racing season, and possibly her career, with a close but disappointing second place on Saturday, November 6 at the Breeders’ Cup in Louisville, Kentucky.

Fans of the six-year-old mare hoped to see her win her 20th consecutive race and second Breeders’ Cup Classic. Zenyatta’s signature style is to hang at the back of the pack, then pull out all the stops at the final turn to rocket to the finish in front. This was what happened on Saturday’s race, but she didn’t quite make it to the front, narrowly losing to a 4-year-old colt named Blame.

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Jockey Mike Smith was in tears after the race. “It’s my fault,” he said. “She should have won and it hurts.”

Zenyatta was the favorite to win the Classic and is still a top choice for the coveted Horse of the Year title. She was a strong contender for last year’s title, but lost to the then-three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra. In this year’s Classic, Zenyatta was the only female horse in the field and was also the oldest.

Ann and Jerry Moss, Zenyatta’s owners, had intended to retire her at the end of last season. However, she was still working well and had acquired a sizeable fanbase, so they opted to give her another season. This proved to be a good decision when Zenyatta won her 17th consecutive race, breaking the record previously held by Cigar, Citation, Hallowed Dreams and Mister Frisky. She continued her streak and broke her own record twice, winning her 18th and 19th races.

Zenyatta’s critics often pointed out that she had rarely had to run against the best horses, and that she had not proven herself on a dirt track, having run primarily on synthetic. Although she did not win on the dirt at Churchill Downs, her jaw-dropping push to the finish and the mere inches by which she missed the win are arguably proof that she is capable of competing both on dirt and with the best horses in the world.

No official announcement has been made on whether or not Zenyatta’s racing days are over. Blame, however, will be retired to stud.

For full Breeders’ Cup coverage and a video of the Classic, visit ThoroughbredTimes.com

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View Comments

Annie says:
November 7, 2010 at 4:44 am
I watched the race on the TV and if the race was just a few yards longer she would have won it.
Michael says:
November 7, 2010 at 5:14 am
The jockey did not warm the horse up before the race.
Christina says:
November 7, 2010 at 6:54 am
Zenyatta should still be 2010 Horse of the Year!
She has earned it!
Dana says:
November 7, 2010 at 7:30 am
I agree with you Christina!!!!! Zenyatta is a beast she should get horse of the year!
Victoria says:
November 7, 2010 at 7:55 am
if she didn't get caught with the other horses i bet she would have won. and did you see mike smith crying?
Susan says:
November 7, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Thank you to all the Zenyatta connections. I've had a great time following the Queen in all her races. She single-handedly brought horse racing to a new public. I agree with Mike Smith, there are no studs worthy of her. She is truly one of a kind. Again, thank you for allowing Zenyatta to race this year.
Galadriel says:
November 7, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Absolutely amazing mare. She could have won this race but hindsight is always 20/20 as they say.
jo ann says:
November 8, 2010 at 5:27 am
Zenatta is the greatest. She should definitely be named HORSE OF THE YEAR. I sincerely hope her owners do not retire her, especially if she is working well
Emily says:
November 8, 2010 at 9:23 am
I hate that she didn't win. If she had one more stride she could have won. She is still an amazing horse and to be the only mare and to be the oldest was amazing. I still can't believe how tall she is. Would love to ride her :)
Cara says:
November 8, 2010 at 6:43 pm
She is my favorite horse in the world. I wished shed won, but that last push proved how much she loves to run. If she hadnt been caught up in traffic near the end she would have made it, she really has Godgiven speed. I hope she races again just to prove the critics wrong.