THE SATURDAY POST

Fairy tales often begin when a seemingly ordinary life takes a magical twist and ventures toward a fabled outcome. 

Cinderella would have never met a prince without a fairy godmother to guide her toward the royal ball.  In the case of Snow White, it took a magic mirror and seven dwarfs to transform an ordinary maid into the princess of a kingdom.  And, before Peter Pan realized he could fly, he had to take his first step into the gates of Neverland.  Yet, once he entered the gates, “The Boy Who Never Grew Old” found immortality.               

C.S. Lewis once said, “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”  

He was right. 

On April 1, 2004, a female foal was born at Winter Quarter Farm in Kentucky.  The farm owner, Don Robinson, cared for the mother and raised the little foal.  When she grew older, the girl journeyed from the stable and took flight in the royal world of racing.  She passed the princes that laid in wait and fixed her eyes on the kingdom itself.  And, in the end, the girl found herself standing alone in the royal court.  She proclaimed herself queen.           

The queen was named “Zenyatta.”  

And, like Peter Pan, she never seems to grow old.    

Yet, in many fairy tales, there is a force in the beginning that guides the heroin toward her magical journey.  Cinderella had a fairy godmother.  Snow White had seven dwarfs.  And, as a little girl, Zenyatta had a man that cared for her before she began her racing career.   

At Winter Quarter Farm, Don Robinson was present in Zenyatta’s life from conception to the moment she stood auction at Keeneland.  During a recent interview, Robinson answered my questions about his first-hand experience with Zenyatta.

JW:  What is the historical connection of Zenyatta’s family to your farm?

DR:  Zenyatta’s grandmother is buried at Winter Quarter Farm.  It is particularly rewarding because I’ve worked with this family for a long time and I know them very well. 

It’s not like Zenyatta just showed up.  We have raised and developed more than Zenyatta in this particular family.  It’s extremely rewarding.  It’s like talking about one of my kids when I talk about Zenyatta and her family.  

The mother was sold privately a couple of years ago.  Winter Quarter Farm still has a female out of that family.  We have a yearling sister of Zenyatta – she is a half-sister by a different sire.

JW:  Can you share a personal account of Zenyatta’s birth at your farm?

DR:  Zenyatta was foaled on April Fool’s Day – April 1, 2004.  People ask me, “What did you think?” when she was born.   The only the mild concern that I had when she was born was that Vertigineux, her mother, gives birth to very big foals.  I was worried about a big, difficult foaling.

When Vertigineux delivered fine, with just minor assistance, my whole feeling was just relief that I had a big, leggy live foal on the ground.  She got up and nursed very quickly.  It is the biggest thrill that a farm manager can have when a foal is born. 

Believe me, you’re not looking past those things at that moment.  You look at the plain stuff.  It’s just like when parents are having a baby.  You’re looking to see if the baby has all its’ fingers and toes.  That is what a farm manager is looking at during a birth.

I was delighted to see her when she was born.  And, she was a big, leggy foal.  Everything came out just right.

JW:  Did you have a nickname for Zenyatta while she lived on your farm? 

DR:  We had nicknamed Veritigeneux, Zenyatta’s mother, “Tige.”  Zenyatta was sometimes referred to as “Little Tige” when she was a foal. 

JW:  Can you describe what Zenyatta looked like as a young horse?

DR:  As a young horse, she was big and gangly.  She looked like a pre-adolescent girl that stood six-feet tall. 

She was well-made, but ‘unmade’ at the moment.  She hadn’t filled out yet.  Only certain people could appreciate what she was as a young horse.  She was very big and didn’t instantly appear athletic.

JW:  How would you describe Zenyatta’s personality as a young girl?

DR:  As a young girl, Zenyatta was very personable. 

Zenyatta was full of spirit, but she was reasonable.  She had a sister before her, a really good filly, named Balance.  Balance was very flighty.  She was a great race horse, not as good as Zenyatta of course, but Balance was hard to handle.  You always had to be thinking ahead of her.

Zenyatta had that sort of energy, but was much more reasonable.  You could sort of talk to her and she understood you.  Thoroughbreds can be very spirited and fiery, but the good ones tend to have a good mind. 

JW:  Has Zenyatta’s personality developed since she left your farm? 

DR:  Zenyatta has developed in training.  I have never seen a horse relish in training as much as Zenyatta.  Most horses, to some degree, get tired of it.  Zenyatta loves it.

She has wonderful handlers and loving care, which makes her friendly.  She likes where she is and has great people looking after her.  It is a relationship that has mutually developed.    When you see her being friendly, it’s a product of a great relationship between her handlers and Zenyatta.  It is just gorgeous to see that in their relationship.

I’d like to say that we gave her a start at our farm.  I think kindness and caring are the most important things that you can give to a horse.  I hope we got her off to a good start. 

Yet, the wonderful personality that you see in Zenyatta today has been developed over time.  She’s always been very happy in training.  Zenyatta is loved and appreciated by the people who look after her at her stable.  And, she loves them back.  It really is extraordinary. 

Some horses get high-strung or nasty in training.  When they are fit and ‘racing-ready,’ the horses aren’t always very friendly.  It is not for lack of attention.  When they get competitive, they’re really not thinking about eating sugar cubes and being gentle.

But, Zenyatta is the most remarkable horse in that sense that I have ever seen.  She is just so kind.  You can see it.  John Shirreffs can bring mothers and babies to have a picture with Zenyatta.  She just puts her head near them.  It is truly remarkable.

JW:  A lot of people enjoy watching Zenyatta perform her “dance routine.”  Did she “dance” as a young horse on your farm?

DR:  You know, I always say, ‘She didn’t learn that dancing out here in the country in Fayette, Kentucky.  She picked that up in Hollywood.’

I can tell you what I think about her dancing.  This mare is really smart.  The dancing is a way of channeling her tension before a race. 

You know how people do yoga or basketball players do mind exercises to prepare themselves for competition?  I am convinced that Zenyatta’s dance has that aspect.  It is not taught.  Dancing is how she’s learned to deal with her pre-race tension.

But, she didn’t dance on the farm.  She picked that up in Hollywood.

JW:  Do you think that luck comes into play when breeding a horse or can we “Breed More Zenyattas?”

DR:  Zenyatta is simply one-of-a-kind.  I don’t think we can replicate Zenyatta. 

I call her the ‘One-in-Four Lifetimes’ kind of horse.  Given the generations of my grandmother, father, myself and my son on this farm, Zenyatta is like hitting the lucky number.  I hope my Grandmother and Father know about Zenyatta.  She is that unique.

My family had good horses and I was raised around them.  My grandmother had a great horse in the 1933 Kentucky Derby called “Head Play.”  My family goes way back in horse racing and we’ve never seen anything like Zenyatta.

JW:  How did it make you feel to watch Zenyatta during her races after raising her as a young horse?

DR:  It makes me feel very proud. 

It is unimaginable to me that I was associated with this mare and was able to have a little part in her life. 

I am absolutely humbled.

JW:  What is the most memorable moment that you have had in your experience with Zenyatta?

DR:  The most moving experience that I have ever had with Zenyatta was before she raced in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic in 2008.  I went down to the track really early because I hadn’t seen Zenyatta since she had left the farm.  I was just so excited that day.  I couldn’t believe it.

I was able to get into the paddock very early before she raced the Ladies’ Classic.  Nobody else was around.  Zenyatta was in the inner-walking ring and her groom was walking her around.  I was amazed by her size and magnificence.

I stood in the middle and the groom brought her near me as she was walking in a circle.  She walked past me.  Then, she stopped.

When she is walking, she has a way of standing and stopping.  She likes to take a look, and, does it at random on the track.  They just let her stand and do what she wants to do.

Zenyatta turned her head 180 degrees around and looked right at me for 20 or 30 seconds.  I was just shaking.  I knew that she recognized me and I couldn’t believe it.  It was one of the most moving experiences I’ve had with a horse. 

It almost made me cry to receive that kind of recognition. And then, she went out there and won the Ladies Classic a few moments later.  It was incredible.

I was really struck.  There was no question that she recognized me.

JW:  What do you think Zenyatta has brought to the sport of racing?

DR:  First of all, she’s a female.  It is extraordinary in any era for a female horse to compete with male horses in North America. 

She’s also brought stardom.  Most of the horses retire quickly and go to stud for the breeding value.  With Zenyatta, her owners just love her and love the sport of racing.  The decision to race her as a six-year-old was the best thing that could’ve happened to the whole Thoroughbred racing world.  It allowed Zenyatta to showcase her elegance.

Finally, they have shared Zenyatta with people. They really provide access.  It is very special.

JW:  Do you think Zenyatta found the perfect match at auction when she was ultimately teamed with the Moss family, John and Dottie Shirreffs, and Mike Smith?

DR:   I think it is the grandest and greatest thing that ever happened.

They are the most perfect team that I have even seen.  Between Mike Smith, John and Dottie Shirreffs, and Ann and Jerry Moss, it is a very special association.  It is the most superb, kind, and careful management of a racehorse that I have seen in my life.  Ever.  I think most horse people would agree with that.

They were a gift to one another.

JW:  How do you think Zenyatta will be remembered in the coming years?

DR:  I think she will be one of the greatest filly/mares of all time.  She has won 19 out of 20 races, 19 straight races and 13 Grade I races.  You will not see that ever again. 

I think it is amazing.  Absolutely amazing. That record speaks for itself.  You will not see that again.  You will not.  She is a historical horse without question.

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The old rule of etiquette used to be that people shouldn’t bring up politics or religion in casual social settings.  It is the quickest way to anger friends, start rivalries and ignite a big ol’ brawl in any circle.  I agree perfectly with this rule of etiquette, but I’d like to add one more topic to the rule:  The “Horse of the Year” Award.

Last Saturday, in a not-so-casual setting, Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm shot those fighting words into the cold Kentucky air during a press conference after Blame had just defeated Zenyatta in the Breeder’s Cup Classic.  As Zenyatta was quietly escorted back to her stable, Hancock was asked who should win the highly-coveted “Horse of the Year” award.  He proclaimed with certainty, “Well, I thought the battle for Horse of the Year was fought about half an hour ago and Blame won it.”  

Let the rodeo begin. 

Two men can look at the same woman.  One may find her beautiful, while the other finds her to be average.  And, two voters can look at the same horse.  One may see a decent horse, while the other person is marveling over their “Horse of the Year.”  In my view, Hancock was doing just that.  He had just watched Blame hold his nose in front of a bulleting monster mare and saw his “Horse of the Year.”  Undoubtedly, Blame deserves praise, especially by his ownership, but winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic doesn’t necessarily clinch the “Horse of the Year” award. 

How can a horse win the Classic and lose “Horse of the Year?”  I believe Zenyatta would be happy to field this question for the audience.  After two consecutive victories in major Breeder’s Cup outings, she received a few flowers, a couple new purses and a few bargaining chips at the voting booth.  However, in the final stretch, she didn’t go home as “Horse of the Year” in 2008 or 2009.

The problem lies in the criterion that determines the Horse of the Year.  It is completely subjective, and at times, downright snobby.  Rifle through the “Horse of the Year” articles in the past few days and you’ll find a bundle of opinions. 

The horse should win on a dirt track against male horses in Grade I races in a field of proven heavyweights. 

It is also frowned upon if the races are solely in California.  If a horse happens to train in California, it must be shipped all across the country to prove it is not solely a “synthetic” horse. 

There is no reciprocity in the “East Coast vs. West Coast” arrangement.  East Coast horses do not need to ship to California.  It is presumed that they stand on golden hooves with dirt made of diamonds.      

A male horse with a decent record of Grade I victories can overshadow any female horse in the field.  If you’re a female, you better be able to beat the boys in every single outing against them as well as win all other Grade I outings.  If you lose one race, you don’t stand a chance at Horse of the Year.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been undefeated throughout your entire career.    

Finally, the female races are simply cupcake parties and bake sales.  Sure, they are Grade I races, but they don’t really count for “Horse of the Year.”  Since the inception of the Eclipse “Horse of the Year” award in 1971, one single female has won it through campaigning solely in female races – Azeri.  Ruffian did not win the award.  Neither did Rags to Riches when she beat Curlin in the stretch run of the Belmont Stakes in 2007.  A victory in the Kentucky Derby won’t clinch the “Horse of the Year” award for a female either – Winning Colors and Genuine Risk already tried that path.   

Somehow, Azeri slipped through a loophole in 2002 and won “Horse of the Year” through filly and mare-restricted races. 

Similar to Zenyatta, Azeri built her “Horse of the Year” campaign through winning the Santa Margarita, Apple Blossom, Milady, Vanity, Clement Hirsch, Lady’s Secret and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (formerly known as the Breeders’ Cup Distaff).  All in all, Azeri had five Grade I wins, three Grade II victories and one successful allowance race when she was voted “Horse of the Year” in 2002.

In contrast, Zenyatta tried to take the “Azeri Route” to “Horse of the Year” in 2008.  She won the El Encino, Apple Blossom, Milady, Vanity, Clement Hirsch, Lady’s Secret and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic that season.  At the end of the year, Zenyatta had three Grade II victories and four Grade I wins, including the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic.

Yet, Zenyatta did not win “Horse of the Year” in 2008.  Her critics insisted that she raced against “nobodies” and never ran against the boys.  “Cupcake Parties” don’t count. 

Zenyatta put a new twist on her campaign for “Horse of the Year” in 2009.  While maintaining a perfect record, Zenyatta clinched one Grade II victory and won four Grade I races in her new campaign.  Among those victories, Zenyatta stunned the racing world through becoming the first female to beat the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  In doing so, she put away the 2009 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners in the same field.

Yet, Zenyatta did not win “Horse of the Year” in 2009.  Her critics insisted that she campaigned solely on synthetic track, failed to ship to the East Coast and that a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was really just a great “moment” in her career.

Zenyatta decided to answer all remaining criticisms in 2010.  While maintaining a perfect record, Zenyatta won five Grade I races.  She shipped to the Apple Blossom and won by daylight on dirt.  Zenyatta pulled a “three-peat” in the Clement Hirsch, Vanity and Lady’s Secret.  She became the top-earning female racehorse of all time while capturing the female record for the most Grade I victories.  She reeled in the record for the most consecutive Grade I wins.  And then, she shipped to Kentucky to race the boys on dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Yet, Zenyatta did not win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  In her final majestic flight toward Blame, she lost by a head.  However, in her defeat, Zenyatta actually did beat a few more boys in the career.  She finished in front of ten top-notch male contenders, including the Preakness winner and Haynesfield, the horse that had previously beaten Blame this season.

And then, the rules changed on Zenyatta.       

As luck would have it, some members of the racing industry started to proclaim that the “Horse of the Year” award is an honor reserved for the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  This was big news.  Since the inception of the race, the “Horse of the Year” award has been denied to 58% of the Breeder’s Cup Classic winners. But now, it was a new requirement.

You must be kidding me. 

Zenyatta has won more Grade I victories than Blame this year.  And, she has met all the demands of her critics.  She shipped from California to race on dirt against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  She was the oldest horse and only female in the race.  Zenyatta made this journey with a perfect record of 19-0.  She was the sole undefeated horse in the field. 

Zenyatta had everything to lose among rivals that stood only to benefit their own career by being “the one” to defeat the great mare.

And, she still showed up.

In fact, she rose to the challenge.

Zenyatta filled the stands and captivated the media.  She danced in the paddock, pranced in the post-parade and shot like a bullet down the cold dirt track against her male counterparts in a breathtaking attempt to maintain her perfect record.  

The news of her defeat hit a national audience.  Hard.  The viewers of that race went beyond the regular crowd.  Zenyatta brought Oprah into the racing world.  She was the first racehorse to ever be profiled on 60 Minutes.  And, Zenyatta introduced the fashion industry to the sport in the society pages of W fashion magazine.  She marketed racing to non-enthusiasts.  It was brilliant, beautiful and, most importantly, successful.

The racing industry has a new group of fans because of Zenyatta.  And, the treatment of Zenyatta will define our industry to non-traditional fans in the racing world.

Treat her like a Queen.

Treat her like perfection.

She’s not your average horse.

Zenyatta is Horse of the Year.

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Yesterday, Zenyatta fans arrived in droves at Churchill Downs to see if the wondermare could clinch a second victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. 

Much like Zenyatta herself, they didn’t arrive quietly. 

Zenyatta fans arrived in “Zenyatta fashion.” 

Literally. 

Some of her fans dressed up in Zenyatta costumes.

Many cloaked themselves in the colors of her teal and pink racing silks. 

And, all throughout the track, various signs were displayed by fans in a show of support for the mare to win the Classic for a second time.

Before the race was run, Zenyatta had her own makeshift “winner’s circle” throughout the crowd.

It was her circle of friends. 

Zenyatta’s fans weaved throughout the crowd with signs that highlighted her perfect 19-0 winning record. 

And, many of her friends sported “Zenyatta gear” that rooted her toward a twentieth victory in her homecoming to the Breeder’s Cup.

Yet, Zenyatta’s friends weren’t just captivated by her perfect record. 

They were captivated by Zenyatta herself. 

Her fans demonstrated unapologetic love for the mare.

And, love isn’t lost very easily.

Fans camped out all day around the paddock to catch a glimpse of Zenyatta’s patented dance moves prior to the Classic.  

For many of her friends, it was a foregone conclusion that Zenyatta would win the Breeder’s Cup Classic.

They had come in droves to witness an unprecedented victory.

As Zenyatta broke from the gates, laughter rang throughout the crowd when the racetrack announcer noted that Zenyatta was “dead last” in the early stages of the race.

Of course she was dead last.  As usual, Zenyatta was so far back in the field that she seemed to be running in a different race.

Yet, in truth, she was running for a different victory.

It was the race toward immortality.

During the final moments of the Classic, Zenyatta passed ten horses, including the Preakness winner, in a majestic flight that had the crowd on its’ feet and nearly all eyes on one single mare.  Many people began to scream “She’s won it!” as Zenyatta bounded down the stretch to catch her last rival – Blame.

Yet, Blame wasn’t willing to curtsy to the Queen.  He dug in as Zenyatta drew close and shot his stubborn nose in her face. 

A hush fell across the crowd.

Zenyatta had lost the Classic.

Blame pranced into the winner’s circle and was draped in the Breeders’ Cup Classic garland.  He won clean, simple and straightforward.  And, no one can dispute his victory.  He raced an undefeated supermare and beat her fair and square. 

But, in defeat, Zenyatta clinched another type of victory.

As she stood outside the winner’s circle, the crowd rose to deliver a standing ovation to Zenyatta.

Many people cried at the sight of her losing.

They stood speechless as they watched their vision of perfection slip away.

Yet, in the moments that followed, Zenyatta showed a new vision of perfection.

It was the immortal kind.

There was a heartbroken sentiment that shot through many parts of the crowd, social networking sites and in the living rooms of television viewers across the nation.

The sentiment showed a true love for the mare, even in defeat.

She had won hearts during her journey in racing.

And, love beats trophies and garlands.

Zenyatta proved that one to be true.

This morning, Zenyatta hosted a “Meet and Greet” for her fans and friends outside her barn at Churchill Downs race track.

At first, it seemed like Zenyatta didn’t get the memo.  The horse that lost was holding a “Meet and Greet” immediately following a defeat?

You bet.

 Zenyatta doesn’t follow the typical formalities in racing and its’ brought some not-so-typical fans into the sport.

 At Barn 41 this morning, a perfect Thoroughbred invited her fans for a visit.

 It was a different kind of winner’s circle for Zenyatta.

 Zenyatta showed a few of her trademark dance moves.

 And, the fans smiled.

 Zenyatta showed personality in greeting new faces.

 And, the fans flocked toward her presence.

 Zenyatta promenaded past the crowd.

 And, the fans held “Zenyatta” signs in support.

 Zenyatta straightened her neck to pose for pictures.

 And, the fans stood in line to get a snapshot with Zenyatta.

 Zenyatta appeared unconcerned about her loss in the Classic.

 And, she put her fans at ease.

 Zenyatta held court in her own winner’s circle this morning. 

She relished in the love of her fans as they circled around her today.

Despite defeat, Zenyatta still reigns as “The Queen of Hearts.”

And, in doing so, she remains perfect at it.

To view more pictures of Zenyatta’s “Meet and Greet” today, please visit us on Facebook by clicking here. 

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Today, Zenyatta received a royal reception as her plane landed at Louisville International Airport from her home base in California.  

Zenyatta gently stepped from the plane and was carefully loaded into a private van as a group of spectators stood to catch a glimpse of the mare.  The van headed straight to Churchill Downs, accompanied by a two-car sheriff escort during her five-minute ride to the track.

It appears no one is willing to mess with perfection.

And, Zenyatta is just that. 

Perfection. 

The Breeder’s Cup Classic 2.0 Version of Zenyatta has received some upgrades since her last venture toward the richest race in North America.  She still dances throughout the paddock, slams a Guinness like a champ and remains undefeated in all of her career starts.

However, Zenyatta 2.0 has upgraded from the 13-0 record that she held when she entered the Breeder’s Cup Classic in 2009.  The 2.0 version of Zenyatta holds a perfect 19-0 record. She is the highest earning female horse in history.  And, she has won more consecutive Grade I races than any horse. 

Zenyatta 2.0 has pulled three “three-peats” through her series of consecutive victories in the Clement Hirsch, Vanity, and Lady’s Secret.  And, she’s pointing toward a “three-peat” in the Breeder’ Cup. 

As of now, no horse has ever won three consecutive Breeder’s Cup races. Yet, Zenyatta 2.0 doesn’t believe much in “never happens” and “impossibles.”  She hoof-kicked those ideas straight out of her stall long ago. 

Yes, there is a “Triple Crown” in play this year.  And, it’s between Zenyatta and Goldikova at the Breeder’s Cup.        

Let the wild rumpus begin. 

Similar to last year, Zenyatta faces a tough field and a handful of critics. 

Yet, Zenyatta 2.0 is also managing social calendar that makes Paris Hilton look like a shut-in.   She is in the society section of W fashion magazine.  And, she’s listed as one of the most powerful women in Oprah’s kingdom.  Zenyatta 2.0 has a country song, an L.A. Dodgers Billboard, and was recently featured in a segment on 60 Minutes, questioning whether she is possibly the best racehorse ever. 

Zenyatta has become a “Zen-sation” across the nation in her journey toward her second Breeder’s Cup Classic.  As Bob Anderson, the producer for Zenyatta’s 60 Minutes segment explained, “Little by little, she sort of seduces you.”

Remember the first version of Zenyatta at the Breeder’s Cup Classic?  There wasn’t a police escort to guide her to the track.  Oprah and 60 Minutes were nowhere to be found.  Zenyatta stood there as the lone female in the gates, rubbing shoulders with the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champions.

It was the first time she ever raced the boys. And, as luck would have it, she happened to be doing it in front of an international audience during the richest race in North America.  If Zenyatta could talk, I would have paid serious money to hear her thoughts as she stood waiting for the gates to snap open during those golden seconds.  I imagine she had a few priceless sentiments swirling around in her head.

Yet, despite the odds, Zenyatta delivered a breathtaking performance as she became the first female horse in history to beat the boys in the Breeder’s Cup Classic.  She appeared to have accomplished all she had to give the racing world and was widely-believed to be retired after the race.  Case closed.

Or was it?  Zenyatta is in the business of perfection.  And, in her mind, she had some unfinished business before she made her final curtain call.

In January of 2010, Zenyatta stepped out of retirement and pointed toward the track again.  It appeared she was tired of hearing “never has,” “impossible,” and “couldn’t do.” 

Enter Zenyatta 2.0. 

The previous version beat the boys. 

Zenyatta 2.0 can win by daylight on dirt, roll like a Rockefeller in earnings and hold a modern day revival for horse racing on a national stage.  And, she can do it while building a perfect 19-0 record.

And still, the critics aren’t impressed.

Well, if perfection doesn’t please a person, nothing will.

They said she couldn’t beat the boys.  And then, she did it.

They said she couldn’t win on dirt.  And then, she did it.

They said she couldn’t win outside of California.  And then, she did it.

They said she was beating up on “nobodies.”  And then she beat the Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners in the same race.

And, now the critics have fused all complaints into one tall order:  Can she beat the boys on dirt in a top-notch field outside of California in the richest race in North America as the oldest horse in the gates?

I sure hope she can do it.

Yet, Zenyatta has already done all of these things at different points in her career.  And, if she does it all at once this Saturday, the critics will inevitably dream up new reasons to undercut her achievements. 

Some people can’t be pleased, even by perfection. 

And, Zenyatta is perfection.

On Saturday afternoon, a lone six-year-old female will enter the gates at Churchill Downs with a perfect record.  She’ll be brushing shoulders with the Preakness winner and some of the most talented male horses in the racing world on an international stage.  She’ll be standing on the same dirt where every Triple Crown winner in history started their journey in the Kentucky Derby.  And, she’ll be running for the “Triple Crown” of the Breeder’s Cup.

Zenyatta deserves an ovation from the crowd whether she wins or loses in her quest.  She has accepted every challenge throughout her career and delivered a victory in every outing.  And, Zenyatta has traveled where most champions fear to tread – the place that holds the real potential for defeat.  This is the mark of true legend. 

Legends take risks that outweigh rewards.

Legends take challenges that seem insurmountable.

Legends survey the existing world and carve their own path.

This is the mark of true greatness in any field.

This is the mark of Zenyatta.

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Click Photo to Watch Zenyatta Video

With Zenyatta’s final race scheduled for the Breeder’s Cup Classic, it is hard to find any new words to say about this amazing champion. 

I’ve written several articles about Zenyatta at this point.  

They mark out her many endeavors and outstanding achievements in her career. 

But, the bottom line remains the same – I think she’s absolutely perfect.

Rather than write another piece about the greatness of Zenyatta, I wanted to show her in motion.  The beauty of watching her move tells her story better than any words I can find.  

I believe she is the best racehorse that I will witness in my lifetime.  

Zenyatta has traveled beyond my wildest dreams of a racehorse.  She dances.  Paints for charity.  Celebrates her birthday (with cake).  Drinks Guinness.  And, Zenyatta proved she could beat the boys in the richest race in North America in 2009 – The Breeder’s Cup Classic.

Zenyatta remains perfect with a 19-0 racing record as she heads into her last start.  She has amassed thirteen Grade I victories.  And, she has surpassed the 18-0 undefeated record of Eclipse, the namesake to the Horse of the Year award. 

I wholeheartedly believe Zenyatta deserves the “Horse of the Year” award whether or not she wins the Breeder’s Cup Classic.    And, if they invent a “Horse of a Lifetime” award, my vote goes to Zenyatta as well.

In celebration of her career as she heads into the Breeder’s Cup Classic, I am posting a video montage of Zenyatta’s previous Breeder’s Cup victories, along with footage of her dance routines and photos.  Click here to view the Zenyatta tribute for the Breeder’s Cup.

I hope you enjoy the Zenyatta show.

I believe it is the greatest show on earth. 

Thank you for the show, Zenyatta.

» Read the rest of this entry «

Long before Zenyatta was born, there was Eclipse. 

Eclipse was a race horse from Great Britain that retired with an undefeated record in eighteen career starts during the 18^th Century.

Eclipse never felt the feeling of defeat.

He made the winner’s circle his stomping ground.

And today, Eclipse is one of the most coveted names in racing.  He is the namesake to the annual Eclipse Award trophies that recognize the outstanding achievements of horses and individuals in the racing industry.

When we crown a champion “Horse of the Year,” we’re talking about Eclipse.

And, when we start talking about Eclipse, we should point to the horse embodies his level of achievement.

I’m pointing at Zenyatta.

Zenyatta has never felt the feeling of defeat.

She’s made the winner’s circle her stomping ground.

And today, Zenyatta is one of the most coveted names in modern racing.  She has racked up a list of achievements that would have given Eclipse himself a grueling run for his money if he had met her in his lifetime.

Zenyatta has a perfect record of winning eighteen consecutive starts.

Yes, Eighteen.  The only horse in U.S. history that has ever retired with a perfect record greater than eighteen was Pepper’s Pride, the holder of nineteen consecutive victories during her racing career.  And, there is no doubt in my mind that Pepper’s Pride truly accomplished something spectacular. 

However, Zenyatta and Pepper’s Pride raced in different circles.  Pepper’s Pride built her winning record through racing solely in New Mexico in many state-restricted races.  She never entered a graded race in her career. 

And yes, there is a value for earning good grades on a report card.

I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.

She is a virtual valedictorian in graded outings. 

Zenyatta holds the world record for the most consecutive Grade I wins and has built her undefeated record through winning sixteen graded races, twelve of which were Grade I races.

Yes, twelve Grade I victories.  Only six horses in U.S. history have ever captured more Grade I victories than Zenyatta.  The record for the most Grade I victories in U.S. history stands with John Henry, who captured sixteen Grade I wins during his career. 

But, John Henry isn’t up for “Horse of the Year.”

He already won it in his lifetime. 

Twice.

Yet, John Henry provides a fine example of the mathematics of being “Horse of the Year.”  Aside from holding the record for winning the most Grade I races, John Henry was the highest money-earning thoroughbred of his time when he retired with career earnings of $6,597,947.

So, yes.  There is the business of making money.

I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.

Currently, Zenyatta has earned $6,254,580 during her career.  She stands as the all-time female earnings leader in North America.  And, she’s earned it in some impressive outings.

In 2009, a single female horse stomped into the gates of the Breeder’s Cup Classic and challenged all the boys to beat her to the wire.  It was a bold move.

That female made history.

I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.

When Zenyatta became the first female to win the 2009 Breeder’s Cup Classic, she didn’t break a standing record.  And, she didn’t set a record that was vulnerable to being broken in the future.  She stamped out an untouchable spot in racing history.

So, yes.  Zenyatta is a living legend.

And, she keeps blazing along. 

Through her journey, Zenyatta is redefining what it means to be a race horse in the modern age.  She’s dancing for crowds and drinking Guinness.  Zenyatta is posting her activities on Facebook and sharing videos on You Tube. 

She is hovering on the L.A. Dodgers billboard like Godzilla, announcing that Los Angeles is her town. 

How many race horses lay claim to owning a town?

I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.

Yet, many people are pointing at Zenyatta these days.  Children show up at the race track with pink and teal painted faces. 

And, they’re pointing at Zenyatta.

Non-industry media is starting to notice Zenyatta.  The Huffington Post and W Magazine are telling the non-racing world that there is something spectacular going on at the race track. 

They are pointing at Zenyatta.

Even Oprah is praising Zenyatta these days.

When Oprah set out to find twenty elite women who embodied various character traits for O Magazine’s 2010 Power List, the maven found one woman who stood along in demonstrating the “Power of Heart.”

Oprah pointed at Zenyatta.

Yes, Oprah.  A woman who has been televising heartwarming stories for twenty-five years went ahead and picked Zenyatta as the woman who showed “heart” above all rivals in the human field.    

And still, Zenyatta races toward her last two outings in a mirror image of Eclipse’s undefeated record.

If she wins, she’ll eclipse it.

And, if she loses, she’ll match it.

Regardless, she has already raced into Eclipse’s territory.

And, when we start talking about Eclipse, we’re talking about “Horse of the Year.”

A horse that has never felt the feeling of defeat.

A horse that makes the winner’s circle their stomping ground.

I’m pointing at Zenyatta.

» Read the rest of this entry «

DYNAMITE!  A Video Montage of Zenyatta’s Dancing and Racing Moments.  Click Here to View!

Earlier this year, I visited Kentucky to meet Monarchos.  

I wanted to see the fastest living Kentucky Derby winner in the flesh. 

It was just as simple as that.

As the big gray champion emerged from his stable, Monarchos was well-mannered and kind.  He allowed himself to be pet, stood patiently for photographs, and gently devoured my bag of carrots with delight.

I was thrilled about my visit with Monarchos. 

He is a celebrity in my world. 

And, it is always nice to find out that your celebrities are truly kind at heart.

When I returned home from Kentucky, I realized that Monarchos is just a gray horse to many of my friends outside the racing universe.

It was just as simple as that.

“How was the Kentucky Derby?” I was asked by one friend. 

I had to find a nice way to tell my friend that the Kentucky Derby hadn’t occurred yet. 

When I mentioned that I visited Monarchos, another friend asked, “Is that your horse?”

I didn’t own a horse at that point.  And, if I owned Monarchos, I certainly would have mentioned my Kentucky Derby winning horse in earlier conversations.   

This was my first experience of trying to explain horse racing to non-enthusiasts. 

Nothing was simple about it.

Shortly after these conversations, I invested in a horse.  He’s a two-year-old in training and hasn’t been entered in any races.

However, my small investment created a giant misunderstanding among my non-racing enthusiast friends.

Zenyatta stood at the center of the confusion between the two worlds.

I talked about Zenyatta’s undefeated record at cocktail parties and my friends would ask how she is doing.

I kept saying, “She’s still undefeated!”

It was just as simple as that.

I thought we had arrived at a common ground.

Then, I went to Hollywood Park to watch her claim her seventeenth career victory in the Vanity Handicap.

When I made a photo album of the trip, a friend asked “How did your horse do in her race?”

I replied, “I wish I owned Zenyatta.”

In my mind, it was just as simple as that.

However, when I had to explain in greater depth that I don’t own Zenyatta, the confusion on my friend’s face spoke volumes. 

It was as if to say, “Why don’t you?”

I went on to explain that Zenyatta has made roughly $6 million in her career and has remained undefeated in seventeen consecutive races.  She’s not for sale.

Then, I realized her earnings or record meant nothing to my friend. 

In personal defeat, I explained to my friend that Jerry Moss, the co-founder of A & M records, owns Zenyatta. 

When I mentioned that she was named after The Police album, “Zenyatta Mondatta,” I received immediate recognition.

“Oh, ‘Zenyatta Mondatta.’  That makes sense!”

It was just as simple as that.

But, was it?  I’ve listened to that album many times and I’ve never heard Sting belt out any lyrics about Zenyatta’s racing career.

In retrospect, the words “The Police” and “Zenyatta Mondatta” were the only parts of our conversation that resonated with my friend.

Since that moment, I’ve wondered how to discuss horse racing with the non-racing world. 

There seems to be nothing simple about it.

As far as I can tell, non-racing enthuasists have gathered these gems from my conversations:

“There are some gray and brown horses that run fast.  One dances pretty well.  The Kentucky Derby is an important day.  And, ‘Zenyatta Mondatta’ is a great album.”

It is just as simple as that.

So, after growing tired of giving explanations, I decided to just quietly enjoy going to the races.

And then, the two worlds unexpectedly met for a brief second in time.

As I was heading to the track on an ordinary day, a friend asked me, “Is there an important race today?”

I joked, “Yep.  Secretariat is in a match race with Seattle Slew today.”

When she laughed, I realized my friend knew I had just told her a fairy tale.

However, I also realized she knew some Triple Crown winners.

I began to dream about the next Triple Crown season.

And wish… it was just simple as that.

Last weekend, I traveled to Hollywood Park to watch Zenyatta make her bid to win her seventeenth undefeated career start.

At the track, someone asked me, “So, what brings you to California?”

The answer was easy.  “Zenyatta.”

The person seemed surprised that I had traveled to Hollywood for a single horse.

However, in my opinion, Zenyatta isn’t just a good horse. 

She is a living legend.

I wanted to be there to watch her stride into the history books in her record-breaking seventeenth career victory. 

It appears that I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

Prior to the race, Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert stood in the paddock and surveyed Zenyatta before settling into his seat to watch her in the Vanity Handicap.

Later, when I thumbed through my racing program, I realized that Baffert didn’t have a single horse entered in a race at Hollywood Park that day.

Apparently, Baffert also wanted to watch Zenyatta challenge the undefeated records of Cigar and Citation.

And, as usual, Zenyatta didn’t disappoint. 

In front of a crowd that appeared to be screaming for one single horse, she delivered her seventeenth consecutive victory in a heart-stopping moment at the finish line. 

The entire park shook with excitement in the dizzying minutes that followed.

Zenyatta had made history again.   

Prior to entering the winner’s circle, Zenyatta stood alone in front of the crowd and took in a long standing ovation. 

It was as if she knew that she had just delivered pure magic.

And, in retrospect, I believe Zenyatta did know.

I learned a lot of lessons from my visit with Zenyatta that demonstrated the beauty surrounding a true legend.

First, Zenyatta delivers quite a greeting to her guests at the stable. 

When we walked into her barn, my friend asked, “Where’s Zenyatta?” as she surveyed the stalls of horses. 

Zenyatta answered the question with authority.

The giant mare rattled in her stall and stuck her head out.   She stared right at us and never shifted her gaze as we stood watching her in awe.

It was stunning. 

When her trainer John Shirreffs appeared, he matched Zenyatta’s hospitality to her guests.

After briefly greeting us, he slipped into his office.

At that moment, I envisioned that he was calling security to kick us out.

I could not have been more wrong.

Within a few seconds, Shirreffs re-emerged with a smile and a card with Zenyatta’s photo on it. 

He handed me the photo as a souvenir as Zenyatta began to parade around the barn in preparation for her morning workout.

When I began to take pictures, she demonstrated her mastery of the camera eye.

As she drew close to the lens, Zenyatta paused and rose her head to demonstrate her full height. 

She posed.

The next day, Zenyatta had a much larger audience to please as she prepared to challenge history in the Vanity Handicap.

As I stood in the paddock, I looked out at the large crowd of fans that lined the rails to catch a glimpse of her in the flesh.

The audience was speckled with Zenyatta fan gear – ranging from hand-painted signs to Zenyatta jerseys.

I drew the second lesson from Zenyatta in that moment.

At the pinnacle of success, character is shown through being gracious and charitable to everyone.

The jerseys that bore Zenyatta’s name were being sold to benefit Thoroughbred retirement and rescue.

Throughout Hollywood Park, fans weaved through the crowd adorned with the jerseys that represented Zenyatta’s charitable hoofprint.

And, as Zenyatta’s connections began to emerge in the paddock, they greeted the fans with the same excitement as Zenyatta demonstrated the previous morning.

Owners Jerry and Ann Moss entered the gates and waved at the onlookers with a giant smile.

And, when the Zenyatta set foot in the paddock, she delivered her dazzling dance steps without a care in the world.

Yet, despite the whirlwind of fan fare, Zenyatta was in the unshakeable gaze of one individual – Trainer John Shirreffs.

Zenyatta never left his sight as she danced and bowed for fans.

And, as I watched Shirreffs, it occurred to me that one principle stood solid in her success beyond racing or records:  Put the welfare of the horse first.   

In a single moment, I learned that Zenyatta isn’t only first at the finish line. 

The well-being of Zenyatta comes first before she ever sets foot on a track.

Yet, in a few minutes, the idea of finishing first in the Vanity Handicap took center stage in the public sphere as Zenyatta pranced toward the track in response to the call to post.

As she entered the gates toward history, Zenyatta delivered a lesson that resonates strongly amidst the ongoing comparisons of her record to other champion race horses.

She didn’t look at her rivals. 

Her gaze was marked firmly on the track laid before her own eyes.

Zenyatta didn’t compare herself to Rachel Alexandra.

She didn’t compare herself to the legacies set forth by horses like Ruffian or Secretariat.

Zenyatta failed to see the good that comes from comparing her accomplishments to other champions.

And, as far as I can tell, Zenyatta doesn’t spend her days undermining the achievements of fellow racehorses.

She just keeps racing.

And, she just keeps winning.

And – she doesn’t sling mud in the process.

In my opinion, Zenyatta’s winning philosophy provides a valuable lesson beyond comparison.

I have a word in my arsenal that can start conversations about horse racing with people who have never bet a nickel on the nose of a horse.

 It’s a great word.

 “Zenyatta.”

 For those of you who struggle to define the allure of horse racing to non-enthusiasts, Zenyatta is a fun character to parade around in discussions at cocktail parties.

Why?  Zenyatta appeals to pop culture and makes horse racing relatable to non-enthusiasts.

In a perfect world, I would live in a place where all my friends followed horse racing.  

My social calendar would be full of trackside parties in which guests wore their handicapping picks as an icebreaker on their nametag. 

However, I am young and live in Chicago. 

And, until Zenyatta, any mention of horse racing to people in my age group led to blank stares and a quick change in topic.

Then, Zenyatta showed up and did something brand new for the modern era of racing.

Instead of trying to lure non-enthusiasts to the race track, Zenyatta stomped out into mainstream culture and joined the party.

I have to admit – she’s a sharp girl at marketing.

Zenyatta joined Facebook and made some new friends. 

This was no small adventure. 

According to Facebook, the average user has 130 friends. 

In contrast, Zenyatta has amassed roughly 15,500 friends on her fan page.  

As for her friends, Zenyatta started hanging out with people in the younger crowd.  The highest age demographic on Facebook currently falls between ages 18 through 44.

Regarding her connections, they embraced Zenyatta’s new friends and lifestyle.

Her trainer, John Shirreffs, started a YouTube channel so that her fans could watch Zenyatta’s activities from their home computer.

On YouTube, Zenyatta’s friends can experience a workout between Zenyatta and her stable mate, Green Cat.   

Since the video was posted by Shirreffs, over 83,000 fans have taken a virtual ride on the back of Zenyatta.

In another YouTube video, Shirreffs gives Zenyatta a Guinness beer while she is relaxing after a workout. 

The clip of Zenyatta drinking a Guinness, initially posted by Shirreffs,  generated nearly 4,700 views.

Apparently, many of Zenyatta’s friends enjoy meeting up with her for a drink.

However, Zenyatta is perhaps best-known for her dancing – which is catalogued in many videos across YouTube.

In the pre-race television broadcast of the 2009 Breeder’s Cup, an entire segment was devoted to Zenyatta’s dance moves.  The network coverage of her dancing has since been viewed on YouTube by nearly 50,000 fans.

However, dancing appears to come easily to Zenyatta with the musical background provided by her ownership – Jerry Moss, co-founder of A & M Records.

Her name itself speaks volumes in this regard.

 Zenyatta is named after the album, “Zenyatta Mondatta,” in recognition of Moss signing the band The Police to A & M Records.

 But, Zenyatta doesn’t stop on the dance floor.

 She has learned to paint pictures for auction to help fund Thoroughbred rescue efforts.  

 And, Zenyatta recently started marketing for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

 Near her home base of Hollywood Park, a billboard stands at the corner of 106^th and Hawthorne Avenue.

 The billboard features Zenyatta’s familiar mug shot, with the caption, “This Is My Town,” as a marketing promotion for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 Take a minute and think about the victory embodied in that billboard.       

 A race horse is doing the marketing for baseball – one of the most popular sports in the United States.

Yet, Zenyatta’s crossover endeavors have not detracted from her racing talent.

As Zenyatta approaches the Vanity Handicap, she sets out to become the only race horse to remain undefeated in seventeen unrestricted top-level races in North America. 

If she wins, she’ll make racing history for the third time in her career – having already captured two Breeder’s Cup records.

However, win or lose, Zenyatta has set a model for the industry to attract newcomers to the sport.

It’s simple:  Zenyatta didn’t ask non-enthusiasts of racing to come to the track for a visit.

Instead, she waltzed in the world of pop culture and drew public attention to her sport.

Zenyatta embraced the Facebook trend, danced across the television screen, painted pictures for charity and offered a virtual “racehorse ride” on YouTube.

When she finished marketing her profession, she went back to her stable, drank a Guinness Beer and waited for her next start in the Apple Blossom.

And, in the end, people came to visit Zenyatta at the race track.

The hotels in Hot Springs, Arkansas were booked solid.

Fans stood outside the airport as she exited the plane.   

They showed up in droves.        

Official attendance for the 2010 Apple Blossom was recorded at 44,973 people – more than double the 21,782 guests that attended the race in 2009.

 And, among the fan fare, Zenyatta continues her racing campaign. 

As she prepares for her next start at Hollywood Park, people are again heading to the track to see if one single horse can maintain her undefeated record.

It’s all because of one word. 

It’s a great word.

“Zenyatta.”