Zenyatta

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Breeders’ Cup 10th Anniversary Zenyatta Celebration

7 November 2009: Zenyatta with Mike Smith up (#4) wins the G1 $5 Million Breeder’s Cup Classic in Arcadia, California. Eric Patterson/Eclipse Sportswire

BREEDERS’ CUP TO CELEBRATE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF ZENYATTA’S HISTORIC WIN AS PART OF 2019 BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Zenyatta to receive the Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award

ARCADIA, Calif., (October 10, 2019) – The Breeders’ Cup, one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious international events, today announces a unique slate of programming in commemoration of Zenyatta, one of the greatest racehorses of all time, and the 10th anniversary of her historic victory in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, when she became the first-ever female to win the world-renowned race. To honor Zenyatta’s achievements, Breeders’ Cup will provide fans with the opportunity to relive her history-defining moments and learn about her illustrious career during the 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, taking place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on November 1 and 2. Designed to facilitate engagement with fans both near and far, the one-of-a-kind activities will include both digital and onsite offerings.

“Zenyatta’s accomplishments are among the most legendary in the history of horse racing. Her fortitude and tenacity are truly inspiring, and she will forever be remembered as one of the most impressive Thoroughbreds of all time,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President, Racing & Nominations at Breeders’ Cup. “Upon our return to Santa Anita, the site of her historic Classic win all those years ago, we’re proud to celebrate Zenyatta and look forward to doing so her alongside her dedicated fanbase worldwide.”

As part of the 10th anniversary activation, all attendees of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be able to enter the Zenyatta Peacock Paddock, a specially curated space adorned with exclusive images, memorabilia and life-sized cutouts of Zenyatta. Within the Peacock Paddock, a number Zenyatta’s iconic photos will be on display, offering an opportune moment for fans to memorialize their experiences and share them with fellow fans on social media using the horse’s official hashtag, #QueenZenyatta. In tandem, video set-ups and live screenings will allow them to relive her most memorable wins and get an exclusive look at Zenyatta at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, where she currently resides. To bring the excitement of the 10th anniversary home, limited-edition Zenyatta merchandise will be available to purchase onsite at Santa Anita Park during the championship weekend, as well as online at www.BreedersCupShop.com.

To further commend Zenyatta’s historic achievements, Breeders’ Cup will be honoring her with the Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award. The Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award has been previously awarded to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, renowned golfer Gary Player and legendary broadcaster, Dick Enberg.

During the championship weekend, horseracing network TVG will also honor Zenyatta’s lasting legacy with an ultimate supercut of Zenyatta’s most memorable career highlights, which will air on the network alongside additional replays of Zenyatta’s winning races, including the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic. NBC Sports Group, the official broadcast media partner of the Breeders’ Cup, will additionally air a tribute segment to Zenyatta during its broadcast of the World Championships that will revisit Zenyatta’s trailblazing history and showcase the legendary mare’s current whereabouts.

One of the most beloved champions in Breeders’ Cup history, Zenyatta has been recognized with the most significant awards and accolades in the industry, including being named as one of the top 10 female athletes of 2009 by Sports Illustrated as well as Horse of the Year in 2010. In addition to her Breeders’ Cup Classic win in 2009, Zenyatta was also the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races, beginning with her victory at the Distaff, formerly the Ladies’ Classic, in 2008. To learn more about Zenyatta and the 10th anniversary celebrations taking place at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships, please visit www.BreedersCup.com/Zenyatta.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships returns to Santa Anita Park this year for a record-breaking tenth time on November 1-2. For further details and other ticket options, please visit www.BreedersCup.com/tickets.

About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 championship races (13 Grade 1 events and one Grade 2 race) with purses and awards totaling more than $30 million, will be held on November 1-2 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

243 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Heartfelt condolences to all who have lost dear ones. It never gets easier and we miss them all forever.

    I am so appreciative that the site is back up. I really missed it. Thank you to the programmers.

  2. / Reply

    Welcome back everyone!Gutted for Frankie and Master of Reality in the Melbourne cup earlier today Frankie got a ban for careless riding and interfering with Il Paradiso(sp) though no complaint from Wayne Lordan.Sady Frankel’s boy Rostropovich has a stress fracture and is on box rest.All the anti’s were out in full force on social media.
    Much sympathy to the connections of Mongolian Gloom nasty injury.RIP Brave boy.
    Wishing Hovis’s CNSM a very Happy Birthday.Hovis is preparing for YHL this weekend

    It was wonderful to see Ann and Zenyatta on facebook over the weekend.Love and hugs.

  3. / Reply

    So glad the blog is back; it kept saying I didn’t have permission to the blog, and I couldn’t figure out why. Miss reading about everything going on. Does anyone know when Zenyatta’s due date is? I pray everything goes well, she has had such hard luck, and she loves her babies so, and is a great mother. PRAYERS FOR HER AND HER FOAL!!! Has there been any new news on Ziconic? Is he still doing good and enjoying his lessons?

        • Dear Roberta:

          Sorry, the video is from a Sunday in July, not this past week. My mistake. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy, thank-you for the link. I have been in love with Ziconic from the day he ways born. He is a smart learner, and is so much happier. DO you know Zenyatta’s due date? Big hugs back at you!!!!

        • Dear Roberta:

          Team Z posted on 8/13/19 that Z is in foal to Candy Ride. I don’t know what her due date is, but based on the photos in the post, she looks about two to three months along? That would mean she was bred in May, so I’m guessing April. Just a guess.

          I know how much you love ZI; horse of your heart. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Wishes for a long, happy, healthy retirement to Snow. Beautiful boy. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  5. / Reply

    So happy to see Zenyatta.com is back up!

    Lovely to see all the coverage of the Queen on the Breeders’ Cup televised broadcast.

    So very, very sad about Mongolian Groom. Poor Santa Anita certainly seems to be cursed. The entire meet was just about to finish with two days of carefully managed, safe racing. Feel awful for MG’s connections, who hesitated to enter him because of the cost.

    It is worth reading the always classy Graham Motion’s tweeted comments on Nov 3rd @GrahamMotion

  8. / Reply

    Dear Judy,Good to be back sad for Frankie with the nine meeting ban I cannot see much interference at all he was tired and veered out .Very harsh.No more news of Rostropovich he should recover.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  9. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Just read an article on Frankie’s suspension. Even the jockey on IL Paradiso didn’t think Frankie was reckless. Wow. Feel sad for him too. Hope R is OK. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbara:

      Was so glad to know it was a tech issue and all is well with Z and the kids. Missed everyone too.

      So sad to lose beautiful MG. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      What an amazing race and such a magnificent horse. RIP Vautour, gone way too soon.

      Thanks for the post, Sheena.

      Hugs and Love

  13. / Reply

    Glad you’re back online! It was weird when you were “down” during the Breeder’s Cup 10th Anniversary of Zenny’s Classic win.

  14. / Reply

    Dear judy.Frankel sired his 199th winner today.Miss Temple city visited him this year and Zarkava called for tea and biscuits followed by a torrid night!.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      You are too funny. Frankel may just beat all records for most winners ever the way it’s going.

      RIP Vautour. Good news on R; continued prayers for him and Hovis too. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

    • / Reply

      Agreed. Disappointed there was no auction this year and a chance to meet zenyatta. Weird since it was the 10th anniversary. I would have thought they would have gone all out.

  15. / Reply

    I thought we needed a little smile and just noticed this. Watching the sales i noticed the sale price history of Hip 13, Lil Indy.

    2007 (10,000)
    2008 2,200
    2011 (70,000)
    2014 80,000
    2018 11,000

    Today: 1.85 million.

    Good grief, appears something drastically changed. Even I could have afforded the dam of Maximum Security back in 2008!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathleen:

      The sales amounts are just mind boggling. Beautiful Blue Prize sold for $5M this past week. From winning the BC Distaff right to the sales ring. Can’t wait to see her gorgeous babies. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      TLC, that’s the best medicine. Hope R continues to improve. Thanks for sharing this lovely photo of R and Alice. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thanks for posting this lovely photo! Healing thoughts and prayers to Rostropovich for a complete recovery with no problems. Keep his spirits up, Alice (with the carrots). Power Up, Rostropovich, handsome boy.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Aww, Sheena, what a beautiful, gentle boy he is. Unbelievable what he’s been through. Thanks so much for sharing the video. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Glad to hear that Subzero is back bringing smiles again. Couldn’t get the video to play, but that’s okay. The important thing is that Subbie is well — much gratitude to that Guardian Angel. <3

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Sweet, sweet boy.
      Love the bling on his browband. He wears it proudly.
      Thanks for sharing, Sheena.
      Thank you, Guardian Angel.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Archie is such a cutie! Temps in the 40s with rain tonight here.

      Saw Charlie today; he looked much better than he did last week. He gobbled up his treats today; last week he wasn’t himself. Think he may have even gained a little weight.

      Some horses are still recovering from the virus. Been a nightmare for Angela. Praying it’s over soon finally. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy.So happy to hear Charlie is improving.Takes a time to recover Slowly and surely the treats will help!Hovis is lapping up all the attention.He is having a make over with Teddy the Shetland tomorrow.That should be fun.Love and hugs.

        Thinking of all those affected by the floods a month’s worth of rain in 24hrs still raining in Doncaster!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Hovis looks so handsome! What beautiful snow white feathers he has, too.
      Hope he enjoys YHL!

      Thanks for posting these photos.
      Hugs and Love

  22. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Lovely photos of our Hovis; thank you for sharing them with us. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM an all the Sweeties

  24. / Reply

    Dear Queen Z and family,

    Hope you have a lovely weekend and that everyone is safe and snug in their stalls.
    ❤️ ? ❤️ ? ❤️

    Hugs and Love

  26. / Reply

    This is a test! Glad the blog I up and running again. I rarely post and have had an email change, so hope this is accepted. I miss all of you!

  27. / Reply

    OK, seems to be good! I am so excited to meet Zenyatta’s filly by Candy Ride. Should be a beauty! I have had a hard summer, lost my mom in July, husband (well, live-in significant other, who needs paper at our ages?!) had a heart attack a week later and spent nearly 3 weeks in hospital with triple bypass surgery. Long road of recovery for both of us. But had some wonderful news that my vizsla, Pepper, is pregnant with 8 or 9 pups, due Nov. 20! It feels so good to have something to look forward to after such a bleak summer. Pepper is a Grand Champion, bred to a Grand Champion so we are hoping for great pups! Just like they say about thoroughbreds, breed the best to the best and hope for the best! Hugs to everyone, I love reading the blogs daily! Glad they are back! Lynn
    By the way, my email has changed, does anyone know how to make that “official” to the blog-master? the old one seems to work, so I guess I can just keep it that way? I am not at all techy, so suggestions are welcome!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Great photos of Hovis and “Blueberry”! Valegro is quite a tall boy — very handsome, as always. Can’t wait to hear what Hovis has to say about the meeting (and the snogging!).

      Thanks for posting this!
      Hugs and Love

  29. / Reply

    This weekend we remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in two World wars and later conflicts.They gave their lives without question horses and men in the first World war.I have been reading(again)the book about Warrior the real war horse and his unique relationship with General Sir Jack Seely.The first time the General rode Warrior under shellfire the horse trembled but carried on.On many,many days thereafter during the four years that were to follow the General rode Warrior in shellfire so heavy he was almost always the only survivor but never once did he attempt to bolt or never did any of the things expected of an animal reputed to be as naturally timid as the horse.No the stout hearted horse not only kept his own fear under control but by his example helped his rider and his friend to do the same.
    Warrior and the General survived the war and Warrior returned to his adoring family on the Isle of Wight he died there just before his 33rd birthday and the General died 6years later the horse’s death affected him greatly as he wrote at the time.’I do not believe to quote Bryon that he can be denied in Heaven the soul he held on earth.
    Tomorrow along with all the other brave men and women I shall think of the General and Warrior.We lost the best generations gone to graveyards everyone.Lest we ever forget.With my undying gratitude always.

  30. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Thanks for the sweet photos of V and our Hovis. Two handsome boys. Thanks too for remembering Warrior and all the warriors, human, equine and canine. Heroes all!
    Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

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