Zenyatta

Zenyatta
Zenyatta in the paddock before the Grade 2 Clement L Hirsch Handicap
Sire	Street Cry
Grandsire	Machiavellian
Dam	Vertigineux
Damsire	Kris S.
Sex	Filly
Foaled	2004
Country	United States
Colour	Dark Bay/Brown
Breeder	Maverick Production, Limited
Owner	Jerry & Ann Moss
Trainer	John Shirreffs
Record	9: 9-0-0
Earnings	$2,144,580
Major wins
El Encino Stakes (2008) Apple Blossom Handicap (2008) Milady Handicap (2008) Vanity Handicap (2008) Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (2008) Lady's Secret Stakes (2008) Breeders' Cup wins: Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (2008)
Awards
American Champion Older Female Horse 2008
Honours
NTRA "Moment of the Year" (2008)
Last updated on September 28, 2008

Zenyatta (foaled April 1, 2004 in Kentucky) is an American Champion Thoroughbred filly racehorse. She was sired by Street Cry who also sired the 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense. Out of the mare, Vertigineux, her damsire was the outstanding stallion, Kris S. She was purchased as a yearling by Jerry & Ann Moss for $60,000 at the Keeneland Sales in September 2005.

Trained by John Shirreffs, California-based Zenyatta did not begin racing until she was three years old, making a winning debut in late November 2007 at Hollywood Park Racetrack. She followed that up with a win in an allowance race on December 15th.

At age four in 2008, Zenyatta has defeated Grade I winners Ginger Punch, Tough Tiz's Sis, Hystericalady, Romance Is Diane, Double Trouble, Sealy Hill, Cocoa Beach, Carriage Trail, and Music Note and has won seven straight Graded stakes races including four Grade I events. As of October 24th she remains unbeaten in all nine career starts having won the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic.

In the 2008 Lady's Secret Stakes Zenyatta ran as Secretariat once did: each quarter faster than the one before. Her splits were :24 4/5, :23 4/5, :23 1/5, :22 3/5, and a final sixteenth in :06 flat.

Sent off as the 1-2 favorite for the Ladies' Classic at Santa Anita, Zenyatta travelled at the back of the pack until the final turn, where she made a breath-taking move to capture the lead with 200 yard to go. She posted a 1 1/2 length victory over second place finisher Cocoa Beach in a time of 1:46.85. After Curlin's defeat in the Breeders' Cup Classic, the filly was a strong contender for Horse of the Year. She was awarded the Eclipse Award as American Champion Older Female Horse for 2008.

On January 15, 2009 it was announced that Zenyatta won the NTRA "Moment of the Year" for 2008.

References

• Zenyatta's pedigree and racing stats
• Biography for Zenyatta at the official Breeders Cup website
• Zenyatta race results, video replays, pedigree, news, silks and photos