The lump in my throat at the start of this race instantly became HUGE when the announcer said "Zenyatta's gonna hook to the outside." And then Girl Power to the Max roared down the stretch past the boys. She didn't even look winded at the end! Thank you Jerry Moss and team for giving us this memory of a lifetime!!!
Mike Smith said it all. She's going down in history as one of the all time greats. I've never cried after a race, besides IHA in the KY Derby and Preakness. She had me on my knees. Watching her, I knew this is exactly where I wanted to be in life. I want to be in that winner's circle as a trainer or jockey. This is the most beautiful sport in the world and Zenyatta added such a major charisma to it. What a super horse.
Love Mikes reactions after the win with the fist shakes and then the hugs and rubbing Z’s neck. Definitely horse of the decade and she’s for sure one of the best ever! Zenyatta is dead last right out of the gate, she had the boys right where she wanted them! What a horse!!!
It’s my second favorite race call ever, to me Secretariat’s Belmont is the best and probably the most recognized, but this was a very close second!!!!! The 2 of them will hold onto #1 and 2 spot indefinitely
If Mike says she should go down as one of the greatest horses of all time then she must go down as one of the greatest horses of all time. He knows how special she is. Look how he was hugging her right after the race. She's not just another horse he's riding on. She's Zenyatta!
He's said in interviews that she's the best he's ever ridden, and he's ridden a lot of great horses. He also blames himself for her last loss to Blame by a head, that she would have won if not for his riding mistake.
You just dont see fillies come from far back and blow away the best horses in the world. One of the top performances of all time. Props to the annoucer as well.
LOL, true. I don't think you see any horse come from that far back and destroy a field like this. And yeah, Trevor Denman is one of the very best...great call!
Yes!! Agree 100%!! American Pharoah, Justify & others Great but Zenyatta 2 me on a different level because of the # of races RAN & WON !! That's the difference.
Dingerz, The performance that Zenyatta laid down in the 2010 Classic gets overlooked, because so many want to discredit her every way possible. Look who she left in her wake. Those highly touted young studs got their doors blown off . She had never been further back than 14 lengths in any of her races. She was 20+ lengths back in the 2010 and almost pulled it off. I could not be more proud of her. LOL. Many will miss her. She is one of a kind. .
The Belmont with SECRETARIAT where we saw him winning by what 31 lengths and MAN O WAR winning by 20 in devastating fashion were great races but we new at the three quarter pole those races were over "NO DRAMA" but to see ZENYATTA do what she did after all the trouble she had at the beginning of the race where she dwelt coming out of the gate then broke on the wrong lead and spotting the field 12-15 lengths round the turn on the inside then have to maneuver outside about 10 wide and blow by those colts like they were standing still was just awesome to watch that was the most gut wrenching race I ever seen "SO MUCH DRAMA" it was POETRY IN MOTION.
+santiago macahilas It's exciting, but the Breeders' Cup alone has produced equally, even more exciting races over the years: Personal Ensign and Winning Colors; Safely Kept and Dayjur; Bayakoa and Go For Wand (tragic); Flanders and Serena's Song; One Dreamer and Heavenly Prize; Desert Stormer and Mr Greeley; Alphabet Soup and Louis Quatorze; Kona Gold and Honest Lady; Tiznow and Giant's Causeway; Squirtle Squirt and Xtra Heat; Tiznow and Sakhee; High Chaparral and Johar; Ginger Punch and Hystericalady; Blame and Zenyatta (ironic); Fort Larned and Mucho Macho Man; Judy the Beauty and Better Lucky, etc.A little *objectivity* would be welcome.
+SKMRify you sit here and say Ghostzapper was a great horse ZENYATTA would of had him for lunch who did he ever beat that piece of shit lost to Scrimshaw in an allowance race and to Valid Video who is Valid Video please don't make me laugh he lost to nobody's and even in the classic aside from pleasantly perfect there was nobody else in the race Roses In May was nothing ZENYATTA beat turf horse of the year Gio Ponti graded winners in Europe Twice Over and Rip Van Winkle and the other European who was undefeated Sea The Stars was to scared to show up she beat derby winner Mine That Bird who's probably getting to the finish line right about now She beat the Belmont winner Summer Bird and what happened to the Preakness Winner Rachel Alexandra where was she at undefeated season my ass she would of got her ass handed to her by ZENYATTA shit ZENYATTA would of left Rachel in her wake she beat the two Pacific Classic winners Einstein and Richards Kid the Santa Anita Handicap winner Colonel John that was a loaded field of horses every GRADE ONE WINNER ALL MILLION DOLLAR RACES were in that field so don't tell me she ran against a weak field Sea The Stars and Rachel Alexandra both dodged her that year and where were they in 2010 oh I forgot Rachel Alexandra lost to Zardana I think Zardana was like 3rd or 4th best in that barn where ZENYATTA was #1 and I think after the owners of Sea The Stars heard that ZENYATTA was coming back in 2010 they decided to retire him and in 2010 all the hype was suppose to be a big 5,000,000.00 dollar match race between Rachel and ZENYATTA but all the hype went away after Rachel lost a prep race to Zardana ZENYATTA'S stablemate you see ZENYATTA didn't need a prep race she just went out won every race if it was molly coddling so be it. Maybe every trainer and owner should get in the habit of molly coddling I'll have to recommend that to Bob Baffert, D.Wayne Lukas, Todd Pletcher and all the other good trainers out there let them know they need to do more molly coddling
santiago macahilas (1) *Most of the world's most prestigious races are run on grass*, like the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in France and the Melbourne Cup in Australia, etc. (2) *Most (not all) of the world's top horses are European*, etc., not North American. (3) *Even in North America, the most prestigious races like the Prince of Wales Stakes in Canada and the Breeders Cup Classic in the USA are typically run on natural dirt*, not those comical synthetic surfaces favored by many in California. (4) The *world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, is once again held on natural dirt*, not tapeta, pro ride, etc. (5) Timeform rates horses like *Dubai Millennium*, *Frankel* and even *Black Caviar* higher than Zenyatta. Also, Beyer Speed Figures, the Ragozin Sheets and Equibase all have *Ghostzapper* as their highest rated North American horse, not Zenyatta. (6) *Most race lovers in England, Ireland, France, the Caribbean, Canada, even the USA, etc. don't really care about synthetic track racing.* (7) Zenyatta ran *17 races on the very synthetic surfaces* that most people simply care little about. *Most people are more impressed with dominance or competitiveness on grass or natural dirt (the traditional surfaces) than on those laughable synthetic surfaces.* (8) It's a pity that *Zenyatta only raced three times on natural dirt* in her career, because *10 years from now few people will care about a synthetic race legacy.*
+SKMRify they could've ran them I water or quicksand ZENYATTA was just a much better horse she would've ran even better on dirt her dirt races are better than her synthetic races and if Mike Smith didn't fall asleep at the wheel in her last race we wouldn't be having this conversation who in the world gives you 20 length head starts who gives GRADE I horses 20 length head starts what was Mike Smith thinking he must of had his head up his Ass I just hope he doesn't do that shit with Ziconic when takes over the reins in his next he looks like he runs just like momma and he's just gonna get better with each race he runs once JOHN SHERRIFFS gets him right watch out he's gonna be a Monster probably of as good as momma but he'll be maybe half as or close to half we can only hope and wish.
santiago macahilas You are a tad irrational and illogical, which is indeed a pity. Zenyatta was a great horse, admittedly, though by no means invincible. You're just as bad as those people here on TH-cam who insist that Christina Aguilera is a brilliant vocalist, when she's actually technically quite awful.
I have watched this replay more times than I can remember, and every time I see it I am absolutely awestruck by the unbelievable grit and determination this mare displays every time she goes postward. And when you hear John Shirreffs talk about her and watch the expression of Mike Smith coming back to the winner's circle, you realise the love and respect they have for her. So no HOY award - whatever - no one can dispute that she IS a horse for the ages.
I can't believe I only now just added this video to my favourites. The stereo and higher definition are appreciated! One of the best experiences of my lifetime, and I wasn't even there that day.
I've been watching racing since 1971 and she is the greatest filly/mare I have ever seen and Yes that includes Ruffian. She would have reeled Ruffian right in 8 outta 10 times.
In a match Ruffian would spit in her eye. The horse that gets to the wire in the fastest time, wins. Ruffian broke or equal stake records. Her final times, ( effortlessly) were faster that years Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Without a rabbit Zenyatta wouldn't have a prayer. Ruffian would control the pace. This is not a criticism of Zenyatta. It's just her running style would work against her in a match.
@@biff5856 Some of what you said is true and sone of it is non sense. Would Ruffian have edge in a match race ? Yes agreed. As for fastest times ? Zenyatta recorded Faster times than Ruffian at a mile and and 1/8 by a Full Second. Zenyatta never ran a mile and a 1/2 but if you Look at Ruffians 2:27 and change for that distance and you Look at Zenyattas mile and 1/4 time you can then project what Zenyatta needs to do in the extra quarter mile to beat that time. She needs to run it in Faster than 25 3/5ths seconds which is EASILY within her ability range. Zenyatta ALSO crushed the best boys in the world AND but for a nose Almost did it again the following year. If you take a full Field to Fillies going a mile and 1/4 Sky Beauty, Personal Ensign, Winning Colors, Genuie Risk , Regret, etc etc Ruffian, Zenyatta. I stand by what I said Zenyatta would beat / out Finish Ruffian 8 outta 10 times. I will concede at a mile and 1/8 I would take Ruffian but a mile and 1/4 or more its Zenyatta almost every time.
@@alivstyson1864 The only time Ruffian was ever asked to run was in the Sorority. It was discovered that she had a fever post race. Shame on you Whitely for not taking a.m temps. Ruffian had suffered a minor fracture of a hind pastern which put an end to her two year old campaign. She was fragile and doomed. Don't bring up the match race. I want to add that in a race with all the aforementioned fillies, I'd have to take Personal Ensign over all. She was the toughest filly I've ever seen run besides Honorable Miss. That aside you read what you wanted to in the context of my comment. I did not state Zenyatta couldn't beat Ruffian, I said it would take a rabbit. I trust you know what I'm referring to.
@@biff5856 Well you kind of state the obvious AND in a full feild with those types of other fillies There 100% would be some early pressure. I stand 100% by my orginal statement. And talk about never being asked to run ? There arer SEVERAL races where Zenyatta won by 5 where she was just costing and could have won by 12 so lets not even try to go there.
To this day I still get a chuckle out of Trevor Denman's "Zenyatta is dead last" call during the early part of the race. Where did you expect Zenyatta to be Trevor, LOL? She broke and settled "dead last" in every race she ever contested, only to eventually circle the entire field, usually 4 or 5 or even 6 wide on to victory, save her one loss in the 2010 BC Classic. What Zenyatta did in this Classic against what was a very good field of both conventional dirt & turf horses that day at Santa Anita was awesome. It was like she was saying, "I'll break last, spot you boys about a dozen lengths, and about the time you guys have written me off for dead at the 3/4 pole, I'll kick in the turbo and stick it up all of your asses as I go blazing by through the stretch." Getting this big mare going was like trying to move a bulldozer in low gear in the early part of her races, but once she found her stride and hit high gear, it was like watching a runaway freight train.
Wow this is a crazy thread... knocking horses and not liking this horse and pitting horses against each other.. how ridiculous is that... I love Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Secretariat, Catlaunch, Tinners Way, Gulch, Runhappy, Black Caviar, Beholder, Mine That Bird, Lord Nelson, Flatterer, Lammtarra, Genuine Risk, Go For Wand, Tiznow, Dr. Fager, Game On Dude, Whirlaway, Zippy Chippy... get the idea... ALL horses should congratulated and praised for a good job of racing whether they win or lose...
She was playing around at the back but when it was time to run she got down to business and won. Another great lesson in life . Verbal Music Production 🎶
Her performance in this race made my heart skip a beat. She is one of the greatest racehorses of all time. I often think what a race it would have been between her and Ruffian. Being undefeated is a feat, but when you break and equal track records, you are truly great. Secretariat and Ruffian, both, broke and equaled track records. The 1978 Belmont is, I believe, a race to remember. It was Affirmed's nose in front at the end. A real thrilla!
She's something else, 19-20 not undefeated but looking at that 2010 bcc she was twice Blame's age, a mare, and she only missed it by a short nose. I agree with many she is up there with the greats of racing history
Absolutely right. In both Breeders Cup Classics she was the best horse there. The oldest horse too. She was incomparable. There will never be another like her. The 2010 Breeders Cup was her greatest race. Even though she technically lost, what she did was otherworldly.
She's dark she's lovely and has a great jazz to her gig! Zenyatta is an amazing and facisnating persona of a horse! I really wouldn't be too surprised if she is an actually recarnation of a person! One in a million and Mike Smith is a wonderful jockey and human being!
Spot on, 110%!! They couldn't have scripted this Breeders Cup Classic any better if some Hollywood big shot writer had written it his or herself. An incredible race-mare who constantly kept the country on the edge of their seats with her late closing running style. As you said, a very likable and personable hall of fame jockey, and former Vietnam Vet who went to California after the war initially just to be nothing more than a beach bum, but ended up training thoroughbreds. What a story line!!
No one can unequivocally state that one horse is better than the other, Different times, eras, styles, surfaces, ages. Way too many variables. However, winning multiple races in a row does show a horses worth and greatness. Ruffian, for years, had been considered the greatest filly ever. Zenyatta came along and won everyone's hearts. But if there is ANY horse that could be equal to the task as greatest ever, it would have to be Winx. 36 in a row is just phenomenal. And she is Zenyatta's HALF SISTER!!! They all are great, and opinions differ. Makybe Diva, Black caviar, Lady's Secret, Princess Rooney, Rachel Alexandra all have their backers as well. Just, in my opinion, hard to argue with 36 in a row against both male and female horses in every race.
did you see the reaction of the man with old fashioned cap together with the trainer ...ANG GALING KAYANG KAYA my interpretation to the action of the man ...happy racing Sir
Whoa whoa hold your horses! When Zenyatta does just enough to win, it makes her great? But when Blame wins by a short margin, he should have won by a pole to prove his greatness? Flawed logic at its best. I love when people put their foot in their mouth! Priceless!
Im a 49er season ticket holder. I gave up on the NFL once I found this beautiful sport. Im trying to catch up on the history of sport. Where have I been ?
I'd like to point out that one of Zenyatta's so called "greatest threats" finished..LAST. Quality Road. Blame barely beat her. Secretariat is in his own class. But as far as those underneath him? Zenyatta rightly deserves a place - contrary to what all her doubters said before the 2010 BC Classic. (she can't run on dirt! She can't handle quality fields! She's far outclassed!) She proved her worth and I'm proud of her for that.
I love to watch horse race on tv! I love horses they are loveable! Caring; warmth; detest Animal Cruelty; i am watching it October/ November 2024 😢😢😢😢😢😢
Well said!! Not sure about avoiding anyone but the fact remains she didn't face much in most of her starts. She ran two fantastic races, won one and lost one. Not bad for a filly.
They will never give her the credit they deserve. But in 20 years when she remains the only female to win the Classic it will become more apparent. What happened on this day is not replaceable.
Horses who have to fight for the lead and then fight off numerous challenges (like Rachel in the Woodward) earn their victories with much more effort than closers. The majority of Zen's races were on Pro-Ride which absolutely favored closers, no question based on stats. So when the pace collapses, it's easy to pick up the pieces. Also, just being a closer doesn't make a horse better than a stalker or front runner. They run hard gate to wire while closers make one move. Her style is easier so...
Boy when Mike Smith kicked Zenyatta into overdrive in those final 200 meters, she just ate up the ground and blew by Gio Ponti, Twice Over, and Summer Bird like they were all idling in first gear. Still gives me goose bumps to watch some 3+ years later.
I remember nearly falling off my chair in 1976 when I saw Forego (another huge horse with a huge close) come from far, far behind in the Marlboro Cup and win by a nose. I couldn't believe a racehorse could do that. Zenyatta did it NINETEEN TIMES IN A ROW and almost 20--last to first. Her style was so different from most horses--as if she were deliberately playing with the rest of them--and how she made it through the traffic and with different paces all the time was incredible. Never was and never will be another like this.
+John Doe That is something you could- and yet with lesser than less chances to be the story of a bad starter male crack horse-starting last always finding a way with a last furlongs supercharge.. Coming from a filly is something truly out of this world! Fillies are not supposed to be able to overtake a dozen of males making way among different pacing colts during a race.. That fillie could very well be Secretariat's or Seabiscuit's reincarnation in the will departement..
yup but for a botched ride she is 20 for 20 beating the best boys in the world twice.....and If anyone didnt notice her 1 mile 1/8th race is a FULL SECOND faster then Ruffian at the same distance. Been watching racing since 1971. At a mile and 1/8th her and Ruffian would be a nail biter. At a mile and 1/4 Zenyatta reels her right in 9 outta 10 times.
@@alivstyson1864 Yep, Zenyatta was made for even longer races. She was just getting into her higher gears at the mile and a quarter. I would have liked to see her run mile and a half. The thing is Zenyattas times in races dont tell the story of her brilliance. She always ran just to win. She wanted to be nose in front at the wire. She had more gears but didnt need to use them. I only saw her tested twice and that was Blame and one of the Clement Hirsch races. She was passing Blame just past the wire. Blames jockey even admitted she was reeling him in. She would have won that race if Mike Smith had not let her linger back so many lengths off the pack. He was late moving her into position for her run and did not count on Quality Road blocking her. just that small mistake kept her off Blame at the end. Even though she lost that race I thought it was the most spectacular performance of her career.
I have pointed this out a million times but Zen fans ignore it hardcore because they know it blows a hole in their proclamation of her greatest of all time status. In fact, if you watch the 2009 Horse of the Year ceremony, you will see that Rachel's highlight reel consists of one amazing race after another, while Zenyatta's reel consists of just one. The evidence supports us, not them. They feel that just because they love her, that makes her more accomplished than any other horse in history.
But this person is right. He's a big racing fan too who clearly knows his stuff. As I've debated and talked to him on numerous feeds on TH-cam and he comes across as very knowledgeable. Not just about American Racing, but about all racing.
I love that this is both the greatest race call of the greatest race caller I’ve ever heard - and the only time I’ve ever caught him making a mistake, and even a bad one, excusable as it was under the circumstances. Third place was neither summer bird nor Richards kid- it was little Twice Over, the smallest horse in the race, looked a colt compared to the towering winner. So I suppose easily overlooked? I had him across the board….so I was aware Money didn’t matter though. I was there that day, by the finish line. I was shaking. A woman I didn’t even know was crying in my arms. It was- you might say- unbelievable
she should still be running strong at six seeing as though she didn't run until 4! She ran for 3 years, but only half a season each year. Her connections bypassed the earlier races, let her rest, dodged the difficult male races in Cali, then got her primed for one big effort as opposed to a season-long effort like every other horse. Not fair to let that happen and call her the greatest when she dodged the greatest of the given years she ran.
I think it's been absolutely brilliant for the game that we have had two magnificent fillies (Zen' & Rachel Alex') over the last few years that have captured the imagination of people (racing and not).... there is not a bad little filly in Oz' at the moment called Black Caviar that is capturing the same column inches and people's hearts... up to Frankel this year to not allow the girls to have it all their way !!
This is for *+BigRed 73Forever* Love your username - but jockeys' opinions mean squat?! Really? Who but Calvin Borel would have known that Rachel Alexandra was struggling in her Preakness win? Did you see it? I sure didn't. Who but Mike Smith knew that Zenyatta was "pretty upset" before the '09 Breeder's Cup, and almost dwelt in the gate? Who but Ron Turcotte could have known when Secretariat decided on his own to make a move, or how easily he was "lopin' along " in the Belmont? Who credited Afleet Alex's athleticism and not his riding when he won the Preakness after being run into and brought to his knees by Scrappy T? I contend that no one knows a horse's mood, manner and reaction during a race better than the guy sitting on him/her. It's absurd to think otherwise.
I've watched this at least 1,000 times and still gives me chills goosebumps and a tears in my eyes !!
Zenyatta Best Mare Ever ❤️
ALWAYS
me too
❤❤❤
The lump in my throat at the start of this race instantly became HUGE when the announcer said "Zenyatta's gonna hook to the outside." And then Girl Power to the Max roared down the stretch past the boys. She didn't even look winded at the end! Thank you Jerry Moss and team for giving us this memory of a lifetime!!!
Mike Smith said it all. She's going down in history as one of the all time greats. I've never cried after a race, besides IHA in the KY Derby and Preakness. She had me on my knees. Watching her, I knew this is exactly where I wanted to be in life. I want to be in that winner's circle as a trainer or jockey. This is the most beautiful sport in the world and Zenyatta added such a major charisma to it. What a super horse.
Seriously gonna miss Her!! Only 1 like her, so far? Very difficult 4 me to go to the track now & watch these "other" horses run.
Me too
I was at Hastings Park in Vancouver for both IHA another wins in the KT and PRK....but Zenyatta is my fave ever !!
Love Mikes reactions after the win with the fist shakes and then the hugs and rubbing Z’s neck. Definitely horse of the decade and she’s for sure one of the best ever! Zenyatta is dead last right out of the gate, she had the boys right where she wanted them! What a horse!!!
The best race call ive ever heard, gives me chills every single time. Beautiful
It’s my second favorite race call ever, to me Secretariat’s Belmont is the best and probably the most recognized, but this was a very close second!!!!! The 2 of them will hold onto #1 and 2 spot indefinitely
If Mike says she should go down as one of the greatest horses of all time then she must go down as one of the greatest horses of all time. He knows how special she is. Look how he was hugging her right after the race. She's not just another horse he's riding on. She's Zenyatta!
He's said in interviews that she's the best he's ever ridden, and he's ridden a lot of great horses. He also blames himself for her last loss to Blame by a head, that she would have won if not for his riding mistake.
La Mejor Del Mundo
La Campeónísima ZENYATTA
🥇🐎🏆
Watched this race many times, gets me every time.
You just dont see fillies come from far back and blow away the best horses in the world. One of the top performances of all time. Props to the annoucer as well.
T:2.63 was a great record for the distance.
LOL, true. I don't think you see any horse come from that far back and destroy a field like this. And yeah, Trevor Denman is one of the very best...great call!
Agree !
Nope...not the best horses in the world, but yes it was a brilliant performance. 🙂
@@st.patrickreid8968 Does not matter St. Reid, Any horse, on that day, on that race, period!
Whenever I need a lift, I watch this race. Zenyatta takes my breath away!
I probably watched this a 100 times. It is just amazing how she ran like that.
Love John Shereff’s reaction particularly and Mike S is right she is horse of the decade 😬
She is the ONLY horse I have ever seen that gives me chills when I watch her.
Not Secretariat?
Yes!! Agree 100%!! American Pharoah, Justify & others Great but Zenyatta 2 me on a different level because of the # of races RAN & WON !! That's the difference.
Winx down under here in Australia gave me the same feeling so I know exactly how you feel. Zenyatta my 2nd favourite horse after her.
I agree Zenyatta is the greatest . I also love the 1996 breeders cup sprint .
What?!?! She thrills me, too, but Secretariat’s Belmont is simply, stunningly, unbelievably otherworldly.
Dingerz,
The performance that Zenyatta laid down in the 2010 Classic gets overlooked, because so many want to discredit her every way possible.
Look who she left in her wake. Those highly touted young studs got their doors blown off . She had never been further back than 14 lengths in any of her races. She was 20+ lengths back in the 2010 and almost pulled it off. I could not be more proud of her. LOL. Many will miss her. She is one of a kind. .
From dead last, what a beautiful horse!
I’ve watched this a jillion 😉 times. Heaven🥰🌹🏇🏿
I still cry watching this race! Wow! So happy I saw her race and at all her retirements!
F
The Belmont with SECRETARIAT where we saw him winning by what 31 lengths and MAN O WAR winning by 20 in devastating fashion were great races but we new at the three quarter pole those races were over "NO DRAMA" but to see ZENYATTA do what she did after all the trouble she had at the beginning of the race where she dwelt coming out of the gate then broke on the wrong lead and spotting the field 12-15 lengths round the turn on the inside then have to maneuver outside about 10 wide and blow by those colts like they were standing still was just awesome to watch that was the most gut wrenching race I ever seen "SO MUCH DRAMA" it was POETRY IN MOTION.
Couldn't have described it ANY BETTER!! Hats off 2 you!!
One of the best years in racing I can remember. One of the best fillies I have ever seen, and with Sea the stars in the UK, 2009 was incredible
One of the greatest horses of all time and one of the top sports calls of all time. Trevor Denman’s call of this race is one for the ages.
I get the biggest smile every time I watch this. Truly amazing.
I never tire watching the replay of the 2009 classic it'll go down in history as the greatest race ever
+santiago macahilas It's exciting, but the Breeders' Cup alone has produced equally, even more exciting races over the years: Personal Ensign and Winning Colors; Safely Kept and Dayjur; Bayakoa and Go For Wand (tragic); Flanders and Serena's Song; One Dreamer and Heavenly Prize; Desert Stormer and Mr Greeley; Alphabet Soup and Louis Quatorze; Kona Gold and Honest Lady; Tiznow and Giant's Causeway; Squirtle Squirt and Xtra Heat; Tiznow and Sakhee; High Chaparral and Johar; Ginger Punch and Hystericalady; Blame and Zenyatta (ironic); Fort Larned and Mucho Macho Man; Judy the Beauty and Better Lucky, etc.A little *objectivity* would be welcome.
+SKMRify you sit here and say Ghostzapper was a great horse ZENYATTA would of had him for lunch who did he ever beat that piece of shit lost to Scrimshaw in an allowance race and to Valid Video who is Valid Video please don't make me laugh he lost to nobody's and even in the classic aside from pleasantly perfect there was nobody else in the race Roses In May was nothing ZENYATTA beat turf horse of the year Gio Ponti graded winners in Europe Twice Over and Rip Van Winkle and the other European who was undefeated Sea The Stars was to scared to show up she beat derby winner Mine That Bird who's probably getting to the finish line right about now She beat the Belmont winner Summer Bird and what happened to the Preakness Winner Rachel Alexandra where was she at undefeated season my ass she would of got her ass handed to her by ZENYATTA shit ZENYATTA would of left Rachel in her wake she beat the two Pacific Classic winners Einstein and Richards Kid the Santa Anita Handicap winner Colonel John that was a loaded field of horses every GRADE ONE WINNER ALL MILLION DOLLAR RACES were in that field so don't tell me she ran against a weak field Sea The Stars and Rachel Alexandra both dodged her that year and where were they in 2010 oh I forgot Rachel Alexandra lost to Zardana I think Zardana was like 3rd or 4th best in that barn where ZENYATTA was #1 and I think after the owners of Sea The Stars heard that ZENYATTA was coming back in 2010 they decided to retire him and in 2010 all the hype was suppose to be a big 5,000,000.00 dollar match race between Rachel and ZENYATTA but all the hype went away after Rachel lost a prep race to Zardana ZENYATTA'S stablemate you see ZENYATTA didn't need a prep race she just went out won every race if it was molly coddling so be it. Maybe every trainer and owner should get in the habit of molly coddling I'll have to recommend that to Bob Baffert, D.Wayne Lukas, Todd Pletcher and all the other good trainers out there let them know they need to do more molly coddling
santiago macahilas (1) *Most of the world's most prestigious races are run on grass*, like the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in France and the Melbourne Cup in Australia, etc.
(2) *Most (not all) of the world's top horses are European*, etc., not North American.
(3) *Even in North America, the most prestigious races like the Prince of Wales Stakes in Canada and the Breeders Cup Classic in the USA are typically run on natural dirt*, not those comical synthetic surfaces favored by many in California.
(4) The *world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, is once again held on natural dirt*, not tapeta, pro ride, etc.
(5) Timeform rates horses like *Dubai Millennium*, *Frankel* and even *Black Caviar* higher than Zenyatta. Also, Beyer Speed Figures, the Ragozin Sheets and Equibase all have *Ghostzapper* as their highest rated North American horse, not Zenyatta.
(6) *Most race lovers in England, Ireland, France, the Caribbean, Canada, even the USA, etc. don't really care about synthetic track racing.*
(7) Zenyatta ran *17 races on the very synthetic surfaces* that most people simply care little about. *Most people are more impressed with dominance or competitiveness on grass or natural dirt (the traditional surfaces) than on those laughable synthetic surfaces.*
(8) It's a pity that *Zenyatta only raced three times on natural dirt* in her career, because *10 years from now few people will care about a synthetic race legacy.*
+SKMRify they could've ran them I water or quicksand ZENYATTA was just a much better horse she would've ran even better on dirt her dirt races are better than her synthetic races and if Mike Smith didn't fall asleep at the wheel in her last race we wouldn't be having this conversation who in the world gives you 20 length head starts who gives GRADE I horses 20 length head starts what was Mike Smith thinking he must of had his head up his Ass I just hope he doesn't do that shit with Ziconic when takes over the reins in his next he looks like he runs just like momma and he's just gonna get better with each race he runs once JOHN SHERRIFFS gets him right watch out he's gonna be a Monster probably of as good as momma but he'll be maybe half as or close to half we can only hope and wish.
santiago macahilas You are a tad irrational and illogical, which is indeed a pity.
Zenyatta was a great horse, admittedly, though by no means invincible.
You're just as bad as those people here on TH-cam who insist that Christina Aguilera is a brilliant vocalist, when she's actually technically quite awful.
Mike said it right...one of the greatest of all time!!!!! Long live the Queen (Zenyatta)
My heart still races everytime I watch this like the day I seen it live wow what a great horse
I have watched this replay more times than I can remember, and every time I see it I am absolutely awestruck by the unbelievable grit and determination this mare displays every time she goes postward. And when you hear John Shirreffs talk about her and watch the expression of Mike Smith coming back to the winner's circle, you realise the love and respect they have for her. So no HOY award - whatever - no one can dispute that she IS a horse for the ages.
I can't believe I only now just added this video to my favourites. The stereo and higher definition are appreciated! One of the best experiences of my lifetime, and I wasn't even there that day.
She's just....perfection.
you couldn't find a more "dynamic" field than this. this race had the best boys that the world had to offer, and she mowed them down
I remember the energy at the track that day. Unbelievable race.
Me too!! Fantastic race!
The slow early fraction made her come from behind all the more impressive.
I was there I saw it and it was truly amazing. Unbelieveably amazing. Glorious
I was there also Claudia!! You could have walked everywhere back then, not anymore! They block you off now unless...
Ugh I looove 6:09 when she just looks straight at the camera for a few seconds there. What a great animal.
Roni Hyman 3
I've been watching racing since 1971 and she is the greatest filly/mare I have ever seen and Yes that includes Ruffian.
She would have reeled Ruffian right in 8 outta 10 times.
Hey Carl not 10 for 10?
In a match Ruffian would spit in her eye. The horse that gets to the wire in the fastest time, wins. Ruffian broke or equal stake records. Her final times, ( effortlessly) were faster that years Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Without a rabbit Zenyatta wouldn't have a prayer. Ruffian would control the pace. This is not a criticism of Zenyatta. It's just her running style would work against her in a match.
@@biff5856 Some of what you said is true and sone of it is non sense.
Would Ruffian have edge in a match race ? Yes agreed. As for fastest times ? Zenyatta recorded Faster times than Ruffian at a mile and and 1/8 by a Full Second. Zenyatta never ran a mile and a 1/2 but if you Look at Ruffians 2:27 and change for that distance and you Look at Zenyattas mile and 1/4 time you can then project what Zenyatta needs to do in the extra quarter mile to beat that time. She needs to run it in Faster than 25 3/5ths seconds which is EASILY within her ability range.
Zenyatta ALSO crushed the best boys in the world AND but for a nose Almost did it again the following year.
If you take a full Field to Fillies going a mile and 1/4 Sky Beauty, Personal Ensign, Winning Colors, Genuie Risk , Regret, etc etc Ruffian, Zenyatta. I stand by what I said Zenyatta would beat / out Finish Ruffian 8 outta 10 times. I will concede at a mile and 1/8 I would take Ruffian but a mile and 1/4 or more its Zenyatta almost every time.
@@alivstyson1864 The only time Ruffian was ever asked to run was in the Sorority. It was discovered that she had a fever post race. Shame on you Whitely for not taking a.m temps. Ruffian had suffered a minor fracture of a hind pastern which put an end to her two year old campaign. She was fragile and doomed. Don't bring up the match race. I want to add that in a race with all the aforementioned fillies, I'd have to take Personal Ensign over all. She was the toughest filly I've ever seen run besides Honorable Miss. That aside you read what you wanted to in the context of my comment. I did not state Zenyatta couldn't beat Ruffian, I said it would take a rabbit. I trust you know what I'm referring to.
@@biff5856 Well you kind of state the obvious AND in a full feild with those types of other fillies There 100% would be some early pressure. I stand 100% by my orginal statement. And talk about never being asked to run ? There arer SEVERAL races where Zenyatta won by 5 where she was just costing and could have won by 12 so lets not even try to go there.
Greatest filly ever in horse racing history my favorite horse ever
I’m with you on that Dave, then Ruffian a close 2nd for my favorites
Every year I would come back to watch the greatest horse of all time, and Mike!
Love to see her & our Winx.
ok i never been into horse racing until I watch her run. she is still special.
I thank you very much for sharing this video. What a horse!!!? Unbelievable,from so far at the back, wide on the turn and won going away at the end.
To this day I still get a chuckle out of Trevor Denman's "Zenyatta is dead last" call during the early part of the race. Where did you expect Zenyatta to be Trevor, LOL? She broke and settled "dead last" in every race she ever contested, only to eventually circle the entire field, usually 4 or 5 or even 6 wide on to victory, save her one loss in the 2010 BC Classic. What Zenyatta did in this Classic against what was a very good field of both conventional dirt & turf horses that day at Santa Anita was awesome. It was like she was saying, "I'll break last, spot you boys about a dozen lengths, and about the time you guys have written me off for dead at the 3/4 pole, I'll kick in the turbo and stick it up all of your asses as I go blazing by through the stretch." Getting this big mare going was like trying to move a bulldozer in low gear in the early part of her races, but once she found her stride and hit high gear, it was like watching a runaway freight train.
Wow this is a crazy thread... knocking horses and not liking this horse and pitting horses against each other.. how ridiculous is that... I love Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Secretariat, Catlaunch, Tinners Way, Gulch, Runhappy, Black Caviar, Beholder, Mine That Bird, Lord Nelson, Flatterer, Lammtarra, Genuine Risk, Go For Wand, Tiznow, Dr. Fager, Game On Dude, Whirlaway, Zippy Chippy... get the idea... ALL horses should congratulated and praised for a good job of racing whether they win or lose...
Good for you, I agree. Haters...smh
THIS IS UN BE LIEVEABLE! ZENYATTA IS AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL, FAST, PRETTY, TALL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SHE REPRESENTS US GIRLS!
@Sami13p - Just watched it for the first time and it made me burst into tears! I'm not even a horse person. She's so gorgeous!
I can't say enough wonderful things about Zenyatta, but Mike Smith is my new favorite jockey....you can plainly see his true love for this horse.
She was playing around at the back but when it was time to run she got down to business and won. Another great lesson in life . Verbal Music Production 🎶
Her performance in this race made my heart skip a beat. She is one of the greatest racehorses of all time. I often think what a race it would have been between her and Ruffian. Being undefeated is a feat, but when you break and equal track records, you are truly great. Secretariat and Ruffian, both, broke and equaled track records. The 1978 Belmont is, I believe, a race to remember. It was Affirmed's nose in front at the end. A real thrilla!
Best horse I've ever seen with my two eyes
Yes!! Right with you Matthew. Didn't get to see other great horses run live.
Mike & Zenyatta quite a team!
I’m watching this for the 30th time
13 years later...I sill get tears in my eyes as I watch Zen beat 'em all. Best filly of all time.
I can view this every day and still get excited!
She's something else, 19-20 not undefeated but looking at that 2010 bcc she was twice Blame's age, a mare, and she only missed it by a short nose. I agree with many she is up there with the greats of racing history
Absolutely right. In both Breeders Cup Classics she was the best horse there. The oldest horse too. She was incomparable. There will never be another like her. The 2010 Breeders Cup was her greatest race. Even though she technically lost, what she did was otherworldly.
She's dark she's lovely and has a great jazz to her gig! Zenyatta is an amazing and facisnating persona of a horse!
I really wouldn't be too surprised if she is an actually recarnation of a person! One in a million and Mike Smith is a wonderful jockey and human being!
Never gets old. Brings tears to my eyes.
Spot on, 110%!! They couldn't have scripted this Breeders Cup Classic any better if some Hollywood big shot writer had written it his or herself. An incredible race-mare who constantly kept the country on the edge of their seats with her late closing running style. As you said, a very likable and personable hall of fame jockey, and former Vietnam Vet who went to California after the war initially just to be nothing more than a beach bum, but ended up training thoroughbreds. What a story line!!
ZEN IS A BEAUTY AND A CHAMP.
"We hope you are enjoying live coverage of the Breeders' Cup Classic."
Well, we were until you interrupted it.
No one can unequivocally state that one horse is better than the other, Different times, eras, styles, surfaces, ages. Way too many variables. However, winning multiple races in a row does show a horses worth and greatness. Ruffian, for years, had been considered the greatest filly ever. Zenyatta came along and won everyone's hearts. But if there is ANY horse that could be equal to the task as greatest ever, it would have to be Winx. 36 in a row is just phenomenal. And she is Zenyatta's HALF SISTER!!! They all are great, and opinions differ. Makybe Diva, Black caviar, Lady's Secret, Princess Rooney, Rachel Alexandra all have their backers as well. Just, in my opinion, hard to argue with 36 in a row against both male and female horses in every race.
Thankyou so much I am so grateful to learn more about Zenyattax
did you see the reaction of the man with old fashioned cap together with the trainer ...ANG GALING KAYANG KAYA my interpretation to the action of the man ...happy racing Sir
I LOVE YOU ZENYATTA
Thank you for good moments jockeys sport and good luck Mike Smith and horse Zenyatta, USA
What a truly magnificent mare!!
Whoa whoa hold your horses! When Zenyatta does just enough to win, it makes her great? But when Blame wins by a short margin, he should have won by a pole to prove his greatness? Flawed logic at its best. I love when people put their foot in their mouth! Priceless!
Like you just did?...Blame won the race, he won and he earned it....2 more strides to the finish line Zenyatta retires undefeated
Im a 49er season ticket holder. I gave up on the NFL once I found this beautiful sport.
Im trying to catch up on the history of sport.
Where have I been ?
Wrong Team!! You NEVER EVER GIVE UP on Pro Football !! Why not both?
I'd like to point out that one of Zenyatta's so called "greatest threats" finished..LAST. Quality Road. Blame barely beat her. Secretariat is in his own class. But as far as those underneath him? Zenyatta rightly deserves a place - contrary to what all her doubters said before the 2010 BC Classic. (she can't run on dirt! She can't handle quality fields! She's far outclassed!) She proved her worth and I'm proud of her for that.
She just blew by a field better than RA ever raced against.
still get the chills bumps when i watch this race ...un be lie va ble!!!!
John Sheriff's said it ALL !
What a Filly, yes WE LUV HER.
Girl Power *
The Beauty IS The Beast! Queen Zenyatta is simply One Of A Kind
Zenyatta and Winx by same sire Street Cry.
Also Street Sense, the Kentucky Derby winner and Shocking, winner of the Melbourne Cup in Australia.
Did Street Cry ever leave his mark in racing or what!!!! 2 of the greatest filly’s of all time!!!! What’s the chances of that ever happening again ???
Zennyata incredibol performance. Hystory of the turf.
Classy and full of evidence to support this statement!
I love to watch horse race on tv! I love horses they are loveable! Caring; warmth; detest Animal Cruelty; i am watching it October/ November 2024 😢😢😢😢😢😢
Well said!! Not sure about avoiding anyone but the fact remains she didn't face much in most of her starts. She ran two fantastic races, won one and lost one. Not bad for a filly.
Zenyatta is so amazing she is so beautiful and so cute ! She is amazing *-*
One of the all-time greats
Mike Smith said,
ZENYATTA was horse of a decade.
AWESOME CLIP!! ♥
Wow unreal! Zenyatta one of the best!
They will never give her the credit they deserve. But in 20 years when she remains the only female to win the Classic it will become more apparent. What happened on this day is not replaceable.
I can't hardly wait 4 that day Andrew!! Another 10 years to go!!
She is the best ever! One of greatest sports moments in history qhen she cam off the corner the crowd roar was defening! Never forget it
one of the greatest horses of all time. you heard it from.
mike smith
Horses who have to fight for the lead and then fight off numerous challenges (like Rachel in the Woodward) earn their victories with much more effort than closers. The majority of Zen's races were on Pro-Ride which absolutely favored closers, no question based on stats. So when the pace collapses, it's easy to pick up the pieces. Also, just being a closer doesn't make a horse better than a stalker or front runner. They run hard gate to wire while closers make one move. Her style is easier so...
Boy when Mike Smith kicked Zenyatta into overdrive in those final 200 meters, she just ate up the ground and blew by Gio Ponti, Twice Over, and Summer Bird like they were all idling in first gear. Still gives me goose bumps to watch some 3+ years later.
I remember nearly falling off my chair in 1976 when I saw Forego (another huge horse with a huge close) come from far, far behind in the Marlboro Cup and win by a nose. I couldn't believe a racehorse could do that. Zenyatta did it NINETEEN TIMES IN A ROW and almost 20--last to first. Her style was so different from most horses--as if she were deliberately playing with the rest of them--and how she made it through the traffic and with different paces all the time was incredible. Never was and never will be another like this.
+John Doe That is something you could- and yet with lesser than less chances to be the story of a bad starter male crack horse-starting last always finding a way with a last furlongs supercharge.. Coming from a filly is something truly out of this world!
Fillies are not supposed to be able to overtake a dozen of males making way among different pacing colts during a race.. That fillie could very well be Secretariat's or Seabiscuit's reincarnation in the will departement..
yup but for a botched ride she is 20 for 20 beating the best boys in the world twice.....and If anyone didnt notice her 1 mile 1/8th race is a FULL SECOND faster then Ruffian at the same distance. Been watching racing since 1971.
At a mile and 1/8th her and Ruffian would be a nail biter. At a mile and 1/4 Zenyatta reels her right in 9 outta 10 times.
@@alivstyson1864 Yep, Zenyatta was made for even longer races. She was just getting into her higher gears at the mile and a quarter. I would have liked to see her run mile and a half. The thing is Zenyattas times in races dont tell the story of her brilliance. She always ran just to win. She wanted to be nose in front at the wire. She had more gears but didnt need to use them. I only saw her tested twice and that was Blame and one of the Clement Hirsch races. She was passing Blame just past the wire. Blames jockey even admitted she was reeling him in. She would have won that race if Mike Smith had not let her linger back so many lengths off the pack. He was late moving her into position for her run and did not count on Quality Road blocking her. just that small mistake kept her off Blame at the end. Even though she lost that race I thought it was the most spectacular performance of her career.
Greatest filly/mare ever and for sure top 5 greatest horses ever!!
I have pointed this out a million times but Zen fans ignore it hardcore because they know it blows a hole in their proclamation of her greatest of all time status. In fact, if you watch the 2009 Horse of the Year ceremony, you will see that Rachel's highlight reel consists of one amazing race after another, while Zenyatta's reel consists of just one. The evidence supports us, not them. They feel that just because they love her, that makes her more accomplished than any other horse in history.
What an amazing horse!
Amazing!
And wouldn't it have been an awesome matchup - the massive engine inside that big red chest vs. the sheer monstrous size of the girl?
Rafaelbejaran0
Hi
@Sami13p You and me both!! I love this horse.
But this person is right. He's a big racing fan too who clearly knows his stuff. As I've debated and talked to him on numerous feeds on TH-cam and he comes across as very knowledgeable. Not just about American Racing, but about all racing.
AHHHHH GO ZENYATTA!!!
I love that this is both the greatest race call of the greatest race caller I’ve ever heard - and the only time I’ve ever caught him making a mistake, and even a bad one, excusable as it was under the circumstances. Third place was neither summer bird nor Richards kid- it was little Twice Over, the smallest horse in the race, looked a colt compared to the towering winner. So I suppose easily overlooked? I had him across the board….so I was aware
Money didn’t matter though. I was there that day, by the finish line. I was shaking. A woman I didn’t even know was crying in my arms. It was- you might say- unbelievable
I hope somebody tapped the announcer after the race and said, "Yes, she's a super horse. Believe it now?"
Love you, Queen Z.
John Sheriffs' expression was just priceless (':
she should still be running strong at six seeing as though she didn't run until 4! She ran for 3 years, but only half a season each year. Her connections bypassed the earlier races, let her rest, dodged the difficult male races in Cali, then got her primed for one big effort as opposed to a season-long effort like every other horse. Not fair to let that happen and call her the greatest when she dodged the greatest of the given years she ran.
there is a racing parlance here in our local racing aficionado ... Zenyatta was a talking horse to Sir Mike Smith ... rose among the thorns thanks
I watch Zennie girl and just cry with joy she's the best female athlete of all time.
I think it's been absolutely brilliant for the game that we have had two magnificent fillies (Zen' & Rachel Alex') over the last few years that have captured the imagination of people (racing and not).... there is not a bad little filly in Oz' at the moment called Black Caviar that is capturing the same column inches and people's hearts... up to Frankel this year to not allow the girls to have it all their way !!
This is for *+BigRed 73Forever*
Love your username - but jockeys' opinions mean squat?! Really? Who but Calvin Borel would have known that Rachel Alexandra was struggling in her Preakness win? Did you see it? I sure didn't. Who but Mike Smith knew that Zenyatta was "pretty upset" before the '09 Breeder's Cup, and almost dwelt in the gate? Who but Ron Turcotte could have known when Secretariat decided on his own to make a move, or how easily he was "lopin' along " in the Belmont? Who credited Afleet Alex's athleticism and not his riding when he won the Preakness after being run into and brought to his knees by Scrappy T? I contend that no one knows a horse's mood, manner and reaction during a race better than the guy sitting on him/her. It's absurd to think otherwise.
Susan Ouimette
Wow, take it easy Susan.
Incredible unbelievable wow 😳