I’ve been a huge Zenyatta fan and really wonted her to win (but was also rooting for Lookin at Lucky because he won at Indiana - no other reason but that Hoosier Park would have a connection to the BC through that horse!). I wonder if all of that excitement set her off any. The paddock was crazy - I was wishing people would settle down as they made that long walk to saddle up…although it was sort of fascinating to see a horse with Rock Star status, move through the crowd. I hated seeing teh groom and the Mrs. shushing people because it made me think that the energy was all wrong for that moment. Regardless, she did amazing…those last 300 yards were historical IMO.
Words oft regretted in the racing business. Sometimes with show horses when asked for just one more round as well.
While it’s true super horses don’t reproduce themselves, there have been great race mares with very, very good babies. While that is no easy retirement, it beats a plane ride across 7 or 8 time zones-make that 10 or 12 from the west coast- a quarantine period, a tough field to beat with nothing to prove and everything to lose and another long plane ride.
What would the point be? Not too many going to buy a ticket to Dubai to watch.
Much as she is said to relish going out to graze every day? I think she will be just fine retiring at the top as she is now. I thnk those who specialize in bloodline will know what to select for in a stallion to deal with the few issues she may present.
She should be bred to Ghostzapper of course!!
I found myself totally deflated after that race. And all i could think of is what happens now? another 5 years of uninspired racing, no stars who stay more than one season?? This is the reason the sport is dying.
[QUOTE=HappyTicket;5207889]
She should be bred to Ghostzapper of course!!
I found myself totally deflated after that race. And all i could think of is what happens now? another 5 years of uninspired racing, no stars who stay more than one season?? This is the reason the sport is dying.[/QUOTE]
We need more good geldings. :yes:
I said the same thing… quite ironic. And though sad to see her lose, Blame is a very nice horse.
I wonder who will be HOTY?
I haven’t read all the posts and I don’t know if this has been mentioned but I am worried about Zenyatta. This is the first time she did not end up in the winners circle and for all her races this year, after her win she is taken around the track so her fans can cheer her. This also did not happen. I’m worried that she will think she is being punished for not winning and not allowed to race again because she lost.
Other than that, I think she would have won easily if Mike had taken her outside instead of inside with all the traffic and the mud in her eye. Someone said that one of her eyes was even shut with mud when she came in at the end. She was still the best and greatest hores out there. No way could Blame or any of them do what she did. She is an amazing animal and after everyone has forgotten who Blame is (which will probably be in a couple of years) I doubt anyone will forget her. Like Secretariat, she will go down in racing history as one of the greatest, a horse who gave horse racing a real shot in the arm when it was so badly needed. And so what if a handful of total idiots who decide the HOY pick Blame? It will not make an iota of difference to her adoring fans who know what a great horse she is.
I too, love Zenyatta, and won’t even consider second-guessing Mike on his ride. I’m sure he (and she) did what they could. But I do doubt that she could possibly connect walking back to the barn instead of to the winner’s circle with being ‘punished’ by not racing again. Great mare. And selfishly, I’d love to see her in a new career as a show horse!
[QUOTE=mighty mite;5208115]
I haven’t read all the posts and I don’t know if this has been mentioned but I am worried about Zenyatta. This is the first time she did not end up in the winners circle and for all her races this year, after her win she is taken around the track so her fans can cheer her. This also did not happen. I’m worried that she will think she is being punished for not winning and not allowed to race again because she lost.[/QUOTE]
Horses don’t really have the ability to make that projected conjecture. I’m sure it is quite possible that she had a fleeting confusion about not going over to the WC after the race. But she is SO loved by her connections that her feeling punished isn’t and shouldn’t be a concern.
What I “worry” about is how she will make the transition into retirement. Some horses that are jazzed like she is when they perform can get depressed. Hopefully she will make the adjustment well. Horses can still be ridden pregnant for at least a while, so maybe there will be someone who can hop up on her for regular rides. She’d probably enjoy that.
[QUOTE=jaimebaker;5207731]
I absolutely agree. Foaling is dangerous as well. Look at what happened to Kincsem. The horse won 54 races out of 54 starts and died from colic complications after her last foal. I most certainly don’t call being turned into a broodmare a form of ‘retirement’.[/QUOTE]
Yes, but of the foals she had, some were important broodmares themselves. Kinscem was a truly great horse in every respect that counts–she won on the track, she produced well. (Okay, she was apparently not the prettiest thing ever to come down the pike, but ugly is as ugly does and she ran pretty.) Z’s not going to necessarily replicate herself but it would be sheer idiocy to waste her prime breeding years not passing on the genes if she can. (I still would find it fascinating to see what you got putting her to Cape Cross but that is a LONG flight. Ditto his son Sea The Stars.)
Hm…Blame’s intact, right? When are they retiring him? 
(Hm, probably too much inbreeding for my taste anyway.)
[QUOTE=danceronice;5208468]
Hm…Blame’s intact, right? When are they retiring him? (Hm, probably too much inbreeding for my taste anyway.)[/QUOTE]
As of last night. His retirement, that is.
[QUOTE=jdeboer01;5206831]
I’ve never posted on the racing forum, but I believe that – by far – she was the best horse in that race. She came from dead last to losing by a nose. Her speed was still increasing at the wire. If that race had been 20’ longer, she would have won. She was on a surface she was not accustomed to, against the boys. Sure, it would have been great if she had won, but she has nothing whatsoever to be ashamed of in that race! What an incredible, awe inspiring mare!
I can’t wait to see her babies! :)[/QUOTE]
I was completely amazed by her move from behind, too. Agree that she is incredible!
[QUOTE=Mukluk;5206845]
I think Zenyatta did AMAZING and has nothing feel bad about whatsoever. She did Awesome. I am very proud of her. Maybe Blame will be the baby daddy?[/QUOTE]
Agreed. I also think this is a case where, over the years, who WON the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic may be forgotten, but NOONE will forget who finished 2nd!
And while I admire both horses, I find it interesting that a lot of people are happy to make excuses for Rachel Alexandra’s losses, but have constantly downplayed Zenyatta’s accomplishments.
I also think it interesting (though I think I understand the reason), that except for the little “up close and personal” about her trainer, Shirrefs (sp?), everyone neatly skips over the fact that Zenyatta wasn’t raced until she was nearly four and retires (hopefully) sound. Guess they just don’t want to face/think about running those 2 year olds into breakdowns for the sake of $$$$.
YES. I wish there would be much talk and fanfare about this. She should be held up as an example of how racing could become a more humane experience if the almighty dollar and impatience were not so much of a factor. I want it to be more common for horses to be allowed to mature more before they run, for the sake of the horses’ futures, quality of life, and chances in competition.
I think Mike Smith is second guessing Mike Smith!
And I think his gut is that Zenyatta would have won had he ridden her different. And I would agree with him. To make up the ground that she did to loose by a nose means that had she been in a better position earlier she probably would have won. It wasn’t for lack of engine.
Had Mike done all he could, but Zenyatta didn’t have enough to win, he would not be feeling this bad. They may have to run her one more time so she can retire a winner. I would have liked it better had they retired her at 19 and 0!
She is great horse and I agree they should talk more about her delayed start in racing. Its a good thing with a big horse like her.
[QUOTE=mighty mite;5208115]
I haven’t read all the posts and I don’t know if this has been mentioned but I am worried about Zenyatta. This is the first time she did not end up in the winners circle and for all her races this year, after her win she is taken around the track so her fans can cheer her. This also did not happen. I’m worried that she will think she is being punished for not winning and not allowed to race again because she lost.
Other than that, I think she would have won easily if Mike had taken her outside instead of inside with all the traffic and the mud in her eye. Someone said that one of her eyes was even shut with mud when she came in at the end. She was still the best and greatest hores out there. No way could Blame or any of them do what she did. She is an amazing animal and after everyone has forgotten who Blame is (which will probably be in a couple of years) I doubt anyone will forget her. Like Secretariat, she will go down in racing history as one of the greatest, a horse who gave horse racing a real shot in the arm when it was so badly needed. And so what if a handful of total idiots who decide the HOY pick Blame? It will not make an iota of difference to her adoring fans who know what a great horse she is.[/QUOTE]
Trust me, I was there and she got tons of cheers when she came back. More than Blame, actually. My mom who was there with me said she actually felt sorry for Blame because nobody really cheered for him.
Z probably thinks that Churchill simply skimped on the flowers and winner’s circle. :lol:
Personally I was disappoint too that she didn’t win. But I am thrilled that she made it out of the race, period. She looks sound and I hope she will be happy eating grass in a field.
[QUOTE=MSP;5209571]
I think Mike Smith is second guessing Mike Smith!
And I think his gut is that Zenyatta would have won had he ridden her different. And I would agree with him. To make up the ground that she did to loose by a nose means that had she been in a better position earlier she probably would have won. It wasn’t for lack of engine.
Had Mike done all he could, but Zenyatta didn’t have enough to win, he would not be feeling this bad. They may have to run her one more time so she can retire a winner. I would have liked it better had they retired her at 19 and 0!
She is great horse and I agree they should talk more about her delayed start in racing. Its a good thing with a big horse like her.[/QUOTE]
Yes.
What a great team. Mike has the benefit of hindsight and the overhead cameras now to beat up on himself. They ran a great race. They brought each other home safe.
In my opinon, they proved beyond any doubt what champions they are. Seriously, to me that was the greatest loss of all time.
I also did not know she started relatively late as a racehorse until I saw the breeders cup coverage. My immediate thought was-of course, she’s over 17 hands. Eight Belles anyone? I too wish more attention would have been focused on this.
My only regret for her is that anyone might look less highly upon her because of this one race. She did awesome, just needed a little more luck.
I also would much rather see her move on to another career than become a broodmare right away. With her speed and heart, imagine her as a grand prix showjumper!
