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# Zenyatta
Zenyatta (foaled April 1, 2004) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Breeders' Cup Classic and Breeders' Cup Distaff and 19 of her 20 starts. She was the 2010 American Horse of the Year, and Champion Older Female in 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016.
Zenyatta was purchased as a yearling by record producer Jerry Moss and his wife Ann, who named her after the album Zenyatta Mondatta, by the Police, who were signed to A&M Records by Moss. She went into training with John Shirreffs.  A late-developing filly, she did not make her first start until late in her three-year-old year, winning a maiden race in November, 2007; this was followed by a win in an allowance race in December. From 2008 through 2010, she recorded seventeen consecutive graded stakes wins, 13 of them at the Grade I level. In 2009, she became the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. Her other major wins included the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic in 2008, the Apple Blossom Handicap in 2008 and 2010, consecutive wins in the Vanity Stakes, the Clement L. Hirsch, and the Lady's Secret, all in 2008–2010. The Lady's Secret was subsequently renamed the Zenyatta Stakes in her honor.
Zenyatta developed a passionate following, attracted by a combination of her athletic prowess and her personality. She was known for the "dance moves" she made while in the walking ring and post parade prior to her races, and her taste for Guinness Stout contributed to her popularity. She was also known for her closing finishes, often spotting large leads to early front runners, then overtaking her opponents in the final strides.

## Background
Zenyatta is a dark bay mare who was bred in Kentucky by Eric Kronfeld's Maverick Production, Limited. She was sired by Street Cry, who was the 2002 UAE Horse of the Year after winning that year's Dubai World Cup. In addition to Zenyatta, Street Cry also sired 2007 Kentucky Derby-winner Street Sense, Australian Horse of the Year Winx, Australian champion Whobegotyou, and 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking. Zenyatta is out of Vertigineux, and thus is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Balance. Vertigineux, a winning daughter of Kris S., was named the 2008 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
Zenyatta was sold as a yearling at the 2005 Keeneland September Sale for $60,000 to Jerry and Ann Moss. The relatively low price was the result of a skin disease that broke out a few days before the sale. She was named after the album Zenyatta Mondatta, by The Police, who were signed to A&M Records by Jerry Moss. She was trained by John Shirreffs and guided by jockey Mike Smith for 17 of 20 starts. David Flores rode Zenyatta in her first three starts.
At maturity, Zenyatta's height was reported by various sources at between 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm) and 17.2 hands (70 inches, 178 cm) at the withers. Her stride was estimated at 26 feet (7.9 m). Her conformation is generally good with a "tremendous" shoulder and hip, but "less than ideal" ankles. During her racing career, she reportedly weighed 1,225 lb (556 kg). Shirreffs was patient while she grew into her large frame. Soon after Zenyatta arrived at his stable, he commented to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, his wife and stable manager, "If I can get her right, she'll be my Michael Jordan."
On the backside, Zenyatta was known as a kind and curious horse with a "Zen-like calm". Before races, she relaxed herself by walking or prancing with an elevated stride, leading to comparisons with dressage horses. "She stretches so much doing all that dancing that she's actually ready to go", said Smith. "You don't have to do a lot with her. She knows that people around her are watching. She knows that she not only has to go out there and compete, but she has the whole package. She's a great entertainer."

## Racing career

### 2007: three-year-old season
On November 22, 2007, Zenyatta made her debut in a Maiden Special Weight at a distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs over Hollywood Park's artificial track surface. She broke last in a field of twelve and was still in tenth place after half a mile. She swung wide turning into the stretch and drew clear to win by three lengths.
On December 15, Zenyatta made her next start in an allowance race at Hollywood Park over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles. She trailed the field for the first half mile then began to move into position while swinging wide on the final turn. In the stretch, she drew along the early leader and continued to draw off to win handily by 3+1⁄2 lengths.

### 2008: four-year-old season
On January 13, 2008, Zenyatta made her four-year-old debut in the Grade II El Encino Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The field contained Grade I winners Tough Tiz's Sis and Romance is Diane, who both carried 122 pounds. Since Zenyatta had not yet won at the stakes level, she received a six-pound allowance. She broke last in the field of six but was only four lengths behind Tough Tiz's Sis, who set a moderate pace of 47.77 seconds for the first half mile. Zenyatta swung wide turning into the stretch and steadily made up ground, drawing clear in the final strides to win by 1+3⁄4 lengths over Tough Tiz's Sis. "She could be anything, I mean really anything", said Jerry Moss. "We're just so proud of her and enjoying every day with her."
Zenyatta traveled to Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on April 5 for her first start on dirt and her first Grade 1 attempt. It was also the first time she was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who rode her thereafter for the remainder of her career. She faced champion Ginger Punch, who had won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic and was heavily favored at odds of 2–5. Ginger Punch went to the early lead and set a moderate pace with Zenyatta 9+1⁄2 lengths back after half a mile. Zenyatta began her move midway on the final turn while swinging four wide. She reached the lead in mid stretch and won going away by 4+1⁄2 lengths over Brownie Points, with Ginger Punch a further 3+1⁄2 lengths back in third.
Zenyatta returned to California for her next start at Hollywood Park on May 31 in the Milady Handicap. She broke poorly and was squeezed back but remained fairly closely bunched with the other four horses as Romance is Diane set "turtle-like fractions" of 24.74 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 48.19 for the half. Despite the slow pace, Zenyatta was able to close strongly down the stretch and drew clear by 2+1⁄2 lengths under a hand ride. "She always makes everyone look like they stopped", said Ann Moss. "It's like she's out for a gallop and everyone else is stopping."
On July 5, she was entered in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. She was assigned top weight of 124 pounds, while her main rivals Tough Tiz's Sis and Sealy Hill carried 121 and 118 pounds respectively. Zenyatta made an earlier move than usual and took the lead in mid-stretch, then held off Tough Tiz's Sis to win by half a length. Smith felt Zenyatta had not been at her best. "She was not tested at all, but I was tested", he said. "She was just pulling [herself] up the whole time. Around the turn, she was pricking her ears. She was not even running. She was basically galloping through the stretch. She made me work hard, but she was just loafing."
On August 2, she was entered in the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar. She again carried top weight of 124 pounds, spotting her seven rivals from five to twelve pounds. She trailed early behind a fast early pace and was eleven lengths behind after half a mile. She began making up ground around the far turn and moved to the lead in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a length. She set a new track record of 1:41.48 for 1+1⁄16 miles.
On September 27, Zenyatta entered the Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Her main rival in the four-horse field was Grade I winner Hystericalady, who came into the race off an eight-length win in the Molly Pitcher. Hystericalady went to the early lead and set a slow early pace. Zenyatta relaxed in fourth place just a few lengths behind, then swung wide turning into the stretch. She gained the lead in midstretch and drew off under moderate urging to win by 3+1⁄2 lengths. She clocked negative splits throughout the race, running each quarter faster than the one before it. Her splits were :24 4/5, :23 4/5, :23 1/5, :22 3/5, with a final sixteenth in :06 flat. She finished the 1+1⁄16 miles in a stakes-record 1:40.30 and established herself as the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic in October.
On October 24, 2008, Zenyatta was sent off as the 1–2 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, held during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita. The field included four other horses who had won at the Grade I level in 2008: Ginger Punch, who had won the Ogden Phipps and Go For Wand Handicaps since losing to Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom, Carriage Trail (Spinster Stakes), Cocoa Beach (Beldame) and Music Note (Gazelle Stakes). Zenyatta dropped back at the start behind a moderate pace set by Bear Now. Still 7+1⁄2 lengths behind after three-quarters of a mile, she started to make up ground on the final turn. She circled the field at the top of the stretch and won by 1+1⁄2 lengths over Cocoa Beach. Her time of 1:46.85 for 1+1⁄8 miles was the second-fastest in the race's history.
"Today, she was just showing off", said Smith. "Used to be, she'd get nervous and sweaty when the people were hollering at her. Today, she just started dancing when they did that. She's just figured it out."
With a perfect record of seven wins in 2008, all at the Grade I or II level, Zenyatta was the easy winner of the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female Horse. She finished second in the voting for Horse of the Year to Curlin, who had won five of his seven starts. Her win in the Ladies Classic was named the NTRA Moment of the Year.

### 2009: five-year-old season
Zenyatta was given a layoff after the Breeders' Cup, then resumed training in February. She was expected to make her five-year-old debut on May 1, 2009 in the Louisville Distaff at Churchill Downs. However, she was scratched from the race after heavy rains made the track sloppy.
Instead, she made her first start of the year on May 23, 2009 in the Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park. She was assigned the top weight of 126 lbs, conceding four pounds to stablemate Life is Sweet, who was also a Grade I winner, and up to 14 pounds to the other horses in the field of six. Behind a moderate pace, Zenyatta dropped to the back of the pack, trailing by twelve lengths after half a mile. She started her move on the far turn and was forced to briefly check. Smith swung Zenyatta wide and she took the lead with a sixteenth of a mile remaining to win by 1+3⁄4 lengths over Life Is Sweet. Smith explained that he and Garrett Gomez, the jockey of Life is Sweet, "played some games" while battling for position on the turn. "It was all clean and fair. She's so handy that when I eased up on the pedal, she backed up for me, came around and it was over."
On June 27, Zenyatta faced five rivals in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. She carried 129 lbs, while Grade II winners Dawn After Dawn and Briecat carried 114 and 116 pounds respectively. Briecat went to the early lead and set moderate fractions. Zenyatta rated 6+1⁄2 lengths behind down the backstretch, then moved wide to take the lead in the stretch. She won by 2+1⁄2 lengths over Briecat in a time of 1:48.15 for 1+1⁄8 miles. "It was a short field and she had a lot of weight on her and I didn't want her to have so much to do, so I stayed a little closer than normal", said Smith. "But when I asked her, she lengthened her stride and it was pretty much over then."
On August 9, Zenyatta faced a field of six in the Clement L. Hirsch, now run as a stakes race under allowance weight conditions. She and Life is Sweet both carried 123 pounds, with the other fillies and mares carrying 119 pounds. Lethal Heat went to the early lead and set a very slow pace of :48.84 for the half mile and 1:13.64 for the three-quarters. Zenyatta was still last at that point with 6+1⁄2 lengths to make up on the relatively fresh front runners. With a furlong left to run, she still had 4+1⁄2 lengths to make up, but closed to win by a head over Anabaa's Creation.
Because of the slow early pace, she completed the 1+1⁄16 miles in 1:43.24, nearly two seconds slower than her time in the previous year's race. However, she had run the final quarter in an excellent 22.49 seconds, hitting a speed of roughly 40 miles per hour. Smith admitted that he had underestimated the rest of the field while focused on tracking Life is Sweet, who finished fourth. "But then I looked up and the competition had gotten away from both of us. I just kind of flagged (Zenyatta) with the stick and she started hitting that stride."
On October 10, Zenyatta again faced off with Life is Sweet, Lethal Heat and Cocoa Beach in the Lady's Secret Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. Behind another slow early place, she stayed closer to the early leaders this time. She took the lead in deep stretch and pulled clear to win by 1+1⁄4 lengths under a hand ride. This extended her winning streak to thirteen, tying her with Personal Ensign for the longest undefeated record at the elite level in North American racing history. Smith said she  had several gears to spare despite the ease of her victory. "She has an amazing turn of foot", said Smith, "one that I've never seen before. No disrespect to the other horses today, but she only ran about four jumps when we turned for home and then she shut it down."

#### Breeders' Cup Classic
On November 7, Zenyatta's connections opted to enter her against male horses in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park instead of trying to defend her title in the Ladies' Classic. Life is Sweet confirmed the quality of Zenyatta's west coast opposition by winning the latter race by 2+1⁄2 lengths. Meanwhile, Zenyatta faced a deep field of twelve in the Classic. The Polytrack racing surface was a factor in the betting on the race: some horses that ran well on natural dirt did not adapt well to synthetic surfaces, whereas some turf-based horses handled it very well. European-based horses had run one-two in the 2008 Classic and two Group One winners, Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over, were among the favorites in the 2009 version. The North America contenders included three-year-olds Mine That Bird (Kentucky Derby winner) and Summer Bird (Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner). Among the older horses in the race, Gio Ponti, (Arlington Million and Man o' War Stakes winner), was highly regarded, as were Einstein (Santa Anita Handicap winner), Colonel John (Grade I winner, second in the Awesome Again Stakes) and Richard's Kid (Pacific Classic Stakes winner).
Zenyatta caused a brief delay before allowing herself to be loaded in the starting gate. As she started to settle, Quality Road started to create problems of his own, bucking and rearing up in the outside stall before breaking through the barrier. Quality Road was scratched while all the other horses were unloaded and reloaded. When the race finally began, Zenyatta was flat footed and trailed the field by 15+1⁄4 lengths after the first quarter, run by pacesetter Regal Ransom in a leisurely 24.16 seconds. She was still 9 lengths behind after three-quarters of a mile, but began making up position while racing just off the rail around the final turn. Still in ninth and 6+3⁄4 lengths back with a quarter mile remaining,  Smith swung her to the outside for racing room. Zenyatta accelerated and began to rapidly gain ground, then pulled clear to win by a length over Gio Ponti.
Track announcer Trevor Denman had kept an eye on the mare throughout the race, noting she had a lot of work to do at the top of the stretch. As she moved to the lead, he exclaimed, "Zenyatta is flying on the grandstand side! This. Is. Un-be-lievable! What a performance, one we'll never forget!"
Zenyatta was given a hero's welcome on her return to the winner's circle, with many fans holding signs honoring "Queen Z." Ann Moss said, "Every moment with her is just a pleasure. And she's so feminine. She's just dancing and strutting and enjoying her beautiful, majestic self. And that's a gift." Zenyatta became the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, and also the first horse to win two different Breeders' Cup races. "She's a freak, what can I say?" said Gio Ponti's trainer, Christophe Clement. "My horse ran a great race, but he couldn't beat her." "I believe if there was another horse ahead of Gio Ponti", said Smith, "she would have caught him, too. She still had run left."
The win set up a spirited debate over who should be Horse of the Year: Zenyatta or the equally brilliant three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra. Both were undefeated that year. Zenyatta had won the Breeders' Cup Classic while beating the strongest field of older males that year. However, Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks, the filly equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, and then beat males in the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first filly to win that race since 1924. She also won the Haskell Invitational and the Woodward Stakes. As a result, Rachel Alexandra won the balloting by 130 votes to Zenyatta's 99.
On December 22, Zenyatta was runner-up to tennis player Serena Williams for 2009 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. The Oak Tree racing association announced that they would rename the Lady's Secret stake in her honor.
On December 26, opening day of the 75th year of the Santa Anita meet, Zenyatta jogged around the grandstand in what was then thought to be the final racetrack appearance of her career.

### 2010: six-year-old season
The Mosses initially had intended to retire Zenyatta after the Classic, but announced on January 16, 2010, that she would remain in training. On January 18, Zenyatta won her second Eclipse Award as American Champion Older Female Horse of the 2009 season.
Since the middle of 2009, attempts had been made to have Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta face each other directly on the racetrack. On February 5, Oaklawn Park announced that it would increase the purse of the Apple Blossom to $5 million if both horses entered the race. Oaklawn also changed the distance of the race to 1+1⁄8 miles and made it an invitational event for the 2010 running. Both sets of connections indicated their intention to attend if their horses were in top form.
On March 13, Zenyatta made her six-year-old debut in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita Park. She was assigned 127 lbs and spotted her seven rivals 11 to 16 pounds. She wove through traffic mid-stretch to get clear and won under a hand ride, eased before the wire. She completed the 1+1⁄8 miles in 1:48.20 and won by 1+1⁄4 lengths. On the same day though, Rachel Alexandra, who had not run since September 2009, was defeated in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course. It was later announced that she would not run in the Apple Blossom. The two horses would never meet.
With the purse reverting to $500,000, the Apple Blossom attracted a field of just five, with Zenyatta the overwhelming favorite at 1-20. She made her usual move on the final turn and coasted to a 4+1⁄2-length win. She completed the 1+1⁄8 miles in 1:50.71. Her record of sixteen consecutive wins matched Cigar, Mister Frisky and Citation for the longest winning streak for North American horses in races not restricted to state-breds.
On June 13, 2010, Zenyatta won her 17th straight race in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park by half a length under 129 pounds. Still in last place at the head of the stretch, she was at first unable to close ground on St. Trinians, to whom she conceded 9 pounds. Smith noted that although Zenyatta had "hit a real big gear" in the stretch, St. Trinians had responded in kind. "I said, Whoa, [St. Trinians] is serious. She's going to make me run. I was working at it until the last 100 yards and then I knew I'd outgrind her." With the win, Zenyatta surpassed the records of Citation and Cigar for consecutive victories in unrestricted races. She also tied the world record set by Rock of Gibraltar for consecutive Grade/Group I victories.
On August 7, Zenyatta was the 1-10 favorite in the Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar. The pace was very slow – :25.41 for the first quarter-mile and :50.61 for the half. Zenyatta started her move on the turn and hit the lead earlier than usual. Although she was never hard pressed, she won by only a neck. "She was literally playing", said Smith. "I hit the button a little too soon. When she gets in front, she thinks its over. She wants to salute the fans."
The win broke the world record set by Rock of Gibraltar for consecutive Grade/Group I victories. It also tied Eclipse for consecutive victories without a defeat. With the win, Zenyatta captured her 12th Grade I race and tied the All-time North American record (set by two-time champion Bayakoa) for Grade I victories by a filly/mare.
Shirreffs had considered sending Zenyatta to the east coast for her final prep for the Breeders' Cup. However, he ultimately decided to keep her at home and entered her in the Lady's Secret on October 2 instead (the name change for the race to the Zenyatta Stakes was deferred for a year). The race was held at Hollywood Park because of concerns over the Santa Anita racing surface. Zenyatta broke slowly and took her normal place at the back of the pack but was only 4+1⁄2 lengths behind after half a mile. She swung to the outside coming off the final turn and gradually took the lead and drew off to win by half a length.
Zenyatta broke the North American record for Grade I victories by a filly/mare with her 13th Grade I win. It was also her ninth consecutive Grade I victory (then a world record, since tied by Frankel, then broken by Winx). In addition, she broke the all-time North American female earnings record (formerly held by Ouija Board).
On November 6, Zenyatta attempted to become the first North American horse to retire undefeated with 20 wins and the second horse to repeat in the Breeders' Cup Classic after Tiznow. She faced one of the strongest fields in the history of the race, including Blame (Stephen Foster Handicap and Whitney Handicap); Lookin at Lucky (Preakness and Haskell Invitational); Quality Road (Metropolitan Handicap, Donn Handicap and Woodward Stakes); Paddy O'Prado (Secretariat Stakes); First Dude (runner-up in the Preakness); Espoir City(Japan Cup Dirt); and Haynesfield (Jockey Club Gold Cup). "I would imagine that when this race was designed, when they came up with the concept in 1982, this is what they had in mind", said trainer Todd Pletcher. "It brings the best horses in the world together, on a neutral playing field, on a traditional dirt surface. We'll see what happens."
Zenyatta had a sluggish start and seemed to struggle with the surface —looking "like a rocking horse", according to The New York Times. After half a mile, she trailed the early leaders by 15 lengths. Around the far turn, she started to make up ground. Blame had also started his move and reached the lead by mid-stretch. Zenyatta was moving fast but faced a wall of horses in front of her. Smith moved her out wide then made several more adjustments before the mare was able to find running room. In deep stretch, she started to close ground rapidly but came up a neck short. After the race, Smith was in tears, blaming himself for the defeat. "I got away slow and got squeezed out of there", he said. "I couldn't level her off. If you have to blame anyone today, it would be me."
"In defeat she didn't lose anything", said Al Stall Jr, the trainer of Blame. "I don't think you'll find anybody criticizing anything she's ever done, much less today. We were fortunate to have the right horse on the right day at the right time."
With her second-place earnings of $900,000, Zenyatta surpassed Tiznow, John Henry, and Alysheba in all-time North American earnings (male or female) with earnings in excess of $7,304,580. She also broke the all-time Breeders Cup earnings record (previously held by American Horse of the Year and two-time Breeders Cup Classic champion Tiznow). At the time, the top-five Breeders Cup earners were: Zenyatta: $4,680,000, Tiznow: $4,560,400, Goldikova (IRE): $3,508,200, Conduit (IRE): $3,240,000, and Curlin: $2,955,000.
With three Grade I wins in 2010 and the head-to-head victory over Zenyatta, Blame's connections believed he deserved to be named Horse of the Year. Ultimately however that honor went to Zenyatta, with five Grade I wins in 2010. She was also named Champion Older Female Horse while Blame was unanimously named the Champion Older Male Horse.
On December 18, 2010, Zenyatta was runner-up to skier Lindsey Vonn for 2010 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.
On January 20, 2011, Penny Chenery announced that Zenyatta was named the 2010 recipient of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award.
On March 23, 2011, Zenyatta became the first horse to win the William H. May Award. The award honors an individual or group that has provided "meritorious service" to the industry. Past recipients include racing industry greats such as John R. Gaines (Breeders' Cup founder), Joe Hirsch (founder of the National Turf Writers Association), Bob and Beverly Lewis, Stanley Bergstein, and Richard Duchossois.

### Competition
In her narrow defeat to Blame at Churchill Downs on a traditional dirt surface, she overcame many  doubts over competition as the 2010 Classic was considered one of the deepest fields in its history with seven Grade I winners. Zenyatta defeated two champions in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (Gio Ponti and Summer Bird), champion Ginger Punch in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, and Canadian champion Sealy Hill in the 2008 Vanity. Other Grade I/Group One winners that she defeated included: Colonel John; Richard's Kid; Einstein; Tough Tiz's Sis; Cocoa Beach; Music Note; Life Is Sweet; Switch; Rip Van Winkle; Twice Over; Awesome Gem; Girolamo; Mine That Bird; Hystericalady; Romance Is Diane; Double Trouble; Santa Teresita; and Carriage Trail.

## Breeding career
On November 17, 2010, Zenyatta was retired from racing to become a broodmare. She arrived at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky on December 6, 2010 and has been based there throughout her breeding career.
In 2011, she was bred to Bernardini. She was announced to be in foal after two coverings. The ensuing foal, born March 8, 2012, was a dark bay colt named Cozmic One. He made two starts in 2015 and performed poorly at the track. He was subsequently retired and in 2018 became an ambassador for the Retired Racehorse Project after training at De Sousa Stables as a show jumper.
In October 2, 2024, Cozmic One was retired permanently to Old Friends retirement facility for Thoroughbred race horses In Kentucky. (cite needed)
In 2012, Zenyatta was bred to Tapit. She delivered a chestnut colt named Ziconic on April 1, 2013, her 9th birthday. Ziconic began his racing career in 2016, and like his dam he demonstrated a come-from-behind running style. He was winless in twelve starts, although he finished second twice and third six times. On June 12, 2019, it was announced that Ziconic was retired from racing and would retrain as an eventer.
In 2013, Zenyatta was confirmed in foal to War Front. In 2014, she delivered a dark bay filly nicknamed Z Princess. However, the filly was euthanized as a weanling after an accident in the paddock.  Zenyatta received a year off from breeding, and in 2015 she was bred again to War Front. She gave birth to a colt that died two days later due to complications from meconium aspiration syndrome.
Zenyatta was bred to Medaglia d'Oro in 2016 and delivered a bay filly on May 9, 2017. The filly was named Zellda and was placed into training with John Shirreffs in 2019. She never raced.
Zenyatta was next bred to Into Mischief on June 3, 2017, and confirmed in foal in July. She lost the pregnancy in April 2018 following a placental abruption and was not bred again in 2018 to give her time to recover.
Zenyatta was bred in 2019 to Candy Ride and produced a chestnut filly on May 17, 2020. The filly was named Zilkha. Zenyatta was then rebred to Candy Ride, but it was announced later that she had lost that foal.
In June 2023, after Zenyatta delivered a War Front filly, Lane's End retired her as a broodmare.

## Racing statistics
| Date           | Age | Distance       | Race                                  | Grade | Track            | Surface     | Odds  | Field | Finish | Winning Time | Winning (Losing) Margin | Jockey       | Ref     |
| -------------- | --- | -------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----- | ---------------- | ----------- | ----- | ----- | ------ | ------------ | ----------------------- | ------------ | ------- |
| Nov 22, 2007   | 3   | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | Maiden Special Weight                 |       | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 5.50  | 12    | 1      | 1:15.22      | 3 lengths               | David Flores | [ 13 ]  |
| Dec 15, 2007   | 3   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Allowance                             |       | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 1.20* | 7     | 1      | 1:40.97      | 3+1⁄2 lengths           | David Flores | [ 14 ]  |
| Jan 13, 2008   | 4   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | El Encino Stakes                      | II    | Santa Anita Park | All weather | 1.20* | 6     | 1      | 1:40.61      | 1+3⁄4 lengths           | David Flores | [ 16 ]  |
| Apr 5, 2008    | 4   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Apple Blossom Handicap                | I     | Oaklawn Park     | Dirt        | 1.80  | 6     | 1      | 1:42.64      | 4+1⁄2 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 17 ]  |
| May 31, 2008   | 4   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Milady Handicap                       | II    | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 0.30* | 5     | 1      | 1:41.17      | 2+1⁄2 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 20 ]  |
| July 5, 2008   | 4   | 1+1⁄8 miles    | Vanity Handicap                       | I     | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 0.30* | 7     | 1      | 1:49.51      | 1⁄2 length              | Mike Smith   | [ 22 ]  |
| Aug 2, 2008    | 4   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Clement L. Hirsch Handicap            | II    | Del Mar          | All weather | 0.60* | 8     | 1      | 1:41.48      | 1 length                | Mike Smith   | [ 24 ]  |
| Sep 27, 2008   | 4   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Lady's Secret Stakes                  | I     | Santa Anita      | All weather | 0.70* | 4     | 1      | 1:40.30      | 3+1⁄2 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 28 ]  |
| Oct 24, 2008   | 4   | 1+1⁄8 miles    | Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic          | I     | Santa Anita      | All weather | 0.50* | 8     | 1      | 1:46.85      | 1+1⁄2 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 30 ]  |
| May 23, 2009   | 5   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Milady Handicap                       | II    | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 0.20* | 6     | 1      | 1:42.30      | 1+3⁄4 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 38 ]  |
| June 27, 2009  | 5   | 1+1⁄8 miles    | Vanity Handicap                       | I     | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 0.30* | 6     | 1      | 1:48.15      | 2+1⁄2 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 41 ]  |
| Aug 9, 2009    | 5   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Clement L. Hirsch Stakes              | I     | Del Mar          | All weather | 0.20* | 7     | 1      | 1:43.24      | Head                    | Mike Smith   | [ 42 ]  |
| Oct 10, 2009   | 5   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Lady's Secret Stakes                  | I     | Santa Anita      | All weather | 0.40* | 7     | 1      | 1:42.89      | 1+1⁄4 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 45 ]  |
| Nov 7, 2009    | 5   | 1+1⁄4 miles    | Breeders' Cup Classic                 | I     | Santa Anita      | All weather | 2.80* | 12    | 1      | 2:00.62      | 1 length                | Mike Smith   | [ 50 ]  |
| March 13, 2010 | 6   | 1+1⁄8 miles    | Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap | I     | Santa Anita Park | All weather | 0.30* | 8     | 1      | 1:48.20      | 1+1⁄4 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 61 ]  |
| April 9, 2010  | 6   | 1+1⁄8 miles    | Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes     | I     | Oaklawn Park     | Dirt        | 0.05* | 5     | 1      | 1:50.71      | 4+1⁄4 lengths           | Mike Smith   | [ 63 ]  |
| June 13, 2010  | 6   | 1+1⁄8 miles    | Vanity Handicap                       | I     | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 0.50* | 6     | 1      | 1:49.01      | 1⁄2 length              | Mike Smith   | [ 66 ]  |
| Aug 7, 2010    | 6   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Clement L. Hirsch Stakes              | I     | Del Mar          | All weather | 0.10* | 6     | 1      | 1:45.03      | Neck                    | Mike Smith   | [ 68 ]  |
| Oct 2, 2010    | 6   | 1+1⁄16 miles   | Lady's Secret Stakes                  | I     | Hollywood Park   | All weather | 0.10* | 5     | 1      | 1:42.97      | 1⁄2 length              | Mike Smith   | [ 104 ] |
| Nov 6, 2010    | 6   | 1+1⁄4 miles    | Breeders' Cup Classic                 | I     | Churchill Downs  | Dirt        | 1.00* | 12    | 2      | 2:02.28      | (Head)                  | Mike Smith   | [ 105 ] |

An asterisk after the odds means Zenyatta was the post-time favorite.
1. ↑  New track record
2. ↑  New stakes record
3. ↑  First filly or mare to win the Breeders Cup Classic. First horse to win two different Breeders Cup races
4. ↑  Tied the all-time North American record with 16 consecutive victories in unrestricted races (held by Citation and Cigar)
5. ↑  Broke the all-time North American record with 17 consecutive victories in unrestricted races. First mare to win this race 3 times
6. ↑  Broke the world record with 8 consecutive Grade/Group I wins. Tied Eclipse with 18 consecutive victories without defeat. First mare to win this race 3 times
7. ↑  Broke the all-time North American record for Grade I victories by a filly/mare. Tied the all-time North American record for consecutive victories without defeat. Broke the all-time North American female earnings record. First mare to win this race 3× (consecutive years)
8. ↑  Broke the all-time Breeders Cup earnings record (previously held by American Horse of the Year and 2-time Breeders Cup Classic champion Tiznow)

## Popularity
Zenyatta was selected three years in a row (2008–2010) for NTRA's Moment of the Year Award, for her 2008 Ladies' Classic victory, historic 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic victory, and narrow defeat in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.  She finished second in the voting for AP Female Athlete of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. She was featured in O and W Magazine and in a profile on 60 Minutes in 2010 prior to her historic attempt at 20 consecutive victories in the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic. In a public opinion poll by the Daily Racing Form, 87% of people voted for her to be the 2010 Eclipse Horse of the Year. Thousands appeared for her retirement ceremonies at Hollywood Park and Keeneland Race Track despite frigid 18-degree temperatures at Keeneland.

## Pedigree
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Machiavellian (USA) 1987 | Mr. Prospector | Raise a Native             |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Machiavellian (USA) 1987 | Mr. Prospector | Gold Digger                |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Machiavellian (USA) 1987 | Coup de Folie  | Halo                       |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Machiavellian (USA) 1987 | Coup de Folie  | Raise The Standard         |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Helen Street (GB) 1982   | Troy           | Petingo                    |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Helen Street (GB) 1982   | Troy           | La Milo                    |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Helen Street (GB) 1982   | Waterway       | Riverman                   |
| Sire Street Cry (IRE) 1998 | Helen Street (GB) 1982   | Waterway       | Boulevard                  |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | Kris S. (USA) 1977       | Roberto        | Hail To Reason             |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | Kris S. (USA) 1977       | Roberto        | Bramalea                   |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | Kris S. (USA) 1977       | Sharp Queen    | Princequillo               |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | Kris S. (USA) 1977       | Sharp Queen    | Bridgework                 |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | For The Flag (USA) 1978  | Forli          | Aristophanes               |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | For The Flag (USA) 1978  | Forli          | Trevisa                    |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | For The Flag (USA) 1978  | In The Offing  | Hoist The Flag             |
| Dam Vertigineux (USA) 1995 | For The Flag (USA) 1978  | In The Offing  | Mrs. Peterkin (family 4-r) |

title: Zenyatta

wikitext:
{{Short description|American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{other uses}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Zenyatta
| image = [[File:Zenyatta2009LadySecret.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Zenyatta winning the [[Lady's Secret Stakes]]
| sire = [[Street Cry]]
| grandsire = Machiavellian
| dam = [[Vertigineux]]
| damsire = [[Kris S.]]
| sex = [[Mare]]
| foaled = {{birth date and age|2004|04|01}}
[[Lexington, Kentucky]], U.S.
| country =  United States
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Dark Bay/Brown]]
| breeder = Maverick Productions, Limited
| owner = [[Jerry Moss|Jerry & Ann Moss]]
| trainer = [[John Shirreffs]]
| jockey    = [[Mike E. Smith|Mike Smith]]
| record = 20: 19–1–0
| earnings = $7,304,580<ref name="EquibaseProfile">{{cite web |title=Horse profile for Zenyatta |url=https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=7156465&registry=T&rbt=TB |website=equibase.com |access-date=2 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
| race = [[El Encino Stakes]] (2008)
[[Apple Blossom Handicap]] (2008, 2010)
[[Milady Handicap]] (2008, 2009)
[[Vanity Handicap]] (2008, 2009, 2010)
[[Clement L. Hirsch Handicap|Clement L. Hirsch]] (2008, 2009, 2010)
[[Zenyatta Stakes|Lady's Secret Stakes]] (2008, 2009, 2010)
[[Santa Margarita Handicap]] (2010)

'''[[Breeders' Cup]] wins:'''
[[Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic]] (2008)
[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2009)
|awards = [[American Champion Older Female Horse]]
(2008, 2009, 2010)
[[American Horse of the Year]]
(2010)
[[Secretariat Vox Populi Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.secretariat.com/fan-club/vox-populi-award/|title="Vox Populi" Award | Secretariat.com|website=secretariat.com}}</ref>
(2010)
|honours = [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] inductee (2016)
[[Zenyatta Stakes]] (2010)

[[National Thoroughbred Racing Association Moment of the Year|NTRA "Moment of the Year"]] (2008, 2009)
Lifesize statue at [[Santa Anita Park]] (2012)
|updated=
}}
'''Zenyatta''' (foaled April 1, 2004) is a champion American [[Thoroughbred]] [[racehorse]] who won the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] and [[Breeders' Cup Distaff]] and 19 of her 20 starts. She was the 2010 [[American Horse of the Year]], and [[American Champion Older Female Horse|Champion Older Female]] in 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was inducted into the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] in 2016.

Zenyatta was purchased as a [[yearling (horse)|yearling]] by record producer [[Jerry Moss]] and his wife Ann, who named her after the album ''[[Zenyatta Mondatta]]'', by [[the Police]], who were signed to [[A&M Records]] by Moss. She went into training with [[John Shirreffs]].  A late-developing [[filly]], she did not make her first start until late in her three-year-old year, winning a [[maiden race]] in November, 2007; this was followed by a win in an [[allowance race]] in December. From 2008 through 2010, she recorded seventeen consecutive [[Graded stakes race|graded stakes]] wins, 13 of them at the [[Grade I horserace|Grade I]] level. In 2009, she became the first mare to win the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]]. Her other major wins included the [[Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic]] in 2008, the [[Apple Blossom Handicap]] in 2008 and 2010, consecutive wins in the [[Vanity Stakes]], the [[Clement L. Hirsch Stakes|Clement L. Hirsch]], and the [[Lady's Secret Stakes|Lady's Secret]], all in 2008–2010. The Lady's Secret was subsequently renamed the Zenyatta Stakes in her honor.

Zenyatta developed a passionate following, attracted by a combination of her athletic prowess and her personality. She was known for the "dance moves" she made while in the [[paddock|walking ring]] and post parade prior to her races,<ref name="DrapeRockette">{{cite web |last1=Drape |first1=Joe |title=Part Rockette, Zenyatta Steals the Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/sports/09zenyatta.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=8 April 2010}}</ref> and her taste for [[Guinness Stout]] contributed to her popularity.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite web |last1=Muldoon |first1=Molly |title=Horse legend Zenyatta drinks Guinness|url=https://www.irishcentral.com/sports/horse-legend-zenyatta-drinks-guinness-see-video-106675698-237725841 |website=IrishCentral.com |access-date=23 August 2020 |language=en |date=4 November 2010}}</ref> She was also known for her closing finishes, often spotting large leads to early front runners, then overtaking her opponents in the final strides.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Early Lead – Zenyatta: a star prepares to give her final performance in Breeders' Cup Classic |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2010/11/zenyatta_a_star_prepares_to_gi.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2 August 2020}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.americasbestracing.net/en/the-latest/news-stories/2013/9/24/the-magnificence-of-zenyatta/|title=The Magnificence of Zenyatta|date=September 24, 2013|first=Tom|last=Pedulla|publisher=America's Best Racing|archive-date=February 24, 2016|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224014504/http://www.americasbestracing.net/en/the-latest/news-stories/2013/9/24/the-magnificence-of-zenyatta/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Background==
Zenyatta is a dark [[Bay (horse)|bay]] mare who was bred in Kentucky by Eric Kronfeld's Maverick Production, Limited.<ref name=EquibaseProfile /><ref name=ACP /> She was sired by [[Street Cry]], who was the 2002 [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] Horse of the Year after winning that year's [[Dubai World Cup]]. In addition to Zenyatta, Street Cry also sired 2007 [[Kentucky Derby]]-winner [[Street Sense (horse)|Street Sense]], [[Australian Horse of the Year]] [[Winx (horse)|Winx]], Australian champion [[Whobegotyou]], and 2009 Melbourne Cup winner [[Shocking (horse)|Shocking]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Avalyn |title=Street Cry (horse) |url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/street-cry-ire.html |website=American Classic Pedigrees |access-date=2 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Zenyatta is out of [[Vertigineux]], and thus is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Balance. Vertigineux, a winning daughter of [[Kris S.]], was named the 2008 [[Kentucky Broodmare of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Coolmore: Zenyatta's Dam Vertigineux Has Died |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/107021/coolmore-zenyattas-dam-vertigineux-has-died |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=2 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Zenyatta was sold as a yearling at the 2005 [[Keeneland Sales|Keeneland September Sale]] for $60,000 to [[Jerry Moss|Jerry and Ann Moss]]. The relatively low price was the result of a skin disease that broke out a few days before the sale.<ref name=ACP /> She was named after the album ''[[Zenyatta Mondatta]]'', by [[The Police]], who were signed to [[A&M Records]] by Jerry Moss.<ref>[http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/06/1911535/the-powerful-zenyatta-is-our-leading.html Miamiherald.com] March 10, 2011</ref> She was trained by [[John Shirreffs]] and guided by jockey [[Mike E. Smith|Mike Smith]] for 17 of 20 starts. [[David R. Flores|David Flores]] rode Zenyatta in her first three starts.

At maturity, Zenyatta's height was reported by various sources at between {{hands|17}} and {{hands|17.2|lk=off}} at the [[withers]]. Her stride was estimated at {{convert|26|ft|m}}. Her [[Horse conformation|conformation]] is generally good with a "tremendous" shoulder and hip, but "less than ideal" ankles.<ref name="ACP">{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Avalyn |title=Zenyatta (horse) |url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/zenyatta.html |website=American Classic Pedigrees |access-date=2 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> During her racing career, she reportedly weighed {{convert|1225|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="DrapeMusic">{{cite web |last1=Drape |first1=Joe |title=Filly's Record Is Music to Her Entourage's Ears |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/sports/othersports/24racing.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=3 August 2020 |date=23 October 2008}}</ref> Shirreffs was patient while she grew into her large frame. Soon after Zenyatta arrived at his stable, he commented to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, his wife and stable manager, "If I can get her right, she'll be my [[Michael Jordan]]."<ref name="ZOne">{{cite web |last1=Haskin |first1=Steve |title=Haskin's BC Wrapup: Z One and Only |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/145936/haskins-bc-wrapup-z-one-and-only |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On the backside, Zenyatta was known as a kind and curious horse with a "Zen-like calm". Before races, she relaxed herself by walking or prancing with an elevated stride, leading to comparisons with [[dressage]] horses. "She stretches so much doing all that dancing that she's actually ready to go", said Smith. "You don't have to do a lot with her. She knows that people around her are watching. She knows that she not only has to go out there and compete, but she has the whole package. She's a great entertainer."<ref name="DrapeRockette" />

==Racing career==

===2007: three-year-old season===
On November 22, 2007, Zenyatta made her debut in a [[Maiden race|Maiden Special Weight]] at a distance of {{frac|6|1|2}} furlongs over [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]]'s artificial track surface. She broke last in a field of twelve and was still in tenth place after half a mile. She swung wide turning into the stretch and drew clear to win by three lengths.<ref name="Maiden">{{cite web |title=Chart for November 22, 2007 at Hollywood Park |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=11/22/2007&cy=USA&rn=6 |website=equibase.com |access-date=3 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On December 15, Zenyatta made her next start in an allowance race at Hollywood Park over a distance of {{frac|1|1|16}} miles. She trailed the field for the first half mile then began to move into position while swinging wide on the final turn. In the stretch, she drew along the early leader and continued to draw off to win handily by {{frac|3|1|2}} lengths.<ref name=Allowance />

===2008: four-year-old season===
On January 13, 2008, Zenyatta made her four-year-old debut in the Grade II [[El Encino Stakes]] at [[Santa Anita Park]]. The field contained Grade I winners Tough Tiz's Sis and Romance is Diane, who both carried 122 pounds. Since Zenyatta had not yet won at the stakes level, she received a six-pound allowance. She broke last in the field of six but was only four lengths behind Tough Tiz's Sis, who set a moderate pace of 47.77 seconds for the first half mile. Zenyatta swung wide turning into the stretch and steadily made up ground, drawing clear in the final strides to win by {{frac|1|3|4}} lengths over Tough Tiz's Sis. "She could be anything, I mean really anything", said Jerry Moss. "We're just so proud of her and enjoying every day with her."<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Stings El Encino Rivals |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/156116/zenyatta-stings-el-encino-rivals |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=4 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ElEncino">{{cite web |title=Chart of the El Encino |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SA&raceDate=01/13/2008&cy=USA&rn=9 |website=equibase.com |access-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

Zenyatta traveled to [[Oaklawn Park]] in Arkansas on April 5 for her first start on dirt and her first Grade 1 attempt. It was also the first time she was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey [[Mike E. Smith|Mike Smith]], who rode her thereafter for the remainder of her career. She faced champion [[Ginger Punch]], who had won the [[2007 Breeders' Cup]] Ladies Classic and was heavily favored at odds of 2–5. Ginger Punch went to the early lead and set a moderate pace with Zenyatta {{frac|9|1|2}} lengths back after half a mile. Zenyatta began her move midway on the final turn while swinging four wide. She reached the lead in mid stretch and won going away by {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths over Brownie Points, with Ginger Punch a further {{frac|3|1|2}} lengths back in third.<ref name="2008AppleBlossom">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2008 Apple Blossom |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OP&raceDate=04/05/2008&cy=USA&rn=8 |website=equibase.com |access-date=4 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Blows Away Apple Blossom Foes |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/154818/zenyatta-blows-away-apple-blossom-foes |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=4 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Zenyatta returned to California for her next start at Hollywood Park on May 31 in the [[Milady Handicap]]. She broke poorly and was squeezed back but remained fairly closely bunched with the other four horses as Romance is Diane set "turtle-like fractions" of 24.74 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 48.19 for the half. Despite the slow pace, Zenyatta was able to close strongly down the stretch and drew clear by {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths under a hand ride. "She always makes everyone look like they stopped", said Ann Moss. "It's like she's out for a gallop and everyone else is stopping."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Art |title=Zenyatta gets it in gear at Milady Handicap |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2008/06/01/zenyatta-gets-it-in-gear-at-milady-handicap/ |website=Daily News |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=1 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="2008Milady">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2008 Milady Stakes |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=05/31/2008&cy=USA&rn=5 |website=equibase.com |access-date=4 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Zenyatta at the 2008 Breeders' Cup.jpg|thumb|Zenyatta in the walking ring at the 2008 Breeders' Cup, doing her "dance" with a front leg]]

On July 5, she was entered in the [[Vanity Handicap]] at Hollywood Park. She was assigned top weight of 124 pounds, while her main rivals Tough Tiz's Sis and [[Sealy Hill]] carried 121 and 118 pounds respectively. Zenyatta made an earlier move than usual and took the lead in mid-stretch, then held off Tough Tiz's Sis to win by half a length. Smith felt Zenyatta had not been at her best. "She was not tested at all, but I was tested", he said. "She was just pulling [herself] up the whole time. Around the turn, she was pricking her ears. She was not even running. She was basically galloping through the stretch. She made me work hard, but she was just loafing."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mieszerski |first1=Bob |title=Zenyatta coasts in Vanity Handicap |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-06-sp-horsesider6-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=6 July 2008}}</ref><ref name="2008Vanity">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2008 Vanity |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=07/05/2008&cy=USA&rn=5 |website=equibase.com |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>

On August 2, she was entered in the [[Clement L. Hirsch Handicap]] at [[Del Mar Racetrack|Del Mar]]. She again carried top weight of 124 pounds, spotting her seven rivals from five to twelve pounds. She trailed early behind a fast early pace and was eleven lengths behind after half a mile. She began making up ground around the far turn and moved to the lead in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a length. She set a new track record of 1:41.48 for {{frac|1|1|16}} miles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta remains unbeaten with victory at Del Mar |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2008/08/02/zenyatta-remains-unbeaten-with-victory-at-del-mar/ |website=Orange County Register |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=2 August 2008}}</ref><ref name=2008Hirsch />

On September 27, Zenyatta entered the [[Zenyatta Stakes|Lady's Secret Stakes]] at Santa Anita Park. Her main rival in the four-horse field was Grade I winner [[Hystericalady]], who came into the race off an eight-length win in the [[Molly Pitcher Stakes|Molly Pitcher]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Looks to Stay Perfect |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/152054/zenyatta-looks-to-stay-perfect |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Hystericalady went to the early lead and set a slow early pace. Zenyatta relaxed in fourth place just a few lengths behind, then swung wide turning into the stretch. She gained the lead in midstretch and drew off under moderate urging to win by {{frac|3|1|2}} lengths. She clocked negative splits throughout the race, running each quarter faster than the one before it. Her splits were :24 4/5, :23 4/5, :23 1/5, :22 3/5, with a final sixteenth in :06 flat. She finished the {{frac|1|1|16}} miles in a stakes-record 1:40.30 and established herself as the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic in October.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shinar |first1=Jack |title=Lady's Secret: Zenyatta Zeroes In |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/151991/ladys-secret-zenyatta-zeroes-in |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Daughters">{{cite web |last1=Sidor |first1=Todd |title=Street Cry's amazing daughters: celebrating the greatness of Zenyatta and Winx |url=https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/street-crys-amazing-daughters-celebrating-greatness-zenyatta-and-winx/ |website=Thoroughbred Racing Commentary |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="2008LS">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2008 Lady's Secret |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OSA&raceDate=09/27/2008&cy=USA&rn=5 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>

On October 24, 2008, Zenyatta was sent off as the 1–2 favorite for the [[Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic]], held during the [[Oak Tree Racing Association|Oak Tree meeting]] at Santa Anita. The field included four other horses who had won at the Grade I level in 2008: Ginger Punch, who had won the Ogden Phipps and Go For Wand Handicaps since losing to Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom, Carriage Trail (Spinster Stakes), [[Cocoa Beach (horse)|Cocoa Beach]] (Beldame) and Music Note (Gazelle Stakes).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ladies' Classic: Tall Order |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/151724/ladies-classic-tall-order |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Zenyatta dropped back at the start behind a moderate pace set by Bear Now. Still {{frac|7|1|2}} lengths behind after three-quarters of a mile, she started to make up ground on the final turn. She circled the field at the top of the stretch and won by {{frac|1|1|2}} lengths over Cocoa Beach.<ref name="2008BCLC">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OSA&raceDate=10/24/2008&cy=USA&rn=7 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=TooEasy /> Her time of 1:46.85 for {{frac|1|1|8}} miles was the second-fastest in the race's history.

"Today, she was just showing off", said Smith. "Used to be, she'd get nervous and sweaty when the people were hollering at her. Today, she just started dancing when they did that. She's just figured it out."<ref name=TooEasy>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Makes It Look Too Easy |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/151538/zenyatta-makes-it-look-too-easy |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

With a perfect record of seven wins in 2008, all at the Grade I or II level, Zenyatta was the easy winner of the [[Eclipse Award]] for [[American Champion Older Female Horse|Champion Older Female Horse]]. She finished second in the voting for Horse of the Year to [[Curlin]], who had won five of his seven starts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Bill |title=Curlin Repeats as Horse of the Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/sports/othersports/27racing.html#:~:text=Curlin%20won%20the%20three%2Dhorse,for%20the%20second%20straight%20year. |website=The New York Times |access-date=8 August 2020 |date=26 January 2009}}</ref> Her win in the Ladies Classic was named the [[NTRA Moment of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta BC Win Voted Moment of the Year |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/150471/zenyatta-bc-win-voted-moment-of-the-year |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===2009: five-year-old season===
Zenyatta was given a layoff after the Breeders' Cup, then resumed training in February.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta to Return to Work |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/150030/zenyatta-to-return-to-work |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> She was expected to make her five-year-old debut on May 1, 2009 in the [[Louisville Distaff Stakes|Louisville Distaff]] at [[Churchill Downs]]. However, she was scratched from the race after heavy rains made the track sloppy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Scratched From Louisville Distaff |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/148756/zenyatta-scratched-from-louisville-distaff |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>

Instead, she made her first start of the year on May 23, 2009 in the Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park. She was assigned the top weight of 126 lbs, conceding four pounds to stablemate [[Life Is Sweet (horse)|Life is Sweet]], who was also a Grade I winner, and up to 14 pounds to the other horses in the field of six.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Makes Belated Seasonal Bow in Milady |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/148438/zenyatta-makes-belated-seasonal-bow-in-milady |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Behind a moderate pace, Zenyatta dropped to the back of the pack, trailing by twelve lengths after half a mile. She started her move on the far turn and was forced to briefly check. Smith swung Zenyatta wide and she took the lead with a sixteenth of a mile remaining to win by {{frac|1|3|4}} lengths over Life Is Sweet. Smith explained that he and [[Garrett Gomez]], the jockey of Life is Sweet, "played some games" while battling for position on the turn. "It was all clean and fair. She's so handy that when I eased up on the pedal, she backed up for me, came around and it was over."<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta is a Perfect 10 After Milady Score |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/148390/zenyatta-is-a-perfect-10-after-milady-score |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=2009Milady />

On June 27, Zenyatta faced five rivals in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. She carried 129 lbs, while Grade II winners Dawn After Dawn and Briecat carried 114 and 116 pounds respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Aims for 11th Straight in Vanity |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/147937/zenyatta-aims-for-11th-straight-in-vanity |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Briecat went to the early lead and set moderate fractions. Zenyatta rated {{frac|6|1|2}} lengths behind down the backstretch, then moved wide to take the lead in the stretch. She won by {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths over Briecat in a time of 1:48.15 for {{frac|1|1|8}} miles. "It was a short field and she had a lot of weight on her and I didn't want her to have so much to do, so I stayed a little closer than normal", said Smith. "But when I asked her, she lengthened her stride and it was pretty much over then."<ref>{{cite web |title=Undefeated Zenyatta masters another Vanity |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/147893/undefeated-zenyatta-masters-another-vanity |website=bloodhorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=2009Vanity />

On August 9, Zenyatta faced a field of six in the Clement L. Hirsch, now run as a stakes race under allowance weight conditions. She and Life is Sweet both carried 123 pounds, with the other fillies and mares carrying 119 pounds. Lethal Heat went to the early lead and set a very slow pace of :48.84 for the half mile and 1:13.64 for the three-quarters. Zenyatta was still last at that point with {{frac|6|1|2}} lengths to make up on the relatively fresh front runners. With a furlong left to run, she still had {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths to make up, but closed to win by a head over Anabaa's Creation.<ref name=2009Hirsch />

Because of the slow early pace, she completed the {{frac|1|1|16}} miles in 1:43.24, nearly two seconds slower than her time in the previous year's race. However, she had run the final quarter in an excellent 22.49 seconds, hitting a speed of roughly 40 miles per hour. Smith admitted that he had underestimated the rest of the field while focused on tracking Life is Sweet, who finished fourth. "But then I looked up and the competition had gotten away from both of us. I just kind of flagged (Zenyatta) with the stick and she started hitting that stride."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wesch |first1=Hank |title=It's 12-0 for Zenyatta |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-1s10delmar00549-its-12-0-zenyatta-2009aug10-story.html |website=The San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=8 August 2020 |date=10 August 2009}}</ref>

On October 10, Zenyatta again faced off with Life is Sweet, Lethal Heat and Cocoa Beach in the Lady's Secret Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. Behind another slow early place, she stayed closer to the early leaders this time. She took the lead in deep stretch and pulled clear to win by {{frac|1|1|4}} lengths under a hand ride. This extended her winning streak to thirteen, tying her with [[Personal Ensign]] for the longest undefeated record at the elite level in North American racing history. Smith said she  had several gears to spare despite the ease of her victory. "She has an amazing turn of foot", said Smith, "one that I've never seen before. No disrespect to the other horses today, but she only ran about four jumps when we turned for home and then she shut it down."<ref>{{cite web |title=Perfect Zenyatta Repeats in 'Secret; BC Next |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/146386/perfect-zenyatta-repeats-in-secret-bc-next |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 }}</ref><ref name=2009LS />

====Breeders' Cup Classic====
{{see also|2009 Breeders' Cup Classic}}
On November 7, Zenyatta's connections opted to enter her against male horses in the [[2009 Breeders' Cup Classic]] at Santa Anita Park instead of trying to defend her title in the Ladies' Classic. Life is Sweet confirmed the quality of Zenyatta's west coast opposition by winning the latter race by {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drape |first1=Joe |title=A Sign, Perhaps, in a Filly's Victory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/07/sports/07breeders.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=8 August 2020 |date=6 November 2009}}</ref> Meanwhile, Zenyatta faced a deep field of twelve in the Classic. The Polytrack racing surface was a factor in the betting on the race: some horses that ran well on natural dirt did not adapt well to synthetic surfaces, whereas some turf-based horses handled it very well. European-based horses had run one-two in the 2008 Classic and two Group One winners, [[Rip Van Winkle (horse)|Rip Van Winkle]] and [[Twice Over]], were among the favorites in the 2009 version. The North America contenders included three-year-olds [[Mine That Bird]] ([[Kentucky Derby]] winner) and [[Summer Bird]] ([[Belmont Stakes]], [[Travers Stakes]], and [[Jockey Club Gold Cup]] winner). Among the older horses in the race, [[Gio Ponti (horse)|Gio Ponti]], ([[Arlington Million]] and [[Man o' War Stakes]] winner), was highly regarded, as were [[Einstein (horse)|Einstein]] ([[Santa Anita Handicap]] winner), [[Colonel John]] (Grade I winner, second in the [[Awesome Again Stakes]]) and Richard's Kid ([[Pacific Classic Stakes]] winner).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haskin |first1=Steve |title=Classic Offers Tough Handicapping Challenge |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/146102/classic-offers-tough-handicapping-challenge |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breeders' a winner |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2009/11/02/breeders-a-winner/ |website=Boston Herald |access-date=8 August 2020 |date=2 November 2009}}</ref>

Zenyatta caused a brief delay before allowing herself to be loaded in the starting gate. As she started to settle, [[Quality Road]] started to create problems of his own, bucking and rearing up in the outside stall before breaking through the barrier. Quality Road was scratched while all the other horses were unloaded and reloaded. When the race finally began, Zenyatta was flat footed and trailed the field by {{frac|15|1|4}} lengths after the first quarter, run by pacesetter Regal Ransom in a leisurely 24.16 seconds. She was still 9 lengths behind after three-quarters of a mile, but began making up position while racing just off the rail around the final turn. Still in ninth and {{frac|6|3|4}} lengths back with a quarter mile remaining,  Smith swung her to the outside for racing room. Zenyatta accelerated and began to rapidly gain ground, then pulled clear to win by a length over Gio Ponti.<ref name=DrapeClassicEnding>{{cite web |last1=Drape |first1=Joe |title=A Classic Ending to Zenyatta's Perfect Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/sports/08racing.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=8 August 2020 |date=7 November 2009}}</ref><ref name=2009BCC />

Track announcer Trevor Denman had kept an eye on the mare throughout the race, noting she had a lot of work to do at the top of the stretch. As she moved to the lead, he exclaimed, "Zenyatta is ''flying'' on the grandstand side! This. Is. Un-be-lievable! What a performance, one we'll never forget!"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cherwa |first1=John |title=Zenyatta's 'un-be-lievable' Breeders' Cup win still elicits excitement 10 years later |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-10-29/zenyatta-breeders-cup-win-10-year-anniversary-santa-anita |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=16 August 2020 |date=30 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trevor Denman on the magic of Zenyatta, race-calling and how America has lost touch on horse care |url=https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/trevor-denman-magic-zenyatta-race-calling-and-how-america-has-lost-touch-horse-care/ |website=Thoroughbred Racing Commentary |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta changes the game |url=https://www.progress-index.com/article/20091112/NEWS/311129884 |website=The Progress-Index |access-date=8 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Zenyatta was given a hero's welcome on her return to the winner's circle, with many fans holding signs honoring "Queen Z." Ann Moss said, "Every moment with her is just a pleasure. And she's so feminine. She's just dancing and strutting and enjoying her beautiful, majestic self. And that's a gift."<ref name=ZOne /> Zenyatta became the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, and also the first horse to win two different Breeders' Cup races. "She's a freak, what can I say?" said Gio Ponti's trainer, [[Christophe Clement]]. "My horse ran a great race, but he couldn't beat her."<ref name=DrapeClassicEnding /> "I believe if there was another horse ahead of Gio Ponti", said Smith, "she would have caught him, too. She still had run left."<ref name=DrapeClassicEnding />

The win set up a spirited debate over who should be Horse of the Year: Zenyatta or the equally brilliant three-year-old filly [[Rachel Alexandra]]. Both were undefeated that year. Zenyatta had won the Breeders' Cup Classic while beating the strongest field of older males that year. However, Rachel Alexandra won the [[Kentucky Oaks]], the filly equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, and then beat males in the [[Preakness Stakes]], becoming the first filly to win that race since 1924. She also won the [[Haskell Invitational]] and the [[Woodward Stakes]]. As a result, Rachel Alexandra won the balloting by 130 votes to Zenyatta's 99.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Bill |title=Rachel Alexandra Wins Horse of the Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/sports/19racing.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=8 August 2020 |date=18 January 2010}}</ref>

On December 22, Zenyatta was runner-up to tennis player [[Serena Williams]] for 2009 [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=4765837 |title=Tennis No. 1 Serena is top female athlete |publisher=ESPN  |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref> The Oak Tree racing association announced that they would rename the Lady's Secret stake in her honor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oak Tree Honors Zenyatta With Grade I Race |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/145729/oak-tree-honors-zenyatta-with-grade-i-race |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On December 26, opening day of the 75th year of the Santa Anita meet, Zenyatta jogged around the grandstand in what was then thought to be the final racetrack appearance of her career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta, John Henry Honored on Opening Day |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/144760/zenyatta-john-henry-honored-on-opening-day |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===2010: six-year-old season===
The Mosses initially had intended to retire Zenyatta after the Classic, but announced on January 16, 2010, that she would remain in training.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shinar |first=Jack |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54852/zenyatta-to-run-in-2010 |title=Zenyatta to Run in 2010 |publisher=BloodHorse.com |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref> On January 18, Zenyatta won her second Eclipse Award as American Champion Older Female Horse of the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shulman |first=Lenny |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54885/champion-older-female-zenyatta |title=Champion Older Female: Zenyatta |publisher=BloodHorse.com |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref>

Since the middle of 2009, attempts had been made to have Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta face each other directly on the racetrack. On February 5, Oaklawn Park announced that it would increase the purse of the Apple Blossom to $5 million if both horses entered the race. Oaklawn also changed the distance of the race to {{frac|1|1|8}} miles and made it an invitational event for the 2010 running. Both sets of connections indicated their intention to attend if their horses were in top form.<ref>{{cite web |title=$5 Million Lure to Get Rachel, Zenyatta |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/144113/5-million-lure-to-get-rachel-zenyatta |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On March 13, Zenyatta made her six-year-old debut in the [[Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap]] at Santa Anita Park. She was assigned 127 lbs and spotted her seven rivals 11 to 16 pounds. She wove through traffic mid-stretch to get clear and won under a hand ride, eased before the wire. She completed the {{frac|1|1|8}} miles in 1:48.20 and won by {{frac|1|1|4}} lengths.<ref name=SantaMargarita /> On the same day though, Rachel Alexandra, who had not run since September 2009, was defeated in the [[New Orleans Ladies Stakes]] at [[Fair Grounds Race Course]]. It was later announced that she would not run in the Apple Blossom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rachel Alexandra Out of Apple Blossom |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/143426/rachel-alexandra-out-of-apple-blossom |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=10 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The two horses would never meet.

With the purse reverting to $500,000, the Apple Blossom attracted a field of just five, with Zenyatta the overwhelming favorite at 1-20. She made her usual move on the final turn and coasted to a {{frac|4|1|2}}-length win. She completed the {{frac|1|1|8}} miles in 1:50.71. Her record of sixteen consecutive wins matched [[Cigar (horse)|Cigar]], [[Mister Frisky]] and [[Citation (horse)|Citation]] for the longest winning streak for North American horses in races not restricted to state-breds.<ref name=2010AppleBlossom /><ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Makes it 16-for-16 in Apple Blossom |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/142953/zenyatta-makes-it-16-for-16-in-apple-blossom |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=10 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On June 13, 2010, Zenyatta won her 17th straight race in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park by half a length under 129 pounds. Still in last place at the head of the stretch, she was at first unable to close ground on St. Trinians, to whom she conceded 9 pounds. Smith noted that although Zenyatta had "hit a real big gear" in the stretch, St. Trinians had responded in kind. "I said, Whoa, [St. Trinians] is serious. She's going to make me run. I was working at it until the last 100 yards and then I knew I'd outgrind her." With the win, Zenyatta surpassed the records of Citation and Cigar for consecutive victories in unrestricted races.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Witz |first1=Billy |title=Zenyatta Sets Record |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/sports/14racing.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=10 August 2020 |date=13 June 2010}}</ref><ref name=2010Vanity /> She also tied the world record set by [[Rock of Gibraltar (horse)|Rock of Gibraltar]] for consecutive Grade/Group I victories.

On August 7, Zenyatta was the 1-10 favorite in the Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar. The pace was very slow – :25.41 for the first quarter-mile and :50.61 for the half. Zenyatta started her move on the turn and hit the lead earlier than usual. Although she was never hard pressed, she won by only a neck. "She was literally playing", said Smith. "I hit the button a little too soon. When she gets in front, she thinks its over. She wants to salute the fans."<ref name="StreakAt18">{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Streak at 18 With Hirsch Three-Peat |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/141027/zenyatta-streak-at-18-with-hirsch-three-peat |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=16 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2010Hirsch" />

The win broke the world record set by [[Rock of Gibraltar (horse)|Rock of Gibraltar]] for consecutive Grade/Group I victories. It also tied [[Eclipse (horse)|Eclipse]] for consecutive victories without a defeat. With the win, Zenyatta captured her 12th Grade I race and tied the All-time North American record (set by two-time champion [[Bayakoa]]) for Grade I victories by a filly/mare.

Shirreffs had considered sending Zenyatta to the east coast for her final prep for the Breeders' Cup.<ref name=StreakAt18 /> However, he ultimately decided to keep her at home and entered her in the Lady's Secret on October 2 instead (the name change for the race to the Zenyatta Stakes was deferred for a year). The race was held at Hollywood Park because of concerns over the Santa Anita racing surface.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Stakes Changed Back to Lady's Secret |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/140621/zenyatta-stakes-changed-back-to-ladys-secret |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=16 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Zenyatta broke slowly and took her normal place at the back of the pack but was only {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths behind after half a mile. She swung to the outside coming off the final turn and gradually took the lead and drew off to win by half a length.<ref>{{cite web |title=19 Down, One Big One to Go for Zenyatta |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/140145/19-down-one-big-one-to-go-for-zenyatta |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=16 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Zenyatta broke the North American record for Grade I victories by a filly/mare with her 13th Grade I win. It was also her ninth consecutive Grade I victory (then a world record, since tied by Frankel, then broken by Winx). In addition, she broke the all-time North American female earnings record (formerly held by [[Ouija Board (horse)|Ouija Board]]).

On November 6, Zenyatta attempted to become the first North American horse to retire undefeated with 20 wins and the second horse to repeat in the [[2010 Breeders' Cup Classic|Breeders' Cup Classic]] after [[Tiznow]]. She faced one of the strongest fields in the history of the race, including [[Blame (horse)|Blame]] ([[Stephen Foster Handicap]] and [[Whitney Handicap]]); [[Lookin at Lucky]] ([[Preakness Stakes|Preakness]] and [[Haskell Invitational]]); [[Quality Road]] ([[Metropolitan Handicap]], [[Donn Handicap]] and [[Woodward Stakes]]); [[Paddy O'Prado]] (Secretariat Stakes); First Dude (runner-up in the Preakness); [[Espoir City]]([[Japan Cup Dirt]]); and Haynesfield ([[Jockey Club Gold Cup]]). "I would imagine that when this race was designed, when they came up with the concept in 1982, this is what they had in mind", said trainer [[Todd Pletcher]]. "It brings the best horses in the world together, on a neutral playing field, on a traditional dirt surface. We'll see what happens."<ref name=DRFHistory>{{cite web|last1=Privman|first1=Jay|title=History in the making in Breeders' Cup Classic |url=http://www.drf.com/news/history-making-breeders-cup-classic|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=28 April 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name="PedullaPreview">{{cite web|last1=Pedulla|first1=Tom|title=Unbeaten Zenyatta tops record 184 entries for Breeders' Cup – USATODAY.com|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/horses/breeders/2010-10-27-zenyatta-breeders-cup_N.htm|website=USA Today|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>

Zenyatta had a sluggish start and seemed to struggle with the surface —looking "like a rocking horse", according to ''[[The New York Times]]''. After half a mile, she trailed the early leaders by 15 lengths. Around the far turn, she started to make up ground. Blame had also started his move and reached the lead by mid-stretch. Zenyatta was moving fast but faced a wall of horses in front of her. Smith moved her out wide then made several more adjustments before the mare was able to find running room. In deep stretch, she started to close ground rapidly but came up a neck short. After the race, Smith was in tears, blaming himself for the defeat. "I got away slow and got squeezed out of there", he said. "I couldn't level her off. If you have to blame anyone today, it would be me."<ref name="Drape">{{cite web|last1=Drape|first1=Joe|title=Zenyatta Falls to Blame in Breeders' Cup Classic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/sports/07breeders.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=28 April 2017|date=6 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="Mitchell">{{cite web|last1=Mitchell|first1=Eric|title=Heartbreaking Thriller: Blame Beats Zenyatta|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/139536/heartbreaking-thriller-blame-beats-zenyatta|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=28 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

"In defeat she didn't lose anything", said Al Stall Jr, the trainer of Blame. "I don't think you'll find anybody criticizing anything she's ever done, much less today. We were fortunate to have the right horse on the right day at the right time."<ref>{{cite web |title=Heartbreaking Thriller: Blame Beats Zenyatta |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/139536/heartbreaking-thriller-blame-beats-zenyatta |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=16 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

With her second-place earnings of $900,000, Zenyatta surpassed Tiznow, [[John Henry (horse)|John Henry]], and [[Alysheba]] in all-time North American earnings (male or female) with earnings in excess of $7,304,580. She also broke the all-time [[Breeders' Cup|Breeders Cup]] earnings record (previously held by [[American Horse of the Year]] and two-time [[Breeders' Cup Classic|Breeders Cup Classic]] champion Tiznow). At the time, the top-five Breeders Cup earners were: Zenyatta: $4,680,000, [[Tiznow]]: $4,560,400, [[Goldikova|Goldikova (IRE)]]: $3,508,200, [[Conduit (horse)|Conduit (IRE)]]: $3,240,000, and [[Curlin]]: $2,955,000.

With three [[Grade I horserace|Grade I]] wins in 2010 and the head-to-head victory over Zenyatta, Blame's connections believed he deserved to be named Horse of the Year.<ref name="DRFBlame">{{cite web|last1=Privman|first1=Jay|title=Blame denies Zenyatta in Breeders' Cup Classic |url=http://www.drf.com/news/blame-denies-zenyatta-breeders-cup-classic|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=28 April 2017|language=en}}</ref> Ultimately however that honor went to Zenyatta, with five Grade I wins in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wirth|first1=Jennifer|title=Zenyatta Has Earned Horse of the Year|url=http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/thoroughbred-bloggers-alliance/archive/2010/11/12/zenyatta-has-earned-horse-of-the-year.aspx|website=cs.bloodhorse.com|access-date=28 April 2017|language=en}}</ref> She was also named [[American Champion Older Female Horse|Champion Older Female Horse]] while Blame was unanimously named the [[American Champion Older Male Horse|Champion Older Male Horse]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Zenyatta takes Horse of the Year over Blame |url=http://www.drf.com/news/zenyatta-takes-horse-year-over-blame|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=28 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

On December 18, 2010, Zenyatta was runner-up to skier [[Lindsey Vonn]] for 2010 [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/skiing/news/story?id=5933195 |title=Lindsey Vonn chosen as AP's 2010 Female Athlete of Year |publisher=ESPN  |date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref>

On January 20, 2011, [[Penny Chenery]] announced that Zenyatta was named the 2010 recipient of the [[Secretariat Vox Populi Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santaanita.com/press/pressrelease/2011/01/penny-chenery-announces-creation-secretariat-vox-populi-award-zenyatta-be |title=Press Room, Santa Anita Park |publisher=Santaanita.com |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref>

On March 23, 2011, Zenyatta became the first horse to win the William H. May Award. The award honors an individual or group that has provided "meritorious service" to the industry. Past recipients include racing industry greats such as John R. Gaines (Breeders' Cup founder), Joe Hirsch (founder of the National Turf Writers Association), Bob and Beverly Lewis, Stanley Bergstein, and Richard Duchossois.

===Competition===
In her narrow defeat to Blame at Churchill Downs on a traditional dirt surface, she overcame many  doubts over competition as the 2010 Classic was considered one of the deepest fields in its history with seven Grade I winners.<ref name=DRFHistory /> Zenyatta defeated two champions in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic ([[Gio Ponti (horse)|Gio Ponti]] and [[Summer Bird]]), champion [[Ginger Punch]] in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, and Canadian champion [[Sealy Hill]] in the 2008 Vanity. Other Grade I/Group One winners that she defeated included: [[Colonel John]]; Richard's Kid; [[Einstein (horse)|Einstein]]; Tough Tiz's Sis; [[Cocoa Beach (horse)|Cocoa Beach]]; [[Music Note]]; [[Life Is Sweet (horse)|Life Is Sweet]]; Switch; [[Rip Van Winkle (horse)|Rip Van Winkle]]; [[Twice Over]]; [[Awesome Gem]]; Girolamo; [[Mine That Bird]]; [[Hystericalady]]; Romance Is Diane; Double Trouble; Santa Teresita; and Carriage Trail.

==Breeding career==
On November 17, 2010, Zenyatta was retired from racing to become a [[broodmare]]. She arrived at [[Lane's End Farm]] in [[Versailles, Kentucky]] on December 6, 2010<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/17/horse-racing Guardian News] Retrieved November 18, 2010</ref> and has been based there throughout her breeding career.<ref name="TDN Aug 2020"/>

In 2011, she was bred to [[Bernardini (horse)|Bernardini]].<ref>[http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/61524/horse-of-the-year-zenyatta-bred-to-bernardini Bloodhorse.com] February 23, 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62178/zenyatta-loses-foal-will-be-bred-again Bloodhorse.com] March 29, 2011</ref> She was announced to be in foal after two coverings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63338/horse-of-the-year-zenyatta-in-foal-at-60-days|title=Horse of the Year Zenyatta In Foal at 60 Days}}</ref> The ensuing foal, born March 8, 2012, was a dark [[bay (horse)|bay]] [[colt (horse)|colt]] named Cozmic One.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zenyatta.com/diary/diary-post-454/|title=Diary Post #454|date=March 8, 2012|website=Zenyatta}}</ref> He made two starts in 2015 and performed poorly at the track.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9306714&registry=T|title=Equibase | Profiles|website=equibase.com}}</ref> He was subsequently retired and in 2018 became an ambassador for the [[Retired Racehorse Project]] after training at De Sousa Stables as a [[show jumping|show jumper]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cozmic One Begins New Off-Track Career |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/225257/cozmic-one-begins-new-off-track-career |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
In October 2, 2024, Cozmic One was retired permanently to Old Friends retirement facility for Thoroughbred race horses In Kentucky. (cite needed)

In 2012, Zenyatta was bred to [[Tapit]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ultrasound Confirms Zenyatta In Foal to Tapit}}</ref> She delivered a chestnut colt named Ziconic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zenyatta.com/news/and-his-name-is/|title=And His Name Is...|date=April 16, 2014|website=Zenyatta}}</ref> on April 1, 2013, her 9th birthday. Ziconic began his racing career in 2016, and like his dam he demonstrated a come-from-behind running style.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/210139/ziconic-sluggish-in-second-start|title=Ziconic Sluggish in Second Start}}</ref> He was winless in twelve starts, although he finished second twice and third six times. On June 12, 2019, it was announced that Ziconic was retired from racing and would retrain as an [[Eventing|eventer]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta's Son Ziconic To Transition Into OTTB |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/zenyattas-son-ziconic-to-transition-into-ottb/ |website=TDN {{!}} Thoroughbred Daily News {{!}} Horse Racing News, Results and Video {{!}} Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions |access-date=14 March 2021 |language=en |date=12 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2013, Zenyatta was confirmed in foal to [[War Front (horse)|War Front]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/77148/zenyatta-foals-tapit-colt|title=Zenyatta Foals Tapit Colt}}</ref> In 2014, she delivered a dark bay filly nicknamed Z Princess. However, the filly was euthanized as a [[weanling]] after an accident in the paddock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.drf.com/news/zenyattas-weanling-dies-following-paddock-accident|title=Zenyatta's weanling dies following paddock accident|website=drf.com}}</ref>  Zenyatta received a year off from breeding, and in 2015 she was bred again to War Front. She gave birth to a colt that died two days later due to complications from [[meconium aspiration syndrome]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta's War Front foal dies at 4 days old |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/article71570982.html |website=Lexington Herald-Leader |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>

Zenyatta was bred to [[Medaglia d'Oro (horse)|Medaglia d'Oro]] in 2016 and delivered a bay filly on May 9, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Has a Medaglia d'Oro Filly |url=http://www.zenyatta.com/news/zenyatta-has-a-medaglia-doro-filly |website=Zenyatta |access-date=16 August 2020 |date=9 May 2017}}</ref> The filly was named Zellda and was placed into training with John Shirreffs in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shirreffs High on Zenyatta's Daughter Zellda |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/shirreffs-high-on-zenyattas-daughter-zellda/ |website=TDN {{!}} Thoroughbred Daily News {{!}} Horse Racing News, Results and Video {{!}} Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions |access-date=17 May 2020 |language=en |date=15 November 2019}}</ref> She never raced.<ref name="TDN Aug 2020"/>

Zenyatta was next bred to [[Into Mischief (horse)|Into Mischief]] on June 3, 2017, and confirmed in foal in July. She lost the pregnancy in April 2018 following a [[placental abruption]] and was not bred again in 2018 to give her time to recover.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta Confirmed In Foal To Into Mischief For 2018 |url=https://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/zenyatta-confirmed-foal-mischief-2018 |website=paulickreport.com |date=July 21, 2017 |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>http://www.zenyatta.com/news/zenyattas-2018-pregnancy Zenyatta's 2018 Pregnancy</ref><ref>http://www.zenyatta.com/news/taking-time-off Taking Time Off</ref>

Zenyatta was bred in 2019 to [[Candy Ride]] and produced a chestnut filly on May 17, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zenyatta delivers Candy Ride filly |url=https://www.drf.com/news/zenyatta-delivers-candy-ride-filly |website=drf.com |access-date=17 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The filly was named Zilkha. Zenyatta was then rebred to Candy Ride,<ref name="TDN Aug 2020">{{cite web |title=A Decade Later, Zenyatta Still Racing Royalty |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/a-decade-later-zenyatta-still-racing-royalty/ |website=Thoroughbred Daily News |access-date=5 January 2021 |language=en |date=28 August 2020}}</ref> but it was announced later that she had lost that foal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/245866/zenyatta-loses-2021-foal-by-candy-ride |title=Zenyatta Loses 2021 Foal By Candy Ride |date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2021 |website=Blood-Horse}}</ref>

In June 2023, after Zenyatta delivered a [[War Front (horse)|War Front]] filly, Lane's End retired her as a broodmare.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/269365/zenyatta-retires-as-broodmare-staying-at-lanes-end|title=Zenyatta Retires as Broodmare, Staying at Lane's End|last=McCroskey|first=Corrie|date=11 June 2023|publisher=The Blood-Horse |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>

==Racing statistics==

{| class = "wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; width:90%"
|-
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Age
! scope="col" | Distance
! scope="col" | Race
! scope="col" | Grade
! scope="col" | Track
! scope="col" | Surface
! scope="col" | Odds
! scope="col" | Field
! scope="col" | Finish
! scope="col" | Winning Time
! scope="col" | Winning
(Losing)
Margin
! scope="col" | Jockey
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Ref
|-
| {{dts|2007|Nov|22}}
| 3
| {{ntsh|6.5}} {{frac|6|1|2}} [[furlong]]s
| Maiden Special Weight
| {{ntsh|5}}
| [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]]
| All weather
| 5.50
| 12
| 1
| 1:15.22
| {{ntsh|3}}3 [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|David|Flores|David R. Flores}}
|<ref name="Maiden" />
|-
| {{dts|2007|Dec|15}}
| 3
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| Allowance
| {{ntsh|4}}
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 1.20*
| 7
| 1
| 1:40.97
| {{ntsh|3.5}}{{frac|3|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|David|Flores|David R. Flores}}
|<ref name="Allowance">{{cite web |title=Chart for December 15, 2007 at Hollywood Park |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=12/15/2007&cy=USA&rn=5 |website=equibase.com |access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2008|Jan|13}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[El Encino Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|2}}II
| [[Santa Anita Park]]
| All weather
| 1.20*
| 6
| 1
| 1:40.61
| {{ntsh|1.75}}{{frac|1|3|4}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|David|Flores|David R. Flores}}
|<ref name=ElEncino />
|-
| {{dts|2008|Apr|5}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Apple Blossom Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| [[Oaklawn Park]]
| Dirt
| 1.80
| 6
| 1
| 1:42.64
| {{ntsh|4.5}}{{frac|4|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name=2008AppleBlossom/>
|-
| {{dts|2008|May|31}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Milady Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|2}}II
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 0.30*
| 5
| 1
| 1:41.17
| {{ntsh|2.5}}{{frac|2|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name=2008Milady/>
|-
| {{dts|2008|July|5}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Vanity Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 0.30*
| 7
| 1
| 1:49.51
| {{ntsh|.5}}{{frac|1|2}} [[Horse length|length]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name=2008Vanity/>
|-
| {{dts|2008|Aug|2}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Clement L. Hirsch Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|2}}II
| [[Del Mar Racetrack|Del Mar]]
| All weather
| 0.60*
| 8
| 1
| 1:41.48{{efn|New track record}}
| {{ntsh|1}}1 [[Horse length|length]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2008Hirsch">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2008 Clement L. Hirsch |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=DMR&raceDate=08/02/2008&cy=USA&rn=9 |website=equibase.com |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2008|Sep|27}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Lady's Secret Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Santa Anita
| All weather
| 0.70*
| 4
| 1
| 1:40.30{{efn|New stakes record}}
| {{ntsh|3.5}}{{frac|3|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name=2008LS />
|-
| {{dts|2008|Oct|24}}
| 4
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Santa Anita
| All weather
| 0.50*
| 8
| 1
| 1:46.85
| {{ntsh|1.5}}{{frac|1|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name=2008BCLC />
|-
| {{dts|2009|May|23}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Milady Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|2}}II
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 0.20*
| 6
| 1
| 1:42.30
| {{ntsh|1.75}}{{frac|1|3|4}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2009Milady">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2009 Milady |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=05/23/2009&cy=USA&rn=8 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2009|June|27}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Vanity Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 0.30*
| 6
| 1
| 1:48.15
| {{ntsh|2.5}}{{frac|2|1|2}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2009Vanity">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2009 Vanity |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=06/27/2009&cy=USA&rn=4 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2009|Aug|9}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Clement L. Hirsch Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| [[Del Mar Racetrack|Del Mar]]
| All weather
| 0.20*
| 7
| 1
| 1:43.24
| {{ntsh|.1}}Head
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2009Hirsch">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2009 Clement L. Hirsch |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=DMR&raceDate=08/09/2009&cy=USA&rn=8 |website=equibase.com |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2009|Oct|10}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Lady's Secret Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Santa Anita
| All weather
| 0.40*
| 7
| 1
| 1:42.89
| {{ntsh|1.25}}{{frac|1|1|4}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2009LS">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2009 Lady's Secret |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OSA&raceDate=10/10/2009&cy=USA&rn=8 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2009|Nov|7}}
| 5
| {{ntsh|10}} {{frac|1|1|4}} miles
| [[Breeders' Cup Classic]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Santa Anita
| All weather
| 2.80*
| 12
| 1{{efn|First filly or mare to win the [[Breeders' Cup Classic|Breeders Cup Classic]]. First horse to win two different [[Breeders' Cup|Breeders Cup]] races}}
| 2:00.62
| {{ntsh|1}}1 [[Horse length|length]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2009BCC">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OSA&raceDate=11/07/2009&cy=USA&rn=9 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2010|March|13}}
| 6
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| [[Santa Anita Park]]
| All weather
| 0.30*
| 8
| 1
| 1:48.20
| {{ntsh|1.25}}{{frac|1|1|4}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="SantaMargarita">{{cite web |title=Chart of the Santa Margarita |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SA&raceDate=03/13/2010&cy=USA&rn=7 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2010|April|9}}
| 6
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Apple Blossom Handicap|Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| [[Oaklawn Park]]
| Dirt
| 0.05*
| 5
| 1{{efn|Tied the all-time North American record with 16 consecutive victories in unrestricted races (held by [[Citation (horse)|Citation]] and [[Cigar (horse)|Cigar]])}}
| 1:50.71
| {{ntsh|4.25}}{{frac|4|1|4}} [[Horse length|lengths]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2010AppleBlossom">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2010 Apple Blossom |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OP&raceDate=04/09/2010&cy=USA&rn=10 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2010|June|13}}
| 6
| {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles
| [[Vanity Handicap]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 0.50*
| 6
| 1{{efn|Broke the all-time North American record with 17 consecutive victories in unrestricted races. First mare to win this race 3 times}}
| 1:49.01
| {{ntsh|.5}}{{frac|1|2}} [[Horse length|length]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2010Vanity">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2010 Vanity |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=HOL&raceDate=06/13/2010&cy=USA&rn=8 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2010|Aug|7}}
| 6
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Clement L. Hirsch Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| [[Del Mar Racetrack|Del Mar]]
| All weather
| 0.10*
| 6
| 1{{efn|Broke the world record with 8 consecutive Grade/Group I wins. Tied [[Eclipse (horse)|Eclipse]] with 18 consecutive victories without defeat. First mare to win this race 3 times}}
| 1:45.03
| {{ntsh|.25}}Neck
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2010Hirsch">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2010 Clement L. Hirsch |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=DMR&raceDate=08/07/2010&cy=USA&rn=9 |website=equibase.com |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2010|Oct|2}}
| 6
| {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles
| [[Lady's Secret Stakes]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Hollywood Park
| All weather
| 0.10*
| 5
| 1{{efn|Broke the all-time North American record for Grade I victories by a filly/mare. Tied the all-time North American record for consecutive victories without defeat. Broke the all-time North American female earnings record. First mare to win this race 3× (consecutive years)}}
| 1:42.97
| {{ntsh|.5}}{{frac|1|2}} [[Horse length|length]]
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2010LS">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2010 Lady's Secret |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=OTH&raceDate=10/02/2010&cy=USA&rn=7 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|2010|Nov|6}}
| 6
| {{ntsh|10}} {{frac|1|1|4}} miles
| [[Breeders' Cup Classic]]
| {{ntsh|1}}I
| Churchill Downs
| Dirt
| 1.00*
| 12
| 2{{efn|Broke the all-time [[Breeders' Cup|Breeders Cup]] earnings record (previously held by [[American Horse of the Year]] and 2-time [[Breeders' Cup Classic|Breeders Cup Classic]] champion [[Tiznow]])}}
| 2:02.28
| {{ntsh|-.1}}(Head)
| {{sortname|Mike|Smith|Mike E. Smith}}
|<ref name="2010BCC">{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=11/06/2010&cy=USA&rn=11 |website=equibase.com |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
|}
An asterisk after the odds means Zenyatta was the post-time favorite.
{{notelist}}

==Popularity==
Zenyatta was selected three years in a row (2008–2010) for NTRA's Moment of the Year Award, for her 2008 Ladies' Classic victory, historic 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic victory, and narrow defeat in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60741/bc-classic-voted-ntra-moment-of-the-year|title=BC Classic Voted NTRA Moment of the Year}}</ref>  She finished second in the voting for AP Female Athlete of the Year in both 2009 and 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nesn.com/2010/12/lindsey-vonn-tops-zenyatta-for-2010-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-as-horse-is-again-runner-up/|title=Lindsey Vonn Tops Zenyatta for 2010 AP Female Athlete of the Year As Horse Is Again Runner-Up|date=December 19, 2010}}</ref> She was featured in O<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oprah.com/world/The-2010-O-Power-List/20 |title=Zenyatta - O Magazine 2010 Power List - Oprah.com |website=www.oprah.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919135922/http://www.oprah.com/world/The-2010-O-Power-List/20 |archive-date=2010-09-19}} </ref> and [[W Magazine]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wmagazine.com/society/2010/11/zenyatta_horse|title=Zenyatta's winning streak: Society: Wmagazine.com}}</ref> and in a profile on ''[[60 Minutes]]''<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-zenyatta-the-best-racehorse-ever-01-05-2011/ | work=CBS News | title=Is Zenyatta the best racehorse ever? | date=May 1, 2011}}</ref> in 2010 prior to her historic attempt at 20 consecutive victories in the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic. In a public opinion poll by the ''[[Daily Racing Form]]'', 87% of people voted for her to be the 2010 Eclipse Horse of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/blog/_/name/novak_claire/id/5947289|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227083748/http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/blog/_/name/novak_claire/id/5947289|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2011|title=Horsemen: Give Zenyatta HOY – ESPN}}</ref> Thousands appeared for her retirement ceremonies at Hollywood Park<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=5886657|title=Zenyatta's fans to say good-bye at Hollywood|date=December 5, 2010|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> and Keeneland Race Track<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=5893321|title=Keeneland: 1,200 fans greet Zenyatta Monday|date=December 7, 2010|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> despite frigid 18-degree temperatures at Keeneland.

==Pedigree==
{{Pedigree
|name = Zenyatta (USA), dark bay or brown mare, 2004
|f = [[Street Cry]] (IRE)
 1998
|m = [[Vertigineux]] (USA)
 1995
|ff = [[Machiavellian (horse)|Machiavellian]] (USA)
 1987
|fm = [[Helen Street]] (GB)
 1982
|mf = [[Kris S.]] (USA)
 1977
|mm = For The Flag (USA)
 1978
|fff = [[Mr. Prospector]]
|ffm = Coup de Folie
|fmf = [[Troy (horse)|Troy]]
|fmm = Waterway
|mff = [[Roberto (horse)|Roberto]]
|mfm = Sharp Queen
|mmf = [[Forli (horse)|Forli]]
|mmm = In The Offing
|ffff = [[Raise a Native]]
|fffm = [[Gold Digger (horse)|Gold Digger]]
|ffmf = [[Halo (horse)|Halo]]
|ffmm = Raise The Standard
|fmff = [[Petingo]]
|fmfm = La Milo
|fmmf = [[Riverman]]
|fmmm = Boulevard
|mfff = [[Hail To Reason]]
|mffm = Bramalea
|mfmf = [[Princequillo]]
|mfmm = Bridgework
|mmff = Aristophanes
|mmfm = Trevisa
|mmmf = [[Hoist The Flag]]
|mmmm = Mrs. Peterkin ([[Thoroughbred breeding theories#The female line|family]] 4-r)<ref>{{cite web |title=Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Cub Mare – Family 4-r |url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family4r.htm |website=bloodlines.net |access-date=16 August 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924174847/http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family4r.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}}

==See also==
*[[List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses]]
*[[List of racehorses]]
*[[Repeat winners of horse races]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* [http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorseInfo.cfm?refno=7156465&registry=T Zenyatta's pedigree and racing stats]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081008043501/http://www.breederscup.com/bio.aspx?id=30441 Biography for Zenyatta at the official Breeders Cup website]

==External links==
* [http://www.zenyatta.com/ Official Zenyatta website]

{{Breeders' Cup Classic Winners}}
{{American Horse of the Year winners}}
[[Category:2004 racehorse births]]
[[Category:Breeders' Cup Classic winners]]
[[Category:Breeders' Cup Distaff winners]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United States]]
[[Category:Horse racing track record setters]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:American Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 4-r]]
[[Category:United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Horse monuments]]

title: Zenyatta

Sire: Street Cry

Grandsire: Machiavellian

Dam: Vertigineux

Damsire: Kris S.

Sex: Mare

Foaled: April 1, 2004 · Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.

Country: United States

Colour: Dark Bay/Brown

Breeder: Maverick Productions, Limited

Owner: Jerry & Ann Moss

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Jockey: Mike Smith

title: Major wins

Major wins: El Encino Stakes (2008) · Apple Blossom Handicap (2008, 2010) · Milady Handicap (2008, 2009) · Vanity Handicap (2008, 2009, 2010) · Clement L. Hirsch (2008, 2009, 2010) · Lady's Secret Stakes (2008, 2009, 2010) · Santa Margarita Handicap (2010) · Breeders' Cup wins: · Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (2008) · Breeders' Cup Classic (2009)

title: Awards

Awards: American Champion Older Female Horse · (2008, 2009, 2010) · American Horse of the Year · (2010) · Secretariat Vox Populi Award · (2010)

title: Honours

Honours: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee (2016) · Zenyatta Stakes (2010) · NTRA "Moment of the Year" (2008, 2009) · Lifesize statue at Santa Anita Park (2012)