Happy Friday!
It is always so hard for ME to believe how quickly time is literally flying by. It is already September 2nd….and the closing weekend of racing at both Del Mar and Saratoga. Labor Day is upon us…and students all over the country are returning to school.
I hope all of you enjoy your weekend and all of the great racing that is scheduled. The 2 year olds are starting to step up to stakes activity on both coasts….and then Havre de Grace is going to take on the males in The Woodward Stakes–G1. Additionally at Del Mar, the Del Mar Derby G-2 will be showcased. All the best to all of the participants and their connections.
Yesterday, a few dear friends of mine sent Dottie a link regarding an article in the September, 2011, issue of THE AMERICAN TURF MAGAZINE. The piece is written by Mark Shrager. In it, he is listing (in his opinion) the TOP 10 AMERICAN RACE HORSES EVER!
Guess who is there at #6? ME!!
Now this is very special…and I so appreciate Mark’s ranking. The list of horses and how he rated the TOP 10 are as follows:
1) DR. FAGER
2) KELSO
3) SECRETARIAT
4) SEATTLE SLEW
5) CITATION
6) ZENYATTA…….THAT’S ME! (BLUSH, BLUSH)
7) AFFIRMED
8) MAN O’ WAR
9) SPECTACULAR BID
10) JOHN HENRY
Click here for the article.
This is a list of some amazing thoroughbreds with massive racing accomplishments. I am so PROUD to be included with this elite company. Dottie was commenting to John last night that I AM THE ONLY FEMALE on the list. Also, I am the only horse to be included who ran in the last few decades. John Henry won his HOTY titles in 1981 and 1984. All of the other horses represent decades of racing before that time. This is truly significant and as I mentioned earlier, I am extremely PROUD and HONORED to be in such company.
I hope you enjoy the article, your weekend, and some great RACING! Cheers to great handicapping!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Thank you Camille and Jim for sharing this article with US!)
Z
Elizabeth G.
Congratulations!!!! But just between us…you should be at the top of the list!
LauraJ
@Patty Smith, the article explains why Seabiscuit wasn’t included. You are right about lists in general, of course. So much depends on criteria and definitions.
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@Penny, the sex of Baby Bump is a secret. The Mosses like to be surprised. No one, except maybe the ultrasound technician, knows what it is.
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@Leslie, IMO there are several reasons. The first is that “great” horses by definition are rare. The ten horses on the list span 90 years, just a sliver over one per decade. Considering how many TBs were foaled in that span, and how many raced, that’s not a lot. The second reason is weight. Several of the horses on the list were cited for their ability to carry high imposts and win while giving away many pounds to their rivals. Racing secretaries simply do not assign high weights anymore if they don’t have to. Zenyatta carried 129 pounds in the 2009 Vanity—a high weight to be sure. However, I believe that had she been racing a few decades earlier, she would have carried well over 130 pounds, probably several times. (The great sprinter Ta Wee, half-sister of Dr. Fager, carried 142 pounds in the 1970 Interborough Handicap, spotting the runner-up 29 pounds. She also won the 1970 Fall Highweight Handicap against males, under 140 pounds.) Finally, top horses in the U.S. aren’t raced anywhere near as often as they used to be, and aren’t trained as rigorously. I don’t know if it’s drugs, lack of graded stakes races, or what. Maybe it’s because intact animals are whisked away to the breeding shed. Secretariat, for example, raced 10 times as a 2-year-old, and 11 times as a 3-year-old. The popular Carry Back raced 21 times as a 2-year-old (1960)and 61 times total. Nowadays, 21 starts would be a long career for a stakes horse.
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FWIW, I do think there are some extremely classy individuals out there. Frankel is compiling an enviable record in Europe, as is Black Caviar in Australia. There’s Goldikova. Among recently retired horses, there is Makybe Diva, three-time winner of the Melbourne Cup. There is Sea The Stars. Curlin didn’t make this list, but he might make a top-20 or top-25 list. One could say the same for Cigar, Rachel Alexandra, and others. History will judge.
Beth Alexander
That is great news! But you will forever be #1 on my list no matter the decade! Love you always!
Helen
After reading Steve Haskin’s latest article, in which he mentions your “swan song”, I was moved to watch some of your youtube videos again. This invoked emotions and wonderful treasured memories. Zenyatta, you will always be #1 on my list and in my heart.
Kathy Baldwin
SO VERY PROUD AND HAPPY FOR YOU ZENNY AND ALL OF YOUR VERY SPECIAL CONNECTIONS! :)
I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU ALL WHEN I AM AT
DEL MAR THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND! ;)
EVERYONE OUT THERE HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED
HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
KATHY from SoCal xoxo :)
Amy
Congrats on making the list. You are #1 in my book though.
Guido
Z – You are the best! You are in such good company and the only girl! Well deserved!!!
Kathy B.
Yes I think Man O War and Secretariat should be 1 and 2…..MOW ran (and won) practically every week! Horsemen were afraid to put their horses against him! But like you say, that is his opinion….and I’m thrilled he put you on the list too!
Beth Buckley
Quite a list. Quite an honor to be considered part of the elite.
Sally (B)
We waited decades for you Z!! Your No 1 in my book. The article was great; I knew in my heart you’d be in the top 10 with such great company!! SIMPLY AMAZING ZENYATTA. love you with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z
Gloria Jeanne
Congrats to you Zenny!! You are so AWESOME!!!!
Dawn Conrad
Dear Zenyatta. Good morning, sunshine. Congratulations, I am so proud of you. Of course, Zenny, you are and ever will be number ONE in our hearts, but it is wonderful to see your name right up there with such elite company!! You so richly deserve your place among some of the greatest thoroughbred champions ever, what you have accomplished is truly amazing!!!! Your talent is equaled only by your beauty. Joining you in best wishes for Havre De Grace. Hope her trip is safe and that she beats the boys. I love you, Zenny! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Susan in TN – Of course I love to read your posts, especially as they come from the heart and you my friend have a wonderful heart!!
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
i think thats a great list except i would put you as #1 i was not just because you won races but the way you won them was shocking i have never seen anything like it! but i do think that man o” war being eighth on the list is insainaty! But everybody is intitled to there opinion. By the way that pic is adorable! love you zeny!!! oxoxoxoxo FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
Maria K.
Congratulation Queen Z for well deserved recognition. I love you so much!!!
Mary
Wow….Z…you are in great company….and to be the only female….I think you should be number one….but we will take six.
You are still so cute in how you enjoy the company of the people who take care of you…you are so very special in so many ways. Hugs to you Z…
Dawn Conrad
@Brenda S – So great to hear from you. I bet it is hard for Vic to be starting back to school, but I hope she has a great year! I too was so sad to see the grave of Northern Dancer and the great Windfields. I hope something can be done to bring back this historic farm.
@kimberly Potter – RIP Mikey C.
@Steve Haskins – Hope you are feeling better, my thoughts and prayers are still with you. Can’t wait to see you back for “And They’re Off”. Enjoying Kenny Rice, but really miss our Steve!!
Joanna
Ok so I didn’t read the article, but I know about lists. I’ve got several myself. As to race horses…I’d have a gelding named Prove It who ran in Calif many years ago, on a list of my favorites not because he had a super record but because I just loved that horse. I had a whole scrapbook of pictures and articles about him when I was a kid (longer ago than dirt). So this guys list is fine; he’s got his favs and every one of you has yours. That’s OK. It’s not like we have to have a consensus :))) Z’s on my list of favs (girls) with the likes of Ruffian, RA, Rags, Winter Memories, Zazu and Awesome Maria. And I’m not afraid to say I just LOVE MO. Have a super weekend everyone!
Elaine
Zenyatta,
You will ALWAYS be #1 in my heart!
Debbie
hi Z! Congratulations on making the LIST!!! GIRLPOWER!!! YOU are so special Z and YOU still blush blush- TOO CUTE!!! YOU have a wonderful weekend, stay cool and enjoy your friends and grazing, summer is ending too soon;( I love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Marilu V
Congratulations Zenyatta!
Congratualtions to Jerry and Ann, John and Dottie and to your entire family! They made it possible for you! You have been blessed with so much. Continue all the good work.
Hugs and prayers for you and baby. Marilu
Susan from VA
Great article – thanks for posting it. Congratulations on making the top 10!
lara
it’s interesting to note the writer ranked two horses before secretariat, two The Blood-Horse magazine rated behind Big Red.
Sharon in Seattle
what an honor to be included in a list of 10 all time greats. You deserve a place on that list. Congratulations! It still gives me chills when I think of watching you making your move around the top of the stretch at BC ’09. I was jumping up and down, screaming like a kid, as were the rest of the 53,000 people in the stands, What a race!!
Diana Harris
I think that is great Zenny but I would rate you higher than that. They are all great horses and every thoroughbred has a place of greatness in what they do, racing, jumping, dressage or just a trail horse. They all have the history in the breeding and thats something you cant take away from any of them. You have so many things that make you great I cant even begin to start. You are a dream come true, a gift from above and simply the best!
lara
and queen Z you definitely were in the top horses of all time!
Margie
Zenny, you’re a racing legend and being included in this list (and many more to come) just confirms it one more time. All magnificent TB’s on that list, but none more so than you, in my loving opinion! Love this photo – wish it was me you were trying to nibble on – lol Here’s to good weather for a wonderful holiday weekend with your pals. Love you!
@LauraJ – informative and interesting, thank you.
Barbara Wood
Congratulations, Z. We know you are the best. The order of the list surprises me, however.
Kari Bussell
Congratulations my Queen- I am so proud of YOU!…and thrilled for you, & for all of your connections. I am so full of joy that I have lived to see the YOU placed you where YOU belong…with The Greatest Champions of this great sport. I always knew in my heart & believed it would happen. For me, YOU are THE GREATEST EVER!! What JOY indeed!
People will be feeling the joy & singing your praises & “Zenyatta” many decades from now…..
Janie
Well, OF COURSE you’re on that list, Zenyatta! I’m not surprised one bit. You’re sure to be on many more lists like that in the years to come because your record will speak for itself for a long time, pretty girl. Love you lots!
Allen
Zenyatta I am so proud of you!! But Z you deserve every award that is out there. Not only are you the only female on the list, but you are also the only one that always came from the back to win. Most horses can’t take all that dirt in there face, but you could. Queen Z you will always be number one with me. Have a great weekend Z, and enjoy the races.