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Zenyatta Statue Unveiling: Live from Santa Anita



Live video for mobile from Ustream

The Zenyatta statue will be unveiled in Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens area at noon (PDT), Saturday September 29. Watch the ceremony live here on Zenyatta.com courtesy of HRTV.

LEGENDARY MARE ZENYATTA TO BE HONORED FOR ALL-TIME WITH LIFE-SIZED STATUE IN SANTA ANITA’S PADDOCK GARDENS AREA, UNVEILING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 29

ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2012)—The legendary Zenyatta, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita and Horse of the Year in 2010, will be honored for all-time by Santa Anita Park as a life-sized statue of the great mare will be unveiled in Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens area on the first Saturday of Santa Anita’s upcoming Autumn Meet, on Sept. 29.

Zenyatta. AP photo.
Additionally, the inaugural Grade I, $250,000 Zenyatta Stakes (formerly the Lady’s Secret), a race won by Zenyatta over three consecutive years from 2008 through 2010, will be run on Sept. 29.

Zenyatta, who at the age of eight is currently enjoying her role as a broodmare at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky, will be joining two of the greatest horses of all-time, John Henry and Seabiscuit, as her statuary likeness will now join these legends of the American Turf adjacent to the track’s grandstand.

Named after The Police’s blockbuster album “Zenyatta Mondatta,” Zenyatta is owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Moss and his wife, Ann.

“Like the song written by Sting and performed by The Police, everything Zenyatta did here will always be magic for the entire Thoroughbred industry,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “Her win against the boys in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic is considered by many to be the greatest moment in Santa Anita history.”

The incomparable Zenyatta retired with a remarkable 19 wins from 20 career starts and $7,304,580 in earnings. Although she was defeated by a head in her final start, the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic, her stature as one of the sport’s all-time greats remained undiminished as she was voted the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year for 2010.

“The breadth of her accomplishments at Santa Anita alone is astonishing,” said Haines. “She won a total of seven races here, all stakes and six of them were in Grade I competition. Her story will forever resonate with our fans and we know we’ll have many thousands of people coming here over the years to admire her statue, which will be situated on south side of the Kingsbury Fountain, directly across from John Henry.”

Trained by John Shirreffs and ridden in her final 17 starts by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta made her third career start on Jan. 13, 2008, winning Santa Anita’s Grade II El Encino Stakes by 1 ¾ lengths under David Flores.

As was the case in her 2009 Classic victory, all nineteen of Zenyatta’s wins came in last-to-first fashion.

After winning the El Encino, Zenyatta’s subsequent Grade I wins at The Great Race Place came in the 2008 & ’09 Lady’s Secret Stakes, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, the 2009 Classic and the 2010 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap.

“We’d again like to thank the Mosses for running Zenyatta here and we look forward to welcoming them back as we again honor ‘the big mare’ on Sept. 29,” said Haines.

Sculpted by Nina Kaiser, who also created the statue of John Henry, Zenyatta’s likeness stands at her height of 17.2 hands, and weighs 1,200 pounds, which is approximately what Zenyatta weighed throughout her racing career. Commissioned by Santa Anita, the world-renowned Kaiser worked on the project for more than two years.

Santa Anita’s 2012 Autumn Meet gets underway on Friday, Sept. 28. For more information or to make dining and seating reservations, fans are encouraged to visit www.santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

Reader Interactions

1,273 Comments

  3. / Reply

    Double Whoopee! Fantastic race to the wire between Flat Out and Stay Thirsty (two Indy grandsons) with Flat Out winning by a nose hair. Don’t know where Fort Larned the favorite wound up. Congratulations to Mikey on Royal Delta, I’m so glad he won because he had to miss Zenny’s statue unveiling.

  4. / Reply

    Beholder out of her race today,
    Patience pays off.

    Not training well on track and concerned
    She might not lengthen out well.

    May run her on the turf or train up to BC
    Sprint !!!

    • / Reply

      He is such a very special person and trainer.

      Thanks Sheena and Kathy for keeping us posted on International issues of racing.

      Across the pond and Down under.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Haven’t read every post yet. Has Sir Henry’s condition worsened? Will say a pray for him. Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Watching the races at Belmont, etc., I somehow managed to miss the actual unveiling ceremony but I’ve checked in several other times to watch the people’s reactions to the beautiful statue of our Queen. I can only imagine how wonderful the statue is in real life – it looks so dynamic in this video screen – wow. Thank you once again to the incredible Team Z that brought this feature to the website for us. Thank you!!

    • / Reply

      I am on HRTV, What a great race day !!!

      Will GOD do it today???

      Dinky Diva, how did you bet??

      I have changed 3 times.

      • / Reply

        Sticking with my original pick of Empire way to Win. We’ll see. In my heart though, I want GOD and RC.

        • Despite his relationship with Royal Delta, he has not lived up to his
          sister.

          Soo very true for many siblings to live up to there famous sibs.

          Oh, well,

          No money for me too. It was a hard one to bet.

          Richard’s Kid has not done much on the dirt, his preferred surface is the poly track ???

        • JubyB. POE was magnificent. Big D must be prancing in heaven over that win. And no grade 1 win for Ballydoyle.

        • Max,
          Big D. was prancing,big time. I heard him loud and clear.The thunder we had yesterday,right after POE won sounded like……timpani drums from heaven.

      • / Reply

        She was absolutely gorgeous. Mike did a really cute interview after.
        He tried to “take care” of her and get her to relax before the last race
        when she was all hot and bothered. She did not like that so he changed
        his tactics, galloped her out well before the race and let her place her self
        and open up when she wanted too.

        Guy trying to take care of his girl; and girl saying no dice, I want it my way.
        Bill Mott talked to him about this also before the race.

        It was a TOO CUTE interview !!!

        • The gallop out before the race is a key handicapping angle if you have time to observe before you have to make your bet. Sore horses rarely warm up before the race.

    • / Reply

      Signifthetimes; Yeah Flatout!! Evidently it was a tight race with Stay Thirsty! I really like both so much. Thanks for all your info Sign! I only wish I could come here more often and I really should go to dish so I can get HRTV.
      With all of the favorites retiring from the racing world this year, will the BC have the best of the best in competition this year? I know it will be exciting, but I am just pondering this. hugs, Sally What do you think?

      • / Reply

        Oh yes, Sally

        BC should be great this year.

        Wish Snow Fairy was going to be there !!!

        Glad to help, it is nice having HRTV. It is about
        $70 per month though for DISH.

        Had Comcast Cable before that was aweful !!

      • / Reply

        I was so surprised to see Stay Thirsy take the lead,
        Must be changing his style, also very confident
        Ride by Ramon

        • signb-The deeper the gtrack the more sspeed is inhibited. It does not mean that speed cannot win, but it does make it tougher on them.,

      • / Reply

        Flat Out is a very good horse but will have a tough time at SA. The track has always favored speed and he is a stalker. Of course, that doen’t prevent track managemen from ploughing the track before the BC. The only ones who will not know is the general public. The first race on Friday will be the key.

        • Great point TC,

          Rosie said that the big difference she noticed at SA was that it was
          speed favoring.

          So if they plough it, they will lose the speed??

          Is it deep for speed or groomed for speed???

        • Have you thought about getting HRTV,
          It is very reasonable per month and sooo
          Worth it for shows!!!

          Do you have Dish network or Direct TV,
          Both have HRTV (satellite TV)

        • Go to calracing.com and sign up. It’s free. You use your email and a password and you get all the Cali tracks. Once you sign up, go to Live Video and click on the venue that you want and wall, laaa, there you have it!

        • Sue,

          There should be a channel for HRTV.

          May have to call Direct TV or look at your original brochure that lists all the channels.

          You should have it with Direct TV, so glad you have it.

  15. / Reply

    Thank you for the link! Neither racing channel covered the unveiling, too many G1 races
    Another bow to the big magic mare

  17. / Reply

    Raphael Bejarano is hot today, pulpit’s son
    Power Broker wins !!!! Turn of foot at end.

    Know more, rank initially and came in 4th

    Capo Bestone closed late !!!

      • / Reply

        Santa Anita CEO arranged for all of the entertainment. They and the USC band
        there before the Zenyatta Stakes.

        Pomp and Circumstances for this big day of racing ????

    • / Reply

      WHOO HOOO !!!!

      SUE, SO GLAD YOU GOT HRTV.

      THERE ARE SOOO MANY GOOD PROGRAMS, INSIDE INFORMATION, SHOW JUMPING, ETC. TRAINING WITH CLINTON ANDERSON AND MONTY ROBERTS !!!

  20. / Reply

    Congratulations to Love and Pride – winner of the first Zenyatta Grade 1 Stakes.

  21. / Reply

    Hi!

    Wish I could have been there this weekend. Had already planned to attend Secretariat Festival. Thanks to social communication was able to share in the unveiling. Royal Delta: you go, girl!!!

    Take care, all,
    Mary in Boone

  22. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta, You are the best. Your statue is beautiful. Love You
    Huge Congratulations to POINT OF INTRY, Max Should be a gret Breeders Cup
    Two of my favorite girls lost today so I am a little sad.
    It’s Tricky, love you
    Zagora, love you
    Another Day for you two girls
    Sis Dawn so glad to see your post. It has been a teary day.
    Max I left you a message in the former post. It was about Orfever. I am sorry Snow Fairy has an injury. Hope she will be fine, but i do hope so hard that Orfevre wins. Go Orfevre

      • / Reply

        Peggy. Spell checks can cause no end of problems. Don’t worry. Keep hoping for a win for Orfevre. Things are looking very good for him. Good trainer, good results so far and a good jockey. The racing gods might look favorably on him. Anything can happen at the Arc.

  23. / Reply

    To my Darling Gabbiano (Gabby)

    Be so careful tomorrow. You will be in my prayers and I will be rooting for you big time. God Speed to you. Return to the barn safely
    I’m yep pacing and worring about you. Love You. Will see you again.

  25. / Reply

    Have just heard Andrew Bensley (from Skysportsradio) speaking from the Werribee quarantine facility on the internationals. He confirmed they have all travelled well, but according to Stephanie Nigge, Americain travelled exceptionally well, is very full of himself to the extent they will probably let him have a run at the track at Werribee tomorrow. So excellent news. His Dad is obviously watching over him!

  26. / Reply

    Awesome Again Stakes post parade.

    GOD favorite!!!

    He has speed on his outside, though!!!

  27. / Reply

    Don’t see Chantal riding at all today ??

    Rosie N is going to be interviewed by HRTV
    She rode Nerid for John Sherriffs.

  29. / Reply

    GOD settled.
    Rail trip 3rd

    Richard’s Kid last

    GOD striding home !! 3 !!!

    Second Neunios. Third Rail Trip !!!!

    Great ride by RB, settled him out and
    Waited to pull trigger.

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