Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Zenyatta Voted to Hall of Fame

April 9, 2010, Zenyatta and jockey Mike Smith race down the stretch on the way to winning the $500,000 Apple Blossom Invitational horse race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
April 9, 2010, Zenyatta and jockey Mike Smith race down the stretch on the way to winning the $500,000 Apple Blossom Invitational horse race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

We’re excited and honored to share that Zenyatta has been elected to the 2016 class of the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place Friday, August 12 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Zenyatta began her racing career as a three year-old, under trainer John Shirreffs, winning her maiden race in 2007 at Hollywood Park. She rewrote racing history by beating the all-male field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009, becoming the first mare ever to win that race and the first horse ever to win two different Breeders’ Cup races. Zenyatta retired in 2010 with a record of 19-1-0, having won a total of 17 graded stakes, including 13 Grade 1s. She was named Champion Older Female in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as 2010 Horse of the Year.

We’d like to give a big thanks to everyone involved in Zenyatta’s career including John Shirreffs, Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, Mike Smith, David Ingordo, Jeannie and April Mayberry, Mario Espinoza, Carmen, Michelle Jensen, Frank Leal, Cheva, Dawn Hunkin, the late Steve Willard, the rest of Barn 55, and Zenyatta’s fans around the world.

Reader Interactions

256 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Congratulations Zenny and all the team,could not be happier for you all.
    Zenyatta,this is bringing back so many great memories of you dancing and your come from behind heart stopping wins. You have done so much for the sport,can still see you soaking up all the love from fans and always knowing where the camera was. Love you Z, enjoy your sunny days and time with your friend Vixana. xoxoxoxo

  3. / Reply

    I had heard that Zenyatta was to be nominated for the Hall Of Fame a while back on Bloodhorse and Horse Racing Nation and as far as I was concerned that meant she was in for how could they not vote her in on her first nomination?

    A true champion in every sense of the word is our Queen Z and her team and human family are the cream of the crop.

    Congratulations Zenyatta on a much deserved spot in the Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

  4. / Reply

    Dear Judy.After the heartache comes happiness for Zenyatta.I am so very proud of her plus the wonderful team who have allowed us into her life sharing the highs and the lows.Also so very happy for Peggy and Jordan.
    Some lovely photos of Istabraq up on his FB he’s been getting lots of visitors and a video of Moosie at the dressage competition he is very good!Transitions are excellent.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Yes, so happy for Z and Team Z. Finding Jordan safe and sound is truly an answer to our prayers. Wonderful news after almost two months of his being missing.

      It’s great that Isty has a lot of visitors and I’m not surprised that Moosie is competing well in Dressage. Would love to see a video of him doing his thing. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties

      • / Reply

        Dear Sheena:

        I just found a short video of Moosie on Twitter doing his Dressage moves. He looks so beautiful. Caption said he came in fourth his first time competing. That’s really very good. Love and Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Congrats to the incredible Zenyatta!! the most deserving HOF member – always and forever the queen of racing!! shame on bloodhorse for short-changing her accomplishments in their story today about the HOF inductees – they never mentioned she was the only female to win the BC Classic – they did not mention the number of BC wins she has – and funny they did not mention that other filly nominated did not even run in the BC – not once… ever – – sorry to the RA fans out there but RA never did anything that wasn’t already done by another filly – however our dear zenyatta has – she won the classic – only girl to do it – but bloodhorse chose not to give zen all her due credit – we the fans of zen know all about her record and how great she is – love you zenyatta – I will be loyal and defend you until my last breath!! the best female race horse I have ever seen – the best race horse I have ever seen – best race horse ever!!! and I truly mean it!!! love to zen always and forever!!!

  10. / Reply

    We never had a doubt that Zenyatta would be in the Hall of Fame. To be in Saratoga for the ceremony would be awesome, must see what I can arrange, Saratoga is not too far away from Fort Erie. Congratulations to all the members of Team Zenyatta and thank you for allowing us to share in the adventure.

  13. / Reply

    Zenyatta=Greatness and it is gratifying to see that the powers that be appreciate that fact. I thank GOD that she came into our lives and gave us all so much joy. The same is true of Rachel Alexandra and when I think of one, I will always think of the other. Congratulations to all their connections. This is so well deserved.

  14. / Reply

    As it should be, for our beloved Zenyatta! ;) God’s continued blessings to all in the Team Z group of family and friends, the Zenyatta Nation.

    Peace & Love,
    Kathy from SoCal (San Diego) xoxo

  15. / Reply

    Am in a bit of electronic limbo, but just heard this great news!! I’m sure there is nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said. BRAVO Zenny!
    Lots of love from your friend Sandy in Ohio <3

  17. / Reply

    Congratulations, Zenyatta & all who were with you on your journey to this honor! I had no doubt that you would get in. I hope you did a victory dance in your pasture when it was announced that you were elected to the Hall of Fame.

    I am planning on going to the induction ceremony and asked for the day off from work as soon as I saw you were nominated. You will hear me cheering all the way from Saratoga to Kentucky.

    I hope that you are enjoying your time with Vixana.

    Thank you again, Mr & Mrs Moss & Team Z for sharing Zenyatta with us. May God bless all of you.

  18. / Reply

    To all of Team Z…..

    Congratulations to all of you on this wonderful award! You all deserve this so much for the way that Zenyatta’s racing career was handled; in anyone else’s hands, I do believe that she would not have thrived like she was allowed to do. She was able to progress at her own pace, and not forced to do something that was not right for her. As my Mother would say, “the proof is in the pudding”!

    And lastly, congratulations to Zenyatta herself. Over the years, all of her fans have cheered for her; been on foal watch with her; and weeped with joy and with sadness for her. I know to some, she is ‘just another horse’. But to us, her fans, she is so much more than that. More than words can express.

    Thank you, Zenyatta.

  20. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI and DC:

    Congrats, again, Z. Your whole Team deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame. Maybe it will happen one day. Stay comfy and cozy in your stalls. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      Could not think of a better place for him. They will take good care of him there in Horsey Heaven. Win Star is very beautiful and just down the road from where I went to school.

  22. / Reply

    I am so thrilled for you Zenyatta!! This induction to the Museum racing Hall of Fame is such an honor! Love you and I am so proud of you our Queen.
    love you with kisses and to your sons
    loving z princess and dear Sir
    Auntie Sally B

  23. / Reply

    Wonderful news!!! A well-deserved honor for this magnificent star who made horse racing history!! Congratulations to the Queen….our royal Zenyatta and to the entire A+ Zenyatta team. What beautiful memories we have all shared because of them.

  24. / Reply

    Congratulations Zenyatta and all of Team Z! There is none more deserving than Zenyatta. We’re all SO PROUD of her and her accomplishments. She is the QUEEN!

  27. / Reply

    Congratulations Queen Z and team on a well deserved honor! We all knew it would be just a matter of time before this deserved salute came her way. Queen Z is one very special mare, God Bless Queen Z and her wonderful team.

  28. / Reply

    Congratulations! So very well deserved by our beloved Zenny and all of her amazing Team Z. So very proud for her to receive this accolade. So proud for the Mosses for this wonderful recognition.

  30. / Reply

    ♥ This is such a proud day. I think of every one I have ever known who was connected to her, either directly or indirectly, and I am staggered by the huge number of people whose lives she touched with her magic. The Hall of Fame will now inscribe her name on the list of the Immortals. She was enshrined in our hearts years ago. She was, is, and always will be truly great. ♥

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