BREEDERS’ CUP TO CELEBRATE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF ZENYATTA’S HISTORIC WIN AS PART OF 2019 BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Zenyatta to receive the Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award
ARCADIA, Calif., (October 10, 2019) – The Breeders’ Cup, one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious international events, today announces a unique slate of programming in commemoration of Zenyatta, one of the greatest racehorses of all time, and the 10th anniversary of her historic victory in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, when she became the first-ever female to win the world-renowned race. To honor Zenyatta’s achievements, Breeders’ Cup will provide fans with the opportunity to relive her history-defining moments and learn about her illustrious career during the 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, taking place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on November 1 and 2. Designed to facilitate engagement with fans both near and far, the one-of-a-kind activities will include both digital and onsite offerings.
“Zenyatta’s accomplishments are among the most legendary in the history of horse racing. Her fortitude and tenacity are truly inspiring, and she will forever be remembered as one of the most impressive Thoroughbreds of all time,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President, Racing & Nominations at Breeders’ Cup. “Upon our return to Santa Anita, the site of her historic Classic win all those years ago, we’re proud to celebrate Zenyatta and look forward to doing so her alongside her dedicated fanbase worldwide.”
As part of the 10th anniversary activation, all attendees of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be able to enter the Zenyatta Peacock Paddock, a specially curated space adorned with exclusive images, memorabilia and life-sized cutouts of Zenyatta. Within the Peacock Paddock, a number Zenyatta’s iconic photos will be on display, offering an opportune moment for fans to memorialize their experiences and share them with fellow fans on social media using the horse’s official hashtag, #QueenZenyatta. In tandem, video set-ups and live screenings will allow them to relive her most memorable wins and get an exclusive look at Zenyatta at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, where she currently resides. To bring the excitement of the 10th anniversary home, limited-edition Zenyatta merchandise will be available to purchase onsite at Santa Anita Park during the championship weekend, as well as online at www.BreedersCupShop.com.
To further commend Zenyatta’s historic achievements, Breeders’ Cup will be honoring her with the Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award. The Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award has been previously awarded to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, renowned golfer Gary Player and legendary broadcaster, Dick Enberg.
During the championship weekend, horseracing network TVG will also honor Zenyatta’s lasting legacy with an ultimate supercut of Zenyatta’s most memorable career highlights, which will air on the network alongside additional replays of Zenyatta’s winning races, including the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic. NBC Sports Group, the official broadcast media partner of the Breeders’ Cup, will additionally air a tribute segment to Zenyatta during its broadcast of the World Championships that will revisit Zenyatta’s trailblazing history and showcase the legendary mare’s current whereabouts.
One of the most beloved champions in Breeders’ Cup history, Zenyatta has been recognized with the most significant awards and accolades in the industry, including being named as one of the top 10 female athletes of 2009 by Sports Illustrated as well as Horse of the Year in 2010. In addition to her Breeders’ Cup Classic win in 2009, Zenyatta was also the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races, beginning with her victory at the Distaff, formerly the Ladies’ Classic, in 2008. To learn more about Zenyatta and the 10th anniversary celebrations taking place at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships, please visit www.BreedersCup.com/Zenyatta.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships returns to Santa Anita Park this year for a record-breaking tenth time on November 1-2. For further details and other ticket options, please visit www.BreedersCup.com/tickets.
About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 championship races (13 Grade 1 events and one Grade 2 race) with purses and awards totaling more than $30 million, will be held on November 1-2 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
shirleeinindy
She deserves all the honors and praise. There will never be another like her. God bless her and her coming foal.
shirleeinindy
The Queen has an entry in the QE 2 at Keeneland today. Also entered is Lady Prancealot.
Good luck and safe trip to all the horses.
Judy Berube
Dear Shirlee:
Ditto! Godspeed; safe and sound all. Love and Hugs, JB
Kathleen Marsh
Wonderful to see Zenyatta honored in this way. I was thinking that the way things are lining up this year, she could probably dust off her saddle and go win it all again this year!
She truly has been a gift with her presence and charisma, she has won so many hearts. She is a standard by which others are measured.
Janet Morgell
I’m so glad to see Zenyatta get the tribute and honors she so richly deserves. She’s such a special horse and we will always love her. I wish I could attend the race but I’ll have to be content to watch the program on TV.
Celeste_in_Texas
How exciting to see they are honoring Zenyatta, our Queen, in these many different ways to celebrate and commemorate her accomplishments as a race horse! Thank you for sharing all this with us, her dedicated fans. She always lifts my heart.
Judy Berube
Dear Team Z and Z Fans:
Congrats to Z and all of you in celebrating 10 years of Z’s winning the BCC. Wonderful to have her honored by the BC and the Industry in this way. So well deserved! Love and Hugs to you Queen Z, JB
Dee in the Hudson Valley
A most deserved honor… A tribute to The Queen and Her Retinue (Team Z) !!
Now & forever the most moving races to watch… Guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes.
Mary Jane
Mike said after their 2009 win that Zenyatta was “Horse of the Decade!” He might just be right. Can you think of another horse who’s captured the hearts of this nation and others around the world the way she did? Her half sister, the great champion, Winx, comes close. But Winx didn’t have the pizzaz and the showmanship that Queen Z brought to each and every race.
It’s fitting that the BC Championship honors her in this way. No other female horse has won the Classic since Zenyatta. Does any other track have a statue of a female race horse?
All hail the queen. Zenyatta, you are a legend!
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Team Z and all connections,
Thank you so much for all you do to keep us in the Zenyatta family!
Thank you to the Breeders’ Cup association for this great honor. It is much deserved and much appreciated. We look forward to celebrating this miraculous mare, our Queen Z!
Where did 10 years go — it seems like only yesterday❣️
Hugs and Love ? ? ?
Ingrid Arnone
She is one in a million! And I always said that she is one in a million!
I love you dear Zenyatta, for ever and ever!!!!
Ingrid.
Darlene Daniels
This is wonderful news. Zenyatta deserves every accolade and award she gets. There is not a day goes by I don’t think of her and I love her as much today as I did back then. Cant believe it has been 10 years already. Zenyatta, my angel, I love you forever. Darlene
sheena.davies
Congratulations to Desert Encounter who won the Canadian International fot the 2nd time last night.Slow out of the stalls and with such a cool ride from Andrea Atzeni only hands and heels.Well done team Simcock.
The Cesarewitch went to Mulliins with Stratum not Buildmeupbuttercup and star juvenile Pinatubo ending his sparkling season with a win in the Dewhurst.
Ground at Ascot is about the wettest they have seen not good for Champions day this weekend.
I posted a link about the Zenyatta celebrations on previous blog and offered my congratulations at the time.Happy anniversary!
Judy Berube
Dear Sheena:
Congrats to Desert Encounter, Stratum and Pinatubo. Next time for Buttercup. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweetiesjj
Judy Berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL and DC:
Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB
Judy Berube
Dear Z Fans:
News on Max. He’s pointed to the Bold Ruler Stakes on 10/26 at Belmont.
Godspeed Maxi; hope you’re feeling one hundred percent better. Love and Hugs, JB
https://amp.horseracingnation.com/news/Maximum_Security_to_face_older_in_Belmont_Parks_Bold_Ruler_123
Sheena Davies
Dear Judy.Good luck to Max in the Bold Ruler.Ascot flat course waterlogged they wiil most probably use the hurdle course for some of the races and promises more rain.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX
Kathleen Marsh
Hi Judy. Thanks for update on Max. I love this horse. So good to see him back after what he went through.
Judy Berube
Dear Kathleen.:
Me too. Love and Hugs, JB
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Kathleen and Judy,
Me, too. Glad to see him back and healthy. He certainly deserves some good luck!
Stay well and sound, beautiful boy. All the Best!
Hugs and Love
Sally B. (cherish
Zenyatta is my only once in a life time racing mare that I love, adore and admire for all her accomplishments. I love her forever. Her personality and dance won my heart too!
Auntie Sally B
Mary McLeod
Zenny, high hooves & three whinnies to you!!!! I will be at BC, loving you, and relishing the memories!
Take care, Dear Queen,
Mary in Boone
Laurie super fan
So proud of her and her accomplishments ❤️ Praying for a healthy pregnancy and healthy foal ? still a super fan!!!
Allen
This is wonderful news. Zenny deserves all the accolades and awards that are out there. She is the greatest mare to ever step hoof on a racetrack. I am so proud of her, and so thrilled to see her honored in this way. Love You Zenny.
monica
we were there for Zenyatta’s big win in the classic and it was the happiest day!!! when she won, the fans were all going crazy – happiness all around – people hugging and cheering and laughing… it was a beautiful thing – all the happiness all around – the most memorable day at santa anita ever – she is and always will be, the greatest I ever saw – and I mean that sincerely – will NEVER be another like her – her charisma – personality – come from behind, no quit in her… racing efforts – her beauty – she is the best – the whole package – unique and talented – sweet as can be to her fans off the track – love her so much – always and forever….. monica
Judy Berube
Dear Z Fans:
My boy is sick; came down with the Rhinitis B Virus. Just found out today. Please pray for my Charlie’s recovery. I’m heartsick. Quarantine still in effect. Thanks. Love and Hugs, JB
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Judy,
I am so sorry that Charlie is sick. Sending lots and lots of positive thoughts and healing prayers for a swift and complete recovery. Thinking of you, too — and Angela, also.
Watch over our friend Charlie and his friends, St. Francis. ?
Hugs and Love ❤️
Judy Berube
My Dear Marshall:
Thank you. Love and Hugs, JB
Sheena Davies
Dear Judy.I am so sorry to hear about Charlie.Keeping him and you in my thoughts and prayers.God bless him.Goodnight Love and hugs to LM PC HT and all the sweeties.X
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Oh no! So sorry to hear this Judy. Sending good thoughts for everyone. Please keep us posted. ❤️
shirleeinindy
Judy,
So sorry that Charlie is sick. Sending healing thoughts and prayers his way and yours.
Kathleen Marsh
On no. Poor Charlie. Hoping for a quick and uneventful healing.
Mary M
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Queen Zenyatta, and baby “bump”. Love you, God Bless You, and all of your Team and followers. Love Mary M
Kimberly
I’m glad they’re honoring the greatest female horse of all time!!!!
Judy Berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL and DC:
Have a peaceful night. Love and Hugs, JB
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
I just spent 4 days at an exhausting state nursing association convention so am running way behind with some Birthday greetings. We missed our Ann from NC over the weekend and Debbie G from Lexington today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to both and very best wishes for a great year ahead!
??❤️??❤️??❤️
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Sandy,
Thanks for the birthday reminders. Glad to have you back on the blog❣️
Hugs and Love
Sending lots of lovely birthday wishes to our wonderful friends:
Happy (Belated) Birthday Neighbor Ann! Hope you had a great day filled with things you love. All the very Best, Always.
❤️ ? ? ? ? ?
Happy Birthday, Debbie G.! Hope you have enjoyed every minute of the day and that you will have a wonderful year, too. Best Wishes to you today and always.
? ❤️ ? ? ? ?
Sheena Davies
Belated Birthday greetings to Ann and Debbie.Hope you both had a great timexx
Sheena Davies
https://www.facebook.com/60406716676/videos/539005536925078/
Istabraq enjoys a dry morning at Martinstown!
Sheena Davies
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Super_mare_Enable_to_stay_in_training_for_2020_campaign_123#
I’ll be back!!!!Enable to stay in training.Excited is’nt the word for it!
Sheena Davies
https://twitter.com/FrankieDettori/status/1184125896401313793
Our Frankie is a happy man!!
Donna Heim
So wonderful to have our Queen honored in such a way. She truly earned and deserves it. I watch her Breeder’s Cup race over and over(the one she won, of course). I can’t bear to look at the loss because she did not deserve that one.
Love you and all of yours, Zenny.
Linda in NJ
Dear Judy
I am so sorry to hear that Charlie is sick. Hoping he feels better soon.
Linda