Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Special Events

Breeders’ Cup 10th Anniversary Zenyatta Celebration

7 November 2009: Zenyatta with Mike Smith up (#4) wins the G1 $5 Million Breeder’s Cup Classic in Arcadia, California. Eric Patterson/Eclipse Sportswire

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.

Reader Interactions

243 Comments

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thank you for this moving image — Fortunino Matania was a brilliant artist. “Goodbye Old Man” brought tears to my eyes, especially when you consider how many times that scene was repeated during the war. Heartwrenching.

      Thank you, also, for the lovely tribute post to the General and Warrior, as well as to all those brave souls (as Judy wrote, . . . human, equine and canine) who sacrificed so much. True heroes, indeed. We must never forget.

      Hugs and Love

  4. / Reply

    Sad news is all Hovis’s tack has been stolen and the contents of Brian’s truck last night from the Premier Inn in Coventry.Doubtful they can ever be found it’s all about the sentimental value.The news has been shared far and wide on social media so maybe??The show goes on with Hovis though.

  5. / Reply

    Hello everyone. I have just now been able to get back on the blog. Missed everyone something awful. Sorry about Hovis losing his stuff but perhaps someone will call with a tip and it can be recovered.

    Congrats to Vino Rosso, Curlin’s boy and to Elate for her 4th place finish in the Classic. I was so proud of her. Of course, I don’t think another mare is ever going to be able to match the performance of Our Queen! Heart hurts for Manchurian Groom and his team but so happy that so many of them came through okay.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      I was so rooting for Vino and thrilled that he won. So very sad for MG; gorgeous, brave boy.
      I can relate; having more “senior moments” myself. Love and Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Sorry guys. Had a senior moment. That is Mongolian Groom. Seems I have more and more of these moments. Now, where did I put my glasses?

  7. / Reply

    Prayers needed for Hovis as he faces another operation on his hoof a week tomorrow under GA this time.He is home now safely tucked up in his PJ’s.Everyone was so kind to them offering tack.A fight with insurance tomorrow.

    Dear Judy.Lovely service this morning in Whitehall.Very wet here tonight.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Sorry about the theft of Hovis’ tack and the things from Brian’s truck — I really despair of humans these days!
      Hovis definitely has my prayers and positive healing thoughts for the hoof problem and upcoming surgery. God Bless him, Karen and his whole family. St. Francis watch over him and keep him safe.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      As Marshall said, asking St. Francis to protect Hovis and help him recover completely. The boy’s been through it these past months; prayers for his Mum too! Those abscesses are scary. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  8. / Reply

    Please have a nice day tomorrow, and take time to reflect and be grateful for our veterans, current and past. The eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour in the year 1918 — Armistice Day, now Veterans’ Day here.

    Hugs, Love and prayers for Peace

  11. / Reply

    Today on Veterans Day, I remember my dad, my uncles Harry and Bill, my grandpa Kassel. my uncle Bob who died in North Africa.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Lovely video of the Beautiful Ouija Board. She looks great and is well loved. Thanks for sharing.

      That photo of the horses at the rescue standing ankle deep in in the flooded pasture says it all. Poor babies. Sending continued prayers for them and for our Hovis. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  15. / Reply

    Hey Z family,

    I’m doing an initiative to get out free prints to veterans and their families. It can be any picture from my public Facebook page. I’ve had several responders today on social media but I wanted to also extend that offer to this group. If my memory hasn’t blanked completely, there are a few of you here who served or are family of those who served.

    It’s not a large gesture, but I wanted to do something. Just saying thanks alone felt hollow for me when I have the ability to do just a bit more and if it brings a smile to someone’s face, then it’s been a great pleasure and honor. If you’re not on FB, most of my galleries on my blog are fully updated, and you can just click on my name to get there from here. Send me a message through there or social media (in case I forget to check back here) and we can work something out. I’ll be running the offer/initiative/giveaway (see it as you choose) until Wednesday, so no rush to request anything if you see this a little later.

    Thank you for your service, those on here who have served. We owe you a debt we’ll never be able to repay.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.