The old rule of etiquette used to be that people shouldn’t bring up politics or religion in casual social settings. It is the quickest way to anger friends, start rivalries and ignite a big ol’ brawl in any circle. I agree perfectly with this rule of etiquette, but I’d like to add one more topic to the rule: The “Horse of the Year” Award.
Last Saturday, in a not-so-casual setting, Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm shot those fighting words into the cold Kentucky air during a press conference after Blame had just defeated Zenyatta in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. As Zenyatta was quietly escorted back to her stable, Hancock was asked who should win the highly-coveted “Horse of the Year” award. He proclaimed with certainty, “Well, I thought the battle for Horse of the Year was fought about half an hour ago and Blame won it.”
Let the rodeo begin.
Two men can look at the same woman. One may find her beautiful, while the other finds her to be average. And, two voters can look at the same horse. One may see a decent horse, while the other person is marveling over their “Horse of the Year.” In my view, Hancock was doing just that. He had just watched Blame hold his nose in front of a bulleting monster mare and saw his “Horse of the Year.” Undoubtedly, Blame deserves praise, especially by his ownership, but winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic doesn’t necessarily clinch the “Horse of the Year” award.
How can a horse win the Classic and lose “Horse of the Year?” I believe Zenyatta would be happy to field this question for the audience. After two consecutive victories in major Breeder’s Cup outings, she received a few flowers, a couple new purses and a few bargaining chips at the voting booth. However, in the final stretch, she didn’t go home as “Horse of the Year” in 2008 or 2009.
The problem lies in the criterion that determines the Horse of the Year. It is completely subjective, and at times, downright snobby. Rifle through the “Horse of the Year” articles in the past few days and you’ll find a bundle of opinions.
The horse should win on a dirt track against male horses in Grade I races in a field of proven heavyweights.
It is also frowned upon if the races are solely in California. If a horse happens to train in California, it must be shipped all across the country to prove it is not solely a “synthetic” horse.
There is no reciprocity in the “East Coast vs. West Coast” arrangement. East Coast horses do not need to ship to California. It is presumed that they stand on golden hooves with dirt made of diamonds.
A male horse with a decent record of Grade I victories can overshadow any female horse in the field. If you’re a female, you better be able to beat the boys in every single outing against them as well as win all other Grade I outings. If you lose one race, you don’t stand a chance at Horse of the Year. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been undefeated throughout your entire career.
Finally, the female races are simply cupcake parties and bake sales. Sure, they are Grade I races, but they don’t really count for “Horse of the Year.” Since the inception of the Eclipse “Horse of the Year” award in 1971, one single female has won it through campaigning solely in female races – Azeri. Ruffian did not win the award. Neither did Rags to Riches when she beat Curlin in the stretch run of the Belmont Stakes in 2007. A victory in the Kentucky Derby won’t clinch the “Horse of the Year” award for a female either – Winning Colors and Genuine Risk already tried that path.
Somehow, Azeri slipped through a loophole in 2002 and won “Horse of the Year” through filly and mare-restricted races.
Similar to Zenyatta, Azeri built her “Horse of the Year” campaign through winning the Santa Margarita, Apple Blossom, Milady, Vanity, Clement Hirsch, Lady’s Secret and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (formerly known as the Breeders’ Cup Distaff). All in all, Azeri had five Grade I wins, three Grade II victories and one successful allowance race when she was voted “Horse of the Year” in 2002.
In contrast, Zenyatta tried to take the “Azeri Route” to “Horse of the Year” in 2008. She won the El Encino, Apple Blossom, Milady, Vanity, Clement Hirsch, Lady’s Secret and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic that season. At the end of the year, Zenyatta had three Grade II victories and four Grade I wins, including the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic.
Yet, Zenyatta did not win “Horse of the Year” in 2008. Her critics insisted that she raced against “nobodies” and never ran against the boys. “Cupcake Parties” don’t count.
Zenyatta put a new twist on her campaign for “Horse of the Year” in 2009. While maintaining a perfect record, Zenyatta clinched one Grade II victory and won four Grade I races in her new campaign. Among those victories, Zenyatta stunned the racing world through becoming the first female to beat the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In doing so, she put away the 2009 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners in the same field.
Yet, Zenyatta did not win “Horse of the Year” in 2009. Her critics insisted that she campaigned solely on synthetic track, failed to ship to the East Coast and that a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was really just a great “moment” in her career.
Zenyatta decided to answer all remaining criticisms in 2010. While maintaining a perfect record, Zenyatta won five Grade I races. She shipped to the Apple Blossom and won by daylight on dirt. Zenyatta pulled a “three-peat” in the Clement Hirsch, Vanity and Lady’s Secret. She became the top-earning female racehorse of all time while capturing the female record for the most Grade I victories. She reeled in the record for the most consecutive Grade I wins. And then, she shipped to Kentucky to race the boys on dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Yet, Zenyatta did not win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In her final majestic flight toward Blame, she lost by a head. However, in her defeat, Zenyatta actually did beat a few more boys in the career. She finished in front of ten top-notch male contenders, including the Preakness winner and Haynesfield, the horse that had previously beaten Blame this season.
And then, the rules changed on Zenyatta.
As luck would have it, some members of the racing industry started to proclaim that the “Horse of the Year” award is an honor reserved for the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This was big news. Since the inception of the race, the “Horse of the Year” award has been denied to 58% of the Breeder’s Cup Classic winners. But now, it was a new requirement.
You must be kidding me.
Zenyatta has won more Grade I victories than Blame this year. And, she has met all the demands of her critics. She shipped from California to race on dirt against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. She was the oldest horse and only female in the race. Zenyatta made this journey with a perfect record of 19-0. She was the sole undefeated horse in the field.
Zenyatta had everything to lose among rivals that stood only to benefit their own career by being “the one” to defeat the great mare.
And, she still showed up.
In fact, she rose to the challenge.
Zenyatta filled the stands and captivated the media. She danced in the paddock, pranced in the post-parade and shot like a bullet down the cold dirt track against her male counterparts in a breathtaking attempt to maintain her perfect record.
The news of her defeat hit a national audience. Hard. The viewers of that race went beyond the regular crowd. Zenyatta brought Oprah into the racing world. She was the first racehorse to ever be profiled on 60 Minutes. And, Zenyatta introduced the fashion industry to the sport in the society pages of W fashion magazine. She marketed racing to non-enthusiasts. It was brilliant, beautiful and, most importantly, successful.
The racing industry has a new group of fans because of Zenyatta. And, the treatment of Zenyatta will define our industry to non-traditional fans in the racing world.
Treat her like a Queen.
Treat her like perfection.
She’s not your average horse.
Zenyatta is Horse of the Year.
Zenyatta is still campaigning for Horse of the Year on Facebook. To support her campaign, click here.
Beautiful Jennifer!! I loved all the facts.. it’s black and white and you laid it all out.. it’s a no brainer.. infact, in my article I wrote, I think she should be voted horse of the decade! maybe the century but I did not want to push it lol
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments! I truly appreciate it.
And Frankie ~ I look forward to reading your article. It’s on my reading list for the night!
J
Finally an intelligent article about Horse of the Year. Just this past Thursday I sent a letter to Bill Dwyre covering the same points that you have Jennifer. Funny how the rules will change to justify their picks. There are no rules requiring where a horse will run or who it will run against, the title is completely subjective. Funny how people will criticize what a horse has or has not done when there are no set standards or rules to fulfill and meet the requirements to earn Horse of the Year. As you say one year the Breeders Cup Classic is the deciding factor for HOTY but another year it is not. Funny how they will say the title is decided title for winning the same race one year but not another. As I watch and read the feedback on the various sites about this, I am amazed at the amount of passion that has been shown about this subject this year. In any other year, it would not be so. What brought about this passion? Zenyatta. I have to commend the Zenyatta camp also for the class they have shown throughout this. No statements, no bad mouthing. The same can not be said for others.
There is no doubt that the mighty mare should be Horse of the Year, She has went beyond the requirements. Not only did she prove on the field of battle( Track) that she deserves it but she went outside and proved her worth by bringing more fans to the sport then any other horse has in the last fifty years. The great Zenyatta made history in 2009 by being the first filly/mare to win the Breeders Cup Classic and made history again this year by being the only mare to finish a close second in the Classic. And as mentioned she were the only horse in training in America to win 5 grade one races this year. She returned life to a dying game
Its nice to see someone unafraid to call out what is really going on here. Wonderful article. Lets hope we can all reconvene in a few and praise the equine industry for doing something right!
The east coast racing establishment determines horse of the year, not a horses performance. Who won last year? moderately talented east coast horse. Guess who wins this year? Blame - a horse that won 2 good east coast races. Guess who wins next year? some horse that runs well in a couple of east coast races. And so on and so on.
Astonishing the rampant imbecility on display in a number of the comments posted to your (this) piece on “The Bloodhorse.”
Typical is one by someone named “Joanie” who disparages you (clear ad hominem attack) because she idiotically concludes that you…
work for the magazine “The Saturday Evening Post”!!!
I was tempted to take her & others like to task (call attention to their imbecility) but am just not willing to add to my already hefty karmic load by awakening them to their sorry Cretinous state.
Average literacy in America is on the down side of an already steep decline (approximates 4th grade reading level).
It’s the End of the World as We Know It (so goes the song)!
What a beatiful article about a beatiful mare. Finally someone who truly knows what they are talking about and has all the facts. As one of many, many Zenyatta fans, I so appreciate the words you have written for the new breed of fans Zenyatta has brought into the world of horse racing. Thank you
In 1986, four-year-old Lady’s Secret became a dominant force in American thoroughbred racing. She defeated the nation’s best male horses four times, winning ten of her fifteen starts that season. She won HOY with five losses so “if you simply lose once” is a fallacy.
I don’t think Winning Colors won another race in 1988 after winning the Derby…does you really think she deserved HOY that year. Ditto for Rags…no wins after that Belmont win. And anyone who thinks Genuine Risk deserved it in 1980 over Spectacular Bid is loony.
“Somehow, Azeri slipped through a loophole in 2002 and won ‘Horse of the Year’ through filly and mare-restricted races.” Because no other horse accomplished more that year..
“Yet, Zenyatta did not win “Horse of the Year” in 2009. Her critics insisted that campaigned solely on synthetic track, failed to ship to the East Coast and that a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was really just a great “moment” in her career.” Rachel had a historic and far superior year….the best year ever for a 3YO filly and “stunned the racing world” three times by beating males in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward.. Bad timing for Zen….most years her season would’ve been good enough for HOY
“And then, the rules changed on Zenyatta.” What rules? It’s a comparison between two horses. Blame won 2 G1’s (Whitney and Stephen Foster) against top company, the G3 Schaefer and was 2nd in the JC Gold Cup before beating Zen in the BC Classic. If Zen deserved it over Rachel last year for simply winning the Classic despite Rachel’s obviously far superior season up to that point, why wouldn’t you think that Blame deserved it this year for not only winning the Classic but beating his main HOY rival Zen in that race, especially when the season’s that each had were fairly comparable coming into that race (unlike last year with Rachel vs. Zen). WHO is changing the rules???
“Zenyatta has won more Grade I victories than Blame this year.” So this year it’s the horse that has the most G1 wins that should be HOY but last year that didn’t matter with Rachel vs. Zen? It was all about winning the Classic last year but this year for some reason it isn’t? Again, who is changing the rules?
Finally!!! Someone has said it the way it needs to be said…no bells and whistles, no ga-ga emotion or fawning, no argument or belittling of BLAME… just a straightforward speaking of the truth to set out all of the facts and reasons for ZENYATTA to be awarded the honor of Horse Of The Year.
MAny of our group the FOB (Fans Of Barbaro) were in the stands, cheering her on. It was an unforgettable experience to feel the palpable power of the percussion of her hooves as they thundered through the wind. I see her…I hear her…I feel her… in that glorious moment as she passed. It thrills me to this day. Win or not, she touched us. We who were there witnessed greatness. She is perfect. She is ZENYATTA!
Thank you for this beautiful article.
Loving ZENYATTA…
Your FOB Fren, O
It’s nice you are caught up in emotion when discussing this subject.Zenyatta didn’t deserve HOY last year, 2 years ago or this year.She ran campaigns to protect her streak.Why did she duck males in California in races such as the Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic. Nice mare with connections who were more worried about protecting a streak than finding out how good of a horse she really was.
Loved your article. In 2008 Curlin won Horse of the year despite his fourth place finish in the Classic, after being taken off steroids and not being able to handle a synthetic track. I’m from Kentucky and was brainwashed at an early age to follow the “traditional owners, breeders, and trainers” but Zenyatta has opened my eyes….that and a book by Jim Squires called “Headless Horseman” which exposes the “Dinnies” and their narrow minded influence on horse racing. If Zenyatta does not win Horse of the Year it will be a glaring commentary on the so called good ole boy network at their worst. They have continually changed the rules to suit their selfish purposes and loudly proclaimed that its their ball and they can do what they like, no matter their lack of logic or common sense. To give Blame, with a career record of 9-2-2, and a loss prior to the classic by four lengths to a horse who finished eleventh would be an excellent example of their backward thinking. One would think they would be embarrassed to even suggest such a thing. All the so called better horses that Blame beat this year finished behind Zenyatta, and the “better races” that Blame ran are only as good as the horses competing in them. Even Blame’s jockey stated that Zenyatta was the best he’d ever seen. And I agree.
Linda - Thank you for your comment. Well put.
Also - Jim Squires’ books are among my favorites. Very nice to hear someone else mention his writing.
Spot-on the day after her HOY 2010 win and vindication 17th JAN. 2011. Dear Jennifer: It should warm your heart to have tapped the root of her glorious career, proving what she means and why she should be so honored. Today, 18 JAN, LA Times` Bill Dwyre`s lovely article echoes your thoughts after the fact. This thinking should be placed in a time capsule, to be opened should a baby of Zenyatta`s win the Triple Crown, although I hope by then the ages for entry have pushed on to allow for growth and maturation, such as ‘Z’ was permitted by John Shirreffs, her beloved trainer.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60697/blame-is-top-us-horse-in-world-rankings
where were these “voters”?