This Breeder’s Cup season, the racing world will turn its focus toward the victories of the equine athletes in the series of prestigious races. A stunning victory showcases the glory of a race horse and can serve as the catalyst to transform a good horse into a great one. Victory is how this sport counts its champions, and, for those who go defeated, they typically stand in the shadows of the winner’s circle as the victor carries the moment.
Yet, at the close of the Breeders’ Cup last year, victory was simply more than the domain of the winner in the Classic. A certain kind of “victory” was also bestowed upon Zenyatta, standing in the cold night, as a freshly defeated mare transforming her heartbreaking loss into a moment of glory. And so, as this Breeders’ Cup season begins, I marvel over the Zenyatta’s quest for victory and wonder if winning is more than standing in the winner’s circle.
Perhaps, there is a little victory that occurs in the smaller moments in racing. The victories don’t count for career records or fancy trophies, but they are possibly part of what makes a champion. And, when I think of many champion racehorses, most of them have experienced both victory and defeat on their road to immortality.
In the case of Zenyatta, it seems that the big mare earned a few unsung victories during last year’s Classic despite her official defeat in the race itself.
It seems that there is a small victory through striking awe in the crowd before the gates ever open in a race. In the minutes leading up to the last Classic, Zenyatta held court in the post-parade like no other contender. The mare looked like a true prize fighter, daring anyone to challenge her on that oval. In that moment, it was her show, and, for those who came to see it, it seemed that defeat was simply out of the question.
And then, there appears to be a glimmer of victory in how a race is run before the wire is crossed. When Zenyatta set flight under the waning autumn sky in the Classic, her dazzling charge in the dusk epitomized something otherworldly. As she rushed past in blur, the sheer speed of her closing kick set in for the first time as I stood in the crowd.
In the end, whether she made it to the wire first or not, there was a small victory present. The mare had captured the victory of sending the crowd soaring at the sight of her final charge. Spectators began to murmur, “She’s going to win it!” in the last dizzying seconds of the Classic. The voices went from whispers to shouts in synchronicity with her movement. And, in that moment, it seems the crowd was racing along with the great mare.
And finally, it seems there was a victory present in the least likely moment - The moment the mare lost the race. Zenyatta, mired with fresh markings of defeat, faced the crowd and stood proudly for an ovation. And, as the crowd rose to pay homage to the great mare, tears streamed down the faces of many people as they stood to pay her a final tribute. Whatever sentiment those tears held, the glory of that mare was simply not in dispute. She held the victory of honor in defeat.
Yes, there and then, a perfect juxtaposition of victory and defeat occurred in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Two champions were on display - one in the winner’s circle and the other receiving a standing ovation in defeat. And, in her defeat, Zenyatta won the prize that had repeatedly eluded the mare in perfection - Horse of the Year.
Retrospectively, it appears there may be more than one winner in last year’s Classic. The true winner, Blame, who conquered the perfect mare in the Classic. And the other winner, Zenyatta, the great mare who was crowned Horse of the Year only after she conquered defeat.
Thanks, Jennifer, for a sweet retrospective. The 2010 Classic will always be Zenyatta’s second Classic, nothing meant to downplay Blame’s race.
A cyberspace commenter, whose words I have been given permission to use, said: It took all odds against her and a perfect trip to beat her! Another wonderful and sweet moment was Garrett Gomez standing in his saddle and saluting her twice as whe was led away to be unsaddled. Blame’s trainer also was kind and complimentary and said how lucky and honored they were. It took the current head of a family dynasty, who should have known better and whose “breeding” you would think would have inspired him with better words, to miss a moment to be magnanimous and gentlemanly, whose crass and cynical statements were decried by even Blame’s fans. They were not worthy of his family’s grand history and legacy. No matter. The HOY awards were a bittersweet moment for all Zenyatta’s fans.
What a hole she has left in the racing world, even with Black Caviar and Frankel around to remind us what perfection looks like, she is still greatly missed. This year’s BC runup has seen one column after another to be written about Zenyatta! After being the draw for 3 years for the Breeders Cup races, it is fitting that this year’s BC will honor her for her many gifts that she has given all of us and the legacy she has left. Long live the Queen!!!
Thanks for the great comment, Ann Maree! I love the quote “It took all odds against her and a perfect trip to beat her.” She has left a deep void without her presence at the BC this year. But, I’m sure we’ll still see some amazing performances… and Zenyatta via live video feed!
Very well written! I share the same sentiments exactly. Especially the comment, “And, in her defeat, Zenyatta won the prize that had repeatedly eluded the mare in perfection – Horse of the Year.” That race showed just what a strong spirit she was and showed her true heart.
Thank you for the nice comment, Bridget. I appreciate it!
I was there last year to witness her great effort. She made believers of many that day including some men behind us who had bet against her. To a man they said she was the best on the track that day. No other horse could have accomplished what she did…such heart, intelligence and style. Yes, we all miss her terribly but are happy she retired safe and sound and is now enjoying a really good life at LE. The world will be watching for the birth of little Z with much anticipation and hope. God Bless her and her wonderful connections who continue to let us share her life.
Lovely article. I was not at BC last year, but was watching on my TV! I can still today feel how my heart pounded as she & Mikey made their final move towards the finish. I remember my 6 year old daughter & I yelling at the top of our voices for all the neighbors to hear & then the flood of tears that filled our eyes as the race was called, “Blame by a nose.” It was not her defeat only that brought the sadness, but that we would never see our favorite mare race again, never feel this unimaginable feeling of suspense for a long time. There are and will be A LOT of GREAT horses, but only ONE Zenyatta!
Hi Sue and Patricia ~ Thank you for the wonderful comments. Beautifully said.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the fantastic story about Zenyatta. It still amazes me how much emotion this horse brings to so many people. I was watching the race on simulcast last year and have never yelled so loud! If only the race had been a few feet longer! Her owner’s and trainer should be commended for all that they do to keep the public connected with Zenyatta even in retirement.
Thank you for your kind comment, Jeanine. I agree ~ Zenyatta’s team has been wonderful on keeping the fans involved with her activities.
That is a beautiful and poignant article. You said so much with the short phrase “…only after she conquered defeat.” That struck such a chord with me and I think it is an important life lesson for all of us. Zenyatta revived the horse race fan and I love her all the more for that. After following thoroughbred racing for more than 40 years I have to say she as left a bigger impression on me than even Ruffian. Thank you for this wonderful piece of writing.
Thank you for the very nice comment, Genevieve. I appreciate it.
I did not see the Classic last year in person but have watched the video too many times to be counted. I have watched a lot of race horses but I have never seen one run like Z did last year. To come from 25 lengths behind the pack, weave through the first group and get bumped, sometimes running with her eyes closed trusting her very life to Mike Smith’s hands, finally getting to the outside and exploded like a firestorm down the stretch. She passed 18 horses and came within 3 inches of passing the 19th. Could any other horse in the field have done this? I don’t think so. Zenyatta embodied “the heart of a thoroughbred, heart of a lion” that day. She never quit, never even slowed down. That magnificent heart of hers is what has made her great and will keep her name prominent in racing history along with all the other great ones.
Thank you for the beautiful comment, Sharon. Her late charge in that race is my favorite moment that I have ever witnessed personally in racing. You couldn’t have described it more perfectly.
I was there when she won in del mar and then again when she had her first loss in Kentucky, I was more proud of her in the BC 2010 than anytime she ever ran, when she went by me the first time she was 12 lengths back from all of them , all alone on that track, how she caught up I will never know, and to run by every horse on that field and miss it by less than the hair on your nose…wow…what a horse…she is and will be the female version of Secretariat…She is the greatest we will ever lay our eyes and hearts on….How blessed was I to have been able to meet her and pet her? She is such a Good Girl.
Perfect! One expects no less from Jennifer and the Queen! Zenyatta will be missed this year at the BC; there are, however, some fantastic talents waiting to make history. We have another filly trying to join the annals of horse racing yet again in her effort to capture the HOTY award with a BC Classic win along with a 4-peat by Goldi. There will never be a “personality” though like the Queen. May her presence be strongly felt and bring luck to HDG and Goldi in their quests for perfection this year…
Sharon Call, your post left tears in my eyes. The photos of Zenny running through the pounding clumps of mud with her eyes closed makes her effort all the more magnificient.
She did trust Mike with her life. Their bond is a beautiful thing.
Thank you Stephanie and Sue for the wonderful comments!
she found her greatest glory in defeat. i will always love and miss our Z
Jennifer…what a great story! As I have always loved Zenyatta, I had wanted her to retire undefeated. But, after her loss in the 2010 Classic, I realized that it wasn’t really a loss after all (she DID beat 12 other horses!) I feel that Zenyatta earned more respect and love after that last race, due to the fact that she showed her true heart and will after such a bad start. Blame may have won the race, but Zenyatta won the hearts.
Call me still in denial, but that was no defeat - by a nose, with the bumpy trip she had? The scoreboard could say what the scoreboard wanted, but Zenyatta was no number two horse, and the whole world knew it then and there. She was the champion that day, no doubt about it.