Long before Zenyatta was born, there was Eclipse.
Eclipse was a race horse from Great Britain that retired with an undefeated record in eighteen career starts during the 18th Century.
Eclipse never felt the feeling of defeat.
He made the winner’s circle his stomping ground.
And today, Eclipse is one of the most coveted names in racing. He is the namesake to the annual Eclipse Award trophies that recognize the outstanding achievements of horses and individuals in the racing industry.
When we crown a champion “Horse of the Year,” we’re talking about Eclipse.
And, when we start talking about Eclipse, we should point to the horse embodies his level of achievement.
I’m pointing at Zenyatta.
Zenyatta has never felt the feeling of defeat.
She’s made the winner’s circle her stomping ground.
And today, Zenyatta is one of the most coveted names in modern racing. She has racked up a list of achievements that would have given Eclipse himself a grueling run for his money if he had met her in his lifetime.
Zenyatta has a perfect record of winning eighteen consecutive starts.
Yes, Eighteen. The only horse in U.S. history that has ever retired with a perfect record greater than eighteen was Pepper’s Pride, the holder of nineteen consecutive victories during her racing career. And, there is no doubt in my mind that Pepper’s Pride truly accomplished something spectacular.
However, Zenyatta and Pepper’s Pride raced in different circles. Pepper’s Pride built her winning record through racing solely in New Mexico in many state-restricted races. She never entered a graded race in her career.
And yes, there is a value for earning good grades on a report card.
I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.
She is a virtual valedictorian in graded outings.
Zenyatta holds the world record for the most consecutive Grade I wins and has built her undefeated record through winning sixteen graded races, twelve of which were Grade I races.
Yes, twelve Grade I victories. Only six horses in U.S. history have ever captured more Grade I victories than Zenyatta. The record for the most Grade I victories in U.S. history stands with John Henry, who captured sixteen Grade I wins during his career.
But, John Henry isn’t up for “Horse of the Year.”
He already won it in his lifetime.
Twice.
Yet, John Henry provides a fine example of the mathematics of being “Horse of the Year.” Aside from holding the record for winning the most Grade I races, John Henry was the highest money-earning thoroughbred of his time when he retired with career earnings of $6,597,947.
So, yes. There is the business of making money.
I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.
Currently, Zenyatta has earned $6,254,580 during her career. She stands as the all-time female earnings leader in North America. And, she’s earned it in some impressive outings.
In 2009, a single female horse stomped into the gates of the Breeder’s Cup Classic and challenged all the boys to beat her to the wire. It was a bold move.
That female made history.
I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.
When Zenyatta became the first female to win the 2009 Breeder’s Cup Classic, she didn’t break a standing record. And, she didn’t set a record that was vulnerable to being broken in the future. She stamped out an untouchable spot in racing history.
So, yes. Zenyatta is a living legend.
And, she keeps blazing along.
Through her journey, Zenyatta is redefining what it means to be a race horse in the modern age. She’s dancing for crowds and drinking Guinness. Zenyatta is posting her activities on Facebook and sharing videos on You Tube.
She is hovering on the L.A. Dodgers billboard like Godzilla, announcing that Los Angeles is her town.
How many race horses lay claim to owning a town?
I’m pointing at Zenyatta, again.
Yet, many people are pointing at Zenyatta these days. Children show up at the race track with pink and teal painted faces.
And, they’re pointing at Zenyatta.
Non-industry media is starting to notice Zenyatta. The Huffington Post and W Magazine are telling the non-racing world that there is something spectacular going on at the race track.
They are pointing at Zenyatta.
Even Oprah is praising Zenyatta these days.
When Oprah set out to find twenty elite women who embodied various character traits for O Magazine’s 2010 Power List, the maven found one woman who stood along in demonstrating the “Power of Heart.”
Oprah pointed at Zenyatta.
Yes, Oprah. A woman who has been televising heartwarming stories for twenty-five years went ahead and picked Zenyatta as the woman who showed “heart” above all rivals in the human field.
And still, Zenyatta races toward her last two outings in a mirror image of Eclipse’s undefeated record.
If she wins, she’ll eclipse it.
And, if she loses, she’ll match it.
Regardless, she has already raced into Eclipse’s territory.
And, when we start talking about Eclipse, we’re talking about “Horse of the Year.”
A horse that has never felt the feeling of defeat.
A horse that makes the winner’s circle their stomping ground.
I’m pointing at Zenyatta.
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