I was there in the grandstand that day. It was one of the greatest moments of my life when Zenyatta crossed the line. Everything was just pure joy for a couple of minutes.
I was homeless and watched it in a Sports bar! I bet the Breeders Cup every year since 87' I would have had at least $200 on Zenyatta at 5/2, considering I picked 3 other winners that day, I bet $500 on the Cup last year, got shut out! Gotta love horse racing..♥️🙏👉🇺🇸
This race never fails to give me chills. Watching Zenyatta pick those other horses off one by one like it was child’s play just gets me every single time. This is why Zenyatta is one of my favorite racehorses- she’s just absolutely stunning.
@curragh 42 Rachel Alexandra lost to females in her career how many females did Zenyatta lose to? Ruffian Never raced outaide the state of New York and you gonna say she the best. Sure🙄🙄
Some may say that Z's connections handled her with gloves, but she's a big mare. Bigger than most of the boys, which means she was heavier, which means more weight for her to carry. She raced for four years without an injury. That's incredible. This mare is incredible. She beat everyone that Rachel Alexandra beat that was notable, in one race. She cemented her place in history by becoming the first female to win the BCC ever. So I applaud her connections, they handled their star brilliantly and always put her welfare first. Zenyatta retired healthy, and with her fiery spirit still in tact.
A complete difference when you look at Rachel Alexandra who got burnt out from her 3 year old campaign and was never the same horse again. She lost to nobodies during her 4 year old campaign, including Zardana, Zenny's stablemate. Zenyatta proved that she could best any competition, and if not for a few factors conspiring against her at Churchill, she would've retired a back to back Classic champion. She was still the best horse on that day, regardless of whether or not Blame barely held on.
@@mamabear160 Zenyatta was a late bloomer and Rachel peaked early. Rachel's owners/trainer took advantage of this and allowed her to compete in tough races because they believed she could win and would likely level out at the age of 4. Zenyatta on the other hand could never handle the rigors of a 3 year old campaign so she was carefully managed. No problem in doing that but it isn't fair to say Rachel got burnt out or for anyone else to state Zenyatta was handled with gloves.
That is why I think Zenyatta was so special and something we will never see again or for at least a very long time. I mean look at American Pharoah, what he did was incredible and something that the horse racing community thought couldn't be done again, but would he have kept his top form if he raced as a four year old? Look at Arrogate, the richest horse in North America, but sadly strongly disliked the surface at Del Mar and lost his final three races and to be a champion, that's just something he had to overcome but couldn't. Even Justify, though his time was short, it was an amazing ride to watch, but would he have faired against the older males? And I'm not trying to diminish any of these horses and their accomplishments but Zenyatta kept her form for three full seasons, and that's why I think she was so special, consistently racing in the top races against the top competition and retired 100% sound. Her connections could have retired her after her 2008 Ladies Classic win but kept her racing and I'm so thankful for that.
@@Laura-nx5cl would Zenyatta have been a 2 and 3 year old champion winning classic races and breeders cups at those ages? Her trainer didnt feel she was ready to take on that challenge and he has said as much. Arrogate, Pharoah and Rachel did those things. Zenyatta did great things also but they were different things. She didnt really start racing until age 4 and lost 1 of the only 2 races she ever ran against male opponents. Zenyatta is visually impressive but her depth is questionable.
@@joecommie4890 I don't think she would have been a successful 2 and 3 year old, because like you said, her trainer didn't think she was ready. But I was pointing out what makes her impressive, was how she was able to keep her form for so long when so many horses have shown time and time again that they aren't able to do so.
Agreed. This call is one of a few I regularly like to listen to; the 1995 BC Classic race which Cigar won to tie Citation's 16 win streak by Tom Durkin (which to me is the all-time best race call); and the 1997 Kentucky Derby call of Silver Charm, Freehouse, and Captain Bodgit by Dave Johnson ("and here comes the Captain"; "Captain Bodgit is flying"; and of course the usual "And down the stretch they come") -Dave Johnson, Tom Durkin, and Trevor Denman would be on any Mount Rushmore of Horse Racing Announcers...
I live across the street from Santa Anita so have seen many great races but this one is hard to beat and I got to see it in person. Still gives me chills watching replays. Almost the second Trevor starts saying she has a lot of work to do she's like yeah watch this dude.
1:59 "This is unbelievable Zenyatta! What a performance, one we will never forget! Looked impossible, but it is Zenyatta, still unbeaten under Mike Smith.”
Each time I watch it I keep thinking: how on earth is Mike Smith going to get her out of there. I still have to remind myself that she routinely ran sub 24 and even sub 23 final quarters without seeming to extend herself.
Great race and terrific call by Trevor Denman, who really rose to the occasion. He kept his eye on Zenyatta the whole time, understanding the viewers' interest, so when she ends up winning, we can appreciate what a virtuoso performance she'd pulled off.
Me and my dad were tearing up at the track when she crossed the line! (and we're both dudes, but huge horse fans nonetheless!) And wow, what an inspirational moment. I have gone to nearly every Zenyatta race in Southern California and I enjoyed her campaign! She is a true gift to the sport! Go Zenyatta! Enjoy retirement baby!
Being a runner of course during the race. Your out of breath & tired, it gives you that extra needed inspiration to pick it up & find that gear you thought never existed. Best time to kick it in is probably the last 1600m
As a groom, I used to jog the turf courses at SA and DMR, bare foot. Man, that backstretch looms LONG when you only have 2 legs. I was cheap speed, slowed to a walk by the 1/8 pole.
I love Zenyatta. If I met her in person then that would be the most amazing day of my life. Even though she's retired, she's still the queen of racing and the best racehorse we've ever seen.
We are so lucky in this industry to have as skilled a race caller as Trevor Denman. He is enthusiastic, genuine, skeptic, & hard to impress all at the same time.
Probably my favourite racehorse ever. What a beautiful, characterful and courageous champion she was. And one who absolutely never gave anything less than her everything. I can still barely watch the 2010 Classic without shedding a tear mind. 'Zenyatta is last. She is dead last...' And then to watch her finishing like the proverbial steam train! Absolutely love, love, loved her!!
She just seemed lost that day broke about 10 or 12 lengths slower than usual, she's usually just in touch with the back marker. Then Mike Smith tried to make up some ground early, ( said she actually learned to take the dirt all in the length of the backstretch) Got steadied, then she showed away from the whip, because he never had to use it before! If any one of these things doesn't happen, she wins. That's why Mike was Crying like a baby in the post race conference, saying " it was my fault"
I started following horse racing when in 2006 when Barbaro won the Derby, I was only 8, and I was hooked ever since. The longer I've been following horse racing the more it occurs to me how special Zenyatta truly was. The fact she was able to keep top form, racing in graded stakes, for 3 years is incredible. Looking at Arrogate, he took us on an incredible journey but wasn't able to keep his top form, sure it was obvious he doesn't like the Del Mar track, but to be the best you have to overcome those hurdles. Even American Pharoah, he was incredible and once in a lifetime horse and did what was thought could never be done again by winning the Triple Crown, he was a dominate two and three year old but would he have returned as a dominate four year old if he didn't retire? Not taking anything away from Arrogate and American Pharoah because they both were incredible horses and took all of their fans on an amazing ride. It's hard to get to the top of the game but it is even harder to stay there.
Zenyatta was the best stretch runner I've ever seen. She won many of her races comming from behind. A super horse! She was also a huge horse 17.5. Hands, bigger than a large male horse 🐎
the best voice of the business brings back a lot of memories of going to Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, del mar, and Fairplex this was the best race I personally think he called I miss going to the track and not hear his voice
Ha ha, still gives me goosebumps and a smile. The first time I watched this video I was thinking...how is this lazy slow horse going to win this race? Well my goodness, she made me a Zenyatta addict in about 40 seconds. What a delight she was and is.
I don’t know what’s better, the call, the race, the horse or whoever is in the production trailer deciding the camera views. Perfection all around. Zenyatta was a beast
With the derby this weekend, it reminded me of Queen Z, so I came to watch this race again. I was lucky enough to watch her race live twice. This race and the 08 BC Ladies Classic. Such an amazing horse, jockey, and owners! She sure was a sight to see. It’s like she knew she was so loved the way she walked from the paddock to the track dancing, stopping to pose for pictures, it was awesome! Will always remember this day, this race, and this amazing horse!
I love all 4 of them too! In my opinion, you can't pick one over the other as "the best" because they were all truely the best in different ways. When it all comes down to the wire, they all captured the hearts of millions and changed horse racing forever.
I remember watching the race with Foolish Pleasure- my heart broke that day and horse racing has never been the same for me since. Then I discovered Zenyatta and I was captivated all over again. Watching her almost makes up for Ruffian....if that is possible,
How many times have I watched this video? I can't even count. Horse racing took hold of me in 1973 when Secretariat won the Triple Crown- the GREATEST horse in history in my opinion. And then a few years later, along came this unbelievable filly named Ruffian. I was such a HUGE fan- she had no equal.
I've been watching horse racing for twenty years and I'm here to tell you that of course we've had some amazing animals come along in those two decades, but none of them captured the hearts of so many like Zenyatta. She turned non-fans, into hard-core believers. She is truly the queen of racing, she is one of the best of the best and she will be greatly missed. Just like Secretariat, everyone will know who your talking about when you mention the name Zenyatta.
+Capo Capo Oh So Sharp Raced a WHOLE 9 times and was beaten twice......Miesque isn't even in the same zip code as Zenyatta.......try to wrap your mind around this Zenyatta raced 20 times beaten ONCE BY A NOSE By an Older Male
Even when Smith has shift her path in early stretch to find room she doesn't lose any ground. But I find with huge horses like her it's hard to appreciate how fast they are moving. 200:62 from the back, having to weave through traffic and with fairly slow fractions is fast. I'll never be able to forgive Blame for beating her.
+steven cooke Go on, Blame it on Blame, Lol, I had to get that in...But I know what you mean,Reather had seen her dead last than to lose a close one as her only lost..
@@mendonlezine4600 Abel Tasman finished her career that way in this year's Distaff. Blind Luck's last race was like that. I'd hate to see a 22 starts 21 wins, 0 seconds and 0 thirds on her record.
steven cooke Me neither I still can’t watch that race I was in despair at the finish. My heart broke for Mike Smith during press conference the way he cried over the loss. I’m sure he still hasn’t forgiven himself.
The 2010 Breeders cup is when I started to get into horses. I watched a doc about Zenyatta just before watching this, because my first memories of racing is the announcer calling the 2010 breeders cup “zenyattaaaaaaa….BLAME” what an athlete. ❤️
Mike Smith made a hell of a move to find a hole when they hit the stretch. Bounded through the back half of the field, jumped three lanes outside at the perfect time, then just edged her further out when it got tight in front of them, and that was it. Amazing race by the horse, that could have gone for naught but for Smith finding that hole at just the right time.
Zenyatta is not related to Secretariat. Neither her sire nor dam are related to Secretariat. American Pharoah has Secretariat five generations back....
I love Zenyatta, she has incredible speed, power, and racing just seemed like second nature to her. But my favorite filly will forever be Ruffian. Ruffian will always be the queen in my eyes.
i CANT BELIEVE how clueless some of the comments on here are. The Only 2 OTHER Females who belong in the same sentence as her are Ruffian and Personal Ensign PERIOD. And she would probably beat those two most of the time. I have read all kinds of names throw out in these posts....Ladys Secret....Sky Beauty....Oh So Sharp etc etc All nice horses but not even in the same zip code as the 3 I listed. I mean Personal Ensign was unbeaten and ran down two of the best females of her decade on a speed favoring track. Ruffians credentials speak for themself. If You cant see that Zenyatta was nothing short of a Monsters Monster you are Blithering Idiot plain and simple
+Carl P *(1) Most of the world hardly respects a synthetic track legacy.(2) Zenyatta is, unfortunately, another one of the USA's 'lasix champions', sad to say. Oh well...*
austin p Yes, although only as a three-year-old. Then there's Bayakoa, Go For Wand, Dance Smartly, Paseana, Hollywood Wildcat, One Dreamer, Inside Information, Serena's Song, Jewel Princess, Silverbulletday, Riboletta, Spain, Azeri, Ashado, Ginger Punch, Rachel Alexandra, Unrivaled Belle, Blind Luck, Royal Delta, Untapable, Beholder, Songbird, and more. This guy is an emotionally-blinded fan, that's all.
She beat Ginger Punch handily the first time she won the Apple Blossom, and Rachel Alexandra ran from her and a potential $5 million dollar payday the second time she won the Apple Blossom, so as far as I'm concerned you can scratch both of those as being compared to Zenyatta. I always said the only prayer Rachel Alexandra would've ever had of beating Zenyatta would've been on conventional dirt in a match race, and then maybe. But in a full field, I don't care if they would've raced on conventional dirt, synthetics, turf, or on asphalt across a Wall-Mart parking lot, Zenyatta would've ran her down and right on by her through the stretch just like she did every opponent she ever faced save Blame. And lest we forget the incredible amount of weight she always had to give away to the other fillies & mares she faced. None of the above the mentioned filly/mares you listed have ever had to give away remotely the same kind of weight Zenyatta did. Just sayin........
GBeret83 But many of them did things Zenyatta couldn't, and some of them had more grueling campaigns.than she did. Not to take anything away from her, though.
The Kentucky Derby winner got his flank kicked by a girl. And then so did the rest of "racing's greatest." Bet that was a humbling experience. Then again, Zenyatta is enormous. It's probably very easy for her hold her own against males. I wish she'd run the Kentucky Derby that year. She likely would have won.
Sorry but Zenyatta would not have won the KY derby. She wasn't ready for racing until late in her 3 year old career. John Shireffs has said the same. The derby had extraordinary runners including street sense and curlin. While they were competing at the highest level of racing she was still being trained up to start racing.
I was there - one of those moments I will never forget. The crowd was going crazy. It's so rare to see an athlete, nevermind a race horse, deliver every time. Unbeaten, and IMO Horse of the Year...Zenyatta.
Your insight is great................I've been going to Santa Anita since 1977 (to see John Henry) and this eclipsed anything before it. Incredible setting, crowd, celebration and performance by the one and only. Totally Electric. Thanks!!!
Z is such a great horse and from what they say at Lanes End a great mom! The foals there all seem to be under the same spell she has so many of us under cause they’re saying there that all the foals hang out by her, lucky them I’d love to hang out around her too!! Hope to see you soon Z !!
this race will be in the memory for a very long time great performance from a great horse....the second best horse in the world last year behind sea the stars..
My favourite horse of all time. Im from Johannesburg, South Africa. Stayed up until 3am to watch her race. Tears flowed then and years later they still flow watching her in action. If Zenyatta was a religion, Id be her disciple.
Truly an awesome display by Zenyatta in this race. She really has proven herself to be one of racing's all time great's, IMO. Right now 16 for 16 lifetime. When you're now mentioned in the same conversation with the immortal Citation and the legendary Cigar, you know you've really accomplished a lot in your racing career.
I grew up watching the races in CA and can't imagine watching a horse race without hearing Trevor Denman call it... Especially a race as epic as this one
There will never be another race in the BC classic that will ever top this, it is the equivalent to the Belmont win of Big Red's.... A Mind Blow...She is the most amazing horse I have ever seen, with my eyes and in my lifetime...period...no ifs ands or buts....
Best filly/mare of all-time. To win 19 straight races the way she did it from dead last is a marvel in itself. To have no control over the pace of the race, to overcome traffic issues each and every time is simply impossible, but she did it. I would get angry every time her owners entered her in a 1 1/16th race. Way to short for her. Yet somehow someway she got their first. I truly believe at that time the only jockey that could ever beat her was on Blame that day. He knew exactly what he had to do to give him the best shot to beat her as he had raced against her so many times before and it worked out for him that day, barely.
Wow, 2009 was one excellent year to be a racing fan. Too many people spent their time bashing Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra, when they could've just admired them both for what they are. Great wins by great horses, so glad they both got Horse of The Year :)
As good as she was her entire career on a synthetic surface, probably at her best here on the pro-ride surface at Santa Anita always made me believe Zenyatta could've potentially been a monster on turf too if she'd ever been given the chance to race on it. This race is a case in point to how well good turf horses responded to this surface at Santa Anita with Gio Ponti, a muliple G1 winner on turf in America at distances of a mile, 10F, & 11F finishing 2nd and Twice Over, a multiple G1 winner at 10 & 10-1/2F in the UK of the Champion Stakes twice, Coral-Eclipse, & Juddmonte International Stakes finishing 3rd.
I was listening to Steve Byk interview John Sherrifs the other day and decided to watch this race again. OMG - she did look hopeless- what an amazing horse-- she beat some good horses too---
Every so often I like to watch this video, just to put a smile on my face.
OMG! Same here!! just to smile. even get a little choked up. lol
uki98iuu9uju
Same! And if I ever feel the need to get out an ugly cry I just watch the press conference of Mike Smith after the 2010 race...
Yeah me too
Yep me too :-)
I was there in the grandstand that day. It was one of the greatest moments of my life when Zenyatta crossed the line. Everything was just pure joy for a couple of minutes.
I can only imagine the surge of emotion when she crossed the line in first. You are very fortunate to have witnessed such greatness!
Sure u were kid
Wow lucky you. I will never forget that race!!!
I was homeless and watched it in a Sports bar! I bet the Breeders Cup every year since 87' I would have had at least $200 on Zenyatta at 5/2, considering I picked 3 other winners that day, I bet $500 on the Cup last year, got shut out! Gotta love horse racing..♥️🙏👉🇺🇸
@chrisp.9172 lol homeless and betting hundreds on horse racing. Explains quite a bit haha
This race never fails to give me chills. Watching Zenyatta pick those other horses off one by one like it was child’s play just gets me every single time. This is why Zenyatta is one of my favorite racehorses- she’s just absolutely stunning.
One of the best calls in racing history
What a legend. The greatest female thoroughbred if her time.
@curragh 42 nope Zenyatta
curragh 42 Ruffian was not in Zenyatta’s time.
@curragh 42 Ruffian didn't even racw against male horses...smh
@curragh 42 i disagree. How can you say she the best if she didn't race against the boys
@curragh 42 Rachel Alexandra lost to females in her career how many females did Zenyatta lose to?
Ruffian Never raced outaide the state of New York and you gonna say she the best. Sure🙄🙄
I can watch this 100 times and i still get Goosebumps wow what a Horse
I tear up every time. I was there to see it in 2009.
I was there to I was bursting tears
Some may say that Z's connections handled her with gloves, but she's a big mare. Bigger than most of the boys, which means she was heavier, which means more weight for her to carry. She raced for four years without an injury. That's incredible. This mare is incredible. She beat everyone that Rachel Alexandra beat that was notable, in one race. She cemented her place in history by becoming the first female to win the BCC ever. So I applaud her connections, they handled their star brilliantly and always put her welfare first. Zenyatta retired healthy, and with her fiery spirit still in tact.
A complete difference when you look at Rachel Alexandra who got burnt out from her 3 year old campaign and was never the same horse again. She lost to nobodies during her 4 year old campaign, including Zardana, Zenny's stablemate. Zenyatta proved that she could best any competition, and if not for a few factors conspiring against her at Churchill, she would've retired a back to back Classic champion. She was still the best horse on that day, regardless of whether or not Blame barely held on.
@@mamabear160 Zenyatta was a late bloomer and Rachel peaked early. Rachel's owners/trainer took advantage of this and allowed her to compete in tough races because they believed she could win and would likely level out at the age of 4. Zenyatta on the other hand could never handle the rigors of a 3 year old campaign so she was carefully managed. No problem in doing that but it isn't fair to say Rachel got burnt out or for anyone else to state Zenyatta was handled with gloves.
That is why I think Zenyatta was so special and something we will never see again or for at least a very long time. I mean look at American Pharoah, what he did was incredible and something that the horse racing community thought couldn't be done again, but would he have kept his top form if he raced as a four year old? Look at Arrogate, the richest horse in North America, but sadly strongly disliked the surface at Del Mar and lost his final three races and to be a champion, that's just something he had to overcome but couldn't. Even Justify, though his time was short, it was an amazing ride to watch, but would he have faired against the older males? And I'm not trying to diminish any of these horses and their accomplishments but Zenyatta kept her form for three full seasons, and that's why I think she was so special, consistently racing in the top races against the top competition and retired 100% sound. Her connections could have retired her after her 2008 Ladies Classic win but kept her racing and I'm so thankful for that.
@@Laura-nx5cl would Zenyatta have been a 2 and 3 year old champion winning classic races and breeders cups at those ages? Her trainer didnt feel she was ready to take on that challenge and he has said as much. Arrogate, Pharoah and Rachel did those things. Zenyatta did great things also but they were different things. She didnt really start racing until age 4 and lost 1 of the only 2 races she ever ran against male opponents. Zenyatta is visually impressive but her depth is questionable.
@@joecommie4890 I don't think she would have been a successful 2 and 3 year old, because like you said, her trainer didn't think she was ready. But I was pointing out what makes her impressive, was how she was able to keep her form for so long when so many horses have shown time and time again that they aren't able to do so.
I have watched this more times than I can count, and it brings me to tears every time.
Me too. Can't help myself!
A great performance by Zenyatta matched with a great call by Trevor Denman.
One of the greatest calls Ive ever heard tbh. This guy has to be the best horse race caller Ive ever heard.
@@gutzzgutzz6795 Trevor an all time great, and now we have the insufferable Collmus butchering call after call.
It's like Ali and Howard Cosell ,Trevor and Zenyatta...unbeeleevable!
Agreed. This call is one of a few I regularly like to listen to; the 1995 BC Classic race which Cigar won to tie Citation's 16 win streak by Tom Durkin (which to me is the all-time best race call); and the 1997 Kentucky Derby call of Silver Charm, Freehouse, and Captain Bodgit by Dave Johnson ("and here comes the Captain"; "Captain Bodgit is flying"; and of course the usual "And down the stretch they come") -Dave Johnson, Tom Durkin, and Trevor Denman would be on any Mount Rushmore of Horse Racing Announcers...
Trevor Denman and Zenyatta attached at the hip like Cosell and Ali
Total respect for any athlete that can finish like she did. True mark of a champ.
I live across the street from Santa Anita so have seen many great races but this one is hard to beat and I got to see it in person. Still gives me chills watching replays. Almost the second Trevor starts saying she has a lot of work to do she's like yeah watch this dude.
She had already made up 5 lengths and split the field, before he could spit the words out of his mouth!!♥️🙏👉🇺🇸
“THIS-IS-UN-BE-LIEVABLE!”
I love this race:)
1:59
"This is unbelievable Zenyatta! What a performance,
one we will never forget! Looked impossible,
but it is Zenyatta, still unbeaten under Mike Smith.”
It's the way he was commenting about her throughout the race too..."Zenyatta is DEAD last!" He just kept saying it making things seem hopeless. :)
i loved part when he says "If she wins this she'll be a superhorse" :D and she won :D
She overtakes like she should be wearing a cape.
Still get goosebumps!
+HorseCrazieGirl15 Me too....Even after all this time...
Each time I watch it I keep thinking: how on earth is Mike Smith going to get her out of there.
I still have to remind myself that she routinely ran sub 24 and even sub 23 final quarters without seeming to extend herself.
AAndrews1968 always
Me too. EVERY TIME...
One of the greatest race calls in history. The race call matches Zenyatta's performance, bravo!
Trevor the best in the business!
Great race and terrific call by Trevor Denman, who really rose to the occasion. He kept his eye on Zenyatta the whole time, understanding the viewers' interest, so when she ends up winning, we can appreciate what a virtuoso performance she'd pulled off.
Me and my dad were tearing up at the track when she crossed the line! (and we're both dudes, but huge horse fans nonetheless!)
And wow, what an inspirational moment. I have gone to nearly every Zenyatta race in Southern California and I enjoyed her campaign!
She is a true gift to the sport!
Go Zenyatta! Enjoy retirement baby!
Long Live the Queen
I was at this race and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Zenyatta is one in a lifetime super racehorse.
Whenever I'm running a 10K or half-marathon and need a finishing kick, I think of this.
Being a runner of course during the race. Your out of breath & tired, it gives you that extra needed inspiration to pick it up & find that gear you thought never existed.
Best time to kick it in is probably the last 1600m
As a groom, I used to jog the turf courses at SA and DMR, bare foot. Man, that backstretch looms LONG when you only have 2 legs. I was cheap speed, slowed to a walk by the 1/8 pole.
Haha not for us humans indeed mate! But for them majestic beings, it is but a breeze!
Just heard of Zenyatta's weanling Z Princess passing away and I had to come watch her 2009 BC win. Many tears are flowing. Awesome, awesome horse.
I love Zenyatta. If I met her in person then that would be the most amazing day of my life. Even though she's retired, she's still the queen of racing and the best racehorse we've ever seen.
We are so lucky in this industry to have as skilled a race caller as Trevor Denman. He is enthusiastic, genuine, skeptic, & hard to impress all at the same time.
Probably my favourite racehorse ever. What a beautiful, characterful and courageous champion she was. And one who absolutely never gave anything less than her everything. I can still barely watch the 2010 Classic without shedding a tear mind. 'Zenyatta is last. She is dead last...' And then to watch her finishing like the proverbial steam train!
Absolutely love, love, loved her!!
She just seemed lost that day broke about 10 or 12 lengths slower than usual, she's usually just in touch with the back marker. Then Mike Smith tried to make up some ground early, ( said she actually learned to take the dirt all in the length of the backstretch) Got steadied, then she showed away from the whip, because he never had to use it before! If any one of these things doesn't happen, she wins. That's why Mike was Crying like a baby in the post race conference, saying " it was my fault"
Love how the commentator gets so excited when Zenyatta gets to the outside. She is incredible.
Wow, watching this for the first time without knowing the outcome of the race simply took my breath away. Unbelievable.
I started following horse racing when in 2006 when Barbaro won the Derby, I was only 8, and I was hooked ever since. The longer I've been following horse racing the more it occurs to me how special Zenyatta truly was. The fact she was able to keep top form, racing in graded stakes, for 3 years is incredible. Looking at Arrogate, he took us on an incredible journey but wasn't able to keep his top form, sure it was obvious he doesn't like the Del Mar track, but to be the best you have to overcome those hurdles. Even American Pharoah, he was incredible and once in a lifetime horse and did what was thought could never be done again by winning the Triple Crown, he was a dominate two and three year old but would he have returned as a dominate four year old if he didn't retire? Not taking anything away from Arrogate and American Pharoah because they both were incredible horses and took all of their fans on an amazing ride. It's hard to get to the top of the game but it is even harder to stay there.
Let's give Mike Smith ..like..the biggest credit...for an unbelievable well ridden passage on the greatest horse ever!! Love you both xxx
Zenyatta was the best stretch runner I've ever seen. She won many of her races comming from behind. A super horse! She was also a huge horse 17.5. Hands, bigger than a large male horse 🐎
Watching this race live at Santa Anita was one of my all time greatest memories! Wow, she's a super horse.
the best voice of the business brings back a lot of memories of going to Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, del mar, and Fairplex this was the best race I personally think he called I miss going to the track and not hear his voice
My best friend was a friend if Mike Smith's. We sat in his box seats at this race and we were so excited for this win! Those were such golden days...
What a great horse and Trevor Denman, a poetic genius with that call!
Todos deseamos que la gran Zenyatta,repita victoria.
Desde España."Vamos Zenyatta,eres la mejor".
MUCHA SUERTE;LEYENDA VIVA.
Simply the best Mare of all time. She brought her A game every time and almost went 20-0. She was awesome. I love watching her races on youtube.
I still log in every now and then to rewatch this video. Thank you for the years of enjoyment big Z
Ha ha, still gives me goosebumps and a smile. The first time I watched this video I was thinking...how is this lazy slow horse going to win this race? Well my goodness, she made me a Zenyatta addict in about 40 seconds. What a delight she was and is.
My mum was always reminded of Silky Sullivan when we watched Zenyatta's races together!!!
Let's just say that Zenyatta leaves her competition "driven to tears!"
When the world was running down, she made the best of what was still around!
Old-time Police fans here, such a great bunch!
I don’t know what’s better, the call, the race, the horse or whoever is in the production trailer deciding the camera views. Perfection all around. Zenyatta was a beast
I continue to watch this video that gives me chills. When I need a lift, I feel so much better. Thank you Zenyatta for wonderful memories.
I'm a big fan of Tom Durkin, but this race call by Trevod Denman was incredible.
Chills every time I watch this!!
With the derby this weekend, it reminded me of Queen Z, so I came to watch this race again. I was lucky enough to watch her race live twice. This race and the 08 BC Ladies Classic. Such an amazing horse, jockey, and owners! She sure was a sight to see. It’s like she knew she was so loved the way she walked from the paddock to the track dancing, stopping to pose for pictures, it was awesome! Will always remember this day, this race, and this amazing horse!
I love all 4 of them too! In my opinion, you can't pick one over the other as "the best" because they were all truely the best in different ways. When it all comes down to the wire, they all captured the hearts of millions and changed horse racing forever.
this is unbelievable!!!!
I remember watching the race with Foolish Pleasure- my heart broke that day and horse racing has never been the same for me since. Then I discovered Zenyatta and I was captivated all over again. Watching her almost makes up for Ruffian....if that is possible,
How many times have I watched this video? I can't even count. Horse racing took hold of me in 1973 when Secretariat won the Triple Crown- the GREATEST horse in history in my opinion. And then a few years later, along came this unbelievable filly named Ruffian. I was such a HUGE fan- she had no equal.
I've been watching horse racing for twenty years and I'm here to tell you that of course we've had some amazing animals come along in those two decades, but none of them captured the hearts of so many like Zenyatta. She turned non-fans, into hard-core believers. She is truly the queen of racing, she is one of the best of the best and she will be greatly missed. Just like Secretariat, everyone will know who your talking about when you mention the name Zenyatta.
She was the Greatest female horse I ever saw And I've been watching racing since 1971 so yes that includes Ruffian
+renduke Then you never appreciated Allez France, and Miesque? Oh So Sharp? Oh So Sharp at any trip would beat Zenyatta.
+Capo Capo You need to get a grip
+Capo Capo Oh So Sharp Raced a WHOLE 9 times and was beaten twice......Miesque isn't even in the same zip code as Zenyatta.......try to wrap your mind around this Zenyatta raced 20 times beaten ONCE BY A NOSE By an Older Male
+Capo Capo look at this video again she mowed down the best boys in the world it was almost like she was toying with them
+renduke oh I Forgot and the loss by a Nose to an Older male was a TOTAL BOTCH Job by Mike Smith or she is 20 for 20 beating older males twice
Even when Smith has shift her path in early stretch to find room she doesn't lose any ground. But I find with huge horses like her it's hard to appreciate how fast they are moving. 200:62 from the back, having to weave through traffic and with fairly slow fractions is fast.
I'll never be able to forgive Blame for beating her.
+steven cooke Go on, Blame it on Blame, Lol, I had to get that in...But I know what you mean,Reather had seen her dead last than to lose a close one as her only lost..
keep in mind this was on the synthetic track too! Imagine how quick the time could have been if this race was on dirt!
@@mendonlezine4600 Abel Tasman finished her career that way in this year's Distaff. Blind Luck's last race was like that. I'd hate to see a 22 starts 21 wins, 0 seconds and 0 thirds on her record.
Not if you owned the horse that's a lot of cash@@stevencooke6451
steven cooke Me neither
I still can’t watch that race I was in despair at the finish.
My heart broke for Mike Smith during press conference the way he cried over the loss. I’m sure he still hasn’t forgiven himself.
I still tears over this race April, 2024 what a super horse ❤️
Happy 20th Birthday Zenyatta🎉
I love that horse.Absolutely love her.Visit this video frequently and it gets me every time.Go,Zenny!
Zenyatta vs. Winx. Now I'd like to see that.
Zenyatta would win of course
The announcer kept saying, Dead last over and over. Didn't he know who she is?
The 2010 Breeders cup is when I started to get into horses. I watched a doc about Zenyatta just before watching this, because my first memories of racing is the announcer calling the 2010 breeders cup “zenyattaaaaaaa….BLAME” what an athlete. ❤️
Mike Smith made a hell of a move to find a hole when they hit the stretch. Bounded through the back half of the field, jumped three lanes outside at the perfect time, then just edged her further out when it got tight in front of them, and that was it. Amazing race by the horse, that could have gone for naught but for Smith finding that hole at just the right time.
She plays with there heads, you Gotta love her. BUT SHE IS GENETICALLY RELATED TO SECRETARIAT SO OF COURSE SHE'S FABULOUS .
So is American Pharoah and look at him
Zenyatta is not related to Secretariat. Neither her sire nor dam are related to Secretariat. American Pharoah has Secretariat five generations back....
yea, i think has like man-o-war bloodline 6 generations back through war admiral, mmm maybe 7.
More like ten....Zenyatta has War Admiral and Man O'War much to far back in her pedigree to mean anything via Hoist the Flag
julie hertz
I'm not trying to spoil the fun but so are about 5000 other horses aren't they?
I love Zenyatta, she has incredible speed, power, and racing just seemed like second nature to her. But my favorite filly will forever be Ruffian. Ruffian will always be the queen in my eyes.
+Lauren VanD She's my Queen of horse racing also and gotta love Zenyatta as you say!!!!
I saw them all since 1971 Zenyatta was the greatest female ever period. She would have reeled Ruffian right in.
One of the greatest track anouncer ever. From start to finish .
"Fields sent on their way to the breeders cup classic to the roar of Santa Anita crowd " classic
My favorite horse…how can you not love that running style? The talent is unmatched.
A Celestial Horse
i CANT BELIEVE how clueless some of the comments on here are.
The Only 2 OTHER Females who belong in the same sentence as her are Ruffian and Personal Ensign PERIOD.
And she would probably beat those two most of the time.
I have read all kinds of names throw out in these posts....Ladys Secret....Sky Beauty....Oh So Sharp etc etc
All nice horses but not even in the same zip code as the 3 I listed.
I mean Personal Ensign was unbeaten and ran down two of the best females of her decade on a speed favoring track.
Ruffians credentials speak for themself.
If You cant see that Zenyatta was nothing short of a Monsters Monster you are Blithering Idiot plain and simple
+Carl P *(1) Most of the world hardly respects a synthetic track legacy.(2) Zenyatta is, unfortunately, another one of the USA's 'lasix champions', sad to say. Oh well...*
What about winning colors?
austin p Yes, although only as a three-year-old.
Then there's Bayakoa, Go For Wand, Dance Smartly, Paseana, Hollywood Wildcat, One Dreamer, Inside Information, Serena's Song, Jewel Princess, Silverbulletday, Riboletta, Spain, Azeri, Ashado, Ginger Punch, Rachel Alexandra, Unrivaled Belle, Blind Luck, Royal Delta, Untapable, Beholder, Songbird, and more.
This guy is an emotionally-blinded fan, that's all.
She beat Ginger Punch handily the first time she won the Apple Blossom, and Rachel Alexandra ran from her and a potential $5 million dollar payday the second time she won the Apple Blossom, so as far as I'm concerned you can scratch both of those as being compared to Zenyatta. I always said the only prayer Rachel Alexandra would've ever had of beating Zenyatta would've been on conventional dirt in a match race, and then maybe. But in a full field, I don't care if they would've raced on conventional dirt, synthetics, turf, or on asphalt across a Wall-Mart parking lot, Zenyatta would've ran her down and right on by her through the stretch just like she did every opponent she ever faced save Blame. And lest we forget the incredible amount of weight she always had to give away to the other fillies & mares she faced. None of the above the mentioned filly/mares you listed have ever had to give away remotely the same kind of weight Zenyatta did. Just sayin........
GBeret83 But many of them did things Zenyatta couldn't, and some of them had more grueling campaigns.than she did.
Not to take anything away from her, though.
ever after all these years... i never get tired of watching the race. truly amazing.
Trevor Denman: Zenyatta is dead last!
Zenyatta: Hold my Guinness...
The Kentucky Derby winner got his flank kicked by a girl. And then so did the rest of "racing's greatest." Bet that was a humbling experience. Then again, Zenyatta is enormous. It's probably very easy for her hold her own against males. I wish she'd run the Kentucky Derby that year. She likely would have won.
Mine That Bird didn't like synthetics, to top that off he wasn't the same horse after the Belmont.
she was five years old in 2009.
Sorry but Zenyatta would not have won the KY derby. She wasn't ready for racing until late in her 3 year old career. John Shireffs has said the same. The derby had extraordinary runners including street sense and curlin. While they were competing at the highest level of racing she was still being trained up to start racing.
Yeah you really dont know horse racing. Read what Brainy wrote. She seems to know a good deal.
She made them all look like fools.
How is that?
Legendary race of a true legend of horse racing! Love Zenyatta!!
My god. That horse is absolutely AMAZING. I hope when she retires, she has a happy life filled with luxuries. Nobody should ever forget her.
Greatest call of a race ever! Trevor Denman is a legend!
Queen Z, I'm so sorry you lost your newborn baby boy after just a couple days old. May he soar the heavens with his big sister Z princess.
I was there - one of those moments I will never forget. The crowd was going crazy. It's so rare to see an athlete, nevermind a race horse, deliver every time. Unbeaten, and IMO Horse of the Year...Zenyatta.
It’s June 2024 and I haven’t forgotten 🎉 What a performance from a super horse. Here’s to the Queen.
I just watched that over and over again-what an unbelievable race
Your insight is great................I've been going to Santa Anita since 1977 (to see John Henry) and this eclipsed anything before it. Incredible setting, crowd, celebration and performance by the one and only. Totally Electric. Thanks!!!
Z is such a great horse and from what they say at Lanes End a great mom! The foals there all seem to be under the same spell she has so many of us under cause they’re saying there that all the foals hang out by her, lucky them I’d love to hang out around her too!! Hope to see you soon Z !!
this race will be in the memory for a very long time great performance from a great horse....the second best horse in the world last year behind sea the stars..
Equinelover1223 I've seen this video many times, and I still get so excited! She is breathtaking.
My first breeders cup experience, it was amazing to watch ❤️❤️
This makes me cry. Animals are just fantastic.
You had to be there to feel the energy of the crowd when she won! It gave me goosebumps, what a magical day!!
Ten years ago today...one of my favorite races of all-time.
Was at this race just hearing the crowd steadily increase as she made her move was electric
My favourite horse of all time. Im from Johannesburg, South Africa. Stayed up until 3am to watch her race. Tears flowed then and years later they still flow watching her in action. If Zenyatta was a religion, Id be her disciple.
Yeah she is a great horse but I think you wasted your tears bud. Greater things are going on in horse racing every year.
I watch this video when I’m feeling down. It shows you can come from behind and WIN!
And, a SUPERB Call from Trevor Denman! awesome call
Truly an awesome display by Zenyatta in this race. She really has proven herself to be one of racing's all time great's, IMO. Right now 16 for 16 lifetime. When you're now mentioned in the same conversation with the immortal Citation and the legendary Cigar, you know you've really accomplished a lot in your racing career.
Thank you The Mosses! One of the best horse races I have ever seen!
I grew up watching the races in CA and can't imagine watching a horse race without hearing Trevor Denman call it... Especially a race as epic as this one
Trully unbelievable. It was classic. Good job for the winning connections. Marvelous. You make me happy.
The Queen of North American racing. We'll never see another like her in our lifetimes.
I have watched this at least 20 times now. I was there and I've been to 10 of Zenyatta's races altogether now, I just love watching her run!
There will never be another race in the BC classic that will ever top this, it is the equivalent to the Belmont win of Big Red's.... A Mind Blow...She is the most amazing horse I have ever seen, with my eyes and in my lifetime...period...no ifs ands or buts....
I can watch this all day,
what a GREAT horse,
ZENYATTA!!!
Best filly/mare of all-time. To win 19 straight races the way she did it from dead last is a marvel in itself. To have no control over the pace of the race, to overcome traffic issues each and every time is simply impossible, but she did it. I would get angry every time her owners entered her in a 1 1/16th race. Way to short for her. Yet somehow someway she got their first. I truly believe at that time the only jockey that could ever beat her was on Blame that day. He knew exactly what he had to do to give him the best shot to beat her as he had raced against her so many times before and it worked out for him that day, barely.
And they went about 1:11 4/5 which is pretty pedestrian for Santa Anita..
Wow, 2009 was one excellent year to be a racing fan. Too many people spent their time bashing Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra, when they could've just admired them both for what they are. Great wins by great horses, so glad they both got Horse of The Year :)
I love the exciment the announcer gives you. And Zenyatta. This always gives my chills when she hooks to the outside. Go Zenyatta!
I watch this from time to time and also Strike the Gold's PP's!
As good as she was her entire career on a synthetic surface, probably at her best here on the pro-ride surface at Santa Anita always made me believe Zenyatta could've potentially been a monster on turf too if she'd ever been given the chance to race on it. This race is a case in point to how well good turf horses responded to this surface at Santa Anita with Gio Ponti, a muliple G1 winner on turf in America at distances of a mile, 10F, & 11F finishing 2nd and Twice Over, a multiple G1 winner at 10 & 10-1/2F in the UK of the Champion Stakes twice, Coral-Eclipse, & Juddmonte International Stakes finishing 3rd.
I was listening to Steve Byk interview John Sherrifs the other day and decided to watch this race again. OMG - she did look hopeless- what an amazing horse-- she beat some good horses too---
Love the call, Love the ride Mike Smith gave her. What a horse!!!