The Journey Ends

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future foal — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:05:34 GMT

thanks for displaying abigail anderson's response to i lied, it was a masterpiece. Zen, Rachael, bring back memories of Dark Mirage, Gallorette, Drumtop, All Along, Imp, Pan Zaretta, so many great distaffers! Gallorette raced against 9 male champions and males 55 times and numerous female champions! Mocassin still the only two year old filly named HOY! Hall of Fame trainers believed Dark Mirage as a three year old could beat Dr Fager, Buckpasser, and Damascus at scale weights at a mile and a half in 1968!

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Flights to Tel Aviv — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:50:23 GMT

You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog. Thanks

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Cheryl Heath — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:58:34 GMT

Before Zenyatta, I did not know your writing......Isn't it amazing what she brings to many of us? I love your columns. Thank You.

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Bigtex — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:33:38 GMT

Steve, I don't know where the suggestion box is so I'm putting this here. In regard to creating more buzz for the industry, I can tell you what I'd love to see. Can race tracks not change their camera placements to give us a better side view so the viewers can get a real taste of the horses accelerating coming into the stretch? Youtube video of Curlin at Dubai gives a small glimpse of Curlin shifting to another gear. An old Derby vid of Whirlaway shows this. We get a more angles head on view today and you can't tell how fast these horses are. What I wouldn't give to see Secretariat coming into the stretch in the Derby when Turcotte gives him a few taps! I believe this would amaze newcomers and oldtimers alike!

Make it happen, Steve!

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candi — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 04:18:30 GMT

I love that greatest horse I wish I meet her in person prayer she have a good life at her retirement and enjoy her life she deserve it I don't know if there is another horse like her no one can compare her she gave joy for people she is the greatest hores at this era.I like to meet her someday.

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Jon — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:12:02 GMT

Sherpa, she defended titles in races restricted to sex...fillies and mares only. Had they been open to males as well, it's totally not a given that she would have won those races; not even slightly. She should have tried some open races during the year, as did Rachel Alexandra last year; showed she could whip the boys and the girls in open races on dirt tracks around the country. Her connections had one goal in mind: play it as safe as possible with her and prepare her to win the Classic; just that one race. She didn't do it. Blame beat her fair and square because he had tactical speed she lacked and she didn't get the job done; she didn't catch him. She got lots of attention because she is a beautiful specimen and has a wonderful personality and is a female. That doesn't make her the best on the track or horse of a lifetime or of the ages or whatever. To call her the best/greatest horse since Secretariat is just total nonsense and sentiment run amok. I wish her nothing but the best in her life, but she doesn't deserve to be the HOTY for 2010. It would be a total travesty if she were "given" it because of who she is rather than what she did.

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sherpa — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 03:58:10 GMT

Jon, how many times have we seen horses "defending their title" in this race or that? Those that can re-peat in a given Graded Name race are lauded by all. But Zenyatta, who defends her title THREE TIMES in Grade 1 races (Vanity, Clement Hirsch, Lady's Secret), twice in the Gr 1 Apple Blossom, wins the 08 BC Distaff and wins the 09 BCC, is not enTitled? Whatever you say about the "competition," those were still grade 1, prestigious races and we'll NEVER see a filly/mare - or any other horse - who defends her/his Titles to the extent Zenyatta has done.

Other Greats she's been compared to have "won" walk-overs because nobody wanted to race against them. I haven't seen anyone belittling them for that. Why just Zenyatta? What has this wonderful runner done to deserve such animosity, except win win win?

If Zenyatta is named HoY, it will be because she DID DO IT ON THE RACETRACK, and so much more. As a 6 year old mare, she showed more heart than a 11 3-4yo colts in their prime. SHE is what Horses can still mean to horse-racing. SHE has given new energy to the sport. Only SHE has never had a bad day, and never disappointed even in a nose-worth's defeat.

Lord, I'm so sick of all the "THIS YEAR" crap. According to you, a Horse for the Ages shouldn't be honored as Horse of the Year, even with a better G-1 record than the one you espouse. That stinks (and you can guess the rest of that thought...)

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Jon — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:18:44 GMT

I came to love Zenyatta too. Loved her prerace dance. One is drawn in completely. She was quite irresistable. If Horse of the Year were about best loved or most famous horse, she wins hands down, but it isn't or should not be. It'a about accomplishments on the race track THIS YEAR. When one looks at it that way, she doesn't win. She safely stayed in California for most of her races, racing on her favorite surface against modest competition; members of her own sex. The make or break race out of state on dirt she needed to win, she didn't. Period. Blame (no pun intended) her connections for not taking chances with her; for making sure she didn't get in a situation or race where she might get beat. She raced her usual race in Louisville. She was far back during the race because that's how she races; that's her style. Blame was quicker and got the jump on her and she didn't catch him. He wins the race, among others, and against much better competition than she faced, and thus he wins Horse of The Year. Anything else is just wrong. She is very popular and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for her career record. That's set up for that purpose. This isn't about her career, it's about THIS YEAR. It would be a travesty if Blame had to pay the price and be denied what he deserves and what he rightfully won just because of her popularity. And it would be a blemish on her record forever if she won the highest award based strictly on sentiment. Ultimately that would/could work against her in future years. She would be known forever as the horse that won raing's highest award...not on the ractrack...but on her personality and popularity alone.

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Michelle — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:43:34 GMT

Sorry Sal - I guess have seen too many haters on the "other" blogs.

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Sal — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:15:33 GMT

Michelle,

I love horse racing and I'm a big Zenyatta fan. I was simply agreeing with the comment.."Man o’War wasn’t perfect: neither was Native Dancer, each suffering one career defeat. But their defeats have become a part of racing lore, just as much, if not more, than their victories. Literature has shown us that perfection can be interpreted in many ways." It will be very hard to forget about Zenyatta.

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maryann727 — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:13:12 GMT

Mr. Haskin, Thank you for the tip about the YouTube videos and for answering my question, although I am disappointed that you won't be Zenyatta's biographer.

Your statement, "We will never see or experience anything like this again." resonated. I know it is true for me.

My favorite quote about Secretariat was penned by the late Charles Hatton. "His only point of reference is himself." With a pronoun change, it applies to Zenyatta. "Her only point of reference is herself."

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Carol M. — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 04:09:35 GMT

Is Mike S. Zenyatta's jockey? (03 Dec., 10:53 AM) I was thinking of Zen's record as 19+ out of 20, but 19.99 out of 20 is even better.

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Especially Horses — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:47:16 GMT

All good things come from God. And I for one have given many thanks and praises to the Lord for creating Zenyatta. Seeing Zenyatta race gave me a joyful and glad heart.

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quarterhossgal — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:24:34 GMT

I got chills just watching Zen parade around in Kentucky. A bitterly cold night but so much warmth coming from her legion of fans. When people make a connection with a horse it is a spiritual feeling that is difficult to put into words unless you are Steve Haskin. One of my other favorite horses was Cigar, I had the chance to see him at several differnt places, He knew he was a Champion, but Cigar did not have the connection eye to eye with his fans. ZENYATTA knows she is a champion but will lower her head to accomodate her smallest fan! God Bless you Queen Z.

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kat — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:09:00 GMT

I was one of those that braved the cold to see her in person at Keeneland. Nothing can compare to her in the flesh. She brought tears to my eyes-she is just unbelieveable in the flesh.

Thanks for your article.

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Michelle — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:26:17 GMT

Sal - you can continue believing that Blame is a better horse but I think you are in the minority. Zenyatta is the one everyone is still talking about.

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Sal — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:38:35 GMT

In case it hasn't been said already, Thanks Blame for holding off Zenyatta...and perfecting her.

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Steve Haskin — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:21:13 GMT

Brian H, that was beautifully written.

Maryann727, thank you for the kind words, but Zenyatta will have another biographer.

There are several wonderful videos on YouTube of her Keeneland appearance. We will never see or experience anything like this again.

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Love 'em all — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:55:34 GMT

One more 'farewell' post to Zenyatta, a racing fan's dream come true in every sense of the word ... and then some.

'Zenyatta' is her name and always will be to this fan. Hope and pray her offspring will be honored with a classy-sounding name as was their "Mom". Oh well, one can still dream.

Wish Zenyatta a very happy and a very peaceful (no need to have ears plugged ever again!) life wherever she calls home.

May Zenyatta live a long, happy and healthy life ... doing what she wants to do ... and when she wants to do it.

Cheers to Zenyatta ... this fan's favorite forever.

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Linda in Texas — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:22:51 GMT

TheDerbyDream.com thanks for the video's of Zenyatta as she was being walked around Keeneland.

Will keep those handy to watch again.

She always seems to be so aware of her surroundings. And goes along wherever Mario or John take her. She is a trusting creature and it is really one of her best traits.

I just hope nothing ever happens to cause her to lose that special trust in people she has.

Thanks Steve. This is like watching my son get on an L-1011 flying out of DFW Airport en route to a school in Princeton to hone his voice skills when he was 11.

You just hope they stay safe.

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Steve W — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:39:52 GMT

Steve,

Another very nice article, well done. Thank you for putting into words just how most of us feel. She will be missed, the sport will miss her.

Zenyatta ...... Thanks for the memories!

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Slew — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:09:51 GMT

Will W: If you really believe Zen has no spiritual healing power, you haven't really experienced her presence beyond a two dimensional TV, or you haven't been in a position where that healing meant something. Yes, Zen is a Champion racemare. But...she exudes an aura that is magnetic and spiritual, and her fans recognize that special intelligence and charisma. Folks who don't know a horse from a donkey have fallen in love with her....so it's not just her racing skills that have so enchanted her fans.

Fuzzy Corgi: I believe warm bloods probably have a more even temperament than TB's, but Zen seems to be an exception for a hot blood. And I find that the finesse required for dressage is more disciplined and demanding than a run. Also, consider dressage is judged by folks who are in the business of horses. Eclipse awards are given by turf writers who aren't...and that is the difference. But I am still enjoying your fantasy with you :) She's such a perfect specimen.

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PA Bred — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:04:49 GMT

Mr. Haskin, It seems that you get it. She is a phenomenon. Those outside of horse racing do not understand that she could not be named HOTY. It means nothing to me personally or to Zenyatta since she will never know. Run that same BC Classic 10 times and Zenyatta wins 9 of them.

Over 1000 people showed up to see her just walk around in eighteen degree weather. Have 1000 people even seen Blame since the BC Classic? I doubt it.

The horsemen (Nerud, Jerkens, Baffert, Robbins,Hollendorfer, Migliore etc...) certainly seem to recognize her greatness. The only ones left questioning anything are some of the handicappers and other writers. I have not seen an article or blog claiming Blame to be anything beyond a very nice horse.

Zenyatta is awesome! There will likely not be one of her type for a very, very long time.

I hope she settles in well to her new home and takes to her new career. She could be an awesome mom!

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maryann727 — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:06:38 GMT

Thank you Mr. Haskin for an eloquent essay and tribute to the incomparable Zenyatta. Your poignant and perfect phrasing put warm tears in my eyes and elevated my heart with gratitude for the privilege of experiencing Zenyatta. I was smitten the first time I saw her race (2008 Ladies Classic) and then fell ‘head over heels’ in love. I did not think it possible to feel this much for a racehorse. So I traveled from NYS to KY to see her run the 2010 Classic and though at first, it was a crushing disappointment, I feel like you and many here that her loss cemented her greatness. Her one loss, how magnificently she fell short by inches is the the stuff of legends. Or Myth? The way Z raced seemed more otherworldly than of this earth and I feel lucky to have seen a dream while awake.

I've read and appreciated all the wonderful comments about Zenyatta and wish that I could respond to each of them. They touched my heart. Thank you.

And thank you for the kindness you show to the commentors on your blog, Mr. Haskin. You display, with your writing, the class and honesty that Zenyatta demonstrated on the track. You would be a great choice as Z's biographer and I wonder if you will write a book about her.

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Brian H — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:46:40 GMT

I am reminded of the scene at the end of Tin Cup when Costner's character flubbed his last hole with 12 strokes ending it with a shot in the cup from across the lake. He complained that he had just gave away the US Open. Rene Russo's character says "You sure did. It was the greatest 12 of all time. No one's going to remember the Open 10 years from now, who won...but they'll remember your 12! My, God, Roy, it was...Well, it's immortal! I am so proud of you!"

The beauty of the Zenyatta story is the fact it wasn't a story, it was real. And, yes, her Breeders Cup 2010 run was "immortal", and, yes, we are all so proud of her.

At the end of the day, the storybook ending that wasn't reminds us all that there are no guarantees in horse racing...or life, which is what makes the journey so fascinating to watch.

While others were in tears on November 6, 2010, I was smiling from ear to ear because I knew I had just seen the greatest sports moment of my life. I was smiling because through it all Zenyatta, and horse racing, made it through without harm, without another Barbaro situation to dampen the sport I have grown to love.

The beauty of horse racing is in the animals and their connections. Afleet Alex, Big Brown, Barbaro, and Zenyatta, etc. etc., all in the last decade. The truth be told is that we can now allow Zen to simply be a horse again on the Farm in Kentucky. While she does I wait with great anticipation for the next story, the next legend, the next fairy tale ending that continues to keep this sport relevant and interesting.

Thank You, Zenyatta.