Zenyatta finished her perfect 14-for-14 career with an exclamation point on Saturday, defeating a world-class, international field of males* in last-to-first fashion in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Racecourse in Arcadia, Calif. (Watch the exhilarating footage of her romp after the jump, fight back tears of joy during the stretch drive, repeat.) Yet for all her success in the Sport of Kings, the fine folks at ESPN suggested a rather wacky alternative to Zenyatta’s post-racetrack plan for lolling about in a big paddock and producing future racing champions: A stint on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars**. Sure, it sounds crazy on paper, but watch the embedded video below — if you’re pressed for time, skip ahead to the 1:20 mark, where DWTS‘ own DANCMSTR, Len Goodman, waxes poetic about the mare’s trademark moves — and perhaps the sight of Zenyatta’s patented hoof extensions and tail swishes will convince you otherwise.
*Added to Goldikova’s romp over the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Mile a few hours earlier, plus the incomparable Rachel Alexandra’s wins over colts earlier in the year in the Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward, 2009 certainly turned out to be racing’s Year of the Filly.
**Show title must be uttered in excitable British accent.
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Great ride by the jockey to thread her through all those horses to get to the outside.
Is everyone aware of what happens to the horses after their racing and breeding times are over? How can anyone enjoy watching this sport?
Hmmm. Continuous sex with thirty mares a year when they go to stud for the colts. Mares becomes moms. and Geldings make good ponies. and they all get to bask in the sun and eat grass.
Don’t start something if you don’t know. People love their horses too.
Zenyatta is an awesome filly who should win Horse of the Year. OH- and Chris these horse run because they love to do it. You can’t make a horse run like this if they don’t want to. Zentyatta loved the attention. Once these horses are done racing they move on to new careers. Thorougbreds are awesome to be around and adjust to just about anything. Yes some horses get hurt, but so do any athletes and that is what they are. Many trainers care about their horses and see that they “find” good homes. Hope this helped.
And what about the female trainers this year? Linda Rice takes Saratoga, Carla Gaines sends out the longshot in the sprint, and Mary Hartmann’s gallant and thrilling Presious Passion –
it’s a woman’s world! (And Life is Sweet getting her moment in the California sun!)
How did that Roughrider-Stampeder game turn out?
I didn’t know you follow racing Michael! I’ve been to most of her races,including the BC win you’re talking about. She is a dancing superstar!! I’ve never seen a racehorse prance like her ever! Sorry you have any comments from people who hate racing,ignore them!!
kudos for john and connections for running her against the boys..this is the year of the girls!
lots of love to both of the great girls that raced this year!
Some TBs go on to glowing careers after the track. Most do not. It is not infrequent to find healthy and still vigorous winners in the packing plant after the winner’s circle. The industry needs to do a lot more in the area of TB retirement. There is plenty of money in the industry, (disproportionately distributed in the hands of a few). Nevertheless, those who have, have the responsibility to see that ALL of these fine animals have a decent life after the track. “A rising tide, lifts all ships.” Attention to this nasty little detail will only make the sport a better sport. I love the TB and am grateful for the sport of Kings that allows common folks like myself to have one in my life. To me he isn’t a commodity but a cherished part of my life. Every TB deserves a respectable after track chapter. They give their heart and soul, a respectable retirement is the least we can do.
You say “disporportionately distributed in the hands of a few” as if that means something. Buying and racing horses is a luxury and best engaged in by people with money to burn. If you’re barely scraping by, what the hell are you doing in the business?
Zenyatta is a treasure. It’s been a real joy watching her crush the opposition, ears pricked and prancing all the way. Have a good life, girl.
Zenyatta deserves a movie! This horse picked up the spirits of a nation. Sea Bisquit returns in spirit.