Zenyatta enters horse racing’s hall of fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer John Shirreffs took a year-and-a-half to meticulously prepare the filly Zenyatta for a debut late in her 3-year-old season in 2007. She proved to be worth the wait.

Zenyatta went on to a historic career that was celebrated with her induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Friday.

“She won her first race on Thanksgiving, and we’ve been thankful ever since,” said Ann Moss, who owned Zenyatta with her husband, Jerry, co-founder of A&M Records. The daughter of Street Cry, named after the album “Zenyatta Mondatta” by the Police, swept her first 19 starts before a narrow defeat in her finale. She earned $7.3 million.

Zenyatta grew to more than 17 hands tall and weighed more than 1,200 pounds. Because of her extraordinary size, she needed time to gather herself early in each race, causing her to fall far behind the field. Once she found her exceedingly long stride, though, she was a sight to behold, as she captured 17 graded stakes, including 13 Grade 1 contests. All but three of her races occurred on synthetic surfaces in her home state of California.

Tom Durkin, master of ceremonies, said in introducing video highlights of Zenyatta: “You will be able to identify her as the bay blur coming down the center of the track.”

Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the 26-year history of that race when she launched her signature breathtaking rally to best a star-studded international field by one length on Nov. 7, 2009, at Santa Anita.

She broke the record of 16 consecutive victories shared by Citation and Cigar in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 13, 2010. Her lone defeat, by a head to Blame, did not keep voters from saluting her as Horse of the Year in 2010.

“I was never on one that could make up ground as easily as she could,” said Mike Smith, her rider for the last 17 starts.

Zenyatta’s personality was as compelling as her running style and her results. Before races, Zenyatta’s nervous energy led her to goosestep in the paddock. She stopped to pose for photographers and relished interaction with fans.

“She kissed children on their forehead,” Jerry Moss said. “She was an amazing animal and still is.”

Zenyatta is now a broodmare at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky.