Undefeated mare Zenyatta, who is a firm candidate to become the best horse of the year, is now awaiting retirement and a date with a stallion in the near future. The five-year-old mare beat the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and is now relaxing at the Hollywood Park barn accompanied by trainer John Shirreffs.
Owners Jerry and Ann Moss are now in the quest for a stallion to be bred to Zenyatta next year. Meanwhile, trainer Shirreffs has said he would love to see her making an appearance during the Hollywood Park Meeting beginning on Friday. He’s even considered showing up during the first day of the Santa Anita meeting on December 26th to give fans a chance to see her one more time before she goes to Kentucky.
The appearance would allow Southern California fans to thank Zenyatta for winning all 14 of her races. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, Shirreffs said the issue is being discussed since Zenyatta has attracted a large group of fans, especially after her performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, when 58,000 fans cheered her in the one-length victory against 11 male competitors.
Also, Shirreffs commented the mare has received a great deal of support via letters, phone calls and messages, which were sent after her she crowned her career with a 14th consecutive victory in Santa Anita. Zenyatta will retire with more than $5.4 millions in earnings.
Jerry Moss and his wife Ann, who have been horse breeders for a long time, purchased Zenyatta in September 2005 for $60,000 at the Keeneland Sales. She is a sister of the multiple grade I winner Balance and was named after the Police’s third album Zenyatta Mondatta.
On 7th November this year, Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeder’s Cup Classic and also the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races, with a record of 14 of 14. This was her last race and during it she also equaled the record for consecutive victories by a filly or mare in the USA. Up until now, this record had been held by Personal Ensign, a legend in the world of horse races.