Two Time Breeder's Cup Champion and Eclipse Winner Zenyatta Retired

The career that spanned three seasons and one month has officially ended, Team Zen announced today. 

The two time Breeder's Cup Champion (Ladies Classic in 2008 and Classic in 2009) and this year's Classic runner up, Zenyatta has been retired. 

Zenyatta started her career late in her 3-year-old year winning impressively in a maiden race at Hollywood Park on November 22, 2007 under jockey David Flores. However, it was Mike Smith that rode her to most of her victories and was on her back at the end of her career.

The mare, who captured many horse racing fans hearts, had an almost perfect record of 19-1 after her defeat in the November 6 Breeders' Cup Classic.  Thirteen of the mare's 17 stakes wins came in Grade One events and won her the Older Female Eclipse in 2008 and 2009.

Zenyatta is half-sister to multiple stakes winner Balance and out of the Kris S mare Vertigineux.  She was based in California for most of her career, but made the journey to Oaklawn Park in 2008 and 2010 to capture both years’ running of the Apple Blossom Handicap before ending her career in the 2010 Breeder’s Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in an epic stretch drive that saw her lose by only a head to the now retired Blame, a 4-year-old son of Arch.

The 6-year-old Street Cry mare retired with earnings of $7,304,580, making her North America's leading mare. 

She is expected to arrive in Kentucky in early December and will be boarded at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm. 

Breeding plans have not yet been announced for the mare.