Breeders' Cup Memories: Zenyatta

Zenyatta (left) narrowly fails to run down Blame

Timeform look back on Zenyatta's memorable effort in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic...

In racing, almost more than any other sport, the end justifies the means. Rightly or wrongly, the difference between hero status and infamy is usually decided by the finishing result; a matter of inches can often determine whether you go down in the annals of history as a revered rider or the villain of the piece. Unfortunately for Mike Smith, and the legions of Zenyatta followers willing her to retire with a perfect record of 20 wins from as many starts, Mike Smith fell on the side of notoriety.

Having steered the wondermare to 16 successive victories, including an impressive success in the Classic the previous year, Smith was entrusted with the role of riding her in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic, a race likely to be the toughest and final test of a remarkable career. The fanfare was grand, the anticipation was palpable. The pressure was immense.

Zenyatta, racing on dirt for only the third time in her career, broke sluggishly from the stalls, her reluctance to face the kickback ensuring that she trailed the field by fully 15 lengths as they passed the winning post with a circuit to run. Her task looked beyond formidable, it looked impossible.

But the leaders had certainly gone quickly and as they made their way down the back stretch Zenyatta started to make up ground on the main pack, rekindling the faintest flicker of hope for her supporters. Swinging for home, Zenyatta was starting to pass some toiling rivals; with every stride she took the dream began to look like more of a reality, not least in the mind of her jockey.

Like a man sensing an opportunity to get out of jail, Smith tried to grasp the metaphorical nettle. What he actually grabbed was the whip, administering a series of stinging strikes, five left-handed backhanders in rapid succession, alongside at least 13 hits on the other side. Gallantly responding to pressure, Zenyatta continued to cut the leader back, gaining with every stride and ensuring that her legacy would be assured regardless of the outcome. The same could not be said for Smith.

As we all know, Zenyatta failed to overhaul the eventual winner, Blame. An appropriately-named winner given the barrage of criticism that was about to greet her rider.

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