Cross Breeds

How is Zenyatta considered one of the best in the history of horse racing but never raced in a triple crown?

I have been hearing all these talk about how Zenyatta is one of the best horses of all time, shes undefeated, etc. Why did she never race in a triple crown race? I thought thats where all the great horses race....

Public Comments

1. This is a good question as a fan of zenyatta i just know that every horse that raced beside her lost. I didn't get all political wit it like as if i want to blemish her greatness. But for the sake of argument Big Brown Curlin and Rachel Alexander outside of those three no other horse is comparable so i guess to answer the question directly Zenyatta is the best horse in history and know she never raced in a triple crown but that's not Zenyatta fault she wouldv'e defeated every horse in the world
2. Simply put Zenyatta wasn't ready to run then..and it's very smart that her connections didn't force her, many great's have not run in all 3 Triple Crown races. Zenyatta had a segment on 60 Minutes Sunday, and if you didn't see it you can watch it on line at this link http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7009219n&tag=mncol;lst;2 I enjoyed the Zenyatta segment so much I watched it three times, plus the overtime footage on line, it was awesome, as well as, en-lighting. Everyone who spent time with her fell in love with her. One of the questions asked was as yours, "Why didn't Zenyatta run in the Kentucky Derby?" She wasn't ready, so she didn't race until late in her 3-year-old season. “You just had to wait for her to fill in and handle her size,” Shirreffs her trainer said. Not being ready the connections where right not to race her, a very smart move, and look at her size and you'll see why it was a long wait. At 17.2 hands tall, 1,217 pounds, Zenyatta is bigger than some draft horses. She's bigger than the legendary Secretariat, the one they called “Big Red” at 16.2 hands. She's bigger than Forego (17 hands) or Man o' War (16.2). That size not only gave her a late start in racing, but it has dictated a late-running style. In every one of her 19 victories, Zenyatta has come from off the lead, most of the time circling the field on the far outside from well off the pace. It's a style that makes her perfect record even more improbable because of all the complications that can arise. Despite traffic, slower-than-expected fractions from leaders, even at shorter distances than her preference, she always has managed to catch her competitors before the wire. Her style is very close finishes. Mike Smith her Jockey says she the best horse he has ever rode, and said she has another gear that he has never had the chance to use (yet)..but if needed it's there..watch 60 Minutes at the link above, you be happy you did..it will leave you smiling.. :) Facts - ZENYATTA Age: 6 (foaled April 1, 2004) Dam: Vertigineux by Kris S. Sire: Street Cry by Machiavellian Owners: Jerry and Ann Moss Trainer: John Shirreffs Breeder: Maverick Production Limited Jockey: Mike Smith (in her last 16 races) Record: 19-19-0-0 Earnings: $6,404,580 Career highlights: Winner of 13 Grade I stakes, including 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic, 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, two-time winner of the Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. Eclipse Awards: American Champion Older Female Horse, 2008, 2009 Source(s): Opinion, along with support Internet facts.. Watch Breeders' Cup When: Friday and Saturday Where: Churchill Downs Television: Friday races are on ESPN2 (4-8 p.m.). Saturday races are split between ABC (1:30-3:30 p.m.) and ESPN (3:30-7 p.m.)
3. Zenyatta's record should be tainted a little considering she has only raced against the boys once....now twice in the breeders cup classic tommorow....but even though she has won 19 in a row....I wouldn't put her better than the great cigar who won 16 in a row against males.....If she does win the classic tommorow then she can be considered with the top 5 greatest racing horses......And I still think when rachel alexendra was in her prime in 09.....she would of left the amazon zenyatta in the dust...... Game over....can't wait to see the horse that comes from curlin and rachel....that horse is gonna be legendary... Game over.
4. Zenyatta is the best mare ever..but don't even start comparing her to Secretariat, let alone Man O' War. Man only lost 1 race, and that was due to the retarded starting techniques back then...he started the race facing the opposite way, and still only lost by a few inches.
5. Great horse. One of the best of all time? maybe, but not in the top 10, maybe in top 50.
6. Only people who don't know much about horse racing think the Triple Crown races are the be-all and end-all of racing. It's a dead giveaway.
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kincsem
8. Many great horses never ran in triple crown races, like Cigar, Kelso, Dr Fager, Buckpasser, etc.. Zenyatta didn't run her first race until November when she was a 3 year old, so she never had the opportunity to race in the triple crown races. Racing in triple crown races, and even winning a triple crown race does not guarantee continued greatness as a race horse. Many horses who have won triple crown races have fizzled out shortly afterwords (Mine That Bird is probably the most recent example). Zenyatta was the best horse in Saturday's race. In 2 more strides she would have been in front, but sometimes the best horse doesn't win.
9. comparable so i guess to answer the question directly Zenyatta is the best horse in history and know she never raced in a triple crown but that's not Zenyatta fault she wouldv'e defeated every horse in the world