Breeding & Racing Magazine

Undefeated Zenyatta Wins 18th Successive Race In US

Darley shuttler & Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy) added a US Gr1 triumph when undefeated 6YO mare & both 2008-2009 US Champion Older Female Zenyatta (Street Cry-Vertigineux, by Kris S) notched her 18th consecutive victory (& 4th Gr1 triumph this season since returning from a 4-months spell) with victory by a neck in the US$300,000 Gr1 Clement Hirsch Stakes (8.5 furlongs on all-weather) for fillies & mares at Del Mar in California to take this race for the 3rd year in succession. Top-weighted Zenyatta (ridden by Mike Smith for trainer John Shirreffs) defeated front-running Irish-bred 5YO mare Rinterval (Desert Prince-Interpose, by Indian Ridge) & UK-bred fellow 6YO mare Princess Taylor (Singspiel-Tapas En Bal, by Mille Balles). Kentucky-bred Zenyatta (a US$60,000 yearling at the 2005 Keeneland September Sale) is a half-sister to multiple Gr1-winner Balance & was unraced as a juvenile. Overall she now boasts 18 wins (also including June's Gr1 Vanity Handicap over 9 furlongs at Hollywood Park, April's Gr1 Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap over 9 furlongs at Oaklawn Park & March's Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap over 9 furlongs at Santa Anita, plus 2009's Gr1 Breeders' Cup Classic over 10 furlongs at Santa Anita, Gr1 Lady's Secret Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Santa Anita, Gr1 Clement Hirsch Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Del Mar, Gr1 Vanity Breeders' Cup Handicap over 9 furlongs at Hollywood Park & Gr2 Milady Handicap over 8.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park, as well as 2008's Gr1 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic over 9 furlongs at Santa Anita, Gr1 Lady's Secret Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Santa Anita, Gr1 Clement Hirsch Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Del Mar, Gr1 Vanity Breeders' Cup Handicap over 9 furlongs at Hollywood Park, Gr1 Apple Blossom Handicap over 8.5 furlongs at Oaklawn Park, Gr2 Milady Handicap over 8.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park & Gr2 El Encino Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Santa Anita) from 18 starts for US$6,254,580 prize-money & is North America's all-time leading female earner. After her latest success, owner Jerry Moss (a Grammy Award winner & founder of A&M Records) confirmed Zenyatta's ultimate goal this season is to defend the title she won last year against the males in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Classic (at Churchill Downs on November 6).