Zenyatta: produced the performance of her life to win the Classic

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/ racingpostpix.com  

Zenyatta makes Breeders' Cup Classic history

Report: USA, Saturday

Santa Anita: Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) Pro-Ride 1m2f

IN one of the most memorable, stirring and uplifting performances seen on an American racetrack, the remarkable Zenyatta ended her career in exemplary fashion by outrunning the Breeders' Cup Classic field to send Santa Anita into a state of delirium.

Going into the $5 million Breeders' Cup finale, Zenyatta had won every one of the 13 races she had contested. To take her record to 14 from 14, she had to produce the performance of her life, and she did, charging up the centre of the stretch having been set an enormous amount to do.

Few could really have believed that she would do it in such style, but she did, finishing with a rarely seen burst of speed to motor past America's turf champion Gio Ponti with the Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over an excellent third under Tom Queally.

By doing so, the John Shirreffs-trained five-year-old became the first filly or mare ever to win America's most prestigious contest. In addition, she almost certainly wrestled off fellow female Rachel Alexandra the 2009 US Horse of the Year award.

Ballydoyle's great hope Rip Van Winkle was beaten before leaving the back straight and finished tenth of a 12-runner field depleted by the late scratching of Quality Road, who refused to enter the stalls, thus considerably delaying the start.

Mike Smith: "one of the best ever"

  PICTURE: Getty Images  

"She will go down as one of the best ever, believe me," said Zenyatta's jockey Mike Smith, winning his 13th Breeders' Cup race.

"She got  really upset before the race, and I was concerned. She was last early and I didn't want to be that far back, but she did it.

"I still never got to the bottom of her. That's the amazing thing. She still had run left. She is incredible. She is sent from heaven. She is God's horse."

Rip Van Winkle's rider Johnny Murtagh, who positioned his mount close to the early pace, said: "He has a huge stride and I didn't want to hold him back. I had felt I was in a nice position, but when we got to the four pole I knew my fate. I think he is a miler and he should be ridden aggressively over a mile. He has had a hardseason in more ways than one."

Gio Ponti had  Classic glory snatched from him in the final strides, but trainer Christophe Clement was not disappointed but proud. "The horse ran a great race but he couldn't beat thewinner," said Clement. "She's a freak. What can I say? She's a freak."

Twice Over's jockey Tom Queally, who had landed Friday's Filly & Mare Turf on Henry Cecil-trained stablemate Midday, said: "We ran a cracker. My horse probably didn't handle the home turn too cute, but I don't think  we would have beaten Zenyatta in a million years. Hats off to her. She's an exceptional filly."

John Shirreffs: "I can't believe it"

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com 

A revved-up 58,000-strong crowd gave that exceptional filly a rousing reception as she flashed home and then returned to thewinner's circle.

"There are tears coming to my eyes," said Shirreffs. "I can't believe it. She is a great, great filly. She came out on the wrong lead and took some time to get going but she's all heart.

"The way the crowd took to her was just amazing. They cheered for her, they clapped for her, they love her. What a wonderful relationship."

Part-owner Jerry Moss paid equally fulsome tribute to his star, saying: "She's just amazing. Look at her. She's just run her way into the history books."

Those history books will now forever have a special place reserved for a remarkable racehorse named Zenyatta. America wanted her to win and she did. This sport in this country has seen nothing quite like her.