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Rachel Alexandra 2009 Eclipse Horse of the Year
The incredible Rachel Alexandra wipes out the colts in the $1,250,000 Haskell Invitational including Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird by six lengths in near-record time. Jockey Calvin Borel gives his habitual winning finger. Photo Bill Denver/Equi-Photo.When a typical comment on Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglio D'Oro USA) winning the 2009 Eclipse Horse of the Year as well as Three-Year-Old Filly is "Rachel Alexandra did through the ballot box what no horse could do on the racetrack." (Jay Privman, Daily Racing Form), it is obvious something has gone wrong with the Eclipse voting process.
The Daily Racing Form suggested there be a Co-HOY Award, but the two other voting organizations (the National Turf Writers Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association) voted against it.
Out of 232 voters, three abstained or did not vote. The DRF voted 31-23 for RA, NTWA 71-51 for RA and NTRA 28-25 for RA totalling 130 for RA and 99 for Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE).
Controversy lingers over which female is superior and if the Eclipse Committee made a harmful decision having long-term implications for racing.
Voting has revealed we were correct in assuming that Rachel Alexandra would win no matter how many races Zenyatta could win. East-Coast voting bias triumphed.
Zenyatta's owner Jerry Moss expressed her fans' and his own pained disappointment in a very gracious, but challenging way "Zenyatta has never lost. She's perfect. Nobody beat her on the racetrack. They beat her by proxy."
That sums up how many feel across the world.
Pity that both outstanding females were not celebrated.
In the end, it took away much joy and spoiled what might have been. Also, the controversy detracted from all the other awards.
Rachel's owner Jess Jackson observed that "either horse deserved this award. Together Rachel and Zenyatta won nine Grade 1 races. Together they conquered four of the best groups of males who were running last year. ...there has never been a year like this one for fillies."
Fans also voted Rachel's Grade 1 Woodward Stakes win at Saratoga Racecourse as the New York Racing Association's "Story of the Year".
Zenyatta was voted Older Female and was joined by Gio Ponti as Older Male and Male Turf Horse.
Pity that Europe's Conduit lost Male Turf as he was the best Turf horse with back-to-back Breeders' Cup Turf victories.
As expected, Lookin At Lucky and She Be Wild swept the Two-Year-Old category and Summer Bird and Rachel Alexandra the Three-Year-Old.
Female and Male Sprinters were Informed Decision and Kodiak Kowboy.
France's Goldikova was chosen as Female Turf Horse. She is incomparable.
Mixed Up was the Steeplechase Horse (they should see Kauto Star and Denman).
Godolphin Racing was winning owner, Juddmonte Farms winning breeder.
Jockey Julien Leparoux and Apprentice Jockey Christian Santiago Reyes took their competitive categories.
Rachel's trainer Steve Asmussen was chosen Trainer of the Year (see column below for details of his impressive 2009 record).
The Award of Merit went to owner/breeder William S Farrish of legendary Lane's End Farm. He was Ambassador to the UK under President Ronald Reagan and both he and his wife are close friends of The Queen.
Finally, we at Racing International were very pleased that Monique Koehler, founder of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, was honoured with a Special Award.
TRF is one of the charities RI supports. (http://www.trfinc.org)
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Females Dominate
For the first time in North American history, two females are the leading thoroughbred earners, according to Equibase Company LLC (official database for racing information).
Zenyatta topped the list with $3,330,000 and Rachel Alexandra was second with $2,746,914.
Rachel Alexandra's trainer Steve Asmussen won a single-season record 650 races out of 2,944 starts and earned $21,876,405.
Garrett Gomez was leading jockey with $18,571,171 winnings for 210 out of 967 mounts for the fourth consecutive year.
Michael Gill won 370 races from 2,247 starts and earned $6,669,950 to lead all owners.
Juddmonte Farms Inc was second with 27 wins out of 116 starts and earnings of $6,525,818.
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Zenyatta topped the list with $3,330,000 and Rachel Alexandra was second with $2,746,914.
Rachel Alexandra's trainer Steve Asmussen won a single-season record 650 races out of 2,944 starts and earned $21,876,405.
Garrett Gomez was leading jockey with $18,571,171 winnings for 210 out of 967 mounts for the fourth consecutive year.
Michael Gill won 370 races from 2,247 starts and earned $6,669,950 to lead all owners.
Juddmonte Farms Inc was second with 27 wins out of 116 starts and earnings of $6,525,818.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Dubai World Cup Invitation for Zenyatta
Despite 6yo Zenyatta's connections announcing plans for an exclusive American campaign, they will be invited to compete in the Dubai World Cup.
Frank Gabriel, CEO of the Dubai Racing Club, said it is his aim to "secure a line-up of the highest quality for the Dubai World Cup" and "a horse of the calibre of Zenyatta will be of paramount importance".
Should Zenyatta accept the Club's invitation, she could compete against the outstanding mare Vodka JPN (Tamino Gimlet JPN), winner of the Japan Cup and Japan's Horse of the Year for the second year, in the $10 Million Dubai World Cup.
Other invitees will be Hong Kong winners Vision D'Etat FR (Chichicastenango FR) and Presvis (Sakhee USA) along with US Grade 1 winner Gitano Hernando FR (Hernando FR).
Jess Jackson, owner of Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA), has already ruled out racing his Dirt specialist on the new DWC Tapeta surface.
Rachel could meet Zenyatta in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas, on April 3 which would temporarily settle their fans' feud over which female is better.
On the other hand, what a fabulous international race it would be if all three great fillies raced each other in the DWC!
And Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA) competed in the mile.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Frank Gabriel, CEO of the Dubai Racing Club, said it is his aim to "secure a line-up of the highest quality for the Dubai World Cup" and "a horse of the calibre of Zenyatta will be of paramount importance".
Should Zenyatta accept the Club's invitation, she could compete against the outstanding mare Vodka JPN (Tamino Gimlet JPN), winner of the Japan Cup and Japan's Horse of the Year for the second year, in the $10 Million Dubai World Cup.
Other invitees will be Hong Kong winners Vision D'Etat FR (Chichicastenango FR) and Presvis (Sakhee USA) along with US Grade 1 winner Gitano Hernando FR (Hernando FR).
Jess Jackson, owner of Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA), has already ruled out racing his Dirt specialist on the new DWC Tapeta surface.
Rachel could meet Zenyatta in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas, on April 3 which would temporarily settle their fans' feud over which female is better.
On the other hand, what a fabulous international race it would be if all three great fillies raced each other in the DWC!
And Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA) competed in the mile.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Zenyatta Not to Race in Dubai World Cup
Trainer John Shirreffs indicated that Zenyatta might return to racing in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita on March 13 and then the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas, on April 3.
That regime would eliminate the Dubai World Cup on March 27.
Shirreffs indicated that Zenyatta's ultimate goal is to defend her Breeders' Cup Classic title and emulate Tiznow in winning the Classic back-to-back.
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That regime would eliminate the Dubai World Cup on March 27.
Shirreffs indicated that Zenyatta's ultimate goal is to defend her Breeders' Cup Classic title and emulate Tiznow in winning the Classic back-to-back.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Zenyatta Shall Race at Six
Trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss confirmed on January 16 at Santa Anita that Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) will race at six.
"She seems to be still growing (at 17.5 hands), which is a strange thing to say. ...She's a real star. ...I believe racing needs stars, and we've got one."
Given her outstanding performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic, the logical next race for Zenyatta would follow Curlin's USA (Smart Strike CAN) agenda: the $10 million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (Group 1) at the new Meydan Racecourse (Dubai World Cup) on March 27.
Meydan's main track is a synthetic Tapeta Footings surface and 13 of Zenyatta's 14 victories were on synthetic surfaces.
Moss continued "We're open to all kinds of races, but as usual we are going to take it race to race. ...John (Shirreffs) will make a decision as to when she's right and when she should go."
The wildly-emotional excitement of her connections and her fans will help get them past her expected loss Monday of the Eclipse Horse of the Year Award.
Further polls by TVG and the Racing Post (78%) show overwhelming voter preference for Zenyatta over Rachel Alexandra and Gio Ponti for HOY.
This appears to be a shock to Rachel fans, but shows clearly that the Breeders' Cup Classic is accepted as the most important international-class race in the USA and it is respected as such worldwide.
Zenyatta loves to race and she is being allowed to do what she loves best.
If only the connections of Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) would change their minds as well. He, like Lady Z, could never wait to get out on a racecourse and "take them out".
To keep up with the latest detailed news of all of the horses above, join their fan clubs on www.facebook.com and www.twitter.com.
PS: Curlin, twice HOY and highest-earning racehorse at $10.5 million, has produced his first foal--a filly out of Zophie.
Will Zenyatta or Rachel best him in earnings? Or will his filly foal?
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"She seems to be still growing (at 17.5 hands), which is a strange thing to say. ...She's a real star. ...I believe racing needs stars, and we've got one."
Given her outstanding performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic, the logical next race for Zenyatta would follow Curlin's USA (Smart Strike CAN) agenda: the $10 million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (Group 1) at the new Meydan Racecourse (Dubai World Cup) on March 27.
Meydan's main track is a synthetic Tapeta Footings surface and 13 of Zenyatta's 14 victories were on synthetic surfaces.
Moss continued "We're open to all kinds of races, but as usual we are going to take it race to race. ...John (Shirreffs) will make a decision as to when she's right and when she should go."
The wildly-emotional excitement of her connections and her fans will help get them past her expected loss Monday of the Eclipse Horse of the Year Award.
Further polls by TVG and the Racing Post (78%) show overwhelming voter preference for Zenyatta over Rachel Alexandra and Gio Ponti for HOY.
This appears to be a shock to Rachel fans, but shows clearly that the Breeders' Cup Classic is accepted as the most important international-class race in the USA and it is respected as such worldwide.
Zenyatta loves to race and she is being allowed to do what she loves best.
If only the connections of Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) would change their minds as well. He, like Lady Z, could never wait to get out on a racecourse and "take them out".
To keep up with the latest detailed news of all of the horses above, join their fan clubs on www.facebook.com and www.twitter.com.
PS: Curlin, twice HOY and highest-earning racehorse at $10.5 million, has produced his first foal--a filly out of Zophie.
Will Zenyatta or Rachel best him in earnings? Or will his filly foal?
Racing International http://www.racingint.com/
Zenyatta's BC Classic NTRA Winner
Sixty-eight percent of voters in the online poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association overwhelmingly selected Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) victory over world-class males as the United States' racing "Moment of the Year".
Of the other 13 entries, Rachel Alexandra's victory over older male horses in the September 5 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse gained 10% to finish a distant second just ahead of Mine That Bird's Kentucky Derby win at 9% of the vote.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Of the other 13 entries, Rachel Alexandra's victory over older male horses in the September 5 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse gained 10% to finish a distant second just ahead of Mine That Bird's Kentucky Derby win at 9% of the vote.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Zenyatta Is Still Working Out
Zenyatta wearing her winner's garland at the Breeders' Cup Classic 2009 with jockey Mike Smith and groom Mario Espinoza. Racingfotos
UPDATE: Rumours abound that, if Zenyatta is not named Eclipse Horse of the Year (which she won't be), she will race at six.
Zenyatta's (Street Cry IRE) owner Jerry Moss is having a more than a bit of fun with all the speculation over her continuing workouts at Hollywood Park.
With a recorded 48s per half mile on her last blowout, she looks in fighting form and many hope the 6yo will return to race Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) at every distance and every course in the USA to finally settle which is the better female horse.
Moss said trainer John Shirreffs continues to work her out, because she is a powerful athlete who needs exercise and it is too cold to send her to Kentucky for breeding.
Shirreffs said his mare was "breathing fire".
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IFHA World Thoroughbred Rankings
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities issued their World Thoroughbred Rankings.
Trained and bred in Ireland, 3yo colt Sea The Stars (Cape Cross IRE) is first at 135. He has retired to the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud where he will stand at 85,000 Euros per
His 2yo half brother out of their late dam Urban Sea has joined STS at Gilltown.
The unnamed colt by Invincible Spirit IRE is said to be very much in the STS' mold.
Mare Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA), trained by Freddie Head in France, is second in the rankings at 130 and will race again this year at five.
Coolmore's fine twosome who will race this year at four are Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) and Fame And Glory (Montjeu IRE). They earned a 129 and 128 rating respectively.
Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) shared a 128 rating with FAG.
With STS and Lady Z out of the way (if she is outof the way), other horses including Coolmore's twosome have a chance to win major mid-distance races.
Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) is the sole 127. RA was rated at 125 in November after her last race, but the international handicappers decided to raise her 2lbs after their December meeting.
Five horses are rated 125: Godolphin's Cavalryman (Halling USA), Conduit IRE (Dalakhani IRE), Gio Ponti USA (Tale of the Cat USA) Youmzain IRE (Sinndar IRE) and Gladiatorus USA (Silic FR).
Conduit has retired to stud in Japan, but eight of the top eleven will race in 2010.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Trained and bred in Ireland, 3yo colt Sea The Stars (Cape Cross IRE) is first at 135. He has retired to the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud where he will stand at 85,000 Euros per
His 2yo half brother out of their late dam Urban Sea has joined STS at Gilltown.
The unnamed colt by Invincible Spirit IRE is said to be very much in the STS' mold.
Mare Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA), trained by Freddie Head in France, is second in the rankings at 130 and will race again this year at five.
Coolmore's fine twosome who will race this year at four are Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) and Fame And Glory (Montjeu IRE). They earned a 129 and 128 rating respectively.
Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) shared a 128 rating with FAG.
With STS and Lady Z out of the way (if she is outof the way), other horses including Coolmore's twosome have a chance to win major mid-distance races.
Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) is the sole 127. RA was rated at 125 in November after her last race, but the international handicappers decided to raise her 2lbs after their December meeting.
Five horses are rated 125: Godolphin's Cavalryman (Halling USA), Conduit IRE (Dalakhani IRE), Gio Ponti USA (Tale of the Cat USA) Youmzain IRE (Sinndar IRE) and Gladiatorus USA (Silic FR).
Conduit has retired to stud in Japan, but eight of the top eleven will race in 2010.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Sea The Stars' Trainer Oxx Non-Plussed
John Oxx, trainer of Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) said that he expected the 135 ranking, but felt it was not a "true reflection" on the horse's career.
"When (jockey) Mick Kinane says he (STS) never had to exert himself more than 75 per cent of his capability to win any of his races, then you know the rating isn't going to tell the whole story."
Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman of the WTR committee, said "I'd hate to think that our findings might be used to knock on the head the opinion of those who think Sea The Stars was the greatest we've ever seen. We aren't saying they are wrong--not at all."
The committee urged the public to take a more panoramic perspective on relative greatness than merely looking at a horse's rating and they question some of the higher ratings of year's past.
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"When (jockey) Mick Kinane says he (STS) never had to exert himself more than 75 per cent of his capability to win any of his races, then you know the rating isn't going to tell the whole story."
Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman of the WTR committee, said "I'd hate to think that our findings might be used to knock on the head the opinion of those who think Sea The Stars was the greatest we've ever seen. We aren't saying they are wrong--not at all."
The committee urged the public to take a more panoramic perspective on relative greatness than merely looking at a horse's rating and they question some of the higher ratings of year's past.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Timeform Issues Its Own Ratings
Timeform (owned by Betfair) rates the quality of every horse that ran on the flat in Britain plus many foreign-trained horses that raced outside Britain and some who have raced in North America.
The highest ranking horse is the late Sea Bird II (Dan Cupid USA) at 145.
Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) shares a 140 ranking with Dancing Brave USA (Lyphard USA), Sheikh Mohmmed's beloved Dubai Millennium USA (Seeking The Gold USA), the Aga Khan's kidnapped Shergar IRE (Great Nephew) and Vaguely Noble (Vienna).
Cigar USA (Palace Music USA), who raced mostly in the USA, is the highest ranked North American horse at 138 and resides atthe Kentucky Horse Park after failing at stud.
Timeform's Global Rankings place Rip Van Winkle second to STS at 134, Fame And Glory at 133, Goldikova at 132 and Zenyatta at a131.
Rachel Alexandra shares 7-11th position with a ranking of 129 with Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE), Oken Bruce Lee JPN (Jungle Pocket JPN) who came second to Vodka in the Japan Cup and Paco Boy IRE (Desert Style IRE).
Vodka JPN (Tamino Gimlet JPN) herself, who beat Oken Bruce Lee and was voted Japan's Horse of the Year for the second year in a row, did not make the cut.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
The highest ranking horse is the late Sea Bird II (Dan Cupid USA) at 145.
Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) shares a 140 ranking with Dancing Brave USA (Lyphard USA), Sheikh Mohmmed's beloved Dubai Millennium USA (Seeking The Gold USA), the Aga Khan's kidnapped Shergar IRE (Great Nephew) and Vaguely Noble (Vienna).
Cigar USA (Palace Music USA), who raced mostly in the USA, is the highest ranked North American horse at 138 and resides atthe Kentucky Horse Park after failing at stud.
Timeform's Global Rankings place Rip Van Winkle second to STS at 134, Fame And Glory at 133, Goldikova at 132 and Zenyatta at a131.
Rachel Alexandra shares 7-11th position with a ranking of 129 with Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE), Oken Bruce Lee JPN (Jungle Pocket JPN) who came second to Vodka in the Japan Cup and Paco Boy IRE (Desert Style IRE).
Vodka JPN (Tamino Gimlet JPN) herself, who beat Oken Bruce Lee and was voted Japan's Horse of the Year for the second year in a row, did not make the cut.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com