Zenyatta wins Horse of the Year

MIAMI BEACH, Florida (AP):

Zenyatta went out a winner after all. It seemed only fitting.

The remarkable mare whose charisma earned the public's affection and whose perfect career was ended in her final race was voted Horse of the Year on Monday night over the only opponent ever to defeat her on the track.

Zenyatta received 128 votes from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. Breeder's Cup Classic champion Blame, the only one to beat Zenyatta to the wire, received 102 votes and Goldikova finished with five.

"This makes it all OK after getting beat last time," said Mike Smith, Zenyatta's jockey.

Memorable career

Purchased for just $60,000 by Jerry and Ann Moss as a yearling in 2005, Zenyatta went on to have one of the most memorable careers in horse racing. She won 13 Grade I stakes, including five last year, and totalled more than $7 million in earnings.

She was 19-0 and already had become the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic when she attempted to defend her title against the boys at Churchill Downs last November. On the unfamiliar surface, Zenyatta made her patented late charge from the back of the pack, chewing up dirt down the front stretch only to come up a nose short of Blame - and of perfection.

When video highlights of the three finalists were shown before the award was announced, the ballroom crowd reserved its applause for Zenyatta. And after the Mosses accepted the trophy, the crowd gave Team Zenyatta a standing ovation.