Zenyatta Retired To Lane's End In KY

It has been announced that Zenyatta, the incomparable aged thoroughbred mare that thrusted the sport into the continental spotlight for the last couple of years, has been

retired from racing.

The news came via a release from Lane's End farm in Versailles, Kentucky.

The news prompted National Thoroughbred Racing Association President and CEO Alex Waldrop to release a statement saying, “Zenyatta was one of the most memorable Thoroughbreds ever to grace the American racing stage. Her record stands on its own merits, as does the impact she had on millions of fans all around the world. We salute Jerry and Ann Moss, John Shirreffs, Mike Smith and — most of all — Zenyatta, herself, for what was an unforgettable career.”

The Lane's End Release appears below in its entirety.

Two-Time Champion Zenyatta To Lane’s End

Jerry and Ann Moss’ great champion Zenyatta, who recently retired from racing, will be boarded at Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. She is expected to arrive in early December.

Zenyatta won 19 of 20 starts with her only loss coming in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic when she ran second, by just a head, after coming from far off the pace. She set North American female records in earnings -- $7,304,580 and with an extraordinary 13 Grade 1 wins. Those Grade 1 wins include the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. She earned Eclipse Awards as champion old mare in both 2008 and 2009.

Zenyatta was purchased by David Ingordo on behalf of the Mosses at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. She was trained by John Shirreffs and ridden for most of her career by Mike Smith.

Steve Haskin recently wrote for The Blood-Horse magazine the following tribute, “Those six inches that separated her from an unbeaten record will be more and more inconsequential as the years go by, consumed by the vast scope of her accomplishments . . .”

Breeding plans have not yet been finalized.