Comments on: On Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra and Memory

By: Amaya

Amaya — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:08:04 +0000

Ruffian is probably one of my all time favourite race horses although I was born exactly 30 years after her. When I saw the videos of her running, when I saw the pictures… I just knew. To me she isn’t a tragedy… She is a legend, because all legends are made of what she is; perfection, brilliant life with a poignant ending.

But I must say when I watched the BC Classic, the first thing that came to my mind as Zenyatta crossed the finish line was “This one’s for you, Ruffian!”

2009 was an awesome year for racing. On both sides of the pond. Can 2010 top it off?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:31:37 +0000

Rachel and Zenyatta are helping us heal from Ruffian and Eight Belles' deaths. Perhaps we have finally learned to not to saddle our incredible female equine athletes with our social obsession for comparing and competing male/female gender roles.
If the competition were beween owner/manager teams Zenyatta's win.
Rachel has the misfortune of being owned and campaigned by a ruthless group and if you have not yet seen it, look closely at her eyes in photos of Rachel being led around. She is in pain — with a chain through her mouth. This video
around the middle, shows her tongue trapped and hanging out of her mouth because of a chain in it. It is disgusting and her team should be barred from horse racing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4TB8TLW1yc

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:57:03 +0000

We as racing fan's have had the honor and privilege of witnessing not only two remarkable fillies, but two remarkable thoroughbred's period this year. Both are truly exceptional gift's from God. Both blessed with the ability to "run like the wind" but set in different styles. What Rachael Alexandra has accomplished for a 3yr.old filly is super. Rarely if ever do 3yr.old fillies beat colt's their own age, much less older colt's, and she's accomplished both. Zenyatta has faced very tough fillies through the year's as well, a group consisting of multiple Grade 1 winners which makes it remarkable when she went into this year's Classic that her race record was still unblemished. Then, to line up against the best colt's, 3yr.old and older from the U.S. and Europe that are currently in racing, and to do it at the 1-1/4 Classic distance on the biggest stage on one of the biggest day's in racing speak's volumes for her as well. Both horses have accomplished so much this year that to crown one HOY is to almost penalize the other. If ever a racing year cried out for co-HOY this certainly qualifies. They both posses far too much talent to deny either their rightful place in American Thoroughbred Racing History. IMO>

By: Ekords

Ekords — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:43:40 +0000

As a fellow blogger, let me say well done man! My belief is that the HOY decision is already set in stone. This will essentially come down to another east coast vs. west coast debate and the 282 votes will be cast along "party lines." They each have made a case and are more than deserving. I agree in that our memories should be more important than who leaves town with the hardware.

By: John

John — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:22:19 +0000

To whomever the author of this article is please let me say this is the best and most "even sided" article that I've read yet anywhere. I don't mind admitting that I've been openly speaking out that I feel that Zenyatta's historic win on Saturday trumps Rachael's best efforts combined. But I must admit, this is the first article I've read that has truly brought out the best description's and point's on both of their behalf's. As well as beautifully describing all the earlier greats that are the standard as to what we measure these two great fillies by. First class job on the article. It's given me a different perspective to sit down, take a minute, and reflect on both as a whole.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:09:25 +0000

Thank you for your nuanced, well-thought-out piece. I saw Zenyatta at SA this past weekend (most impressive), but hope that Eclipse voters will remember Rachel's three wins over males. It would be great if these two great horses could share the title.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:32:23 +0000

Like two other rival queens that never met: Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I.

I'm sure neither will have the other ceremoniously dispatched however.

By: Keith - Triple Dead Heat

Keith - Triple Dead Heat — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:56:15 +0000

It's been a great couple years for the ladies. Imagine if Zarkava had stuck around to try the Classic this year?

Nicely done!

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:11:08 +0000

Lisa, one of the best blog posts of the entire year! I couldn't have said it better (and now I'm intimidated to try

I'm not sure why folks (in comments on my blog post with quotes from Eoin Harty and Angel Cordero Jr.) are so opposed to the co-horse of the year idea. One idiot on Twitter even said it would "cheapen" the title to divide it among the two. Come on! Do we really need more divisiveness in the sport? Can't the idiots who decide these awards just set aside artificial constructs and declare the two co-horses of the year?

By: Kincsem1874

Kincsem1874 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:27:44 +0000

A beautiful piece. I hope the "Thoroughbreds aren't what they used to be," complainants can rest for a while now.