John Shirreffs & Zenyatta | 60 Minutes Archive
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Next Saturday, Zenyatta could become the first great American athlete to retire undefeated in more than half a century since Rocky Marciano stepped down from the ring. She's a six-year-old thoroughbred with 19 wins in 19 races, now going for number 20 at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, the most prestigious competition of the year. All other competitors are males, and at age six, she's the oldest horse in the race. Stakes are high, not just millions of dollars—Zenyatta is so adored that losing would break hearts everywhere, like Babe Ruth striking out in his last at bat. Her life story: she does not know how to lose.
Zenyatta is big for a mare, taller than most males in the stable, very calm with something zen about her. She loves kids and welcomes strangers, especially with gifts. On the track, she transforms, obsessed with proving she's faster and tougher than the boys, driving crowds into frenzy.
Last year's Breeders' Cup: "Zenyatta coming flying on the grandstand side. Gio Ponti on the inside. Summer Bird is right there. This is unbelievable. Zenyatta."
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has won all Triple Crown races and nearly 5,000 more.
How does Zenyatta compare to other horses you've ridden in championship races? She means more to me than all those. And can you explain why? She's just who she is. She's Zenyatta. She's incredible. She's unbeaten. She's done everything we've ever asked of her.
Will history be made next week? She's ready. I'll be ready. Given the opportunity, I think we could see something incredible.
Zenyatta lives in Hollywood, at over 1,220 pounds she's the biggest star in town. The camera loves her; before races, she poses, struts, does a little dance. On track, she's a Ferrari against Volvos.
Track announcer Vic Stauffer has called Zenyatta's races from the start:
"She's got a chance to gun the boat down. And here she comes."
"The bad start has Zenyatta at the back of the pack." Zenyatta always starts at the back, lingering languidly, then turns up the juice.
"Zenyatta runs up outside of her and draws within a length of the lead."
"Here's a future superstar, Zenyatta. Wow." That's when Stauffer knew she was special.
She always comes from behind. Stauffer has become a fan:
Do you ever go a little bit crazy when she's way behind? Yeah... that's all part of the theater of her. She passes them all and I have a feeling that if there were 10 more in front of her, she'd just pass them.
I think that's what keeps her sound and keeps her happy is that she only does what she has to do.
So, you might not have been on her at her fastest yet. I truly don't believe I have. I've always felt that there was another gear if I needed it.
Maybe Saturday. I think we're going to see something really special.
Zenyatta was bought at auction as a one-year-old for only $60,000 due to ringworm (skin disease, rash), making her unattractive at sale. John Shirreffs has been her trainer since.
We were just really blessed and fortunate. How'd you get her so cheap? Because she had skin disease... from rash to riches.
Under Shirreffs, she's won more than $6 million. Late starter—not ready or mature enough as a three-year-old for big races like Kentucky Derby.
When she was three years old, why didn't you race her in the Kentucky Derby? She wasn't ready to race. It took her a long time to mature into the horse she is now, and we just had to be patient with her.
Shirreffs gave her time to grow at his pace, never losing temper—horses sense tension and don't like it.
Unusual access: beauty treatments, leg bandaging, lawn planted just for her.
That's what's so amazing about her is she chooses to be gentle all the time.
Owners Ann and Jerry Moss (music business fortune) pamper her:
She's touched and handled by at least 14 people a day. And there's somebody with her 24 hours a day. It's pretty cozy.
Training: 5 days a week at moderately slow pace (she doesn't like slow, rider holds her back). Once a week, let loose—but not full throttle.
Mike Smith:
What does it feel like being on her? Just so much power. She's so athletic. Such a big horse, she's just amazing. How does it feel when she starts her surge? In a matter of two or three jumps, she can make up close to 10 lengths.
Helmet camera shows stunning surge.
Who decides when she starts a surge? Is it you or is it her? It's me most of the time, but it's also her at times. She's like a loaded gun. When you pull the trigger, she's going to fire.
After workouts, lunchtime.
What do you feed her? Oats and hay. We add a little aloe vera juice because it's good for their stomachs. If she's been really good, I could pop open a Guinness and she could have a beer in the afternoon. Just one? Usually just one. I wonder how she'd react if you gave her a different beer. I've tried that... She won't do it. It's got to be the stout.
Shirreffs lets her be a primadonna playing to the crowd:
She gets very bright, puffs herself up, looks very strong, eyes stick out, really bright and alert. Ears like this, listening for anything. Her whole focus is on what's going on around her.
You really think that when she's prancing before the crowd and sticking her ears up, she knows what she's doing? Absolutely... this is Hollywood. She just feeds off of it.
Profiled in W magazine; Oprah calls her one of 20 women rocking the world.
Shirreffs talks to horses:
Horses are really special. You can talk to them. Work out your problems with them. How do you communicate with Zenyatta? Look up into her face and eyes and say, you're doing great. You're the best ever. Thank you for everything you've given me. See that really kind look. You have a feeling that she's actually understanding.
Breeders' Cup is richest race; win means another $3 million. Undefeated $60,000 filly could be greatest horse ever, better than Secretariat.
If we can pull it off, she's never been beaten. How can you argue with perfection?
Oldest in Saturday's race; after, retires to green pastures, motherhood—no one's worthy to breed with her.
No man is worthy of Zenyatta.
Win or lose, retires while in prime. Post-retirement: green pastures, no missing the tumult?
"Zenyatta on the outside is coming. It's switched and Zenyatta. And here's Zenyatta. She's flawless. She's never lost. She's a perfect 19 for 19."
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