Zenyatta: A horse with charisma?

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Overtime Original

Her name is Zenyatta, and people who don't follow horse-racing have probably never heard of her. But for someone like Michelle Boniface, Zenyatta is a hero.

Twenty three-year-old Michelle Boniface grew up on a horse farm in Maryland, and horse-racing expertise is three generations deep in her family. Today, Michelle is a broadcast associate here at "60 Minutes," which means she has an entry-level job. But when "60 Minutes" decided to profile Zenyatta back in October, Michelle suddenly found herself on her first shoot, helping veteran producers and correspondent Bob Simon understand Zenyatta, and how special a horse she really is.

Watch Bob Simon's report.

So before you watch the Kentucky Derby next week, we hope you'll enjoy a look back at our story on one of the greatest horses of all time.

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by Imaginism October 4, 2012 8:05 PM EDT

Come on, CBS. You can do better. Zenyatta is good, but she ain't no superstar horse. She's not the "Greatest Racehorse of all time". There are much better racemares than her, like RUFFIAN, PERSONAL ENSIGN, LADY'S SECRET, TA WEE, BUSHER, GENUINE RISK. Jonathan_Divine has named more.

It's weird that Zenyatta gets a statue, but the "Queen of Racing" Ruffian doesn't even have one. She may have only won 10 races out of 11 (her last race killed her. Shattered her sesamoid bone) but 8 of them were stakes races. She set records for all 8 of her stakes races and all but one of them still stand today. Ruffian set track records for 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/2 mile long. She won her maiden race by 15 lengths, and she won the filly Triple Crown in 1975. The shortest length she won by was 5 lengths. She was a front-runner, and she won all 10 of her races in the front from beginning to end. Not once has she stayed in the back or the middle of the pack.

If you're going to do programs about Zenyatta, then I expect programs from the great fillies that I and Jonathan have named, and more programs from horses like Phar Lap, Frankel, Count Fleet, Dr.*****, War Admiral, Alydar, Dubai Millenium, Forego, Kelso, Ribot, Sir Barton, Man O' War, Damascus, Spectacular Bid, Whirlaway, Assault, Citation, Seattle Slew, Cigar, Riva Ridge, Secretariat, Seabiscuit, Native Dancer, Affirmed, Black Caviar, and etc. You get my point. As you can see, there are far better horses and mares out there than Zenyatta. :)

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by Imaginism October 4, 2012 8:07 PM EDT: Dr. F-A-G-E-R. since CBS has a thing against the champion sprinter. :|


by Imaginism October 4, 2012 8:11 PM EDT: BTW, It really bothers me that you named Zenyatta the "Greatest Racehorse in History". I'd love to see her run up against the Red Terror, Phar Lap. He'd tromp her into the ground and leave her in the dust. Ruffian wouldn't even give Zenyatta a chance to get in front of her. Secretariat would leave her straggling for air and she wouldn't even be a threat to the Doc (Dr. F-A-G-E-R). Let's do more research before you make mishaps like that, CBS.


by Sasker December 19, 2011 4:36 PM EST: Hey....how come the video doesn't play anymore??? I loved this video, I'm really sad that it's no longer operating. Someone please please fix it, this piece was even more interesting than the original story.; Reply to this comment


by jonathan_divine November 19, 2010 6:41 PM EST: Let's put this into perspective - she won 90% of her races against other mares, on drugs, on dirt in America... Fantastic mare - probably their best ever, but NOT the great superstar the hysterical and sentimental make out... and if she IS, then I Look forward to similar programmes on:

GOLDIKOVA - a THREE times mare at Breeders cup against who is rated 2lb higher than Zenyatta...

AND

SEA THE STARS - a three year colt (so there was PLENTY of improvement to come which we never saw) who won on ground from yielding to good to firm, won six grades ones on the bounce in six months (incl 2000 Guineas/Derby/Arc) including against older horses, on six different tracks over distances from 8-12 furlongs... AND WHO WAS RATED 8LB HIGHER than Zenyatta... AND WOULD HAVE BEN A STONE ABOVE HER IF HE'D STAYED IN TRAINING!!

WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS 2009

TOP 11 HORSES IN 2009

136: SEA THE STARS (IRE)
130: GOLDIKOVA (FR)
129: RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE)
128: FAME AND GLORY (IRE)
128: ZENYATTA (USA)
127: RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA)
125: CAVALRYMAN (FR)
125: CONDUIT (GB)
125: GIO PONTI (USA)
125: GLADIATORUS (UAE)
125: YOUMZAIN (GB)

The outstanding colt of 2009 was the remarkable Irish horse SEA THE STARS (IRE) [136] who remained undefeated throughout the season in notching up no less than 6 prestigious Group 1 wins in Ireland, England and France. His best performance, in the view of the Handicappers, took place at Leopardstown in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in September, when he comfortably defeated the impressive Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner FAME AND GLORY (GB) [128] and multiple Group 1 winner MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) [124]. His rating of 136 is by far the highest rating accorded a racehorse since the World Thoroughbred Rankings were launched in 2004 (the highest previously was Manduro (GER) [131] in 2007) and is the highest rating awarded since the French colt Peintre Celebre (USA) was rated 137 (under the former International Classifications back in 1997).

GOLDIKOVA (IRE) [130] is the best filly/mare miler since her compatriot Miesque (FR) [132] (1987/1988) over twenty years ago and like that remarkable filly, she has managed to win back to back TVG Breeders? Cup Miles. However, her best performance, in the view of the Handicappers, was her magnificent romp in the Prix du Haras de Fresney Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1) at Deauville in August.; Reply to this comment


by jonathan_divine November 19, 2010 6:40 PM EST: Let's put this into perspective - she won 90% of her races against other mares, on drugs, on dirt in America... Fantastic mare - probably their best ever, but NOT the great superstar the hysterical and sentimental make out... and if she IS, then I Look forward to similar programmes on:

GOLDIKOVA - a THREE times mare at Breeders cup against who is rated 2lb higher than Zenyatta...

AND

SEA THE STARS - a three year colt (so there was PLENTY of improvement to come which we never saw) who won on ground from yielding to good to firm, won six grades ones on the bounce in six months (incl 2000 Guineas/Derby/Arc) including against older horses, on six different tracks over distances from 8-12 furlongs... AND WHO WAS RATED 8LB HIGHER than Zenyatta... AND WOULD HAVE BEN A STONE ABOVE HER IF HE'D STAYED IN TRAINING!!

WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS 2009

TOP 11 HORSES IN 2009

136: SEA THE STARS (IRE)
130: GOLDIKOVA (FR)
129: RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE)
128: FAME AND GLORY (IRE)
128: ZENYATTA (USA)
127: RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA)
125: CAVALRYMAN (FR)
125: CONDUIT (GB)
125: GIO PONTI (USA)
125: GLADIATORUS (UAE)
125: YOUMZAIN (GB)

The outstanding colt of 2009 was the remarkable Irish horse SEA THE STARS (IRE) [136] who remained undefeated throughout the season in notching up no less than 6 prestigious Group 1 wins in Ireland, England and France. His best performance, in the view of the Handicappers, took place at Leopardstown in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in September, when he comfortably defeated the impressive Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner FAME AND GLORY (GB) [128] and multiple Group 1 winner MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) [124]. His rating of 136 is by far the highest rating accorded a racehorse since the World Thoroughbred Rankings were launched in 2004 (the highest previously was Manduro (GER) [131] in 2007) and is the highest rating awarded since the French colt Peintre Celebre (USA) was rated 137 (under the former International Classifications back in 1997).

GOLDIKOVA (IRE) [130] is the best filly/mare miler since her compatriot Miesque (FR) [132] (1987/1988) over twenty years ago and like that remarkable filly, she has managed to win back to back TVG Breeders? Cup Miles. However, her best performance, in the view of the Handicappers, was her magnificent romp in the Prix du Haras de Fresney Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1) at Deauville in August.; Reply to this comment


by Allainnia November 17, 2010 10:51 PM EST: This story is absolutely beautiful.... not only because of Zeyatta's personality... but because of Michelle's perseverance in teaching these people the beauty of these magnificent animals. Those who just think animals are animals and are beneath them... have so much to learn about the world and it's creatures.
I grew up on a very small racing farm in Michigan. We raised Racing Arabians which normally raced in Detroit. these magnificent creature all have their very own personalities.
as a child... my best friends were horses... in high school... I bypassed friends and boyfriends to spend time with these loyal friends.
Kudos to you Michelle for being the voice for them., your colleagues are truly blessed to have you in their lives.; Reply to this comment


by SusanALennon November 7, 2010 11:42 AM EST: You know what my favorite part of this story is? Kudos to the Boniface's who made sure that their daughter got herself a career and thus a good job outside of horse racing. She can always come back to horse racing.
To me, the real heroes of the story are Michelle's parents. As a retired employee of Maryland horse racing, I've heard wonderful things about the Bonifaces.; Reply to this comment


by weaverintl November 7, 2010 9:28 AM EST: Thank you for your piece on Zenyatta. I wasn't aware of her but now I am in love! I'm not a fan of horse racing but it appears that everyone surrounding Zenyatta has done everything right--waiting until she is physically mature to handle it and allowing her to do something she obviously loves. Kudos to 60 Minutes for a memorable piece.; Reply to this comment


by anitatenzin November 6, 2010 1:30 PM EDT: 60 Minutes you did a great job with the Zenyatta story, totally enjoyed it and her... Tukchche!; Reply to this comment


by SedonyPony November 5, 2010 1:23 PM EDT: What a fantastic story! I love how your junior staffer was engaged in the production of this segment and the way your senior staff members responded. Well done, and very smart.
I made my career as a professional hunter/jumper trainer on the backs of ex-racehorses and have tremendous love and respect for the thoroughbred breed. This summer, I made a short documentary about a 3-year-old gelding that had been retired after a winning race due to a leg injury and was rescued by an excellent trainer. He'll have a second chance, but I urge people who love horses and enjoy racing to support equine charities that provide homes and reschooling for former race horses who may not be so lucky once their race careers end.; Reply to this comment


by liaisonsus November 3, 2010 9:08 PM EDT: Makes me want to meet that very special girl..Much more interesting than Palin, O'Donnell and the likes.....; Reply to this comment

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