Halters worn by two-time Eclipse Award winner Zenyatta and 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra brought a combined $8,777.99 on eBay in a fundraiser for the Race for Education.
Bidding on the undefeated Zenyatta's halter, one she wore in 2009, ended on July 6 with a winning bid of $6,600. The winning bid on the Rachel Alexandra halter, which closed July 7, was $2,177.99. Zenyatta's halter (57) drew more than twice as many bids as Rachel Alexandra's (28).
Both halters were claimed by the same individual. The top bidder was described as "a collector from the Southern California area" who did not want to be otherwise identified, said Elisabeth Jensen, president and executive director for the Race for Education.
The Lexington-based Race For Education was established in 2002 to provide educational programs and college scholarships to young people in the equine and agriculture industry with significant financial need.
The Zenyatta halter was donated by trainer John Shirreffs, while Rachel Alexandra's halter came from her trainers, Scott Blasi and Steve Asmussen.
"We were extremely pleased with the selling price of both of the halters," Jensen said. "It is really exciting to have two great horses that can attract the attention of so many fans and we are fortunate that Steve Asmussen, Scott Blasi, and John Shirreffs are strong supporters of The Race For Education. We had debated originally selling them as a set, but decided the rivalry in the end might bring in more money. I am glad they both ended up together.”
The bidding began June 29.