Champion Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Back-to-back Eclipse Awards for trainer of Rachel Alexandra and grade I winner Kodiak Kowboy, Hot Dixie Chick; led nation with $21.8 million in earnings
Rachel Alexandra
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Rachel Alexandra
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Champion 3YO Female: Rachel Alexandra
- By Esther Marr
After trouncing her own division, filly stepped out to beat the boys in the grade I BlackBerry Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward Stakes.
Horse of the Year, Eclipse Awards Tonight
One of the most competitive races for Horse of the Year honors in recent memory will conclude tonight, Monday, Jan. 18, with announcement of whether it is Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta.
Zenyatta's Back; Now, the Envelope, Please
After looking at Rachel Alexandra's and Zenyatta's accomplishments it is a shame one will be denied Horse of the Year.
Zenyatta to Run in 2010
After conferring with owners Jerry and Ann Moss, a decision to run the champion mare Zenyatta will run in 2010, trainer John Shirreffs confirmed Jan. 16.
Rachel Wins NYRA 'Story of the Year'
Rachel Alexandra's extraordinary victory in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga has been voted by fans as NYRA's 2009 "Story of the Year."
Churchill Shortens Period for Future Wagers
Churchill Downs will offer three Future Wager Pools for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and one Future Wager Pool for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Each wagering period will be for three days.
Zenyatta Wins NTRA 'Moment of the Year'
The historic victory by the undefeated Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) -- the first in the race by a female -- has been voted the 2009 National Thoroughbred Racing Association Moment of the Year.
Saratoga Welcomes Old Friends
On Jan. 31, ThoroFan is partnering with the Union Grille at the Saratoga Hilton to conduct a fundraiser for the retired racehorses at Saratoga County's Bobby Frankel division of Old Friends.
WTR Results Changed; Zenyatta Still Gets Nod
Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, instead of being joint fourth and fifth, respectively, in the final global standings for 2009, should be third and fourth.
Horse of the Year - Final Arguments
With less than a week away before the winner is crowned, we're giving Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta fans a final opportunity to state their case. Vote Now!
TVG to Air Exclusive Eclipse Awards Coverage
TVG will broadcast exclusive live coverage of the 39th annual Eclipse Awards from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 18.
The Race for Horse of the Year
Female superstars Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta lead the list of finalists for the 2009 Horse of the Year, which will be announced on January 18th during the 2010 Eclipse Awards. View Slideshow
It's Zenyatta Over Rachel in World Rankings
Zenyatta has received another boost, with the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner rated one pound ahead of Rachel Alexandra in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.
Eclipse Awards Finalists Announced
Female superstars Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta lead an all-star cast of finalists for the 2009 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing.
Leading Sires of 2009: Medaglia d'Oro
Medaglia d'Oro, leading second-crop sire of 2009, at Darley with commentary by Darley COO Oliver Tait. Sire of superstar Rachel Alexandra and nine other stakes winners for the year. Watch Video
Girl Power: Females Rule 2009 Earnings List
For the first time, female Thoroughbreds occupy the top two spots on the list of leading North American earners in 2009, according to final statistics released today by Equibase Company.
2009 - Year in Review
Lenny Shulman takes a look back at an exciting 2009, which can be identified as the year of the female. Watch Now!
Zenyatta Second in AP Female Athlete Vote
Zenyatta, who became the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) last month at Santa Anita, finished second to tennis star Serena Williams as Associated Press' Female Athlete of the Year in 2009.
Most Memorable Triple Crown Performances
Best of the Decade: Steve Haskin ranks the most memorable Triple Crown performances. Who's #1?
Five Questions: Olly Tait
Tait, COO of Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation, has been based in Central Kentucky now for just more than a year.
Bramlage: Resting Rachel Right Thing to Do
Filly needed a break following the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) more than she needed to face Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup.
NYRA 'Story of the Year' Voting Now Underway
Beginning Dec. 11 and through Jan. 15, 2010, fans can choose from among five compelling storylines some human, some equine and cast their ballots for NYRA "Story of the Year."
Rachel Alexandra Online Auction Nets $20,000
Kendall-Jackson Winery announced Dec. 9 it has sent a check for $20,000 to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, reflecting the results of an online auction of items from Rachel Alexandra's 2009 racing season.
Santa Anita George Woolf Finalists Announced
Santa Anita Park announced Dec. 9 a list of five finalists for the 61st annual Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, with the winner to be announced in January.
FG Creates Race to Lure Rachel Alexandra
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has put together a $200,000 stakes race for older fillies and mares in hopes of luring Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra for her 2010 debut.
Rachel, Zenyatta Featured in Digital Magazine
In celebration of the historic year by two of racing's great females, The Blood-Horse and ExclusivelyEquine.com will offer a digital edition Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta commemorative magazine titled "Queens of the Turf: Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Race for 2009 Horse of the Year."
Rachel Alexandra Pointed to Spring Return
Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick's Rachel Alexandra arrived in Louisiana Nov. 27 but probably won't race until March or April.
Trainer Wiggins Goes Out a Winner at 26-1
With his final starter as a trainer Nov. 27, Hal Wiggins watched as Robert V. Hovelson's High Spirit closed from far back to win Churchill Downs' 10th race by a nose and pay $55.60 under Terry Thompson.
Queens of the Turf: Rachel and Zenyatta
Queens of the Turf: Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Race for 2009 Horse of the Year
Juveniles Headline Closing Day at Churchill
It is doubtful another horse of Rachel Alexandra's caliber will come out of the 2009 "Stars of Tomorrow II" program, but one never knows, and that is good enough reason to watch the $150,000 Golden Rod and $150,000 Kentucky Jockey Club, for 2-year-old fillies and 2-year-old males, respectively.
Change in Horse of the Year Voting Rejected
Two of the three voting groups for Eclipse Awards have rejected a proposal to change this year's Eclipse Awards voting procedures to allow for a vote for co-Horse of the Year, a move that could have led to Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra sharing that top honor.
Rachel Alexandra Returns to the Track
Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra jogged lightly once around the track at Churchill Downs at the end of training hours Nov. 23 with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry up accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi on a pony.
Wiggins Named KY 'Horseman of the Year'
Trainer Hal Wiggins, who plans to retire at the end of November, is the recipient of the 2009 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award given by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners.
Churchill Dedicates Weekend to Borel
Popular Churchill Downs-based jockey Calvin Borel, who swept this year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) aboard Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird, respectively, will be honored at Churchill Downs Nov. 21-22 with a bobblehead giveaway, autograph session, roast and his very own drink special.
Haskin on Horse of the Year: Stalemate
- By Steve Haskin
These are the final words from here on the Horse of the Year debate between racing's two monarchs, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Unfortunately, only one likely will be crowned, but you can be sure both will rule in the hearts and minds of most racing fans.
Haskin's Breeders' Cup Wrap: Final Thoughts
All the comments made about Quality Road being a rogue or crazy are way off base. Dr. Larry Bramlage called him a juvenile delinquent following his meltdown prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic. A juvenile, yes, in many ways, but being scared out of your wits does not make you a delinquent.
Sam Houston Offers Race for Zenyatta, Rachel
Sam Houston Race Park and Gallery Furniture continue to step up efforts to bring super star females Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra together in a stakes race slated for Jan. 30.
Shirreffs: Classic Winner Zenyatta is HOY
A day after undefeated Zenyatta became a giant of the racing world with a spine-tingling victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), trainer John Shirreffs said she should be Horse of the Year over favored Rachel Alexandra.
Gulfstream Reissues Offer to Zenyatta, Rachel
Whether Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra is the better horse is a question Gulfstream Park president and general manager Ken Dunn believes best answered in the Feb. 6 Donn Handicap (gr. I). The race will be run the day before the Super Bowl in nearby Miami Gardens.
Zenyatta Reclaims Top Spot in Poll by a Nose
- By Tom LaMarra
Zenyatta reclaimed the top spot in the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll of 2009.
The Morning After: All Zenyatta, All the Time
Although she was back in her barn at Hollywood Park after her historic Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) win, Zenyatta was the hot topic the morning of Nov. 8 among those gathered at Clocker's Corner at Santa Anita, one day after they witnessed history.
Visit With Rachel Alexandra to be Auctioned
A personal visit with superstar filly Rachel Alexandra goes on the auction block tomorrow as the grand final item in Kendall-Jackson's "Rachel Alexandra Running Auction," benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The auction will end after seven days at noon, Nov. 4.
It's Official: Rachel Done Until 2010
Star filly Rachel Alexandra is finished racing for the year, co-owner Jess Jackson announced Oct. 9.
Rachel Alexandra Back at Churchill Downs
Leading Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra returned to her home base at Churchill Downs Oct. 7 and settled into familiar surroundings in trainer Steve Asmussen's Barn 38 following a long van ride from Saratoga, where she spent much of the summer and the early days of fall.
Rachel 'Doing Great,' Ships to Ky. Tuesday
Rachel Alexandra is enjoying her well-deserved vacation at Saratoga following an arduous and ambitious campaign that culminated with a memorable victory over older males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro will ship back to Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Monmouth Meeting Shows Attendance Gains
Monmouth Park concluded its 2009 meeting Sept. 27 showing a significant gain in average attendance, even as wagering followed what has become this year's national downward trend.
Countdown to the Cup: Pray for Rain
Circle the date Oct. 4 on your calendar. Your assignment is to pray for rain in France - enough to turn the Longchamp turf course soft. The softer the better.
Countdown to the Cup: Big Chasm between A-Z
It's time to accept the fact that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are not going to meet. As the cliche goes, that ship has sailed.
Jackson Reaffirms No Breeders' Cup for Rachel
The Breeders' Cup board of directors Sept. 11 said the organization will increase the purse of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) by $1 million if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start in the 1 1/4-mile event Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
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