Zenyatta Crowned Horse of the Year

Zenyatta, seen here walking wtih Jockey Mike Smith around the track during a retirement ceremony at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California in December, became the queen of racing with 19 wins in 20 starts and a record $7.3-million in earnings (photo: AP/Benoit Photo/USA Today)

And now Zenyatta (19-1) adds the biggest honour of her career to her bulging résumé— Horse of the Year for 2010. It's the second consecutive year a female horse has won the industry's top award — Rachel Alexandra beat out Zenyatta for the honor last year.

The six-year-old mare tied the great Cigar (1996) as the oldest horses to win Horse of the Year.

Her owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, and the Zenyatta team accepted the Eclipse Award on Monday night during ceremonies in Miami Beach.

"We always think positive, and we believe in her," said Jerry Moss. "She is one in a million. We are just so thrilled for her."

"We can't wait to tell her," said Ann Moss.

Zenyatta edged out 4-year-old colt Blame, who defeated the hard-charging mare by a nose in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs last November in the final race for both horses. Zenyatta finished with 128 votes to 102 for Blame.

All Stall, trainer for Blame, said: "We did all we could and tried as hard as we could. That's just the way things fell. It's absolutely no disgrace for us."

Zenyatta and Blame are both retired — Zenyatta at Lane's End Farms in Kentucky and Blame at Claiborne Farm, also in Kentucky.

The awards are voted on and presented by the NTRA, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. For a full list of Eclipse Award Winners.

CLICK HERE for the full list of Eclipse Award Winners

Story: www.usatoday.com