ARCADIA, California (AFP) - Zenyatta cemented her place in racing history with a stirring triumph in the Breeders' Cup Classic, a victory that left the great mare unbeaten in 14 starts.
Her last-to-first triumph under jockey Mike Smith in the five million-dollar Classic - highlight of the two-day, 25.5 million-dollar Breeders' Cup extravanza - left the six victories of a strong European contingent in the shadows.
"She's sent from God," Smith said. "I think he wanted a horse and made her and brought her down here to race against everyone."
Zenyatta, who surpassed Personal Ensign's US record of 13 straight victories for a filly or mare, proved herself against colts for the first time. Her 14th and likely last triumph was a gritty one, as she overcame a poor start to roar past a talent-packed field.
She seized the victory from Gio Ponti in the final furlong. Twice Over, saddled by legendary British trainer Henry Cecil was third with Tom Queally in the irons.
Zenyatta's beaten foes could only shake their heads and tip their hats.
"The horse ran a great race," trainer Christophe Clement said of his Gio Ponti. "But he couldn't beat the winner. She's a freak. What can I say? She's a freak."
Queally, who piloted Cecils' Midday to victory in the Filly and Mare Turf on Friday, said there was little more that could have been done to foil Zenyatta.
"We ran a cracker," he said. "My horse probably didn't handle the home turn too cute, but I don't think we would have beaten Zenyatta in a million years. She's an exceptional, exceptional filly."
Bob Baffert, trainer of sixth-placed Richard's Kid said seeing Zenyatta's win was a thrill.
"It was the only time in horse racing that I didn't mind getting beat in a big race," Baffert said. "Zenyatta made the Breeders' Cup. And the way she won! I've never seen a crowd so captivated. It felt like a horse winning the third leg of the Triple Crown."
Added Saeed Bin Suroor, who saddled eighth-placed Regal Ransom and 12th-placed Girolamo for Godolphin in the Classic: "She's a different class. By far. By millions."
European standout Rip Van Winkle, trained by Aidan O'Brien, faded from third to finish 10th.
O'Brien saddled just one winner over the two days, Man of Iron in the Marathon.
But overall European invaders took the spoils in six races.
Among them was another outstanding filly, Goldikova, who emulated the great Miesque in earning back-to-back Mile crowns.
Goldikova, too, showed her heart as she ran down Courgeous Cat in the final yards to win by half a length.
Goldikova is trained by Freddy Head, who rode Miesque to consecutive victories in the same race in 1987-88.
"I don't have the words to say what I feel," Head said, "Having ridden a horse like Miesque and now to train a horse like her, it's something you can't dream of."
Head admitted he found his current role more difficult.
"I think I was more nervous before this race than when I used to ride Miesque," he said.
Conduit, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, won the 1 1/2-mile Turf for the second successive year.
Presious Passion set a blistering early pace in the Turf, but Conduit, under Ryan Moore, chased him down in the final straight for a half-length victory.
Dar Re Mi, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori, finished third, while Conduit stablemate Spanish Moon was fourth.
Gosden and Dettori had already notched a victory with Pounced in the Juvenile Turf, while in the Juvenile Godolphin's British operation posted their first Breeders' Cup victory since 2001 with Vale Of York's stunning win.
Vale Of York went into the race with just two victories and was a 30-1 longshot under jockey Ahmed Ajtebi.
Saturday's other three races went to US geldings.
Local speedster California Flag won the Turf Sprint, Dancing in Silks won the Sprint and Furthest Land landed the Dirt Mile.
Furthest Land, a 35,000-dollar claimer, was ridden by Julien Leparoux, who notched three Breeders' Cup victories this year including wins on Friday in the Juvenile Fillies and Filly and Mare Sprint.
