Zenyatta & Mike Smith Winning at Del Mar © Benoit Photo

A startling revelation made by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith on Matt Carother’s “:58 and Change” program on YouTube. He says if Zenyatta had beat Blame in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic he would have retired.

“I was going to walk away with her,” Smith told Carothers. “So, look what it (her head defeat) gave me.”

Smith was making the point that things, even heartbreaking events, happen for a reason. The defeat gave Smith the opportunity to ride the mare Songbird and the colt Arrogate through their tremendous runs. His Kentucky Derby victory and subsequently his Triple Crown triumph with Justify would have never happened for him. 

“None of that stuff would have happened if she had won that night,” Smith concluded.

Smith is based in Southern California and currently rides at Del Mar.