Zenyatta's 2-year-old filly Zilkha arrives at Shirreffs barn

ARCADIA, Calif. - The 2-year-old filly arrived at Santa Anita from Florida last Saturday. Within a day, she was a barn favorite for trainer John Shirreffs.

That should not be a surprise. The filly, Zilkha, is by Candy Ride out of Zenyatta, the 2010 Horse of the Year and one of the most popular racehorses of recent memory.

Zilkha had no difficulty adjusting to Santa Anita, galloping at Santa Anita on Sunday.

“She’s settled in nicely,” said Shirreffs, who also trained Zenyatta. “We’re excited. She’s a pretty filly and Candy Ride is a nice sire. She looked good galloping.”

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If Zilkha progresses in training, she could race later this year.

Zilkha, who went through early training at Mayberry Farm in Ocala, Fla., is the fourth foal to reach the racetrack out of Zenyatta, who won 19 of 20 starts and earned $7,304,580, all for owners Jerry and Ann Moss. Zenyatta won her first 19 races and was beaten a head by Blame in her final start, the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in 2010.

Zenyatta was a fan favorite, but her foals that have reached the track have not had success. Cozmic One, her first foal to race, was winless in five starts, while Ziconic was winless in 12 starts. Zellda, foaled in 2017, was based with Shirreffs in 2019 and 2020, but did not start. A filly foaled in 2014 was fatally injured in a paddock accident in Kentucky later that year.

In 2021, Zenyatta lost a foal by Candy Ride. Zilkha is the first Zenyatta foal by Candy Ride to reach the track. Shirreffs is hoping the pedigree propels Zilkha to a high-profile career.

“He’s an exceptional sire,” Shirreffs said. “Candy Rides have a certain toughness about them. That’s a good thing for a Thoroughbred to have. She gets it from both sides.”