20 Top Thoroughbred Racehorses of the Decade

There is much reflection at year end and discussion not only of the best horses of the year but also of the decade. The horses that have excited us and been memorable are easy choices. There are others on my list that I feel are deserving of being here for several reasons.

These are horses that not only lit up the record books of all time but provided some exciting races and in the case of the mares and geldings, are forgotten all too soon.

Leading my list is a horse that takes the list on several points. He was the first - and only - horse to win the Breeders Cup Classic twice and he's gone on to be a respected sire of some good young horses. Tiznowclaimed his place in Breeders Cup history when he held on to a desperate lead from Sakhee. He's earned a place on the list both on and off the track in a record that has held despite an onslaught of talented horses later in the decade.

Another record setter much more contemporary is the brilliant recently retired Zenyatta, the first female to win the Classic and retire undefeated. In serious contention for Horse of the Year honors, Zenyatta came charging from last to silence critics in beating the best horses in the world on racing's championship day.

How to top the records set by these two? Well that, too, happened in this decade when Curlinbroke the all time money earning records. He won in the US and travelled to Dubai to represent America well. A member of what I think is one of the most talented foal crops in some time he didn't win the Derby but did come back and add an impressive record. With some outstanding mares bred to him it will be exciting to see the "baby Curlins hit the track."

From that same crop comes two more that warrant a place - Street Sensebroke the "Breeders Cup jinx" and won the Kentucky Derby. A beautiful, regally bred colt Street Sense oozed talent on the track. He made winning look easily.

The same foal crop also produced Hard Spun- perhaps the 'overlooked' one of the trio but especially later in the year he came forth tough and hard charging every race. He may have been outrun but never quit. Where some horses get tired when challenged repeatedly Hard Spun just dug down and fought back.

Of course the other major Horse of the Year contender needs mentioned - the beautiful and talented filly Rachel Alexandra. A banner year for the 3 year old while Zenyatta took on the older horses Rachel also set records. She won the Preakness after romping in the mud in the Kentucky Oaks, then took on older horses for the first win in 70 years in a race she wasn't supposed to win.

Azeriwas an exciting filly on the track earlier in the decade. Sold at auction to Japan here's hoping she has a long, productive life there unlike some of our stallions sent over. Azeri was an exciting mare on the track and a name spoken with respect in her day.

Probably raising eyebrows putting him in but in my book Monarchoswarrants a spot here. His mark in the Kentucky Derby was dangerously close to Secretariat's record. Perhaps some could argue that was the race of his life, but when considering the decade it certainly was a highlight. Deserving of mention for pushing him was Songandaprayer - records aren't set without those to set the bar high.

The list also wouldn't be complete without the Rags To Richesstories. Not only the filly that bested Curlin and a talented group of three year olds in the Belmont Stakes. That puts her in the list for the top of the decade.

Another who took owners on the ride of their life was Funny Cide, a beloved gelding who won the Kentucky Derby in the race of his life. Geldings are another that "aren't supposed" to win the Derby and seldom do. The other thing about horses is they don't listen to humans say what they're supposed to do.

The other chestnut to capture the public's imagination was a hard luck colt that was supposed to die. Smarty Jones sustained a severe injury as a yearling but overcame, winning the Kentucky Derby and capturing the public's attention as an undefeated Derby winner.

Worth a spot for his effort on and off the track is Birdstone. Overlooked in his three year old season until he upset and stopped a Triple Crown win in the Belmont Stakes, Birdstone has also found success off the track in siring two players in 2009, Kentucky Derby gelding Mine That Bird and Belmont winner Summer Bird.

Another fan favorite, Lava Man, was a continual hard knocking, always trying race horse deserving of being remembered for his accomplishments not only during racing but in the big picture.

Ghostzapperwas called a freak but peaked at the right time, winning the Breeders Cup Classic. With an extremely fast turn of foot he sizzled through the fractions. Now siring beautiful, promising young horses it's something to look forward to when they start setting their own standards. He was in a very talented field in the Breeders Cup that included several horses in this list and left horses and fans reeling in awe of a speed performance that still brings chills.

Horses have both fans and critics when success hits and the decade saw a record set that even stalled the great Cigar. Pepper's Prideset a new record for most consecutive wins. Some say she never left New Mexico, but a string of wins means anyone could have tried to stop her also. The record stands and an impressive achievement.

Ouija Boardwas the filly whose name was whispered with respect for some time. She certainly added her mark to the decade in multiple achievements. Her win in the 2004 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf was incredible driving on the outside.

Barbarowas a fan favorite after he broke down in the Preakness and in the months after as millions followed the recovery and heartbreaking loss to laminitis. A talented colt the interest has created a furor for his younger brothers long before they hit the track.

The Tin Man was a hard knocking gelding deserving of being in a list of horses of the decade. He danced every dance at the top and made no excuses.

Afleet Alex performed the athletic achievement of 2005 in the Preakness when Scrappy T veered into the path of the hard charging colt. Alex stumbled to his knees and looked to be going down but amazingly regained his footing and his jockey to win the race going away.

Quality Roadis a talented colt who has had some tough breaks, including an injury that kept him out of the Derby. A mental meltdown before the Classic interrupted his quest for a Breeders Cup. Still, very talented when he turns it on.

Other memorable horses of the decade - Big Brown's quest for the Triple Crown. Perfect Drift is another consistently giving a good effort. Eight Belles' unfortunate breakdown overshadowed her second place in the Derby which overshadowed what a big, strong beautiful filly she was. Mention must be made also of the 2003 Turf dead heat of High Chaparral and Johaar. Another fan favorite lost too soon was Lost in the Fog.

A decade of brilliance and heartbreak. The horses from 2000-2009 highlight the tough determination and the incredible fragility that makes the Thoroughbred so difficult and yet so easy to love.