Kisses for Zenyatta

Jockey Mike Smith plants a kiss on Zenyatta's neck after her eighteenth straight victory in a row in Saturday's Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar, while she watches herself on the giant screen in the background. When you see them together in person there's no doubt this jockey is in love with this horse. Frankly, most anyone who's ever seen her is.

Zenyatta, called the "Queen" and the "Diva" of North American racing, is one of the most popular race horses of all time. She was the first female horse to win the Breeders Cup Classic in 2009, one of the wealthiest and most significant races in the sport worldwide. She lost only once, in the final race of her career, by a thrilling nostril flare. People have often asked me, as someone who now photographs Olympic athletes, who is the greatest athlete I've ever been privileged to photograph. To this day, I say: Zenyatta.

Update: removed border and watermark. Realized they were annoying me.

^{I love my job, and I'm very fond of the athletes I work with. All images are ©copyright 1pen and my sports media company.You may NOT use, replicate, manipulate, or modify this image without my permission. All Rights Reserved.}

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