| Pan Zareta | |
|---|---|
Pan Zareta |
|
| Sire | Abe Frank |
| Grandsire | Hanover |
| Dam | Caddie Griffith |
| Damsire | Rancocas |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 1910 |
| Country | USA |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | J. F. Newman |
| Owner | J. Marrone |
| Trainer | Many; H.S. Newman, E. Foucon, J.C. Kirkpatrick, & E.T. Colton often mentioned. |
| Record | 151: 76-31-21 |
| Earnings | $39,082 |
| Major wins | |
| Senoritas Stakes Rio Grande Stakes Chihuahua Stakes Chapultepec Handicap Juarez Handicap Katonah Handicap |
|
| Honours | |
| United States Racing Hall of Fame (1972) Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame (1999) Pan Zareta Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division) run at Lone Star Park |
|
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on March 23, 2011 | |
Pan Zareta, was a chestnut Thoroughbred racehorse born in the United States in 1910. She competed from Mexico to Canada, as well as in eight U. S. states. While she never won a significant race, and only once beat a top-level horse (Old Rosebud), she was still called "Queen of the Turf."
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Bred by J. F. and H. S. Newman, from Sweetwater, Texas, Pan Zareta's sire was Abe Frank, and her mother was Caddie Griffith, sired by Rancocas.[1] Pan Zareta's lineage traced back to Hanover and Hindoo on her multiple stakes-winning sire's side (Abe Frank), and to Leamington on her dam's side (Caddie Griffith). Pan Zareta's third dam on her mother's side, a certain 1869 Texas born Mittie Stephens, caused a problem; Mittie Stephens was listed in the American Stud Book as a 'non-thoroughbred.' Still, due to some complexities in the rulings, Pan Zareta was considered a Thoroughbred. It is interesting to note that neither Pan Zareta's dam, Caddie Griffith, nor Pan Zareta herself appear in the American Stud Book.
Known as "Panzy" (she was named for Panzy Zareta, the daughter of the once mayor of Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico), she traveled the country, appearing virtually anywhere, constantly competing. She was ridden by anyone handy and trained by an assortment of available conditioners: H.S. Newman, E. Foucon, and E.T. Colton are most frequently credited as trainers. She ran an astounding 151 races and won 76 of them—winning and starting in more races than any other mare in U.S. racing history. On 24 different tracks, she always carried higher weights than any of her rivals, males as well as females, often up to 140 pounds (she once carried an unheard of 146 pounds, giving away 46 pounds to the runner up.) She carried 126 pounds or more 48 times, 21 of those times when she won. Pan Zareta finished in the top three 128 times; she was in the money in 85 percent of her starts. Considering the size of the purses, which averaged $300 (the largest purse she ever earned amounted to $1,050), her career earnings of $39,082 was a very respectable sum.
Pan Zareta's most important wins, considering those she was entered in, were the Senoritas Stakes, the Rio Grande Stakes, the Chihuahua Stakes, the Chapultepec Handicap, the Juarez Handicap, and the Katonah Handicap. In 1914, against all the odds and classy runners, Pan Zareta was the Champion Older Female.
Pan Zareta equaled or set eleven track records during her racing career, most notably when at the age of five on February 10, 1915. She set the world record for five furlongs,(:57 1/5) at Juarez that went unbeaten for 31 years, running against Joe Blair, who carried ten pounds less than she did.
On March 24, 1917, Pan Zareta met Old Rosebud, winner of the 1914 Kentucky Derby, and Colonel Venie on the track. Pan Zareta won, with Colonel Venie receiving second, and Old Rosebud finishing last. When they met a second time on April 6, Old Rosebud gained first, and Pan Zareta came in third.
Pan Zareta was retired as a broodmare in 1918, but failed to conceive a foal, and was thus sent back to the races. While in training in 1918, at eight years of age, Pan Zareta contracted pneumonia and died in her stall at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on Christmas Day. She was buried in the infield of the Fair Grounds next to Kentucky Derby winner Black Gold.[1][2]
In 1972, Pan Zareta was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame[3] and into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1999. [4] A sprint race is run in her name, the Pan Zareta Handicap, run at the Fair Grounds each year.