2005 Broodmare of the Year Baby Zip (Relaunch–Thirty Zip, by Tri Jet) has died due to complications from laminitis, Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Kentucky announced Thursday. Pensioned since 2012, the mare was living out her retirement at Adena Springs in Paris.
Baby Zip first achieved prominence as the dam of City Zip (Carson City), who captured the GI Hopeful S., among seven other stakes. The chestnut earned $818,225 on the racetrack and has made a significant impact as a stallion. Standing at Lane's End, City Zip has enjoyed a run of recent success as the sire of Breeders' Cup winners Finest City (2016 Filly and Mare Sprint), Catch a Glimpse (2015 Juvenile Fillies Turf), Dayatthespa (2014 Filly and Mare Turf) and Work All Week (2014 Sprint).
Baby Zip bolstered her reputation as the dam of Stronach homebred Ghostzapper (Awesome Again), who won nine of his 11 lifetime starts, including the 2004 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, for Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. After being named 2004 Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male, he wrapped up a career that saw him earn Hall of Fame honors in 2012. Ghostzapper has ranked prominently among leading North American stallions for the last decade and has made a noticeable mark recently as the sire of GI Kentucky Derby contender McCraken. Baby Zip was also responsible for City Wolf (Giant's Causeway), who stands alongside Ghostzapper at Adena Springs Kentucky.
“Baby Zip's influence on our stud book will remain prominent for generations to follow,” said Adena Springs' General Manager Eoin Ryan. “It's a rarity to produce a pair of stallions that have made such a strong impact on our breed–we'll certainly miss having her around the farm.”
Baby Zip was bred in Kentucky by J. Robert Harris. A stakes winner at two, she was purchased privately by Stronach following the conclusion of her racing career. She produced her final foal in 2012 before being pensioned. In total, she is responsible for 8 winners from 12 starters with total progeny earnings of $4,787,646.
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