JUMPING TO GREATNESS
Zaccio won three Eclipse Awards and two New York Turf Writers Cups en route to greatness
For half a century, Joe Hirsch covered thoroughbred racing with a set of the most observant eyes the sport has ever known. In 1980, the longtime Daily Racing Form columnist became enamored with an emerging steeplechaser named Zaccio.
“His quick and aggressive style in attacking the barrier is dazzling to the eye,” Hirsch wrote in the Form. “This may be one of the finest steeplechase horses America has seen in years.”
Zaccio proved Hirsch correct, which he usually was, by going on to win the first of three consecutive Eclipse Awards that year. When he was retired in 1984, Zaccio owned the career record for jump earnings with $288,124.
Bred in Kentucky by Blue Bear Stud, Zaccio’s pedigree suggested he would be a good one. His sire, Lorenzaccio, was one of only two horses to beat the great Nijinsky II, doing so in the 1970 Champion Stakes in England. Zaccio’s dam, Delray Dancer, was by Hall of Famer Chateaugay, while her second dam was champion Parlo, the granddam of 1969 Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame member Arts and Letters.
Trained by Hall of Famer W. Burling “Burley” Cocks for owner Mrs. Lewis C. Murdock, Zaccio won 22 of 42 races. He started his hurdling career early, winning four steeplechases as a 3-year-old in 1979 before going on a three-year tear during which time he won 14 jump races — and the three consecutive Eclipse awards — from 1980 to 1982.
“His greatest strength was his heart, determination, and his will to win,” said former jockey Gregg Morris. “He was a real street fighter who loved to duke it out with another horse; that was when he was at his best. I don’t think he ever lost when he got in a fight.”
Zaccio twice won both the Colonial Cup International Steeplechase and New York Turf Writers