The Zephyr Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race that was run from 1886 through 1910 at

Sheepshead Bay Race Track Sheepshead Bay Race Track was an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility built on the site of the Coney Island Jockey Club at Sheepshead Bay, New York. Early history The racetrack was built by a group of prominent businessmen from the New Yo ...

in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn,

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

. A race for two-year-olds of either sex, it was a sprint race run on dirt. During its tenure, it was run at three different distances. From inception through 1900 it was run on the track's Futurity course at furlongs with a setup that did not accommodate a standard six-furlong race. The 1886 inaugural Zephyr Stakes was won by Tremont. Considered one of the great two-year-old horses in the history of American racing, Tremont's thirteen race wins set a record for the most by an undefeated two-year-old trained in the United States. Going into 2019, that record still stands. He earned 1886 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors. On June 11, 1908, the Republican controlled New York Legislature under

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

Charles Evans Hughes passed the Hart–Agnew anti-betting legislation with penalties allowing for fines and up to a year in prison. The owners of Sheepshead Bay Race Track, and other racing facilities in New York State, struggled to stay in business without betting. Racetrack operators had no choice but to drastically reduce the

purse money A purse is a small bag that may refer to: * Coin purse, small pouch made for carrying coins * Handbag, in American English * Money bag * Wallet Purse may also refer to: * Purse (horse racing), the total amount of money paid out to the owners of ...

being paid out which by 1909 saw the Mermaid Stakes offering a purse that was close to one-tenth of what it had been in earlier years. Further restrictive legislation was passed by the New York Legislature in 1910 which deepened the financial crisis for track operators and led to a complete shut down of racing across the state during 1911 and 1912. When a Court ruling saw racing return in 1913 it was too late for the Sheepshead Bay horse racing facility and it never reopened.

Records

Speed record: * 5 ½ furlongs: 1:06.40, Disadvantage (1901) * 5 ¾ furlongs: 1:09.40, Commando (1900) Most wins by a

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...

: * 2 – Jim McLaughlin (1886, 1887) * 2 – Tod Sloan (1896, 1898) Most wins by a trainer: * 3 – Frank McCabe (1886, 1887, 1889) * 3 –

T. J. Healey Thomas J. Healey (July 16, 1866 - October 7, 1944) was an American Thoroughbred horse race, Thoroughbred horse racing National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame horse trainer, trainer. Regularly referred to as "T. J." by both his ass ...

(1904, 1905, 1906) Most wins by an owner: * 3 –

Dwyer Brothers Stable Dwyer Brothers Stable was an American thoroughbred horse racing Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat ...

(1886, 1887, 1889) * 3 – Richard T. Wilson Jr. (1904, 1905, 1906)

Winners

* † In the 1897 race, Blueaway finished first but was disqualified for improper weight.

References

{{reflist Flat horse races for two-year-olds Discontinued horse races in New York City Sheepshead Bay Race Track Recurring sporting events established in 1886 Recurring sporting events disestablished in 1910 1886 establishments in New York (state) 1910 disestablishments in New York (state)