View source for Ghostzapper

{{Short description|American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}

{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Ghostzapper
| image = 
| caption = 
| sire = [[Awesome Again]]
| grandsire = [[Deputy Minister (horse)|Deputy Minister]]
| dam = Baby Zip
| damsire = [[Relaunch (horse)|Relaunch]]
| sex = [[Stallion]]
| foaled = 2000
| country = United States
| colour= [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
| breeder = [[Adena Springs Farms]]
| owner = [[Stronach Stables]]
| trainer = [[Robert J. Frankel]]
| jockey = [[Javier Castellano]]
| record = 11:9-0-1 
| earnings = $3,446,120<ref name="EquibaseProfile">{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Profile|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=5342927&registry=T&rbt=TB|website=Equibase|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>
| race= [[Vosburgh Stakes]] (2003)<br>[[Tom Fool Handicap]] (2004)<br>[[Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap]] (2004)<br>[[Woodward Stakes]] (2004)<br>[[Metropolitan Handicap]] (2005)<br><br>'''[[Breeders' Cup]] wins:'''<br>[[Breeders' Cup Classic]] (2004)
| awards = [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse|Champion Older Male]] (2004)<br>[[Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year|United States Horse of the Year]] (2004)<br>[[World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings|World's Top Ranked Horse]] (2004)
| honours = [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] (2012)<br/>[[Ghostzapper Stakes]] at [[Gulfstream Park]] (2021–)
|updated= 21 February 2022
}}
'''Ghostzapper''' (foaled April 6, 2000) is a [[Thoroughbred]] [[racehorse]] who won the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] in 2004, outdistancing [[Roses in May]] by three lengths in a track record time of 1:59.02. His gate-to-wire Classic victory completed a 4-for-4 season, which earned him the 2004 [[Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year]]. He was also ranked "''World's Top Ranked Horse''" for 2004 as compiled by the [[World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings]].

Although he only raced eleven times in his career, his performances earned him the highest accolades from horse racing publications. Ghostzapper was inducted into the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] in 2012.

==Background==
Ghostzapper was bred in Kentucky by [[Frank Stronach]]'s [[Adena Springs Farms]] and raced as a homebred for Stronach Stables. Ghostzapper was sired by [[Awesome Again]], who had won the 1998 [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] for Stronach. Awesome Again became a successful sire, with 61 stakes winners to his credit as of the end of 2015, including [[Game On Dude]], [[Ginger Punch]], [[Oxbow (horse)|Oxbow]] and [[Paynter (horse)|Paynter]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Awesome Again|url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/awesome-again-can.html|website=American Classic Pedigrees|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> Ghostzapper's dam Baby Zip was a stakeswinner who had earlier produced City Zip, winner of the 2000 [[Hopeful Stakes]].<ref name="ACP">{{cite web|last1=Hunter|first1=Avalyn|title=Ghostzapper (horse)|url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/ghostzapper.html|website=American Classic Pedigrees|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

Ghostzapper is a somewhat plain [[Bay (horse)|bay]] horse whose main distinguishing mark is a diamond shaped [[star (horse marking)|star]] on his forehead. Although a fierce competitor on the racetrack, he was quiet and well mannered at the stable and spent much of his spare time sleeping in his stall.<ref name=HOY>{{cite web|title=2004 Eclipse Horse of the Year/Older Male: Ghostzapper|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/172068/2004-eclipse-horse-of-the-year-older-male-ghostzapper|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> He was trained by Hall of Fame inductee [[Bobby Frankel]]. He was widely considered to be one of the most brilliant horses of his era, but his career was plagued by ailments that restricted him to only eleven starts from age two to five.<ref name=ACP /><ref name="GhostHaskin">{{cite web|last1=Haskin|first1=Steve|title=The Ghost and Mr. Frankel|url=http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2010/07/13/the-ghost-and-mr-frankel.aspx|website=cs.bloodhorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

==Racing career==

Ghostzapper raced only twice at age two, winning his debut at [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]] on November 16, 2002 and then finishing fourth in an allowance race on December 26 at [[Santa Anita race track|Santa Anita]]. He did not return to the track until June 20, 2003, when he won an allowance race at [[Belmont Park]]. On July 26, he won an allowance race at [[Saratoga Race Course|Saratoga]] before facing stakes company for the first time in the [[King's Bishop Stakes]] on August 23.<ref name=EquibaseProfile /> As was then his habit, he raced well behind the early pace before closing rapidly to finish third, just a half-length behind the winner, Valid Video.<ref>{{cite web|title=Valid Video Zooms in at King's Bishop Wire|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/180292/valid-video-zooms-in-at-kings-bishop-wire|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

Ghostzapper made his next start in the [[Grade I horserace|Grade I]] [[Vosburgh Stakes]] on September 27. Despite having no stakes wins to his name, he was the second choice in a field of older horses. After trailing the field early, he unleashed a "devastating" burst of speed and pulled away to win by {{frac|6|1|2}} lengths. "I was really surprised how fast he caught these horses", said Frankel. "He was 12 (lengths) out of it, and the next thing you know, that's him on the outside. I said, `How did he get there so fast?'" His time for the {{frac|6|1|2}} furlongs was 1:14{{frac|3|5}}, just {{frac|1|5}}th of a second off the track record.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Zings in Vosburgh, Wins by 6 1/2|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/179745/ghostzapper-zings-in-vosburgh-wins-by-6-1-2|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

After Ghostzapper's victory in the 2003 Vosburgh, he took time off to recover from [[quarter crack]]s and a bruised hoof.<ref>{{cite web|title=Look Back: Ghostzapper Turned Heads in 2004 Debut|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220336/look-back-ghostzapper-turned-heads-in-2004-debut|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> His first 2004 start came on July 4 at Belmont Park in the [[Tom Fool Handicap]]. This time, he stayed close behind the early leaders and then moved to the lead on the far turn, drawing off to win by {{frac|4|1|4}} lengths. He won the 7-furlong race in 1:20.42, just {{frac|2|5}}ths of a second off the track record. "Bobby wanted to give him a rest and have him start fresh", said regular jockey [[Javier Castellano]]. "Bobby didn't want me to kill the horse after the layoff. I had to keep him with the pace, but not go too early and overuse him. He ran a big race today."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Blasts Tom Fool Foes|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/175024/ghostzapper-blasts-tom-fool-foes|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> Ghostzapper earned a [[Beyer Speed Figure]] of 120.<ref name=DRFTomFool />

Although Ghostzapper was primarily thought of as a sprinter, Frankel believed the horse might be able to handle longer distances. "With the speed he showed, going long you might be able to sit there with him and turn him loose in the stretch", Frankel said. "Everybody wants to pigeonhole him as a sprinter; we don't know. He's an easy horse to rate."<ref name="DRFTomFool">{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper sets off fireworks in Tom Fool|url=http://www.drf.com/news/ghostzapper-sets-fireworks-tom-fool|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

To test Ghostzapper's stamina, Frankel entered him in the [[Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap]] at [[Monmouth Park Racetrack]] on August 21 over a distance of {{frac|1|1|8}} miles. Over a muddy track, Ghostzapper won the race by 10{{frac|3|4}} lengths in 1:47.66.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Blows Away Rivals in Iselin|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/174370/ghostzapper-blows-away-rivals-in-iselin|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> He earned an astonishing 128 [[Beyer Speed Figure|Beyer Speed rating]], the highest ever assigned by the ''[[Daily Racing Form]]'' since they started publishing the numbers in 1992. The ''Form'' stated categorically, "There can be no argument that Ghostzapper is the fastest horse in the country."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper's 128 is legit|url=http://www.drf.com/news/ghostzappers-128-legit|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> (Before the numbers were published by the DRF, a few higher numbers were assigned by handicapper [[Andrew Beyer]]. [[Groovy (horse)|Groovy]], 1987 [[American Champion Sprint Horse]], was the last horse to break the 130 Beyer Speed Figure, earning 133 and 132 in back-to-back 6-furlong races in 1987.)<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Racing Form: Beyer Numbers|url=http://www1.drf.com/products/beyers/beyers.html|website=www1.drf.com|access-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112100156/http://www1.drf.com/products/beyers/beyers.html|archive-date=12 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ghostzapper's next race was the [[Woodward Stakes]] at Belmont Park on September 11, again at a distance of {{frac|1|1|8}} miles. [[Saint Liam]], ridden by Edgar Prado, set the early pace then dug in during the stretch as Ghostzapper tried to close ground. The two ran stride for stride as Saint Liam drifted away from the rail and bumped several times with Ghostzapper. Ghostzapper persisted and finally got his head in front in the final few strides. "I kept yelling, `Prado, keep your horse straight!' He bumped my horse a little bit, and my horse went on his wrong lead", said Castellano. "I love this horse. He's got a good, good heart. This is the first time he had to win like this (in a stretch battle) and he showed how good he really is."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shinar|first1=Jack|title=Woodward Thriller Goes to Ghostzapper|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/174099/woodward-thriller-goes-to-ghostzapper|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

His final race of 2004 was the [[Breeders' Cup Classic]] at [[Lone Star Park]], run over a distance of {{frac|1|1|4}} miles. The excellent field included 2002 Horse of the Year [[Azeri (horse)|Azeri]], defending Breeders' Cup winner [[Pleasantly Perfect]], [[American Classic Races|American Classic]] winners [[Funny Cide]] and [[Birdstone]], and multiple stakes winners [[Roses in May]] and [[Perfect Drift]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Finley|first1=Bill|title=HORSE RACING; A Texas-Size Day of Racing|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E6DF113DF933A05753C1A9629C8B63|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 March 2017|date=30 October 2004}}</ref> Pleasantly Perfect went off at almost identical odds to Ghostzapper, with Ghostzapper a slight favorite. There were several factors of concern to the bettors, starting with the fact that Ghostzapper had never run at the distance. Another issue was trainer Bobby Frankel's poor record at the Breeders' Cup despite consistently training some of the best horses in the country. And then there was that Ghostzapper drew post position one and risked getting trapped on the rail in heavy traffic. His exercise rider, Nuno Santos, was not concerned. "Drawing the rail doesn't matter, wire-to-wire", he said a few days before the race. "Believe me, no worries. This horse is unreal, a freak, and everyone is going to see it on Saturday. You're going to see a [[Secretariat (horse)|Secretariat]] type of race. I can feel him getting stronger every day, and I've never been as confident in a horse as I am with this guy, and that includes Azeri. It's another world. They're going to have to wait years and years to see another one like this." Frankel concurred. "If I don't screw him up and he goes into the Breeders' Cup as good as he is right now, he can't lose", he said. "It'll be no contest; that's all I'm telling you. That's how good this horse is."<ref name=Chasing>{{cite web|last1=Haskin|first1=Steve|title=Classic Recap: Chasing a Ghost|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/173226/classic-recap-chasing-a-ghost|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

However, Frankel was worried that Ghostzapper might get caught in an early speed duel with Roses in May. Ghostzapper would have to break fast to keep from getting trapped on the rail, and Roses in May was the only other horse in the race with the speed to challenge him early. If Roses in May pushed too hard, both horses might burn each other out and set up the race for a late closer. Accordingly, Frankel talked to the owner of Roses in May, Ken Ramsey, and said "If we lay first and second and the jockeys keep them slow and don't kill each other trying for the lead, they'll finish one-two. You know what I'm saying? If they're not stupid and they stay cool, we'll be one-two." Ramsey agreed with the logic. "That's the best shot we got, and if I outrun you or you outrun me, we're still talking about $800,000 for second. That's nothing to sneeze at", said Ramsey.<ref name=Chasing />

Ghostzapper justified the confidence of his connections and led the entire way, pulling away in the stretch to a three-length victory over Roses in May. The final time of 1:59.02 set a new track record and an unofficial Breeders' Cup Classic record (because the race is run at different tracks, there is no official record).<ref name=Chasing />

Going into the 2004 Breeders' Cup, Frankel had a lifetime record of only two wins in 57 starts. He had never won the Classic, though he did finish second with [[Bertrando]] in 1993 and with [[Medaglia d'Oro]] in 2002 and 2003. In the [[2004 Breeders' Cup]], Frankel finished out of the money with his first five starters.<ref name=Chasing /> "The way this day had been going, I thought I was going to be in for a disaster", said Frankel. "This sure make things better. This is as big a win as I've had in my career. In fact, it could be the biggest win I've had in my career. This is a good horse, a really good horse."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mitchell|first1=Ron|title=Ghostzapper Wins Classic in Record Time|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/173260/ghostzapper-wins-classic-in-record-time|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

Despite winning only four races in 2004, Ghostzapper earned high praise from many handicapping experts. For example, Len Friedman of the ''Ragozin Sheets'' called him "the most consistently fast horse of all time." Jerry Brown from ''Thoro-Graph'' said, "To run as fast as he did in three consecutive races in essentially unheard of." And Dick Jerardi wrote, "Ghostzapper is officially the fastest horse since ''Daily Racing Form'' began publishing Beyer Speed Figures in 1992."<ref name="GhostHaskin" />

{{quote|"Few horses have devastated their opponents in so many ways, at so many distances, and in such fast times."—[[Steve Haskin]]}}

Ghostzapper won the 2004 [[American Horse of the Year]] title, beating [[Smarty Jones]] in votes 174–95.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Liebman|first1=Dan|title=Ghostly Vote|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/172053/ghostly-vote|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> He was also voted the [[American Champion Older Male Horse]].<ref name=HOY /> Ghostzapper was also named as the world's top ranked racehorse by the [[International Federation of Horseracing Authorities]] (IFHA) with a rating of 130.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Ranked as Top Horse in the World|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/172174/ghostzapper-ranked-as-top-horse-in-the-world|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

Although Ghostzapper could easily earn millions of dollars a season as a stud, Stronach said he wanted to give something back to the game by returning Ghostzapper to competition in 2005. "I think he is a very exciting horse and I think I owe it to the racing public to run him next year", he said after the Breeders' Cup.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mitchell|first1=Ron|title=Stronach Says Ghostzapper to Race in 2005|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/173252/stronach-says-ghostzapper-to-race-in-2005|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

Ghostzapper was expected to start his 2005 campaign in the Oaklawn Handicap in April but had to be scratched. "The horse got sick last weekend, and has been running a temperature", said Frankel. "It's a sinus thing. He's already missed four days of training, and he'll miss a few more. Of course I'm disappointed we won't be coming, but we're not about to take any chances with this horse. We will take a step back, and wait for the Met Mile."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Sick, to Miss Oaklawn Handicap|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/171144/ghostzapper-sick-to-miss-oaklawn-handicap|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

He finally made his 2005 debut on May 30 in the [[Metropolitan Handicap]] (more commonly known as the Met Mile) at [[Belmont Park]]. After settling into third place in the early running, he moved to the lead on the far turn and pulled away to win by {{frac|6|1|2}} lengths. His time of 1:33.29 was just two-fifths of a second off the stakes record. "I know you dream of winning the [[Kentucky Derby]], but the best dream is to know you have the best horse", said Frankel. "I'm very emotional right now. He's a great horse, let's just put it that way", Frankel said. "He's an amazing horse. He's probably the best sprinter in the country, and I think he can win going a mile and a half on the turf – I really do. (Castellano) never moved on him. He just took a hold of him in the stretch."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Displays Top Form in Metropolitan Mile Romp|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/170250/ghostzapper-displays-top-form-in-metropolitan-mile-romp|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

==Retirement and stud career==

Ghostzapper was retired from racing on June 13, 2005, after the discovery of a hairline fracture of his left front [[sesamoid bone]]. Although he only had one win in 2005, his connections felt it helped solidify Ghostzapper's status as one of the all-time greats. "It was worth keeping him in training just for winning that one race", said Frankel. "He impressed people in the Met more than he did in the Breeders' Cup, and he ended his career in style." He retired with career earnings of $3,446,120.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Retired With Sesamoid Injury|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/170041/ghostzapper-retired-with-sesamoid-injury|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

He originally stood at Stronach's [[Adena Springs]] Farm in Kentucky, with an initial stud fee of $200,000 per live foal, the highest fee ever for a first-time stallion at the time. He did not get off to a fast start when his first foals reached racing age in 2009, and his stud fee started to decline, to $150,000 in 2007, to a low of $20,000 in 2012. In 2013 however, he was represented by sixteen stakes winners and interest in him reignited.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Alan|title=Ghostzapper's Starship Rising in 2013|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/119981/ghostzappers-starship-rising-in-2013|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> In 2015, his fee rebounded to $60,000, thanks to a growing number of stakes winners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper on Stallion Register Online|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/119290/ghostzapper|website=Stallion Register Online|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> In October 2020, Ghostzapper was relocated to [[Hill 'n' Dale Farms]] in Kentucky.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghostzapper leads Hill 'n Dale partnership with Adena |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/244320/ghostzapper-leads-hill-n-dale-partnership-with-adena |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> In October 2024, John G. Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale announced that Ghostzapper will reunite with [[Frank Stronach]]'s [[Adena Springs]] and will cover a limited book in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Ghostzapper Relocated To Canada's Adena Springs |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/ghostzapper-relocated-to-canadas-adena-springs-for-final-year-at-stud/ |accessdate= October 31, 2024 |work = thoroughbreddailynews.com|date=October 14, 2024}}</ref>


===Notable stock===

''c = [[colt (horse)|colt]], f = [[filly]], g = [[gelding]]''

{| border="1" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:90%"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| width="35px" | '''Foaled'''
| width="120px" | '''Name'''
| width="35px" | '''Sex'''
| width="510px" | '''Major Wins'''
|-
| 2007 
| [[Stately Victor]]
| c
| [[Blue Grass Stakes]]
|-
| 2009
| Contested
| f
| [[Acorn Stakes]], [[Test Stakes]]
|-
| 2009
| [[Judy the Beauty]]
| f
| [[Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint]], [[Madison Stakes]]
|-
| 2009
| Molly Morgan
| f
| [[La Troienne Stakes]]
|-
| 2009
| Starship Truffles
| f
| [[Princess Rooney Stakes]]
|-
| 2010
| Better Lucky
| f
| [[Matriarch Stakes]], [[First Lady Stakes]]
|-
| 2010
| Moreno
| g
| [[Whitney Handicap]]
|-
| 2012
| Greenzapper
| f
| Grande Premio Roberto e Nelson Grimaldi Seabra
|-
| 2012
| Paulassilverlining
| f
| [[Humana Distaff Stakes]]
|-
| 2012
| [[Shaman Ghost]]
| c
| Queen's Plate, [[Santa Anita Handicap]], [[Woodward Stakes]]
|-
| 2015
| Holy Helena
| f
| Queen's Plate
|-
| 2016
| Guarana
| f
| [[Acorn Stakes]], [[Coaching Club American Oaks]]
|-
| 2017
| Nucky 
| c
| [[Del Mar Futurity]]
|-
| 2017
| [[Mystic Guide]]
| c
| [[Dubai World Cup]]
|-
| 2018
| [[Goodnight Olive]]
| f
| [[Ballerina Stakes]], [[Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint]] x 2, [[Madison Stakes]]
|-
|2019
|[[Moira (horse)|Moira]]
|f
|[[Queen's Plate]], [[Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf]]
|-
|2021
|Stronghold
|c
|[[Santa Anita Derby]]
|}
In recent years, Ghostzapper has also found success as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced several graded stakes winners, including 2018 [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]] winner [[Justify (horse)|Justify]],<ref>{{cite web|title='Just' That Good: Justify Completes Meteoric Ascent in Derby |url=http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/just-that-good-justifys-completes-meteoric-ascent-in-derby/|website=www.thoroughbreddailynews.com|date=6 May 2018 |access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="BHBelmont">{{cite web |last1=Wincze Hughes |first1=Alicia |title=Justify 13th Triple Crown Winner After Belmont Victory |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/227984/justify-13th-triple-crown-winner-after-belmont-victory |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=10 June 2018 }}</ref>
2016 [[American Champion Sprint Horse]] Drefong and multiple stakes winner American Gal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blacktypepedigree.com/horse/Ghostzapper_USA-624/4|title=Ghostzapper (USA)|website=Blacktype-pedigree.com|access-date=2017-12-04}}</ref> Internationally, Ghostzapper's daughter Ghostly Darkness produced colt Levante Lion, winner of the Hakodate Nisai Stakes (JPN G3).

In 2012, Ghostzapper was inducted into the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper, Velazquez, Attfield New to HOF|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/130154/ghostzapper-velazquez-attfield-new-to-hof|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

==Racing Record==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Date
!Track
!Race
!Distance
!Finish
!Margin
!Time
|-
|11/16/2002
|[[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]]
|Maiden
|{{Frac|6|1|2}} Furlongs
|1
|9
|1:15.57
|-
|12/26/2002
|[[Santa Anita Park]]
|Allowance
|6 Furlongs
|4
|{{Frac|7|1|2}}
|1:08.35
|-
|6/20/2003
|[[Belmont Park]]
|Allowance
|6 Furlongs
|1
|{{Frac|3|1|4}}
|1:09.39
|-
|7/26/2003
|[[Saratoga Race Course]]
|Allowance
|7 Furlongs
|1
|{{Frac|1|2}}
|1:21.74
|-
|8/23/2003
|[[Saratoga Race Course]]
|[[King's Bishop Stakes]]
|7 Furlongs
|3
|{{Frac|1|2}}
|1:22.14
|-
|9/27/2003
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Vosburgh Stakes]]
|{{Frac|6|1|2}} Furlongs
|1
|{{Frac|6|1|2}}
|1:14.72
|-
|7/4/2004
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Tom Fool Handicap]]
|7 Furlongs
|1
|{{Frac|4|1|4}}
|1:20.42
|-
|8/21/2004
|[[Monmouth Park]]
|Philip H Iselin Breeders Cup Handicap
|{{Frac|1|1|8}} Miles
|1
|{{Frac|10|3|4}}
|1:47.66
|-
|9/11/2004
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Woodward Stakes]]
|{{Frac|1|1|8}} Miles
|1
|neck
|1:46.38
|-
|10/30/2004
|[[Lone Star Park]]
|[[Breeders' Cup Classic]]
|{{Frac|1|1|4}} Miles
|1
|3
|1:59.02
|-
|5/30/2005
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Metropolitan Handicap]]
|1 Mile
|1
|{{Frac|6|1|4}}
|1:33.29
|}

== Pedigree ==
{{Pedigree
|name = Ghostzapper<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghostzapper Pedigree|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm/Ghostzapper?page_state=DISPLAY_REPORT&reference_number=5342927&registry=T&horse_name=Ghostzapper&dam_name=Baby%20Zip&foaling_year=2000&include_sire_line=Y|website=www.equineline.com|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>
|f = [[Awesome Again]]<br/>1994
|m = Baby Zip<br/>1991 
|ff = [[Deputy Minister (horse)|Deputy Minister]]<br/>1979
|fm = Primal Force<br/>1987 
|mf = [[Relaunch (horse)|Relaunch]]<br/>1976
|mm = Thirty Zip<br/>1983
|fff = [[Vice Regent]]
|ffm = Mint Copy
|fmf = [[Blushing Groom]]
|fmm = Prime Prospect
|mff = [[In Reality]]
|mfm = Foggy Note
|mmf = Tri Jet
|mmm = Saliaway
|ffff = [[Northern Dancer]]
|fffm = Victoria Regina
|ffmf = Bunty's Flight
|ffmm = Shakney
|fmff = [[Red God]]
|fmfm = Runaway Bride
|fmmf = [[Mr. Prospector]]
|fmmm = Square Generation
|mfff = [[Intentionally (horse)|Intentionally]]
|mffm = [[My Dear Girl]]
|mfmf = The Axe
|mfmm = Silver Song
|mmff = Jester
|mmfm = Haze
|mmmf = [[Hawaii (horse)|Hawaii]]
|mmmm = Quick Wit (F-No.23-b)
|}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/ghostzapper Ghostzapper's pedigree]
* [http://www.adenastallions.com/stallions/stallion.aspx?id=Ghostzapper Ghostzapper standing at Adena Springs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512131050/http://www.adenastallions.com/stallions/stallion.aspx?id=Ghostzapper |date=2008-05-12 }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyQvNu-XQoQ Video at YouTube of Ghostzapper's win in the 2004 Woodward Stakes]

{{Breeders' Cup Classic Winners}}
{{American Horse of the Year winners}}
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United States]]
[[Category:Breeders' Cup Classic winners]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:American Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:2000 racehorse births]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 23-b]]
[[Category:Horse racing track record setters]]