Zephyr Bay

{{Infobox racehorse

| horsename = Zephyr Bay

| image = File:Zephyr Bay.jpg

| caption =

| sire = Biscay

| grandsire = Star Kingdom

| dam = Heavenly Wind

| damsire = Pan II

| sex = Stallion

| foaled = 1970

| country = Australia

| colour = Brown

| breeder = Lionel Israel

| owner = Marvel Miller

| trainer = Bert Lyell, Cyril Kearns

| record = 22: 9-6-2

| earnings = A$67,510

| race = Oakleigh Plate (1975)
Challenge Stakes (1975)
Expressway Stakes (1975)

| awards =

| honours =

| updated= }}

Zephyr Bay (1 September 1970 – 15 April 1995)[https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/47607/Zephyr-Bay-AUS-1970.aspx Loveracing.nz: Zephyr Bay (AUS) 1970] was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse and stallion.

An outstanding sprinter in the mid 1970s, Zephyr Bay retired to stud in 1975 with 9 wins including the VATC Oakleigh Plate, AJC Challenge Stakes and AJC Expressway Stakes. He held the 1000m Randwick course record for 35 years.

Breeding

Zephyr Bay was bred by Lionel Israel at his Segenhoe Stud near Scone in New South Wales. He was born in 1970 from the first crop of the Star Kingdom stallion Biscay, out of the Pan II mare Heavenly Wind.{{cite news | title= Quality not quantity from Blue-blood mare | date=26 December 1979 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | page=46 | first=Bert | last=Lillye}}

Zephyr Bay was purchased by horse trainer Bert Lyell on behalf of Bob Miller at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 1972 for $16,000.00.{{cite news | title= Colt will tackle New Gleam | date=11 March 1973 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | page=43 | first=Alan | last=Speers}}

Racing career

Coal black and brilliantly fast Zephyr Bay became known as the "black flash" winning top sprint races and setting numerous course records.{{cite news | title= Yes, it's the "black flash" | date=5 May 1975 | work=The Age | page=30 | first=Tony | last=Bourke}} He was often ridden throughout his career by Grahame Horselman{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay fit for Farm sprint | date=18 November 1974 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | page=15 | first=Gary| last=Keep}} and Roy Higgins.{{cite news | title= 'Perfect' draw says Higgins | date=21 February 1975 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | page=13 | first=Bert | last=Lillye}}

Zephyr Bay raced as a two-year-old in the 1972/73 season under trainer Bert Lyell. He won twice before coming in second to Imagele in the STC Todman Stakes. In the STC Todman Stakes Zephyr Bay suffered from a splint under his knee and was sent out to spell.{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay has potential | date=7 March 1974 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | page=13 | first=Roy| last=Abbott}}

After spending almost 12 months spelling, Zephyr Bay came back into the care of trainer Cyril Kearns, Bert Lyell having died.{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay has potential | date=7 March 1974 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | page=13 | first=Roy | last=Abbott}} The highlights of his three-year-old career were second placings in the STC George Ryder Stakes and the AJC Galaxy.

Zephyr Bay's four-year-old season during 1974/75 proved to be the peak of his racing career. He achieved victories in the AJC Challenge Stakes, followed by the AJC Expressway Stakes and culminating in the Group 1 VATC Oakleigh Plate. Setting a course record in each win.{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay's Big Sprint | date=23 February 1975 | work=Sun Herald | page=49}} The course record Zephyr Bay set winning the AJC Challenge Stakes would last 35 years until 2010.{{cite news | title= Four legged and two-legged bandits get off scot-free, with no satisfaction for punter | date=15 March 2010 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | first=Max | last=Presnell}}

Zephyr Bay's final race was in the AJC Galaxy where he injured a tendon and was retired from racing.{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay calls it a day | date=3 April 1975 | work=The Age | page=26}}

Stud record

In 1975, Zephyr Bay was retired to stud in New Zealand.{{cite news | title= $100,000 half-share | date=22 April 1975 | work=The Age | page=24 | first=Tony | last=Kennedy}} First standing at Balcarres Stud at Matamata, later Waikato Stud before being repatriated to Australia in 1987 to stand at Carrington Stud in the Hunter Valley and then Great Missenden Stud in Victoria.{{cite news | title= Zephy Bay, the stallion who finds it hard to get excited | date=7 September 1987 | work=The Age | page=40 | first=Les | last=Carlyon}}{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay to stand in Victoria | date=20 July 1987 | work=The Age | page=38 | first=Tony | last=Bourke}}

Zephyr Bay, although hampered by poor fertility proved an exceptional sire. He sired only 250 foals over 17 years at stud and produced 141 winners from 181 runners (78%), 22 stakes winners (12%), and 7 Group 1 winners (4%).{{cite news | title= Zephyr Bay Progeny Report | date=2015 | work=Arion Pedigrees}} Among his top performers were: