Rare items from the personal collection of the late Hall of Fame trainer John Shirreffs, including the original bridle worn by the champion mare Zenyatta throughout her racing career, will go under the hammer on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, according to Yahoo Sports. Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky, will host the inaugural Racing Memorabilia Auction both live at the gallery and online.
The sale follows the wishes of Shirreffs himself, who died on Feb. 12, 2026, at his home in Arcadia, California. He had already begun dispersing his collection before his death, stating plainly that the memorabilia belonged to the public and should serve the racing community. It is hard to argue with that kind of judgment. Here was a man who understood that stewardship outlasts ownership, and who acted on it.
What the Shirreffs Collection Contains
The centerpiece of the auction is Zenyatta's original bridle, bit and reins, worn across one of the great careers in American racing. Under Shirreffs' training, Zenyatta, owned by Anne and Jerry Moss, won 19 of her 20 starts, including the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic. She was voted champion Older Female three consecutive years, from 2008 to 2010, and named 2010 Horse of the Year. After her retirement to Lane's End Farm, she also became the first recipient of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award.
In a 2023 interview with Mike Penna of the Horse Racing Radio Network, Shirreffs described the bridle as his most cherished piece of Zenyatta memorabilia. That a man who handled champions for decades held on to a simple strap of leather tells you something about the values he carried.
The collection also includes the mare's race-worn blue and white diamond browband, the one featured on the cover of The Blood-Horse's Zenyatta Commemorative Collector's Issue; the original 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic embroidered morning saddlecloth with the associated Champion winner's blanket; her leather halter; training and race-worn shoes; and her numbered Hollywood Park stall plate, interior wooden stall board and the racetrack's original Zenyatta street sign. Shirreffs collected and saved those Hollywood Park pieces himself just before the track closed. He knew what would be lost when the place came down, and he made sure some of it survived.
Where the Proceeds Will Go
Money raised from the auction will benefit Breeders' Cup Charities and other non-profit organizations Shirreffs supported, among them The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Old Friends Retirement Farm. The beneficiaries are the kind of institutions that quietly hold the sport together: funds for riders injured doing dangerous work, and a farm where old racehorses live out their days with dignity.
The charitable giving resulting from these pieces will benefit the organizations who do so much to assist the horses and humans who are so devoted to our sport.
That was Dottie Shirreffs, speaking of her late husband's intentions. She also offered a window into how the trainer viewed those years.
John so loved our sport and referred to our time with Zenyatta as 'Camelot.' To share special pieces from Zenny's thrilling and historic time with us has always been John's wish and we started doing so some time ago. This auction represents the continuation of John's vision, and what an honor it is to share his collection with her beloved fans and admirers.
John Keitt, chief operating officer of Breeders' Cup Limited, put the trainer's standing in similar terms.
John Shirreffs' legacy is defined not only by his extraordinary accomplishments as a horseman, but by the humility and generosity he brought to our sport. Zenyatta delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in Breeders' Cup history, and these treasured pieces represent her remarkable story. We are honored that John's wishes will allow fans to share in that history while supporting Breeders' Cup Charities and other organizations that serve the horses and people who devote their lives to Thoroughbred racing.
Items From Other Champions in the Sale
The auction reaches beyond Zenyatta. Items from other horses trained by Shirreffs will be offered, including rare pieces from Giacomo, the winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby; Life Is Sweet, who took the 2009 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic; and Tiago, the 2007 Santa Anita Derby winner.
Shirreffs was also a serious student of racing history, and his collection reflected it. The sale will include a race-worn shoe from Whirlaway's 1941 Belmont Stakes victory, part of that horse's Triple Crown campaign, and a shoe worn by Kelso, five-time Horse of the Year, in his 1965 Whitney Stakes win. These are not trinkets. They are pieces of an inheritance that stretches back generations, preserved by a man who respected where the sport came from.
How to View the Collection Before the Auction
Selected items are on public display now at Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington. A special preview of the Shirreffs collection will be held on Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 325 W. Main St. in Lexington during the official Breeders' Cup week festivities.
As part of The Racing Memorabilia Auction Speaker Series, an evening titled Zenyatta: The Treasures of A Queen will feature Dottie Shirreffs as special guest. She will share an insider's account of the champion mare, her husband's handling of the horse, and the backstories of the auction items on display.
Why This Auction Matters
There is a lesson in how Shirreffs handled all of this. He kept what mattered, gave it away with purpose, and directed the proceeds toward people and horses in genuine need. No grand statements, no self-celebration. Just a man settling his affairs the way he trained his horses: patiently and properly.
Details on the auction and the speaker series are available at theracingmemorabiliaauction.com. Inquiries can be directed to Jackie LeMastus at jackiel@crossgategallery.com or 502.554.6403. The story was first reported by Paulick Report on Oct. 15, 2026, and republished by Yahoo Sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does the Racing Memorabilia Auction take place?
The auction is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, both online and live at Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky.
What is the most notable item in the Shirreffs collection?
Zenyatta's original bridle, bit and reins, worn throughout her racing career, which Shirreffs called his most cherished piece of the mare's memorabilia.
Which charities will receive the auction proceeds?
Proceeds will benefit Breeders' Cup Charities, The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Old Friends Retirement Farm, among other organizations Shirreffs supported.
Can the public see the items before the sale?
Yes. Selected pieces are on view at Cross Gate Gallery, with a special preview on Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 325 W. Main St. in Lexington during Breeders' Cup week.