A super slick sprinter, Zephyr Bay held the Randwick 1000m record for a remarkable 35 years

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. Incredibly, he held the 1000m Randwick course record for 35 years. 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. 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.

Coal black and brilliantly fast, Zephyr Bay became known as the "black flash" long before Lonhro was a twinkle in his fathrs eye, winning top sprint races and setting numerous course records as an amazingly swift sprinter. He was often ridden throughout his career by Grahame Horselman and Roy Higgins. Racing as a two-year-old in the 1972/73 season under the tutelage of trainer Bert Lyell, Zephyr Bay won twice before coming second to Imagele in the STC Todman Stakes. In the Todman Stakes, Zephyr Bay suffered from a suspected splint under his knee and was sent out to spell.

After spending almost 12 months away from the track, Zephyr Bay came back into the care of trainer Cyril Kearns, with Bert Lyell sadly passing. 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 Gr.1 VATC Oakleigh Plate, setting a course record in each win. The course record of 56.20 seconds set by Zephyr Bay when winning the 1000m AJC Challenge Stakes endured for 35 years until 2010, when De Lightning Ridge lowered it to 55.92 seconds. The track was in the most optimal condition it had been in for several years. Eduardo currently holds the Randwick 1000m record of 55.20 seconds, set in 2021.

Zephyr Bay's final race was in the 1975 AJC Galaxy, where he sustained a tendon injury and was subsequently retired from racing. In 1975, Zephyr Bay was retired to stud in New Zealand. Commencing his stud career at Balcarres Stud in Matamata, he subsequently relocated to 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. Despite the challenge of low fertility, Zephyr Bay displayed remarkable success as a sire. He sired 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%). Among his top performers were: Zephyr Zip, Judena, Glamour Bay, Broad Reach, Full & By, Zepherin, Elounda Bay, Society Bay. He also sired Zephyr Souba who produced the classy Naturalism.

RACE RECORD - 22: 9-6-2

EARNINGS - $67,510

Oakleigh Plate (1975)

Challenge Stakes (1975)

Expressway Stakes (1975)