by Myra Lewyn

Racing Hall of Fame member and multiple Eclipse Award winner Zaccio, whose domination of steeplechasing in the early 1980s helped revive the sport, was euthanized on September 19 due to the infirmities of old age. He was 31.

Trained by W. Burling "Burley" Cocks for owner Mrs. Lewis C. Murdock, Zaccio was a skilled and determined hurdler, winning 18 of 29 starts over the jumps from 1979 to ‘84.

Most of Zaccio’s victories, including two Colonial Cups (1981 and ’82) and two New York Turf Writers Cups ('80 and ’82), came between the ages of three and five—young for a steeplechaser—and were underscored by three consecutive Eclipse Awards from '80 to ‘82, an accomplishment previously unparalleled in American steeplechasing history. He also captured the 1980 Lovely Night Steeplechase, ‘81 American Grand National, and ‘82 Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase.

Overall, Zaccio won 22 of 42 starts, earned $288,124.

Zaccio was retired at the close of the 1984 season, and Murdock’s husband, a former master of the Essex Foxhounds, reschooled the *Lorenzaccio gelding as a hunter. For 12 years, he was a stalwart member of the Essex Hunt in Peapack, New Jersey.

"His greatest strength was his heart, determination, and his will to win," said former jockey Gregg Morris, who was aboard for Zaccio’s 11-length triumph in the 1981 Colonial Cup. "He was a real street fighter who loved to duke it out with another horse; that was when he was at his best. I don't think he ever lost when he got in a fight. 
 
"He was a remarkable horse to ride. He gave me an amazing feeling where he actually felt like he accelerated when he hit a jump, it was almost like he was spring-loaded."
 
Zaccio retired as the sport's all-time leading earner with $286,999, surpassing the legendary Neji, whose mark had stood for more than two decades. Zaccio joined his trainer and Neji in the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Out of the Chateaugay mare Delray Dancer, Zaccio was bred in Kentucky by Blue Bear Stud. He lived at the Murdocks's farm in Peapack, and was buried on the property.

Lisa Podraza, who had seen to Zaccio’s daily needs since 1991 and hunted him when Murdock’s husband retired, said the gelding holds a special place in her heart.

"He was a strong-minded and strong-willed horse,” she said. “He had been turned out for the last 11 years or so, and was just hanging out. He was just a fantastic horse. He was a good one and will be missed."

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor