Zeal (horse)

The Duke of Grafton, who bred and owned Zeal

Zeal began her racing career at Newmarket's First Spring meeting in May 1821. On the opening day of the meeting she ran in against three other fillies in a Sweepstakes over the Abington Mile course. Starting the 4/7 favourite, she won by half a length from the Duke of Rutland's unnamed chestnut filly to claim a prize of 1,000 guineas.[4] Three days later, Zeal started 6/4 favourite for the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, which despite its name carried a prize of 900 guineas. The race was run over the Ditch Mile course and Zeal "won easy" from Lord Suffield's filly and four others.[5] On the following afternoon she won a further 400 guineas without having to race as she walked-over in a Sweepstakes over the Abington Mile, her rivals having been withdrawn by their owners.[6]

On 5 June at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Zeal was moved up in distance to contest the Oaks Stakes over one and a half miles. She started a 20/1 outsider, suggesting either that her Newmarket form was lightly regarded, or that she was known to be some way below her best. The latter explanation appears more likely as the filly had been disputing favouritism in the lead-up to the race.[7] She finished fourth of the seven runners behind Lord Exeter's filly Augusta who started favourite.[8]

Zeal made her first appearance as a four-year-old in the Port Stakes at the Newmarket Craven meeting on 12 April. She claimed the first prize of 400 guineas without having to race when the other three entries were withdrawn.[9] At the First Spring meeting two weeks later Zeal ran in a Sweepstakes over five furlongs in which she started favourite but was beaten by her only rival, a filly named Civet.[10] Zeal never raced again and was retired to stud at the end of the season.