As Rachel Alexandra retires, re-live her career through the comments made by fans, connections and industry professionals during her 2009 and 2010 seasons.

"Super filly? You bet!"
--NYRA announcer Tom Durkin, calling Rachel Alexandra's 20-length romp in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks

"Her march to greatness continues...."
--Durkin calling Rachel's victory in the 2009 Mother Goose at Belmont

"She’s the ultimate professional, the ultimate athlete. She’s got a very sweet side to her and a very businesslike side to her as well. She’s got a tremendous amount of confidence about her."
--Assistant trainer Scott Blasi discussing the filly's personality in summer 2009

"She’s a champion. Champions do that. Champions find ways to win."
--Jockey Robby Albarado after finishing a close second to Rachel Alexandra aboard Macho Again in the 2009 Woodward at Saratoga.

"She would never let him go by. Every time they’d run up to her she’d dig in again. Even galloping out, I was messing with Robby saying, 'you ain’t going by' ... She’s a tremendous filly. He ran up to her and she just kept giving me a little bit more, giving me a little bit more."
--Jockey Calvin Borel on the Woodward win

"I would vote for Rachel as Horse of the Year, barely, and part of that might be my definite East Coast prejudice, or maybe it is because I witnessed Rachel’s Woodward from on the track at the finish line. I experienced first-hand the crowd and the energy and excitement of seeing the filly make history. It is a day I will never forget."
--Saratoga photographer Connie Bush on the 2009 Horse of the Year debate. Rachel Alexandra outpolled Zenyatta for the award.

"Thank you for all of the congrats, photos and kind comments, I appreciate them all! Rachel is a horse of a lifetime and I am so proud of her and thankful to Steve and his staff for the amazing job they do in getting her ready to run — she is truly heaven sent and it is a dream come true to be involved in her accomplishments."
--Borel on his Facebook page following Rachel's victory in the 2010 Lady's Secret at Monmouth

"She’s a girl and she beats all the boys."
--Maddy Thill, discussing why she and her husband Steve love this racehorse. The Thills named their infant daughter Rachel Alexandra.

"My hat’s off to Rachel Alexandra. She runs her heart out every time."
--Trainer Shug McGaughey after his filly Persistently defeated Rachel in the 2010 Personal Ensign at Saratoga

"I'm very disappointed that she lost, but I am always happy with Rachel. It hurts to lose and you're disappointed for it, but if that's the case, just think about how happy she's made you and all the things she has done for us."
--Trainer Steve Asmussen following the loss in the Personal Ensign

"One of the marks of a generous horse is that when asked to do something she can’t, she’ll try to do it anyway."
--Saratogian racing writer Jeff Scott in his column following the Personal Ensign

"Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a 3-year-old, she set standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I suspect it will be quite a while before a three year old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a series of spectacular victories, I believe they, as we, were simply awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage and athleticism."
--Majority owner Jess Jackson on Rachel's retirement

"I have been blessed to have been part of history. We are all very fortunate that Rachel carried the banner following Curlin’s amazing success story. The fans adored her, we all did. She had the most fluid and beautiful stride of any horse I have every seen. It’s been quite a ride."
--Asmussen on Rachel's retirement

"Rachel graced us with one of the most impressive performances in our track’s history when she won the Fair Grounds Oaks in a gallop. ... She is one of the all-time legends not only of Fair Grounds but of our sport."
--Fair Grounds vice president and general manager Eric Halstrom on naming a race at his track in honor of Rachel Alexandra