Big Zeb (foaled 13 May 2001) is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing and was best known for his performances in steeplechases over the minimum distance of two miles.
Ridden for the first time by Barry Geraghty, he took the lead approaching the second last hurdle and drew clear in "impressive" fashion to win by twelve lengths from fifteen opponents.
Big Zeb tracked the leaders in the early stages before moving into second place at the penultimate hurdle but was unable to make further progress and was beaten three and a half lengths by Sizing Europe.
[8] Big Zeb fell at the first fence again at Gowran Park in January and was then moved up sharply in class for the Grade I Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase.
The gelding started favourite for the Grade I Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, but after leading for most of the race, he was caught in the closing stages and finished second to Conna Castle.
On his final start of the season, Big Zeb faced both J'y Vole and Conna Castle in the Grade I Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase over two miles at the Punchestown Festival.
[9] After an eight-month break, Big Zeb returned in the Grade I Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet chase at Leopardstown on 27 December in which he was matched against more experienced opponents, including the former Champion Chaser Newmill.
Big Zeb tracked Master Minded throughout the race, survived a bad mistake at the last fence and made a strong challenge in the closing stages, failing by a head to catch the favourite.
Big Zeb began his fifth season in November at Navan Racecourse when he carried top weight of 166 pounds on heavy ground in the Grade II Fortria Chase and won by half a length after Geraghty eased him down in the closing stages.
[14] In December he was sent to England and started favourite for the Grade I Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park Racecourse but appeared to be struggling just after half way and finished fourth of the five runners behind Twist Magic, Forpadydeplasterer and Well Chief.
[15] On his final race before the 2010 Cheltenham Festival Big Zeb was matched against the Paddy Power Chase winner Golden Silver in the Grade II Tied Cottage at Punchestown on 31 January.
[15] On 17 March 2010, Big Zeb, ridden by Geraghty, started at odds of 10/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase against a field which included Master Minded (the 4/5 favourite), Twist Magic, Forpadydeplasterer, Well Chief and Golden Silver.
[19] On his first appearance of the 2010/2011 National Hunt season, Big Zeb repeated his 2009 success by winning the Fortria Chase, beating Golden Silver by one and a quarter lengths.
He tracked the leaders before moving up to challenge Sizing Europe at the final fence but was outpaced on the run-in and finished second, five lengths behind the winner and four in front of Captain Cee Bee in third.
At Punchestown in April Big Zeb, Sizing Europe and Captain Cee Bee met again in the Kerrygold Champion Chase, a race which also attracted Golden Silver and J'y Vole.
In November, the gelding began the new season by winning the Fortria Chase for the third time, taking the lead three fences from the finish and beating Noble Prince by two lengths with Forpadydeplasterer a head away in third.