Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Snow Day at Lane’s End

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Happy Wednesday!

Alys took these great photos of Zenyatta playing in her paddock. We think she looks especially beautiful set against the snowy Lane’s End landscape.

Team Z and the staff at Lane’s End are getting ready for the arrival of this year’s foals. Accordingly, we’d like to invite the next round of questions for our “Ask The Experts” column. Questions related to the foaling process will be considered first, but all questions are welcome.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Edit: We have receieved so many great questions from all of you! Submissions are now closed for the time being. If you didn’t get a chance to ask your question, don’t worry, there will be more opportunities in the future.

Some of you have recently asked about the Zenyatta Shop. Our apologies, the Shop is closed at this time. If you have any outstanding orders or inquiries, please contact us by emailing info@zenyatta.com.

-Team Z

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


z242

Reader Interactions

1,885 Comments

    • / Reply

      Just absolutely beautiful Judy!! Thank you so much for this wonderful tribute to Kari and Ashton.

      Ashton, I hope that you will feel the love and caring from all of us as we remember with gratitude.

      Hugs to you both,
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Judy, that tribute was wonderful and it made me cry. I can’t believe that it’s been a year already since Kari passed.
      Ashton: feel the love surrounding you during this time.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thank you so very much for this beautiful portrait of love. Kari was so very special.

      Ashton, may God always bless you with the memory of such a loving, kind, inspiring and brave Momma. May the comfort of God’s love give you the hope that you will be with her again in an even better life – free of pain – full of love and laughter and endless joy … forever

      Many blessings, Judy and thank you again.

      With love
      Elizabeth

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B.,
      Simply beautiful! Lovely tribute to Kari and Ashton.
      Thank you. Hugs

      Dear Ashton,
      Love to you and your family.
      Blessings, sweet memories and hugs.

    • / Reply

      Judy, I am touched with every fiber of my being……….absolutely beautiful and a fitting memorial for Kari and a loving tribute for Ashton and family.

      Ashton, As you can see we loved and miss your momma and hope you can feel the love that the words are sending you.
      Love, hugs and blessings,
      Maryp

    • / Reply

      Judy B
      Finally had time today to sit & watch the video
      It touched my heart.
      What a loving tribute to Kari & sharing with Ashton!
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Judy, I don’t know where to begin to tell you how tremendously this beautiful video moved me. Please do me a favor and replay the video. Please with every note, measure, frame and beautiful word, know deep in your heart that, even that, doesn’t come close to expressing how much you “raised me up. ” I think of you and pray for you daily, and have no doubt that I will every day for the rest of my life.

    • / Reply

      Abigail, jut a note that the link is for a mobile connection! I know you are temporarily on an iPad device awaiting your new computer to be set up! Hugs!

      Just want to add how very much I miss our Kari, and I know it has to be a bittersweet anniversary for you, Ashton. Hugs and know that you are loved and cared for, and many join in your sorrow for all the losses you have experienced this past year. My heart and prayers go out to you. Love, Ann Maree

  3. / Reply

    We surely miss Kari on this site. Her videos of Zenny were highlights of our journey in following her through her amazing racing career.

  4. / Reply

    zenyen:

    Thank you for your wonderful explanation of “nurse mares” their “foals” and their very important jobs. Because of the sadness of this particular situation I so wanted to ask these questions, but didn’t because of my human and motherly emotions! I ultimately decided that as long as all of the horses were in good hands, and being cared for then that was good enough for me! I would be worried or concerned if someone didn’t find this whole situation sad or unsettling even if we are a little emotional.

    Again “I thank you” for you insight and your expertise, and your willingness to share all you know with those of us who may not know or are just unsure, and maybe guessing, and driving ourselves nuts!

    Continued Prayers for “My Sweet Rachel”
    GirlSaratoga

  5. / Reply

    @Zenyen
    Thanks for the info, I kinda had a feeling it went that route because… I did read the article you linked some time ago, it was very interesting. I’m sure a lot of care is taken in these situations by the farms. Ojos is a trusted nurse mare from real good bloodlines, too.
    I wish for speedy and certain recovery for RA, too.
    Sure hope everything goes as planned for our Z!!!

  6. / Reply

    Zenyen,
    Thanks from me too for another thoughtful explanation of something that many of us did not understand well-enough. The link from Stonestreet was a good start, but you have, as usual, added depth the aids in understanding.
    Sandy

  9. / Reply

    We miss you Kari B, you are forever in our hearts and that of Queen Zenyatta.
    LOL to all. Hope Rachel A is feeling the sun on her face today. How is her little princess?

    Much Love.

  11. / Reply

    “You lift me up”….Thank you, Judy B, for this lovely tribute, so very appropriate for our dear Kari. I’m sure she is smiling down on you.
    Kari’s favorite word was JOY, particularly her joy in Zenyatta, whom she credited with literally saving her life. Kari was not one to complain–just once, she spoke of the illness she had—just once. She most likely never would have spoken of it, but she was prompted to two years ago in response to rudeness that had broken out in comments on Z’s Diary. Kari chastised the perpetrators by explaining how she depended on the continuation of Z’s Diary to keep her life force strong, sharing with us the background story to her passion for Zenyatta. In April of 2008, Kari was lying in a hospital bed, having lost “half her body” to cancer and having been told by the doctors that she was terminal. She had resigned herself to dying: feeling that she had become a burden to her family, she no longer wanted to prolong her life. Then by chance on the TV in her room, she saw Zenyatta in her first Grade I race, the Apple Blossom. Kari was immediately love-struck, and the transformative Zenyatta inspired Kari to not give up. She said that somehow through the love she had for Zenyatta and her connections, she realized that her continued presence on this earth was not a burden to her family, that they still needed her. For four more years, with Zenyatta as her lode-star, she fought the good fight and proved the doctors wrong. She started making her beautiful tribute videos for Zenyatta back when she felt Z was not yet being suitably acknowledged–she taught herself how to make the videos so that others would come to know Z and honor her.
    We lost Kari a year ago today, but she will always be in our hearts. Our prayers go out to her beautiful daughter Ashton, who under unimaginable difficulties so graciously carries on her cherished mother’s legacy.
    I posted links to some of Kari’s videos at https://staging.zenyatta.com/news/snow-day-at-lanes-end/comment-page-22#comment-198949 .
    I encourage others to post links to their favorites (thank you, Abigail!) and to join us at the candle site
    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=kari
    Our love for Kari will never die.

    • / Reply

      Trina. I’ve been searching for the video Kari did of the “leaf heart on the fence,” after the BC. That was one of my favorites and can’t find it. However, in my search I stumbled on this one which I had not seen. Beautiful!!

      In tribute to Kari and love to Ashton and Family.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbfea_XVMoI

      • / Reply

        Dear Heidi:

        I think this is the video you’re looking for. Karie started it and Ashton completed it. There is a photo in it of a heart on the fence at Barn 55. There are three beautiful pieces of music in it. One from Exodus, This Land is Mine; Nessun Dorma and Notte Stellata and wonderful photos and videos of Z, the Prince and TT. Hugs, JB

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIGdwstEAdM

    • / Reply

      Trina, your kindness never ceases to amaze me. You are without a doubt the most unselfish, kind lady I’ve ever known. I think of you every single time I enter my home, and you know why. You gave my moma more joy than you could ever, ever know. She was so proud to tell the story to all who visited us. She would always end it with tears in her eyes, and stating the fact that in her entire life no one , had ever done anything so kind, and she always wondered why you chose her. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for making her so happy; I thank you for your never ending candle vigil; I thank you for your beautiful comments; I thank you for always thinking of others, and always trying to brighten their day, and I thank you for being the beautiful soul that we call Trina.

      • / Reply

        ♥ Oh my goodness, Ashton, thank you for your kind words and for sharing this part of your moma’s story with me. You and your lovely moma have touched my soul. I wish you God’s blessing to give you strength through the months and years ahead. I will forever be in your moma’s debt for all she gave me.
        Love in Dumplinghood,
        Trina

  12. / Reply

    My wife and I still watch Kari’s videos whenever we need a “lift”. She and Z were magic together. Z’s fandom would be incomplete without Kari’s beautiful tributes.

  14. / Reply

    dear max would be great if MM could join kauto at laura’s am sure he’d enjoy seeing his old friend again seems there’s no truth in the rumour that kauto is going to be the new pope!! will certainly look out for kind’s filly this season was thinking when frankel accompanied his mum and spent 3 months at coolmore thankGod the year he was born it was juddmonte’s turn for the pick of the crop much as I respect aidan he could never have nurtured frankel as our beloved sir henry coolmore are sending 15 mares over to frankel going to be a very busy boy!!was great to see paul get 5 winners on saturday neigh neigh!! sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Saw Kauto’s comment. He is so saucy, which is why we love him. You are right that Frankel was in the best hands with Sir Henry Cecil. I have been following the arrests in the UK horse meat scandal. It is a terrible situation. They have even found horse meat in school lunches? Now even Aintree is involved? Sad.

  15. / Reply

    I still watch her video tributes as well but, now when I do, I get choked up because of the fight Kari went through. How much she loved and adored Zenyatta and what that love did to help Kari fight on. We love and miss you Kari and Ashton, you’re in my thoughts today!!!

  16. / Reply

    Bill McCarrick‏ downthestretchs tweet Royal Delta sharp in GIII Sabin Stakes win – Results and Replay
    Here is the article
    Royal Delta sharp in GIII Sabin Stakes win – Results and Replay
    Posted on February 17, 2013
    Royal Delta , made quick work of her 4 other foes with a comfortable win in today’s $100,000, GIII Sabin Stakes, going 1 1/16 mile over the Gulfstream main in a winning time of 1:43.30 in her 2013 season opener!
    http://downthestretchs.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/royal-delta-sharp-in-giii-sabin-stakes-win-results-and-replay/

  17. / Reply

    Mike Welsch‏ DRF tweet
    No problem coming back in Sabin this year for the champ, Royal Delta,
    cruises to easy win under Mike Smith.
    On to Dubai. #Gulf

  18. / Reply

    Stanwyck (4-Year-Old Filly) Workout
    Date: February 17, 2013
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Six Furlongs
    Time: 1.15:00 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 11/14

  19. / Reply

    Mucho Macho Man (5-Year-Old Horse) Workout
    Date: February 17, 2013
    Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 48:20 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 3/29

  21. / Reply

    dear max horsemeat scandal gets worse everyday a meat processing plant was raided by police in west wales last week seems it’s connected with a yorkshire abbatoir they have been accused of handling horses that have died in falls at the grand national which really upset me thought the owners could have had them cremated the one good thing thats come out of all this mess is that folks have gone back to buy meat at their local butcher such a sad situation and we heard today the government have known since 2011hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I am appalled at the thought that a horse of Grand National calibre could run his heart out, could fall, be euthanized and end up ignominiously on a dinner table. To me horses should not be food commodities. In that regard, I eat what Zenyatta eats, and it is all veggie.

    • / Reply

      Sheena, sorry this horrid, messy, saga just goes on dishearteningly. I never would have thought horses from the Grand National would be included, although what am I saying? — NO horse should be part of this.

      • / Reply

        Just read about this on the paulick report. I don’t understand how owners and trainers can just throw a horse carcass away and to find out, they’re in the food chain?? WTH? How does that happen??

  23. / Reply

    Judy, thank you so much for this video. It’s absolutely beautiful. I know Kari would love it. Kari was so special. I miss her humor and warmth. Ashton is so much like her moma. Ashton, if you see this, I’m thinking of you and your moma today. Hugs, Debbie

  24. / Reply

    Black Caviar is the star, but trainer Peter Moody is the magician with the story that needs to be told
    by:Matt Stewart From:Herald Sun February 18, 201312:00AM
    IMAGINE if Black Caviar had been trained by the late Jack Denham. Or Geoff Murphy, even Tommy Smith.
    Denham, who had a mysterious hatred of the media, trained the legendary Might And Power.
    It was fortunate, for the Might And Power story, that his down-to-earth and deeply religious owner Nick Moraitis provided interesting words and actions to accompany his great horse.
    Moraitis wept the day Might And Power won the 1997 Caulfield Cup, as did his sons, and immediately we warmed to the story.
    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/black-caviar-is-the-star-but-trainer-peter-moody-the-magician-with-the-words-that-need-to-be-told/story-fn67siys-1226579825843?sv=671c39ef37dde0174b0538ae3073b33d

    • / Reply

      “They come to see the mare but, without the man, the story, and the telling of it, would simply be not as good.”–written of Peter Moody and Black Caviar, but could be said as well of John Shirreffs and Zenyatta. Thanks, Keta.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta and Friends,
    I have been reading all of the beautiful words written in celebration of the life of our wonderful Kari. So many of us have such personal stories to share as she warmly connected with each of us in her own very special way. Ashton wrote something to me on Zenny’s Tribe in response to the Valentine’s Card I posted, which some of you may have seen. I wanted to post it here as well, for it touched my heart beyond measure. I include my response, as well as the video that I shared on this site the day Kari left us. I dedicate it to all of you who have lost a loved one. In memory of our Kari. Love, Dawn

    Dawn, my emotions are too much to say what’s in my heart. All by itself your card had me in tears, but when it got to the photo of Steve Haskin with Z, that is my moma’s half head and shoulder to the right of Z’s tail end. It is one of two photos of parts of her from that sacred day. The other is of her boots under Z, taken by John Shirreffs. I then read the comments and there before me I read hers from last year. I was conceived on Valentine’s Day. She always had a party, made a big fuss over me on this day, more so than my actual birthday. Thank you so much for sharing this today. I can’t tell you how much it moved me, and how much I needed it. Much love and blessings to you. PS- She had this song played at her memorial. Please don’t let this sadden you. Sometimes tears are beautiful in a bittersweet way.

    Ashton, words cannot express how much your post means to me. A simple act of kindness can often touch the hearts of others in ways we cannot even imagine. Your moma knew this well, for even in the darkness she shared her light with others. I always felt a special connection to our Kari, I think we were kindred spirits. What a blessing that I was a catalyst for her today. I think of her often and sometimes there are tears, but I read her words or watch one of her videos and I find great joy. A smile comes to my face and my soul is warmed. I will never look at this card the same after today, for it will now carry even more reminders of your wonderful moma. She was truly remarkable and you are so like her. Thank you for your beautiful words, they mean so very much. All My Love

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hASQH9EfQA

    • / Reply

      Oh, Dawn, thank you so much for this. Your message and Ashton’s are both treasures. As always, you strike a responsive chord in our hearts. Thank you for sharing this touching communication with us. Blessings to you and to Ashton, who is so much like her dear mother, her “moma.”

    • / Reply

      Thank you Dawn. Kari had always been about love so it’s nice to learn that Valentine’s day was special to her…..she shared the love with so many.

  29. / Reply

    Dear Sue Fredrick.

    Wish you good test results this week, Thank you also for sending me well wishes. I am 3 years this month cancer free. I keep praying I will continue with good results.

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