HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
I want to wish all of you a fantastic HOLIDAY WEEKEND and a very safe July 4th.
While many people will be off to the races, walking on the sand, and enjoying great barbeques, I’ll be here at Lane’s End having a special time as well. MY JOHN and his crew will be racing.
I’m looking forward to enjoying the sunshine, grazing on the bluegrass, and eating some of my favorite TREATS! As you can see, I’m happily awaiting a few bites from my ST. LEO’S friends in this photo. This is a visit I did to help fund-raise for a local school. I must say, the ladies were so gracious and brought ME the perfect treats!
The holiday weekend is also filled with a large number of fabulous stakes races. One in particular is of great interest to ME. On Monday, my dear, dear friend, HARMONIOUS, is running in the ROYAL HEROINE G-2 at Hollywood Park. It is one mile on the turf. This will be her first start since February when she tried the dirt at Santa Anita. Harmonious has a wonderful past performance record. She is a very accomplished turf filly by Dynaformer out of a mare named Jade Tree! I’m wishing her ALL THE BEST!
Harmonious and I spent a great deal of time together at Barn 55. We not only grazed together each morning and afternoon, but we shared MARIO as our groom. He is truly one terrific guy! As we would often be outside at the exact same time, Mario would be with ME and Frank would be with Harmonious. It worked out perfectly for everyone.
I believe this is one of the reasons why it was such a smooth transition for ME to share a paddock with other horses once I acclimated to life at Lane’s End. It was such a familiar and comfortable situation as I have literally spent years outside grazing at Barn 55 with other horses close by: Tiago, Life Is Sweet, Zardana, After Market and Harmonious to name a few. We always respected each other’s space, which is so important, and simply enjoyed sharing our time outdoors with each other. We could literally stand there and look around for hours and hours. We weren’t necessarily ‘eating anything’…we were just enjoying the time outdoors! Hmmmm, I still do that!
I’d personally like to wish HARMONIOUS and VALERIA (one of my Moss pals) GOOD LUCK in their races. They are both running on Monday, the 4th! Such FUN!
Enjoy your Holiday!
Please be safe!
With love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Kathy Kimber
@Heidi K: E-mail me at tarquin_lhs57@yahoo.com any help on the project is appreciated. Hugs There is the underscore sign after the word tarquin
Karen Gogue
@Shari V.
Those Angel Kisses are flying right now over to your Mom…with all the Blessings from Him His-self! Bless you!
Janet Cutting
Hi Zenny and All: Just love the pictures that Dottie is sharing last few posts. I think Zenyatta has lots of great friends to keep her busy. Happy 4th.
Mary
I just researched the name of the house at Hollywood Park …race 7 on July 2 that was smacked by the boss of the gate workers and called twice a MF…his mike was on. It was Goodbye Charlie…they had a lot of houses not wanting to load for some reason and I am sure he was feeling all that and got upset. Like I said if I was the owner of Goodbye Charlie…I would be furious.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Here’s a video of Sea the Stars. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/EF8C7BAB-A293-4455-9C9C-F1A039F4757B
judy berube
Dear Mary:
I checked on him too. He’s listed as scratched out of that race by the vet. I hope he wasn’t hurt when he went through the gate or when he was smacked. I wonder if there will be any reprimand to the gate attendant by Hollywood Park officials. Hugs, J.B.
Cynthia H.
The two ladies featured in Sarah Campion’s photo are far more calm and complacent than I could ever hope to be, when having a private audience with her Royal Highness, Queen Z!
GOOD LUCK tomorrow, beautiful Harmonious and Valeria! May all horses return home safe.
DJ
To Shari V: I am sorry for you and your Mom. Crawl into this “Z Stall” anytime…you are not camping alone. Hugs and a Zenyatta Prayer Candle.
judy berube
Dear Mary:
What makes this even more terrible is it was a Maiden Special Weight race. It would have been only his 3rd start. He finished 2nd on 6/11/11. Talk about causing bad temperament in horses due to harmful handling. I hope his owner takes some action against this gate attendant. Hugs, J.B.
Signofthetimes
@Judy B
Love the jockey tips article. John’s comment to
Mike is precious. Z never did have early speed. In fact
She looked like “Ho Hum Oh well the gate just opened
I better get going”. Toooo Cute!!!
Signofthetimes
@Mary
So sad about Good Bye Charlie. I had a TB that retired from
Racing and was very defensive when trying to touch
His ears and face. He is so sensitive, I am sure someone
At the gate did something similar. These things should not happen
Because they leave lifetime scars. This TB is 29 and still
Has these issues. He trusts very few to get near his ears. In fact only
Two people.
Charlotte Farmer
@Barbara Wood – I have watched the news and it was saying that Texas is in a severe drought. Stay cool and we will be praying that you get some relief by way of rain.
@DJ – You touched my heart with “Bless the Beast and the Children” and blessings on you for sharing how you are helping with Noor’s cause.
@Abigail from Montreal – It should be me thanking you and The Vault. You tell their stories and for that you have my heart.
@ Carolyn Caswell-Brown – Thank you.
@ Kathryn Cogswell – I am trying not to cry. Your words are so beautiful.
@ kurt l – I will try and answer your questions, but first, thank you for coming to ZENYATTA’S party. The lady, I am sure, would say she is pleased that you have come and are joining in with the rest of the family on her site.
1. Noor was put straight into the ground, no box, nothing. As Dr. Peek and John Shirreffs described it, “He was folded into the grave.”
2. Not sure what we will find other than dark rich dirt, which will be the decomposed matter that was Noor. If there are bones they will be very fragile. I am sure we will find teeth, since teeth are ivory. Other than that we will have to wait and see.
3. Since he is already decomposed there will be no need for cremation.
4. All that is Noor will be put into the box.
5. A 1-ton diesel will be rented and Noor’s box will be placed, prior to the excavation, on the pickup bed. I will be the one taking him back to Kentucky with the assistance of my boyfriend. I don’t plan to let the boy out of my sight.
On Zenyatta’s sight anyone can post their e-mail addresses if they wish. If you have any other questions I will try and answer them for you. Thank you for caring.
@Judy Berube & Abigail in Montreal & Signofthetimes– I add my, didn’t notice Zen’s golden highlight, and women pay money to get that color. Zen has it naturally. Might have known, she is always fashionable.
@Judy Berube – Thank you for the link to the story of Giant Causeway’s mom, Mariah’s Storm. I love the movie Dreamer and own the video.
@Steve Haskin Blog – I just got through posting an additional bit of information thanks to Kathy K. I will share it with my Z family.
I just got word back today from Michael Blowen regarding Noor’s headstone. A long time ago I wrote something, that should I ever get Noor to a place where he would be safe I wanted engraved on his headstone. I shared the words with Michael and he has agreed to include them on the marker that will be placed at Noor’s grave there at Old Friends. Here are my words for my boy:
Beneath this memorial, Noor, a horse of royal breeding now sleeps. His name echoes with sweet whispers down the long corridors of racing’s past. His winning spirit now shines in the sunlight once again, as he holds court for all who come to say, “Well done.”
@Haskins Facebook – I tried to find Haskins Facebook page to look at any posting that might have to do with Noor, but could never find it. Having a blond moment I guess.
@To My Family – I was blessed the day I started posting to this site because it was a place I could come and read all the interesting stories about Zenyatta and her Barn 55 family. Over the months I started recognizing names, from prior posts, and started slowly interacting with each of you. Little awkward at first, didn’t want to sound stupid. Slowly each of you started answering back and the gate swung open for me and I began my race into Z’s world, happy that I had found a place that might understand my passions i.e. racing thoroughbreds, cowboys, old horses, history, etc. Then, with one posting about a horse named Noor on #233, Trina Nagele learns of my journey with Noor, and from there the rest, as they say, is getting interesting. The energy, passion, and friendship are so evident with your love for Z and for Noor. Blessings on all of you, and may the wind be always at your back.
@On a lighter note I will share this with each of you since Dottie adds her voice to Zenyatta, Hollywood Park added their voice to those running in the 1950 Gold Cup. Here is what appeared in the L. A. Times on Thursday, December 7, 1950, along with a sketch from the neck up of Noor:
“I’m Noor . . .
“Since I was born in Ireland, guess I should have said, “Begorrah, I’m Noor.” . . . I’ve been around so much though . . . Haven’t had time to acquire a dialect.
“My breeder was the fabulous Aga Khan . . . He has more jewels than
my famous jockey, Johnny Longden . . . But he could never make Johnny’s
riding weight. Father was the illustrious Nasrullah, a great winner and the
toast of the British Isles . . . Tall and distinguished-looking, every inch a
champion and a blue-blood . . . He would never have approved of a brogue or accent . . . He whinnied impeccably.
“Charley Howard, the beloved California sportsman, brought me here . . . How pleased he would have been if he had lived to see me now . . . The four-time conqueror of Citation and holder of three world’s records.
“Despite my size (I’ve an unusually deep chest and long, sloping, powerful shoulders), I admit I’m sensitive . . . If I hadn’t always been treated with the utmost kindness and consideration by my trainer, Burley Parke, I wouldn’t have gone far. When I was slow learning American racing
ways, Mr. Parke never let anyone speak a harsh word to me . . . Sure glad I’ve been able to repay his kindness and that of the Howard family by becoming “Handicap Horse of the Year.”
“I’m racing at Hollywood Park now, facing many of the greatest
Thoroughbred champions in history . . . Hope we’ll meet there . . . You’ll enjoy it with its lovely lakes and gardens . . . Wish Dad could have strutted out on Hollywood Park’s cushiony track . . . The distinguished old boy would have had to unbend at the sheer beauty of it all.”
Diana S
@terry crow: I spend so much time rolling on the floor laughing, I meres well put the laptop down there with me!
@gate boss: You are one lucky sob – had that been my horse and me in the vicinity, you wouldn’t be walkin’ today. grrrrr!
@Nametags will be created – I’ll use everyone’s blog moniker unless they prefer otherwise. Email me at diastu46@gmail.com if so. Mr. Crow, yours will be “The Joker” :-)
g’nite all, diastu in tempe
Shari Voltz
@ DJ Your the Best :)
@ Barbara thank you.
@ Trina thank you.
@ Judy thank you.
@ Karen thank you. My Z family always makes me feel better. I love you All.
@ Mary I think Dusty was treated poorly too. If that was my horse I would have gone down there all 5’2 of me and punched him out. That poor horse. That man should be fired and not work around horses again.
judy berube
Dear Charlotte Farmer:
You’re welcome. Loved the story in Noor’s “words”. Hugs, J.B.
Shari Voltz
@ Oh Susan sent me the most Beautiful pictures of Rootbeer and a few others. Susan you are one special lady :)
Barbara Wood
@Charlotte Farmer–many thanks. I feel exactly as you about this blog. I always feel dumb around people who know SO much about horses, but everyone here is so kind that it is a blessing to me.
@Diana S–my husband said almost exactly the same words.
I think we need to keep tabs on Goodbye Charlie. If any of you living in the area can give updates, it would be appreciated.
Good night, precious Z. We know that horses are so very sensitive and have VERY long memories. We are so thankful you were never mistreated. Love you always.
Signofthetimes
@Charlotte Farmer
What a lovely post and your inscription brought tears
To my eyes. Horses are so special in life and in death.
Enjoy your new home Noor.
judy berube
To Signofthetimes:
I thought that was one of the most insightful and humorous articles about jockeys and trainers I’ve ever read. Glad you liked it too. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Shari Voltz:
You’re welcome. Hope things improve for your Mom. Hugs, J.B.
Karen Gogue
@ Charlotte
Again, the beauty is the one who speaks…on another note, when I go onto Zenny’s FB page (if you are signed in) Steve’s FB always comes up on the top right side of her page, just click it and it should pop up. Hope this works for you dear lady!
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Just noted on my horse watch, Eblouissante had another work today. She did 4 furlongs in 53.60 and Mr. Besilu the A.P. Indy – Balance (Z’s half sister) colt, had a work today at Belmont. He did 3 furlongs in 37.11. Wow Z’s half sister E and her nephew Mr. Besilu are looking good. What a family. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
Linda in NJ
@Mary: I read your post. That is just awful. I hope you and any others that heard and saw what happened to that horse call Hollywood Park and put in a complaint. That person should not work with animals let alone racehorses. Racehorses can be very temperamental, but the people that work with them are professionals. They have been trained to work with racehorses. So there is no need to treat a horse like that especially right before a race when the horse is all keyed up to begin with.
KIMBERLY
Hi Queen, I will be at Hollywood Park tomorrow to watch Harmonious tomorrow..
(WISH IT WERE YOU). We miss you in California…. Have a great 4th!!!
Dottie Combest
I totally agree with ALL the comments on behalf of Goodbye Charlie, HOW DARE HE cuss n call a vulgar name to something as beautiful as a horse ~ he should be revoke from that job n givin his walkin papers, We saw it this time but can you imagine how many ties he must have done similiar stuff and gotten away with it cause the camera wasn’t on him ? GOD ONLY KNOWS !!! Horses have a way of tellin on you eventually ~ poor baby should NOT have endured that ~ That is the very reason Zenyatta was always so loving to everyone ~ it’s obvious she never had to go thru anything like THAT !!! She was loved and showed love in return !!! God bless you Queen Z :)
Diana S
@trina nagele: I just read “Worse Than Running With Scissors”. I was laughing so hard I had to go look for Mr. Ed – – – .
diastu in tempeeeeeeeeee
judy berube
To Trina Nagele:
Just read “Worse Than Running With Scissors”. Hysterical. Hugs, J.B.
Signofthetimes
@Judy B
Thanks for the update on Calvin. Heard today he won five
On closing day at Churchill. Wish he would have had a more competitive mount for the Derby. Would like to see him win three.
Had not heard much about him other than his winnings were down
At Churchill a month or so ago. So glad things picked up. He is a
Very talented rider.
Karen Gogue
@Judy B.
How is Lola Mae? Such a sweet face!