Happy Friday to ALL!
It is a bit cold and icy out here in KY. I did not get to go outside much yesterday…so they have had me walking a great deal inside the barn. It is also ‘cold’ in CA…by CA standards…chilly, drizzly and gray outside. BURRR! My CA friends are keeping me posted. They are also telling me there will be lots of rain in CA the next few days.
Speaking of my CA friends, they are getting very excited out there now. It is the closing few days of Hollywood Park and then Santa Anita opens up the day after Christmas. Santa Anita has a brand new DIRT TRACK…and all of the reports are very encouraging and positive to date. This is terrific!
I loved racing on the dirt at both Oaklawn and Churchill Downs. I also trained on a dirt training track at least 3-4 times per week throughout my entire career. I know my buddies in CA will enjoy this new surface.
John is currently reorganizing his barn and who is located at each site. That is what horse trainers do at the beginning of a new race meet. He is in Barn 55 at Hollywood Park…that was my home base for my entire career. When I ran at Santa Anita and the Oak Tree Meet there, I would van across town to do so. Then at Santa Anita, John is in Barn 66. Too cute! Double numbers for both barns. The horses are moving in there now. Per my updates from them, the grass looks good and the flower boxes are getting planted. Very sweet! I will keep you posted on all of my friends as we go along.
Several of you have asked if I will ever be ridden again. The answer is NO. I am now enjoying my time and relaxing. Eventually, I will be able to run free in my big paddock here. Then I will be gradually introduced to my new paddock friends (my barn mates)…one at a time. It will be fabulous. I am really looking forward to this!
Oh, by the way, I did get a PEDICURE yesterday. My HOOVES look FABULOUS, if I say so myself. It was so much fun!
Thank you all so much for the wonderful cards and goodies. I am enjoying all of them. You are all so kind and thoughtful of me. Again, THANK YOU!
Oh, here come the guys. They are going to take me outside now. YEAH! I am used to standing outside and looking around for hours. John used to let me do this at least 2 hours each day at home. It is something I truly LOVE TO DO! Yeah…I’m on my way to go outside.
Good-bye for now!
Hugs to all!
With Love,
Z
Retrospectiv
@ Samantha Peck,
Claiborne do not ride their stallions. Three Chimneys ride *some* of them, as do Winstar and I believe Shadwell. These farms are exceptions rather than the norm.
Stallions do not spend their time in large herds like broodmares do, nor do they have to carry a pregnancy like mares do.
After Zenyatta foals for the 1st time, she’ll be bred back either within a few weeks or within a month or two so she’ll be pregnant again while caring for her current foal.
By the time that foal is weaned she’ll be getting closer to her third trimester of pregnancy. Riding a VALUABLE mare who has a foal at side or who’s pregnant is not going to happen.
Denise
To Kathryn Cogswell: very well said and with class to boot! Your words should do well for those with the ear to listen. Congrats. To Zenyatta: thank you for sharing…thank you for your poise and grace…enjoy your retirement…what ever it is YOU want to do.
Carol Dean-Porter
@Patricia,
Thoroughbreds in training at the race track do not just “run like mad”. They must be adjustable in their stride length, maneuverable and sensitive enough to listen to the rider when working at speed. MOST of the time, these horses work slowly and one who just wants to run all the time is useless because a 1000 pound unguided missile is a deadly weapon.
I have taken dozens straight out of their races, back to the barn, onto my van and to my house. Within days they are learning to stand for mounting and doing basic walk/trot/canter plus starting over poles on the ground. Thoroughbreds are intelligent and most settle into a new routine quickly!
Retrospectiv
@ Janet,
For many years, Storm Cat was the leading TB sire of racehorses.
For several seasons, his stud fee was $500,000 (yes, half a million dollars).
A.P. Indy (Zenyatta’s likely mate) stood for a fee of $300,000 for several years. He stands for $150,000 now (change in economic times) so that should give a better understanding of the kind of money that’s invested in high profile TB pregnancies.
That of course doesn’t cover the cost of boarding, veterinary care, etc. that also goes with that breeding fee and into the cost of a broodmare.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and enjoying yourself. Be happy sweetie!
Love & Blessings Always-
LouAnn
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet lady Zenyatta, I think your life is going to be so much different than before. The wonderful uncomplicated life you have right now you better enjoy it. The work is about to begin. I didn’t know that you would be pregnant year after year! How many times can a horse be safely pregnant? I’m a retired R.N. and I worry about you and what will become of you after you can no longer can deliver foals? My heart hurts to think of that and I have tears in my eyes. I love you, Zenyatta.
Love from Albama with hugs & kisses, Amanda
emmy
@retrospective….thanks for your factual explanations of the broodmare situation!!! We might add that the stallions are probably ridden when breeding season is over…they are too busy breeding mares(sometimes as many as 3 a day!!!)during the breeding season. The mares(as you explained so well) are busy raising those foals(who are VERY DEMANDING of their mama’s time ….usually nursing as often as every 15 minutes in the first couple of months,especially. Plus, as you said, the personnel at a breeding farm is occupied with breeding and raising foals…NOT RIDING…most,if not all,probably don’t ride. PS Got a chuckle out of your explaining that the mares would be having “hissy fits and temper tantrums” if their best buddy is taken out of the pasture to go riding!!!
Diane Bourgeois
Take iy easy Miss Z you showed me what you are made of and that you have so much HEART. You will go down as the best Filly ever.Nite nite
Anne
Glad to read you are doing well and you have the feet of a dancer. It is so nice that Dottie does what little spare time she has giving us your updates. They are truly well received and informative. Keep them coming dear girl we LOVE hearing from you. :<) How about Giants Causeway then you could be Souper Spectacular's aunt and he could also have a half bro or sister… interesting…huh?
Retrospectiv
@ Amanda G:
Broodmares are often bred into their early 20s as long as their health is good. Some have produced upwards of 18+ foals in a lifetime, often delivering foals 10+ years in a row without a break.
Sometimes a mare’s body will ‘force’ a break and they will not get pregnant even after multiple attempts in one season and occassionally if a mare was late getting pregnant one season or perhaps had complications with delivery, the farm will choose to give her a year off and breed early again the following season.
Where the ‘official’ birthday of Tbs is Jan 1st breeders like to produce early foals so they are competitive in spring/summer races. That’s why the breeding sheds open around Feb 15 (gestation is 11 months). The 15th leaves a 2 week window for mares that foal unexpectdly early.
@ Emmy,
Yes, good point! With the number of mares commercial stallions cover there’s no time to ride them during breeding season ;-)
For those not assicoated with horses, the top stallions will breed up to 200 (or more) mares this coming spring, and they ‘serve’ every one naturally….no artificial insemination or embryo transfers allowed in Tbs! (and that IS tradition and nothing more…)
Shari Voltz
Hi Zenyatta. I have an answer for Patricia. My friend owns a dairy farm and once a race horse is retired they have to be retrained to learn to be able to be ridden. I rode Armondo (a saved race horse). He had to be taught how to be ridden by just a regular rider. He is so sweet. Real layed back and I enjoyed a trail ride on him. It was exciting. He never took off or tried to run with me.
Zenyatta I think your family knows what is best for you and I respect that. Be on the lookout for a Christmas card from my 5th grade homeroom class. They know how much I love you. Take care sweet girl. Lots of hugs and kisses from Shari in Ohio.
Sunny Boyd
Giddy Y’Up, Zetty :)
Thoroughbreds as our Zenyatta are of the hot blooded variety, then there’s warm blooded( your Quarter Horses) & cold blooded( the biggies, Clydesdales/drafthorses).
The Hotties get more & more excitable and harder to control as they are being ridden, it has an exhilarating effect rather than slowing down one. The idea right now is to get her used to a slower pace altogether.
emmy
@retrospectiv….live cover is a bit more than just tradition….it prevents some of the “hanky-panky” that goes on in many,if not most,of the breeds that permit,even encourage, A.I. and embryo transfer.
Sharon
one hundred percent agree on keeping the language of these posts obscenity free — in the spirit of Zenyatta’s legacy – dignity, class, joy and a sweet nature. To all those who have shared their knowledge about breeding – thanks!! To Zenyatta, happy retirement! I’m looking forward to it in six months!!
ROBIN BEERS
Actually a mare who is exercised by riding of some sort lives a longer healthier life. Anyone who has owned and loved a retired racehorse knows this. All horses can get attached to their stablemates, this is not a valid reason for not riding them,pregnant or not. All my thoroughbreds have lived well into their 30’s due to proper diet, exercise and good care. It is sad that a horse with talent and a good disposition will be used only for breeding. Zen would make someone a wonderful pleasure horse.
Sunny Boyd
@Kitei
Isn’t that why GUYS in their late 4o’s/or 50’s ditch the rusty ball & chain for a NEW SHINY ball & chain?;)
Alene
Hi my sweet Zenny…I`m sure everyone misses you very very much at home back in Ca. Barn 55 will NEVER be the same. But life goes on. Just as you are doing… You`re beautiful Zenny. I love you.. You Best win HOY or I will go crazy. No matter what there is and will only be one Zenyatta. The best mare ever. I say that with great love and respect to the ” great Secretariat”. You`re right up there with him. I was very good friends with his late exercise rider, Jimmy Gaffney. WellZenny, Love gorgeous girl….Lots of Love and BIG hugs and Kisses always,Alene
S
Hey everyone… Zennie deserves the opportunity to be retired! Riding would be more of a human need for contact. We put the bit in their mouths, we train them to accept a saddle and our weight on their backs. They allow us …. some like our queen do everything and more then we ask!! Let’s give her the chance to just be a horse, a very loved and well cared of horse who has served us all well! She does noy know what freedom feels like yet. Let’s see how she acts after she grazes without a lead on, runs when she wants, lays down and rolls when she wants and has friends to play with or boss around when she wants! I do believe she will be the queen in her band of girl- friends!! Have fun Z.
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, You have been the best mount and we will never forget your career. Oh my, the thought of riding you for a minute!! Only the best have had the chance and rightly so.
Wish only the best for your transition to the blue grass paddock. You deserve to be just a horse sweet girl.
Hugs and smooches!!
Bridget
Will you miss being ridden, Z?
Bob Rose
Went for a scheduled Dr. visit yesterday Zenyatta, and she said my health has improved tremendously, and asked me if I had any idea what had improved me so much. I said I not only have an idea, but I am positive. Asked her if she was familiar with Zenyatta. She said what kind of treatment is that. I knew the moment that you gave me your undivided attention Zenyatta, I was on the mend! Even went back to visit you, and got a second treatment…and still am on cloud 9! Meeting John and his crew brightened my visit even further. What an amazing ending for my 50+ years as a horseman, one I could have never anticipated in my wildest imagination! May your entire crew be blessed for the hospitality they extended on your behalf…and that also includes Dottie, for sure. Merry Christmas to you and the entire Z Team!
Anita
Hi Z! I know you love to look around at your surroundings. I’ve never seen a horse look around like you do. I used to love to see how you checked out the field of horses in front of you after you broke from the gate with your ears pricked, looking side to side. Too Cute!! Love you Big Girl. Enjoy your looking about!
Sharon in Ohio
Yes, I agree with the fact that Zennie, needs to be a Mom, the most wonderful job ever, and she is so awesome that the world needs her beautiful off spring, with that being said. I would like to say that, I am seeing lots of people here that love her so much and want to know everything about her. She has captured there hearts and WE all love her.I have h thought that would it not have been nice to see her in the public eye, as a step down….since she raced into our lives and seemed to flee to the farm soooo fast…like pronto! What about if she could have been in the public a little. longer. I me a few months. She is after all a national Star, now and she earned that title. No one on earth could have been prepared for her fame ! Lots of fans, come from all kinds of lives.Some have never watched racing before. Some, as I have read, city, some country, all states and countries. The very freezing cold night she arrived in Ky. to live at the farm, people crowded to see her by the hundreds,with their families and little kids. All screaming Zenyatta, we all know that she even has a song named after her…by Lisa F. Fly, Z, she really is bigger than life,even 20/20 knows that…no other like her to compare.
Catherine Uher
Forget the Liquid Ivory for Rebekah’s potty mouth… she needs bleach! Zenyatta is above that kind of language and so are her true fans, so do not disrespect her or her fans again. If you want to talk like that, go sell it somewhere else! Okay, now that that’s off my chest, I am soooo happy to hear from you beautiful girl! I couldn’t find your diary post yesterday, even late into last night, and I was getting worried! You have some very protective fans and we worry about you like a bunch of mama hens! Speaking of mama’s… oh my goodness, your mom is gorgeous! Love the picture you shared with all of us! : ) I bet your feet are feeling fabulous… I know mine always do after I get a pedicure! I hope you have gotten so many treats and gifts from your fans that you have enough to share with all of the other horses at LE! Especially the precious Life is Sweet! I know you’re in a different barn than her since she’s in foal, but maybe you could sweet talk Charles into taking her some goodies! <3 Thank you so much to both you and Dottie for keeping us updated everyday with your progress and your new life! This is the highlight of my day! Much love and peppermint kisses pretty girl!
Sharon in Ohio
Yes, I agree with the fact that Zennie, needs to be a Mom, the most wonderful job ever, and she is so awesome that the world needs her beautiful off spring, with that being said. I would like to say that lots of people here love her so much and want to know everything about her. She has captured there hearts and WE all love her.I have thought that would it not have been nice to see her in the public eye, as a step down….since she raced into our lives and seemed to flee to the farm soooo fast…like pronto! What about if she could have been in the public a little. longer. I me a few months. She is after all a national Star, now and she earned that title. No one on earth could have been prepared for her fame ! Lots of fans, come from all kinds of lives.Some have never watched racing before. Some, as I have read, city, some country, all states and countries. The freezing cold night she arrived in Ky. to live at the farm, people crowded to see her by the hundreds,with their families and little kids. All screaming Zenyatta, we all know that she even has a song named after her…by Lisa F. Fly. Z, really is bigger than life,even 20/20 knows that…no other like her to compare. So who knows the answer, there is no role model for the Greatest Horse in History..she is a living legend. She broke the World Record set by the Rock of Gibraltar.
Sheri Osborne
Thats cool Z! But I bet you’ll miss being ridden, even a little bit. love you Zenyatta! :)
Marta Pilling
The pastures in Kentucky are beautiful and huge so Zenyatta will get plenty of exercise. It must be like heaven for a horse. And would you want to be ridden if you were pregnant?
Lanie onson
Hi sweet girl! Sure is cold tonight in the ole Bluegrass.I can’t sleep unles I’ve checked your diary!The grankids are spending the night and one of the frist things I was asked was had I been reading the diary? They have! Isn’t that the best?
I have to let them watch you dance when they come.They talk all the time about the time when we can visit!They donated to several horse causes because they wanted to do it. We talked about it and they were so excited to help!
Ahh..I would so love to see another race girl..wouldn’t we all? However, you did not “come with a saddle.You were trained to live within our boundaries…you gave every time you were asked.
As for the breeding…out of ultimate respect for you…we must…the continuation of your line gives credence to all that we admire in you.
Money is involved and thank God for people who have the means to insure that such greatnes moves on to the next generation. Would that we could have bred great men lost to us now..certainly is a fact that politicians
might not be the sorry lot they are!
I believe with all my heart that the “Z” team and all those at Lane’s End most definitely know they have a warrior and gentle soul who led them..not the other way around. At the first sign of harm..the slightest threat ..they will make the right decisions.
These people love you,even if it is hard to believe,more than we can know. That isn’t something you can say about every great race horse..but the ones who have remained inside of our memories..were loved..cherished for their unbelievale athletic ability,their natures, their strength of will..we can’t forget them.
I’ll never forget when Frankie Lovato said that the 2010 Breeder’s Cup was the most unbelievable test of character and ability he had ever seen on a track..and he’s been around..he’s seen it all..he was brought to tears. You always “give back” now it is time that you “go back” to what nature intended.
I have faith in the “team”. You’ll live a long healthy life if the fates allow and I also believe that you know people will come, to admire, to touch,to pay homage, and you will graciously return the same to them. I know I will never face another challenge that I won’t think of what you have accomplished..you never saw a line you couldn’t get to first..and they said “it couldn’t be done”. That’s all I need.
You sleep tight and take care of those who take care of you…kiss Kitty for me…and again..you and me here under the moon..over Kentucky!
Snoprinz
I guess some fans want to know why you can’t be ridden for health and maintenance reasons not as preparation for racing. What will your diet be like as a broodmare? Again thanks for the info Zen.
OraJean Stevenson
Queen-Z and Team-Z, especially Dottie, you are all too kind, spending so much of your time keeping your fans updated !!! It makes me feel quite loved !! Many thanks. Stay warm and have fun. Fondly, OraJean
PS…Thanks to Sharon Call for helping me with finding the “Older” Diary entries.