Happy Wednesday!
This morning, the fields will be announced for the 2011 World Championships. I’ve just heard that 193 horses did pre-enter for this year’s events! 29 of them will be coming from overseas!
In our sport, so many wonderful horses…so accomplished, so talented, so dedicated…have paved the way for ALL OF US who followed. MY JOHN saw this collage and couldn’t resist taking the photo. He absolutely loves and respects the history of our sport. It is so important to take the time and honor horses who have done so much for our industry.
When you trace pedigree lines so many of these names appear. These horses and their accomplishments truly did impact our sport….not just on a racing level…but to the breeding sheds for decades and decades.
I wonder…as they announce the fields this morning….which horses will be etching his / her names into the historical journals for our sport in the generations to come?
Goldikova has already made such an impressive mark as she returns to defend her title for the 4th year in a row. This is truly something to be honored. My pal, Gio Ponti, is cross-entered in both the MILE and the CLASSIC. Hmmm…I wonder which race his connections will select? This will be his third straight year of Breeders’ Cup participation…on a such a high level. What an outstanding achievement this is!
Several other very talented horses as Switch, Courageous Cat, Midday and Shared Account (to name a few) who have very prominently participated in prior CUP RACES are returning to the event this year. Anytime an athlete can remain at such a high performance level for so many seasons…it is noteworthy on so many levels. I must say, I am SO PROUD of ALL OF THESE HORSES and THEIR CONNECTIONS!
All the best to the 193 pre-entered horses as they continue to prepare for their respective races. We will have so much FUN following them during the next several days!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Countdown to MY PARTY…10 days! I’m getting SO EXCITED! Buy Tickets
Robin - Ventura CA
@Joyce-well said! Brought tears to my eyes, which is nothing new when you are on this site. Everyone of you that posts daily are wonderful human beans!
Zenyatta you are remarkable in everyway! Love you always and forever!
Robin - Ventura CA
Any word on where Zenny painting will hang?
MARY
WOW HOW EXCITING…I LOVE THAT PIC YOU PUT UP TODAY…HORSERACING HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY ONLY SPORT…LOL MOST PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE WORLD SERIES AND THE SUPER BOWL…I LOVE THE BREEDERS CUP BECAUSE IN 2008 I SAW YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME AND YOU DREW MY HEART AT FIRST SIGHT…SO TALL AND MAGNIFICANT…I WILL BE AT SANTA ANITA DURING THIS YEARS BREEDERS CUP, AS I CANNOT GET TO KENTUCKY BUT I SURE HOPE THEY SHOW US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PARTY…IF NOT I WILL GET TO READ ALL ABOUT IT I’M SURE…YOU ALWAYS BRING MAGIC TO THE EVENT AND I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WILL FOR EVERY EVENT YOU PUT YOURSELF IN:)
ZENYATTA I LOVE YOU:)
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin
Oh Zenny, what a wonderful tribute to all the greats, everyone before has said it so eloquently there not much more to add but I can’t wait till your picture is put in a collage of great horses one day. Just hearing the names gives me goosebumps! Can’t wait to get to your party, see your picture, and live video, and meet your whole team.
I wish for safe trips for all but am rooting for our American horses to do us proud.
Luv and Kisses on your nose
Cynthia H.
@Kendra: Thanks! I do now see Bold Ruler, directly above Tom Fool. I might not have even recognized the latter, were it not for the famous Greentree silks. Tom Fool is present in Vertigineaux’s ancestry, and was a monster horse. Switching to human bloodlines, Ted Atkinson was his regular jockey, and he is the maternal grandfather of racing commentator Caton Brader. That is Assault to the right of Your Host, and I do see Seabiscuit, just above Count Fleet, which is the horse in the lower right corner. Great spotting! I am not sure about the horse at 7:00 below Seabiscuit being Whirlaway, either. I wish it were a more full shot, as he had the most gloriously long tail, and that would have helped.
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin
@Diane S left a message for you on the bottom of Post #364.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
What a great picture, I can understand why YOUR JOHN would want to take a photo. I hope you’ve had better weather today than we’ve had here in Fort Erie. The weather forecaster on TV yesterday actually said the S word, but none has fallen. You seemed to like the S stuff, the video of YOU running around your paddock in it is a delight, it’s just not for me.
Joyce in LV – Well said, my thoughts exactly.
Cynthia H.
I was just thinking, that the photograph of the mystery horse is obviously not part of the original collage, and was added later for a special reason. Perhaps it was a horse which should have been included, but was over-looked? The photo looks to be early—perhaps 1920s?
Yvonne Lentini in NJ
It’s been almost a year since we’ve seen you last. Oh how I miss you little princess.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Rachel in CA – Isn’t Zenny just the best medicine ever!
@Shari – I am so happy that Larry is doing well!!
@JAG – Great info on the Carousel, what fun that will be for the Dumplings! The classic gallery photos were fantastic.
@D Stuart – Thank you again for all of the work you put into our wonderful Dumpling Name Tags. I have mine right next to my Zenyatta #19. Too Cute!
@Abigail in Montreal – Looking forward to your next Vault entry. Thinking about you and hoping you are doing well! I agree we have a wonderful family here, sharing the love. How fun it would be to sit down with you and sip a cup of tea, spending hours going over your photo collection. I enjoy photography a great deal also and combining that with the history and visiting with you, well how fun would that be! Thank you for being such a champion of all those wonderful horses who have put their hoof prints in the sands of time.
@Karen Gogue – Love having you back! You’re the best!!
@Kathy Kimber – I agree whole heartedly on your comparison of Dottie with those others who have been great ladies in the sport of horse racing. They are remarkable women. Give my regards to Charlotte.
@Joyce in Vegas – Your post was wonderful!
@Delrene from Carlsbad – What a fantastic idea. I think that would be amazing!! The festival sounds great. So many gorgeous horses all in one place. I used to go to the Equestrian Center when I lived in LA and watch a lot of the events, it was wonderful.
HappyHarriet
Dear Z and Baby On Board:
.
Good news! Terry Crow has been sighted, and has given a direct message to all his fans here at Z Central, and I quote:
.
“Can you tell the Z’sters that my
internet is down and I have been unable to post.”
.
I’m sure the Queen joins all the Z’sters to say, “Hurry back, Terry!” Zennie – maybe Mr. Crow is using his internet-less hours to write more great jokes!
.
~~HH
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Dearest Z– that is an amzing picture. I just wish I knew who they all are. I would love to have a copy with names under each one.
@Cynthia H–who is the one that is second to the left of MOW? (next to the frame). He looks just like our boy.
@Abigail in Montreal–thank you so much for being the historian that you are. You are doing it for all of us.
@Gloria Jeanne- prayers and best wishes for your mom.
Maybe next year those of us who aren’t going this year can meet together,
So many great posts today. Love them all.
#1 New England fan
Such a great post today! I love JOHN’s appreciation of history and wonder if he has yet fully realized how important he has become as one of the key players in the newest and perhaps most exciting chapter in the history of TB racig. It’s only a matter of time until the Queen Z books and documentaries begin to appear, and I can’t wait!
Does anyone know how I can buy a BC commemorative program from last year as well as this year? Once again I can’t attend, but would love to get them.
@ JAG – I do like knowing where people are from. Thanks for the suggestion!
@ Joyce – thanks for saying it so well for so many of us who are mezmerized by Zenyatta’s accomplishments.
@ Ingrid in MA – what part of the state do you live in — I’m on the South Shore of Boston. Are we neighbors?
Good health and best wishes to all in Zenyattaland! Daily visits to this site are always uplifting.
Annie B in MA
Allie
John, your photo and Joyce of Vegas inspired me to research where the 11 Triple Crown Winners are buried.
–SIR BARTON, originally buried on a ranch in the foothills of the Laramie Mountains, was later moved to Washington Park in Douglas, Wyoming.
–GALLANT FOX is buried at Claiborne Farm
–WAR ADMIRAL was originally interred at Faraway Farm, but was later buried, along with his sire Man O’ War, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
–COUNT FLEET was buried at Stoner Creek Farm, now a Standardbred breeding operation, in Paris, KY. One of Count Fleet’s daughters produced Kelso.
–WHIRLAWAY (aka Mr. Longtail) was originally buried on Marcel Boussac’s farm in France but was later moved to Calumet.
–ASSAULT was foaled and buried at the King Ranch in Texas
–CITATION is buried at Calumet.
–SECRETARIAT is buried at Claiborne Farm.
–SEATTLE SLEW is buried at Hill ‘N Dale Farm near Lexington, KY. Three Chimneys has a statue of him as he stood stud there.
–AFFIRMED, the great, great, great grandson of Man O’ War is buried at Darley America at Jonabell Farm.
Although this is common knowledge takes a while to research, so thought I’d list the information.
OMAHA HAS GONE MISSING.
When Omaha died in 1959 at the age of 27, he was buried in the Circle of Champions at the Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack. The track closed in 1995 and the land was taken over by the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Omaha’s grave is next to a home economics and culinary arts classroom. When a cooking project fails, the unfortunate student is told to “Give it to Omaha” (throw it out the window). Students on their way in to a test often nod toward the gravesite for good luck. –No one knows for sure where His bones are.
Joyce, I sincerely hope that we can bring Omaha home to Claiborne and have him buried next to his sire. These gravesites mean so much to many of us. I’ve seen people break down and cry at the tombstones of these great champions. I truly believe Omaha deserves better.
Mary
Hi Z….yes an exciting time in racing. But there is and has never been a horse as wonderful and special as you…now how many horses have your record…but most of all…now think about it…how many horses danced when getting ready to race…and for their fans. You like I have said…are a gift from Heaven…that special one that is so different from the others. Now Secretariart loved the camera like you…and he sure was special…but you got it over him just a little bit…I do not think he danced. ;)Hugs to you and to Dottie…we could never know all this about you without the special Dottie.
Cynthia H./L.A. L.A. Land
@Barbara Wood: The horse to the immediate left of MOW galloping with arched neck is Citation (“Big Cy”); to his left with the four stnading bandages is Round Table. What a phenomenal turf horse he was!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Tried to make out the names of the horses in the collage. I think I see Round Table, Kelso, Damascus, Gallant Fox, Citation, Omaha, Count Fleet, War Admiral, Carry Back, Majestic Prince and, of course, Man O’War. I couldn’t make out all of them.
Here are links on some of them:
Citation: http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/citation.html
Mary
Secretariat ….better correct the spelling of his name ..in honor to him….I just type …and push the spell check way too much..and forgot the spell check. I know with all the writing you and Dottie do…you know all about spell check. :)
judy berube from Rhode Island
Damascus: http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/damascus.html
Cynthia H./L.A. L.A. Land
*standing
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
My dear Zenyatta, what a wonderful photo what a wonderful tribute to all the great ones!
I am trying to see if I can go to your party, my only problem is that my mother is not filling well; I hope she gets better soon. Love you Ingrid.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Gallant Fox:http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/gallantfox.html
judy berube from Rhode Island
Count Fleet: http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/countfleet.html
judy berube from Rhode Island
Majestic Prince: http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/majesticprince.html
Elaine
When they update the history picture, YOU will be on it!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Carry Back: http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/carryback.html
judy berube from Rhode Island
Man O’War: http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/manowar.html
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ingrid Arnone:
Wishing your Mom well. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Allie:
Thanks for the info on the burial sites of our Triple Crown Winners. Hugs, JB
Cynthia H./L.A. L.A. Land
@judy berube: More: Your Host (from Abigail); Swaps, Bold Ruler, Assault, Secretariat, Seabiscuit and maybe Whirlaway (from Kendra); also, Ack Ack, Tom Fool, Exterminator, Dr. Fager, Nasrullah, Native Dancer, and Native Diver. Thanks and hugs!