Happy Friday!
I sincerely hope the first week of 2012 has been a very good one for you, your friends and families! The NEW YEAR here at Lane’s End is off to a wonderful beginning. The weather in Lexington has really been rather pleasant. So far, it has been a much more mild winter than I experienced last year when arriving at my new home.
Dottie was teasing David this morning and asking…”What happened to the 7 degrees we were in last December?” It has not been anything like that to date. I must say TASTY and I are enjoying all of our time outdoors. It has rained a bit and that is terrific! The rain has provided ME with several fun opportunities to ‘roll and play in the mud’. Fortunately, Matt takes such great care of ME that I was ‘bathed and polished’ afterwards! He is such a GREAT SPORT! I am truly one fortunate horse to have so much personal attention!
Many of you are already keeping track of the time until MY BIG EVENT happens. Since it is so new to ME…and this is the first time I am experiencing all of the life changes with becoming a MOM…I am going day by day, taking great care of myself, eating right, and enjoying every moment!
We do have something very special to share with you today. Last November, when the video feed was being organized for my ZENYATTA BREEDERS’ CUP PARTY, I was able to meet MY PLUSHIE for the very first time. This PLUSHIE was created especially of ME for ME! I was able to see it… play with it… and ‘check it out’. What a thrill! I must say (BLUSH, BLUSH), I think they did an absolutely fabulous job capturing ME and ALL of my features! Purchase one here.
CAN YOU IMAGINE ME and A BABY ME?
The thought of having someone to nurture and care for is truly something to appreciate and look forward to in each of the coming months!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(Have a fabulous weekend…and enjoy all of the good racing around the country!)
Z
signofthetimes
Here we go, another great TB sale !!!!
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66849/keeneland-january-sale-pedigree-power
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Yes, another great sale. Just love going to the sales. I think its only just a few days, though.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Zenny you and the Plushie are just beautiful (as always) love seeing the video.
Just a little note Cozi RoziHip # 675 selling Jan 10 at the Keeneland Sale. Hope she goes to a wonderful buyer. Hope they have streaming video of the sale, but I guess I will be at work. Zenny you will have to keep us posted. Love ya Peggy
Marty R / Colorado
Another name that stuck out to me on that day is Hip #539, St Trinians. Of course, it was announced last year that she was being retired and would be going to auction. Seeing her name wasn’t quite the surprise as seeing Cozi Rosi’s name.
signofthetimes
Maybe they are making room for Zenny’s foals!!!
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Marty I didn’t know about St Trinians, I must have missed that. Thanks for letting us know. i am going to have to go to Keenelands website and see if they are going to be doing the video feed for Monday and Tuesday.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
OOps my mistake. The Keeneland sale is Monday thru Thursday Jan 9, thru Jan l2. We may not know till Monday if they are offering video fee.
sharon in seattle
I’m just praying for good owners and homes for Cosi and St. Trinians
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sharon in Seattle,
I’m hoping the same for those wonderful mares. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
Dear Sarah and Matt,
Thanks so much for that very cute video of both of you and Zenny and her plushie.
I love when her ears go in opposite directions. I guess she is listening to both of
you. She really thinks that plushie, is cute. It is so very funny to see her being a
horse, which she is and not ” talking human”. Thanks for taking all of this time
to keep her in our hearts. Thanks to Team Z for sharing her with us as well.
We are really seeing how a broodmare lives, which is usually a deep dark secret. XXXXOOOO
signofthetimes
The Sham Stakes is going to be a really great race to watch this weekend, some up and coming baby three year old; only 7 days into their 3 year old year.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66823/secret-circle-makes-3yo-debut-in-sham-stakes
M. Kern
Oh my goodness! I wonder how you look like after rolling in the mad. Well I guest you are enjoying life and just being yourself. I am so glad that you got Matt to take really good care of you. I love the video so much. You’re so adorable Queen Z. I love you. Have fun outside with Tasty.
Candi E. Carter
ooh Zenny your are so gentle, and lovable, you are my inspiration in my life , cannot wait to read your diary every night.Regards to your bff tasty.Love you my LADY Z,good night xoxox!!!!.
Linda
Just ordered my Zenyatta “mini me”! Can’t wait! Love the video! You bring a smile to my face ever single blog/diary posting–THANK YOU!!!
signofthetimes
Just watched the video “Barn 55 feeding time”, that is the quietest equine feeding time I have every seen.
I guess the humans are having so much fun, the horses know that the food is coming so they don’t have to make noise cause the humans are. TOO CUTE!!!
sue and Tony
We love that video , too. There is a special carma in that barn as you can see from the video.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Signofthetimes:
I have seen the video of of “Barn 55 Feeding Time” before, and I totally agree with you, I’ve never seen anything like it. So much laughing and banter back and forth. Dear John makes a very comfortable environment for his staff and his horses. Fun to watch. Love and Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
I hope that your foal is not to mischievous; you may have to learn to be a little firm; or maybe you can be that way as well. Those little foals can really be a handful.
XXXXOOOO
signofthetimes
Breeder’s cup winners; giving back $ to help retired TB racers; Hansen is such a talent
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66844/hansen-assists-new-vocations-adoption-program
Andrea
Thank You so much for the video! Keep them coming if you can!
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
Zenyatta She’s On Top Of The World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9LqtboDZrQ&feature=youtu.be
Liza G. Fly did her song ~ now we have this new tribute! I like it!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Wow, thanks, JAG! A beautiful song, “Zenyatta–She’s on Top of the World” —she sure is, and she makes US feel like we are too!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
This one is great too, JAG. I was singing along!!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear JAG:
Wonderful tribute video to Z. Thank you. Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thanks for the link–love it!
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
ZENYATTA – GIRL POWER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICT7sofhMuA&feature=related
Yes!! Go down memory lane…….. XOXO
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Beautiful video–THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
JAG – Thank you for the fantastic link!!!
sharon in seattle
OK, now I have to get a kleenex and do the usual after tearing up big time seeing the video. this is one of the best I’ve ever seen! powerful – from the perspective of the crowd. It is awesome. When it was over my whole body was one giant chill !! THANK YOU for posting!!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Congratulations to Chantal Sutherland on her New Year’s Eve engagement to Dan Kruse. Wishing you both every happiness!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good luck to Chantal also aboard the Mosses’ Utopian, trained by our John, in Race 8 Saturday at SA, Post time 4:07 Pacific.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations to the Mosses, John Shirreffs, and Mikie on Fordham Road’s second place, just a head behind first yesterday at SA.
Rosemary McCauley So. Cal.
@Trina – I also am also happy for Chantal. I don’t recognize the name Dan Kruse. Is he a horseman?
signofthetimes
His family is on the meat cutting business
Rosemary McCauley So. Cal.
@signofthetimes. Thanks for the info on Dan Kruse. Wishing them the best.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Wishing every happiness fro Chantal.
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
David Letterman – Erin Bolster and her horse Tonk – 2011.10.11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX_c4YbeNmY
You might recall this story… I just learned that TONK is 17.2 hands just like Zenny. They bring him out at the end of the video – look how beautiful he is! XOXO
Cindy M. Ottawa, Canada
Wow this was amazing, I’ve been on quite a few trail rides, thankfully we never encountered a bear.
Deer, coyotes and a couple of wolves made the horses nervous enough.
Tonk and Erin have a real bond. David Letterman’s audience was probably as much of a challenge as the bear!
signofthetimes
Loved this show, when he did this segment.
AJ from CA
Jag – I just loved that story of Tonk and Erin taking on the cranky bear and great that no one got hurt. It would have been nice if Letterman had the boy who they rescued there also. Thanks for sharing!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
What a story!1 Wish I could say I’d have been that brave.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Here is a great link to a story about Jim Rome that Three Chimneys sent today.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/teresagenaro/2012/01/06/jim-rome-out-of-the-jungle-and-onto-the-horse-farm/
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Dawn:
I love reading all your posts, but that link you posted about Jim Rome and Three Chimneys really hit a home run for me. I like Jim Rome as a sports commentator, but now I love him. He is exactly the kind of person that should own racehorses. The kind of owner who cares about his horses from Birth to Retirement. Or as in Gallitin Run’s case from Ownership to Retirement. It would seem the new baby soon to be born to Mr. Rome’s mare, Surfer Girl, will always have a loving protector in him. Thank you for the link. Love and Hugs, JB
sue and Tony
Dawn, we appreciaed the link to another great story about Jim Rome. He has always been such a great Zenyatta supporter and was absolutely thrilled when he had the chance to visit her at LE early last year. He mentioned it often on his show and in print.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
All – Here is a link I shared yesterday about the HISTORY OF THE TRIPLE CROWN. Seeing photos and actual movies of horses who have won is amazing. The rite of spring will be happening soon and this year’s three year olds are already preparing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ydvLngTm0
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
All – When I was reading Zenyatta’s words yesterday about a desire and love to run in the thoroughbred as well as pedigree and Eclipse Awards, I thought about this video that I had watched about the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, NY. Mother and I spent hours going through this very special place. It is absolutely wonderful for any fan of the sport. I loved it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec88k615iPg
Darlene Daniels
Dawn Conrad, You are awesome, amazing. I love all your posts and links. Thank You so much! Really enjoyed this video. Such a pleasure to come to after a hard night at work. Love Darlene Daniels.
signofthetimes
Really love the video.
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin
Dawn thanks for the great links, Jim Rome is a real upstanding guy to buy back his gelding and pay him back for being a real tryer. Kudos to him, we need more like him.
The Triple Crown link took me back to those wonderful years and wonderful horses that accomplished what seems now like the impossible. I’ve always felt Seattle Slew has been overshadowed by some of the others, especially since he was the only horse ever to win the TC undefeated!! Love him so much. Hugs
AJ from CA
Dawn – Thank you for the awesome museum link! Wish we had something similar here on the west coast to introduce folks to the rich and exciting history of thoroughbred racing but now I have more reason to visit New York.
Mary
Hi Z,
All the post have been outstanding. Love the “Mini Me”. Was wondering if you could shed a little light on your fellow Ann & Jerry Moss owned horse Cozi Rosi, I just saw that she is going through the January mixed sale as a broodmare prospect. Inquiring minds are wondering why the Mosses are not breeding her themselves.
Thanks for the anticipate help..you are awesome!
Mary
signofthetimes
Maybe getting ready for Zenny’s foals??
Peggy (N) South Georgia
I have been wondering the same thing myself. I am a big fan of Rozi’s. Maybe someone will shed some light on this.
Kathy S.
What an outstanding video! I can’t wait to order a Zenny Plushie to cuddle up with. The Lane’s End folks are SO LUCKY to get to cuddle up with the Queen HERSELF. Happy weekend, everybody.
signofthetimes
Uh Oh Bango great pic at Santa Anita ; John Sherriffs
Gloria Jeanne - In The "O.C." SO CAL
Does anyone know if the Mosses are going to Breed Zenny again right after she foals. Or are they going to give Zenny a year off to enjoy her first foal? Any inside information would be great. Also, if they do breed her right away who will be the next Stallion to grace the “Cover” of Zenyatta.
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
It is general practice to re-breed the mare fairly soon after she foals. It does her no harm if she is healthy. She can have a foal by her side, nurse it, and be pregnant with her next year’s foal at the same time. If all goes well, Zenny will have her foal with her for about 6 months give or take. After that, the foal will be weaned and will be pastured with other weanlings. Zenny will join other in-foal mares, hopefully including Tasty.
No word on her next beau.
Barbara Grimaldi/Skip & Juliet/NJ
if our best stallions travel all over the world for half the year, why can’t his people bring Galileo here?
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
Galileo is already located in the Northern hemisphere. He’s based in Ireland. When stallions shuttle, they are going to Southern hemisphere locations–Australia, Argentina, etc. The breeding seasons in the north and south are offset by 6 months–fall here is spring there. Southern hemisphere TBs have an official birthday of July 1, and breeding occurs in August-November.
Galileo could come to the U.S., if his owners wanted to stand him here a full season. They would have to plan months in advance, in order to set him up with a place to stay, advertise, allow breeders to see him, and fill his book. But they have no incentive to do so, as he is highly sought after and gets the best mares in Europe. He probably wouldn’t be as popular here, as his progeny run on turf. His few yearlings in the last Keeneland sale sold well but did not attract the attention that I thought they would.
Stephanie in San Diego
Barbara and Judy B. Great stories!! Did FF get the role of his great daddy? Guess I will have to look that up this morning:))
ok…this is just an idea…and I have no idea how it could be done…….so if it is stupid..please just read and move on )
Maybe we can all do a spare change collection. Not sure how it would work, but what if somehow when we purchase from Zenny’s store, we were able to select an option that would allow our “spare change” to go into a bucket. Example: cost for item and shipping might be $56.40, then the .60 could go into the bucket (if I indicated it). Might be to much extra work for team Z, but most of us always have a little lose change at the bottom of our handbags or in the car cupholder….would be nice if we had a way to get it in a mutual bucket. We could probably save or help at least one horse a month.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Stephanie in S.D.,
So glad you enjoyed Freedom’s Flight’s story. I was wondering if he got a role in the Secretariat Movie too. I will see if I can find anything on it.
Your idea of spare change when ordering from Z’s store is a great one. Maybe something can be set up by Dottie. Isn’t the Plushie adorable! Hugs, JB
Sunny Boyd
:)
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Found on Mike Smith’s FB page: Want to own a racehorse?
Stronach Forms Six Publicly Held Companies: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66797/stronach-forms-six-publicly-held-companies
signofthetimes
Interesting link.!!!
Barbara Grimaldi/Skip & Juliet/NJ
one wonders if racing has been helped or hindered by consortiums of professionals who are not horse people…just curious concerning what all the pros on this site will say
Perky Green
Precious, absolutely Precious
Teresa E
Hi and a very Happy New Year to you all! You know, I think with the huge popularity of Zenyatta, she and her “team” would want to make sure to help as many in-need horses as they can. We all know Z and baby will be always taken care of, but I know many of you on here know the horrors the not so great horses (on the track, etc) go through, and they have this happen to them for no fault of their own. I would love to see a half or third, etc. of the plushies go towards helping other horses in need. I bet if Z could talk, she would want that. Or if the webmaster could kindly put in a section to Helping Horses?? What do you all think? So many slip through the cracks and just because they can’t run fast enough they meet a horrific end to their innocent lives. Disclaimer: I’m not a member of PETA, just a fellow TB owner and and my first mare is a granddaughter of Seattle Slew! The family has a certain look about the face and she has it. I give monthly to charities, and as someone earlier mentioned about the change left over to save horses, we could do alot, along with Zenyatta and her family. They don’t need to make any more money, but the horses in need really need HELP.
Just a thought….
Also, I ask the same ? as Gloria Jeanne: is Z going to be instantly re-bred immediately or is she going to have some time off to be a horse, enjoy the foal, and perhaps some of the folks like us that love her so much might get a chance to see her. We could all pay, let’s say ten dollars to get in as a DONATION for the horses in need. Just THINK of what good everyone could do!!! I worked very hard with others to close down the IL horse slaughter plant, now I’ve been told by my State Senators office that Pres. Obama has signed off on an Agriculture bill to REOPEN the slaughter plants. IMHO, horses are not slaughter livestock; they are companion animals.
Sorry for the long post, but I would love to see what you other caring folks think about this???
Oh, yes its true, when my mare was pregnant with her first baby (a SC filly before he was pensioned) she would jump and sometimes kinda snort as the baby would kick her in the sides and she would turn her head and look at her stomach! LOL
Another topic (sorry) we have a 17 hand chestnut mare that of course would have big babies, as she was so huge. The last two we had to rush her to the vet clinic in the middle of the night and they had to actually pick her up and turn her upside down to get that baby out. Needless to say, she is not going to be a mother any more! I hope that Zenyatta does not have that type of problem since she is so huge and comes from a large type family. I will be wishing for a safe delivery, but I would give anything to see her on the track again……..(cry, cry)
Happy New Year all, and enjoy the warm weather if you have it. God Bless you all.
signofthetimes
Great comments about foaling issues, that
Is why Zenny labor and delivery should be private.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
I agree, Zenny’s labor and delivery should be private. As much as I love her that should be private for her and her family. Just my opinion.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Teresa E.:
Hope some of the proceeds from the sale of the Z Plushie will go to help horses in need. Wonderful idea, also suggested by Stephanie of SD. As far as foaling issues go, I hope and pray that Z has a safe and easy delivery as all of us do. Very cute story about your mare’s reaction to her foal kicking. Too cute. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
Dear Judy B and Theresa E:
I just love horse behavior; it is so much fun to watch.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Teresa E–come visit us at http://www.equi-army-ndo.com.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
I applaud your thoughts and actions to help the less fortunate horses and save them from a cruel end, and I second Barbara Wood in hoping you’ll join us in Equi-Army No Days Off. http://www.equi-army-ndo.com.
Barbara Grimaldi/Skip & Juliet/NJ
Teresa E: I am so in favor of what you suggest. Several of us formed a group, on another website, that helps others rescue horses and that networks rescue and adoption and other relevant information, but like all such groups, we need help to be able to do more. This site has thousands of people passing through every day, so it could help horses in need in so many ways. That’s Dottie’s call, and whatever Dottie says has been great for our Zenny so far. We’ll do this to the best of our ability on our site, but we need more soldiers in our army to help fight all the wars our horses are in. Thank you, Teresa, for bringing up such an important concept.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
On today’s photoblog on the Horse and Man website, you can see the MOST SPECTACULAR Andalusian horse, as well as gorgeous horses with their manes flying in the wind, a mama bear meandering with three cubs, a curious dog with his own porthole-like window in the front fence, and many more delights. http://horseandman.com/
Debbie G/Kentucky
Thanks for the Horse and Man link, Trina. Those pictures are spectacular!
Kari Bussell/Tn.
Debbie G- Yes, I watched all of the SEC games. I can flip channels faster than a man during bowl season.LOL! I am the kind of woman that a man begs ME..Please honey, no more sports today. My vicarious thrill. So who do you like Bama or LSU? I looking for that perfect roll of tissue and box of tide..LOL!
Celeste in TX
Thanks for the link to that blog. I wasn’t familiar with it so I’ve spent some time enjoying the photos and reading.
:)
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z and Z Fans,
Happy Saturday to you Z and to TT. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
nancy
Just order your plushie :) Too cute and High hoof. And congrats on yet another tops, Bloodhorse list you number 1 on there top 25 most intrguing horses of 2011 :) Love you Z and the count is on about 9 weeks to go. We all will look forward to the foal, when the time comes it will be let known, but your foaling should be private only those that need to be there should.