Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #421

GIACOMO....cuddling up to a friend! Photo from Geri Bidwell's files


Hello,

What a sweet photo this is! Our pal, GIACOMO, is now residing at Magali Farm in California. Here he is cuddling up to a friend of ours, Geri, who was recently visiting the farm with her family.

Can you imagine what a lovely and dear horse he is! As a stallion, “G” is so warm and friendly. Geri commented to Dottie, “you can tell he has had a great deal of handling and love during his life.” “G” spent his entire racing career at BARN 55, then started his stallion career at Adena Springs in KY, and now he’s at Magali.

I know GIACOMO was adored at BARN 55! MY JOHN spoke of him often with great love and respect. To this day, “G’s” photo crossing the finish line and winning the Kentucky Derby is on his stall door of his home at the barn. Everyday when I’d walk around the shed row either getting ready to go to the track or cooling out afterwards, I’d walk by his stall with see his photo on the door! It was very inspirational!

While at stud at Adena Springs in KY, Bill, in their stallion division, did a video showcasing Giacomo. It illustrated so many of his special qualities. In this presentation, Bill commented “G” was a stallion on their tour that he could always count on to entertain the fans, run with joy around the paddock for them, and even stand there politely and let young children pet him. (He adores peppermints!) Now, at Magali, he continues to demonstate these same genuine and loving qualities!

There is no blanket statement about stallions that one can make …but overtime, it has been noted that a stallion can often become very independent and quite aloof. It is just the nature of many stallions. That is why it is especially endearing to see “G” interact with people with such affection.

Per Geri, “he worked his way straight into my heart….he is a very special horse.”

It is amazing how GRAY horses often turn SO WHITE as they get older. GIACOMO is getting lighter and lighter each year. ZAZU, another one of my MOSS pals, is also “gray”. She has just arrived back to the track from her RNR…and from all reports, it appears she is getting to be quite ‘light’ in appearance. I can imagine that those colored saddle towels will look FABULOUS on her when she returns to the races!

All BLESSINGS to GIACOMO at Magali! It looks like he has settled in beautifully!

Giacomo running around the paddock in his new home! Wow…he's still got a great turn of foot! Photo by Emily Shields


With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

249 Comments

  2. / Reply

    HEY ZENNY, GIACOMO IS ONE BEAUTIFUL MAN…. HE SEEMS TO BE HAVING A GREAT TIME…..SENDING HUGS AND KISSES TO YOU Z, BABY Z, GIACOMO, TASTY AND BERNIE…..STAY WARM…..ENJOY YOUR DAY : ) LOVE LORI XOXOXO……..

  6. / Reply

    Loved the picture of Giacomo–those who are loved are loving in return!

    Now that we have the third consequetive “Lady of the Year” perhaps we should read again this quote from the koran–“and to create the mare, God said to the south wind, I will create from you a being which shall be a happiness to the good and a misfortune to the bad. Happiness shall be on her forehead, Beauty on her back, and Joy in the possessor.

  7. / Reply

    Hi Zenny, Giacomo looks very happy in his new home. He truly is a gorgeous horse!! It is nice for California breeders to have a Kentucky Derby winner to breed their mares to. I wish him much success!
    I hope you and Tasty are having a nice day!
    Love to all,
    Leslie

  8. / Reply

    Someone mentioned Skip Away but no one has mentioned Silver Charm or (my favorite grey of all time) Free House. That was such a fun rivalry back in 1997-99. Two handsome greys to cheer for! Free House had such a personality; very much like a certain bay mare whose name begins with Z … :)

    • / Reply

      Count me in on the Sliver Charm fan club!! I fell in love with him when he was on the triple crown trail and try to keep up with his new job in Japan. The photos I’ve seen on his web-site clearly show that he has become one of those stunning white grays – beautiful! Glad you mentioned him. :)

  9. / Reply

    Zenyatta,

    I also love the grey’s. Mr. G. is out of this world Gorgeous, and what a gentle disposition. Would love to visit him and Mine That Bird. Hope you and Tasty are keeping warm and cozy. xoxo.

  10. / Reply

    Zenny, I remember that Kentucky Derby like it was yesterday. That was the first time I saw your JOHN and the MOSSES. What an incredible race he ran…a 50 – 1 shot who seemed to come out of nowhere.

    He certainly looks very happy and healthy. But then your Jerry and Ann would not have it any other way.
    You always have such an upbeat message for us…I especially liked this one which included news on your other pal, Zazu. She is also a beauty. Stay warm on these cold winter nights …wish I could be there to give you an big hug and kiss.

  12. / Reply

    Oh I just love Giacomo and thank you for the update and pictures! He is beautiful as always and looks right at home in Southern California!!

  14. / Reply

    MARTY, LOVED THE JOKE. TERRT CROW YOU ARE SOMETHING ELSE. MY HUSBAND LIKES TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH TOO. MY JOKE …WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WESTERN BOOTS AND COWBOY BOOTS, THE POOP IS IN THE WESTERN ONES, THE COWBOY BOOTS IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE. ENJOYED THE PHOTO OF G. ALL HORSES SHOULD HAVE GOOD MANNERS, BUT THE STORIES FLOW OF FESTY ONES, EVEN THE MARES. I GUESS IT IS LIKE PEOPLE.. I AM READING A PIECE IN OUR LOCAL PAPER ON BUCKPASSER. IT IS VERY INTERESTING. SO MANY WONDERFUL HORSES, SO LITTLE TIME…LOVE TO ALL SHERRY

  15. / Reply

    TO ALL: A HUGE favourite of “the greys” is Barbara Livingston. One of the loves of her life was the incomparable Spectacular Bid. If you GOOGLE Barbara’s name it will take you to her (relatively new) website and you will see many greys there.

    For anyone interested in the genetic history of grey thoroughbreds, here’s a very early post from THE VAULT about Black Tie Affair and it goes into the VERY INTERESTING history of grey thoroughbreds. I wrote it for Michael Blowen, just after Black Tie Affair died. He was one of Michael’s GREAT LOVES. As I was doing the research, I came across this really interesting stuff about “what makes greys grey” — a little like what you need in the genetic mix to have a blue-eyed (human) descendant. The grey gene is also a neat way to track dominance in a thoroughbred’s bloodlines:
    http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/black-tie-affair-for-michael-blowen/

  16. / Reply

    Desert Party, whose sire is Street Cry, also sired a filly. The dam is Spikes (Dixie Union). The filly was born January 7th at Machmer Hall in Lexington, KY. Perhaps its wishful thinking, but an offspring of Street Cry and an offspring of A.P Indy, through the dam’s side is a filly, hmm? I know it’s somewhat the opposite of Zenny’s breeding, but who knows; perhaps the female genes are strong in both families.

  17. / Reply

    Giacomo is so beautiful. I have never really paid so much attention to all of these beautiful creatures. Thank you Zenny and Dottie for all of the various explanations that you give. It is so helpful. Hugs and Love to all.

  18. / Reply

    BIG OOPs – It’s been a long day at school for me. I confused the grand dam and sire of the two stories I posted (Super Saver and Desert Party). Do you think I want Baby Z’s foal to be a filly???

  19. / Reply

    Hello Zeny! How are you today? Hope you and Tasty are doing well.

    Missed reading your postings. It was tough to read and write during my trip to the Philippines because my mom got very sick. I got back Tuesday night. Mom is still in the ICU but doing better. I have a horrible cough and cold from the trip.

    By the way, thank you for sharing the pictures of Giacomo. He is beautiful and looks content. I am sure he is happy to be back in California. No place like home.

    If any of my Z friends are planning to go and see him – please let me know. I would love to join you!

    Hugs and Kisses to you Zeny and Tasty. Praying for your good health and babies every day! Love Marilu

    • / Reply

      Marilu-Hope you and your mom are feeling better soon. Good to see your post. I was curious as to how your mom is doing. Mothers are precious.

    • / Reply

      Hi Marilu, glad you’re back. I hope your mother will improve shortly, and you’ll feel better. Stress is a great way to get a cold. Hopefully you’re both on the way to recovery.

  20. / Reply

    I cannot wait to take some time this evening to go back to this incredible posts. I have come to love the grays/greys – wonder if both are correct to use? even way before Giacomo. One of my favorite fillies is Wickedly Perfect who was sold a couple of years back to a Japanese breeder. She won some nice races, but had an injury and was sold at the big sale for quite a bit of money. I even wrote Michael Blowen at Old Friends to please keep track of her. She was absolutely gorgeous and so talented until her injury. Zenyatta and Dottie – today’s post was again out of this world, I cannot wait to take a trip up to visit Giacomo. He is loving life that is for sure. I thought this was kind of fun as things already seem to be developing for the Kentucky Derby…http://www.horseracingnation.com/polls/current/kentucky_derby_2012_contenders… enjoy Thanks to all for these great posts today and every day

  22. / Reply

    Oh Z. Mr. G. is georgeous. If I get to Calif. again I will sure look him up.
    Happy day to you and TT and take care of those “soon to be born” foals. Is there alot of action in your round tummy? Kisses on your soft nose and TT too. XOXO.

  24. / Reply

    Handsome Giacomo, Beautifual Zenyatta. The planet is a better place with the likes of them onboard! So grateful they both found their way to Barn 55.
    xoxo
    @Cynthia H – loved the Santa Anita clip – that glorious mountain backdrop was the same view from my backyard when growing up. Such sweet memories.

    • / Reply

      Hi Margie,
      It is a lovely piece of video, isn’t it? The mountain backdrop which I see from my backyard is a bit farther down the range, but always beautiful. I hope all is well with Charlene, and I think of her often.

  27. / Reply

    Zenyatta, this horse, Giacomo, seems like a great one. You must know him very well, seeing as he lives at Barn 55, your old home. He seems like a great friend. That is a great picture of him. He is an absolutely beautiful horse. I would buy him in a heartbeat. I sometimes wish that were me in that picture. He seems very tolerant, very likeable, very nice, and he makes friends very very easily, no matter who it is, human or animal. I would at the very least be his best friend or one of his best friends in a heartbeat.

  28. / Reply

    Mr. G sure is handsome. The picture shows that he is a kind and gentle horse. I’m glad he’s back in sunny CA. Will you also be back to CA after your broodmare days?

  30. / Reply

    Z – Giacomo’s does seem like a sweet and handsome gentleman. Now I have a reason to drive up to Santa Ynez this year….probably the closest I’ll ever get to Kentucky.

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