Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #445

My friend, Pirate Queen….has an update for us! Photo by John Shirreffs

Good Morning, Everyone!

It was such a fabulous, yet rather quick weekend! I am constantly amazed at how fast the time is flying by now.

It seems like BABY NEWS is definitely in the air here at the farm. I just received this message and wanted to share it with you. It’s from my dear friend, Pirate Queen. As you may remember, when I first arrived at Lane’s End she was one of my original paddock mates. Then Mike and Charles moved things around a bit….and TASTY and I became such dear friends in our own paddock.

Often, so many of you ask about some of my friends here at the farm.

Well, I am very pleased to announce that PIRATE QUEEN had a grey colt…this morning at 3:50 a.m… by QUALITY ROAD. This is her first foal…and the first crop of Quality Road foals…so this adds to the excitement!

I’ve heard that from all reports everything is going well for both Mom and Baby!

I’m due to be rechecked later today to see how i’m doing and how ‘my bag’ is developing. I can tell things are progressing ‘a bit’ in a very nice, positive, and relaxed manner. Since this is the first time for ME, I can’t wait to hear what my veterinarian and the professionals here at the farm have to tell me about my Mom-to-Be news!

I’ll share it all with you in the morning.

On the racing front, the stakes activity over the weekend was fabulous. UNION RAGS put in a very impressive effort in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2). It is so great to see his successful 2 year old form carry into his 3 year old year. The Fairgrounds finish in the Risen Star (G2) was a close one…with both El Padrino and Mark Valeski separated by a close photo. The Factor ran one fast race at Santa Anita in the San Carlos (G2)…and a HIGH HOOF to Summer Applause on her victory in the Rachel Alexandra (G3).

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend of racing!

Have a lovely Monday!

With Love,
Hugs to All~(Congratulations, PQ on your new foal!)
Z

Reader Interactions

399 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Help….I cant find Alyss name on lanes end foal list…I must be looking in the wrong place…is there somewhere else to check?…a different site maybe

    • / Reply

      Carol, I’m wondering the same thing…don’t know where else to look. Good luck and please post if you find out. Thanks.

  4. / Reply

    How exciting for Pirate Queen! Starting my own personal countdown to March 1, the arrival of a <>….but whenever s/he gets here Lady Z, you’ve got SO many fans just twitching to see that baby of yours!
    XXOO

    • / Reply

      Hi Abigail – I looked at Life is Sweet with her colt, but I noticed all the posts/comments
      are 2011. Has she had a colt this year? Or are the dates incorrect. I would imagine 2011 was her first year to have a foal. I love Life is Sweet. She is the star of one of my favorite all time videos. John coaxing her to “get up now, pretty girl and let’s go to work” She was laying down. Soooooooo cute. Just wonderfuing (foal watch #6)

      • / Reply

        Delrene: You’re right of course. This is definitely foal #1. Lane’s End photos on FB are kind of a goulash of old & new, I guess. And in my rattled state, I failed to notice! PS: That video of John waking up Life Is Sweet is a favourite of mine too!

  10. / Reply

    Hi Zenny…Congrads to Pirate Queen and her new baby boy!!! Zenny, I`m getting so excited and NERVOUS about you finally becoming a mommy!!! I can`t wait but on the other hand I am a bit nervous.I wish you would mention RACHEL A. and her baby. I`m sure they`re doing great.. Well, stay relaxed gorgeous and Love You Alot, Alene

  13. / Reply

    good evening queen Z :)
    congratz to pirate queen & her baby colt.
    thx for updating us :)
    i’m excited for you as well mama.
    cant wait to hear about you tommorow.

    i’ve really missed every1 here. i’ve been under the weather the past couple weeks. nothing major- just my usual problems- CP, migraines, body pain acting up.
    plus my laptop has tempermental too. lol
    its hard to view Z’s diary on my phone :(
    alltho i’ve not been here -my zster’s- you’ve been in my thoughts & prayers.
    every1 here i luv/care about including YOU DEAR Z.

    @JAG & Karen Gogue – luv your new titles. lol
    @all who had a bday this month -happy belated! hope it was good :)
    @Shari and Miesha- not sure what’s going on but saying a prayer for you. hugs

    if any1 is intersted;
    my email is= vampressdanser@gmail.com
    facebook is= http://www.facebook.com/vampressqueen

    i can easly view my email from my phome.

    may god bless you all. big hugs/prayers
    high hoof to Z & TT ♥

  14. / Reply

    @Shari Voltz– thanks for the upate on Miesha. It’s great to have a specialist. Sounds like he has a game plan. Many of us are puzzled about the disease. What’s it’s name? We don’t recognize the initials. (At least I don’t).
    Hugs.

  15. / Reply

    Zenny, thank you for keeping us updated.
    Congratulations to Pirate Queen and Quality Road on their colt!
    Abigail, thank you for all the baby pics! Too cute!!!!!!

  16. / Reply

    Zen,
    We must have ESP, have been wondering about Pirate Queen for awhile so glad to read the happy news about her. You have probably posted who Tasty is bred to, but it escapes me. Have been wondering??? You two are just too cute!:))

  17. / Reply

    @ Vicki B.–Thanks so much for posting the link to that remarkable photo of “the Girls”all lying down in their pasture! I LOVE that pic and couldn’t remember where it was! I need to learn how to “bookmark” and save “avorites” and all.

    There is another photo of the four of them walking down the lane that I was going to order and then lost track of it again–does anyone remember how to pull that one up?? It was really cute and I would still like to order that–it is such a peaceful shot.

    Sweet dreams all!!! Maybe we’ll be aunties tomorrow!!

  19. / Reply

    Best Wishes to Pirate Queen and her new foal. I love the name. P’s andQ’s that someone suggested. That is a great name!
    Also, Zenyatta, I cannot wait to hear the vet report about your status. It is getting so close. I am so excited to hear the news and see a picture of you and your foal.
    Dottie, you are so wonderful to do this for all of us fans. Thank you.
    Zenyatta, try to get lots of rest now, because you will be very busy soon, being a mom!!!

  20. / Reply

    Hi Zenyatta. What a beautiful picture of you and Tasty in the Paddock. Congratulations to Pirate Queen and Quality Road on the birth of their beautiful grey colt. It was a great weekend of racing. So sorry about Thiskyhasnolimit who broken down at Fair Grounds. Does anyone know how he is doing? We are going to Aqueduct this weekend to see Hansen run – yea!!!! Can’t wait to see their new casino, about 11 years in the making. Whoa! Cannot wait to hear about how your “bag” is progressing tomorrow morning. Waiting for the big announcement and video. Love you big girl. You and Tasty stay comfy, eat well for two and enjoy these joyous moments.

    • / Reply

      Eveline and Diana, loved both of your videos. Pepper’s Pride was a fantastic racehorse who’s accomplishment deserves the utmost respect. It was so touching to see her trainer tearing up as he talked about her. I hope I get to finally meet her in person this year. I was at Richland Hill Farm (the first farm she was at after retirement) just before she came in. Then last year I was to see her at Taylor Made, but her foal was under the weather, so had to pass. I’m looking forward to it.

    • / Reply

      Yvonne. On bloodhorse, there’s an article about Thiskyhasnolimit and he went through surgery and is resting. Being a good patient. Hope for the best results for him!

  21. / Reply

    Dear Zenny/Dottie, what great news about Pirate Queen!!! Thank you for telling us. Your time is gettng so close too Zenny! I cannot wait to see your foal. He or she will be well loved by all of us. I am sure you are being diligently watched by everyone at Lanes End.

  22. / Reply

    Zenny,
    You always do like to surprise everyone… coming from ’round to the outside …. at the last minute … almost! So happy for You and Baby Z doing so well!
    Congratulations to Pirate Queen and her new young one! And to Quality Road!
    What a blessed time of year with new birth… new beginnings!
    Love You, ZENNY and Baby Z!
    God’s many, many blessings to you both and to everyone here in Your Family!

  24. / Reply

    Happy to hear that Pirate Queen is doing well (I wondered what had happened to her), and I love greys. Hope your exam goes well Zenny. Love you!

  25. / Reply

    Zenyatta, Thank you for all your diary updates. I guess when you have your baby, you will have to ask Dottie to keep up the diary for you. You, being a busy mommy and all. LOL
    Kidding aside, Dottie, thank you so much for keeping all the Zenyatta fans informed. What would we do without you!
    Lots of Love, Hugs, and Prayers for a safe delivery and healthy mom and foal

  26. / Reply

    Thank you to Dottie and John for the update on Pirate Queen and for the photo! Love to you both, Elizabeth PS Looking forward to Baby Z and Momma pics very soon!

  27. / Reply

    Lane’s End Family,
    Thank you for taking such wonderful care of Zenny and Baby Z and Tasty and Baby T! Congratulations to Smart Strike and her beautiful foal!

  28. / Reply

    Dear Diary Friends,

    “Our Kari” would have been over-joyed at the news that Pirate Queen dropped a grey colt. She had a very special fondness for the greys. Thank you, Dottie, for starting (and ending) our day with a smile.

    As many have commented since Kari’s passing, she was all about JOY. She had accepted the hard blows which life had dealt her in the past with amazing grace and without rancor; accepted life in the present with serenity and without self-pity; and was willing to accept life in the future with great faith and hope. The the thing I am missing most on the DIary now, is the shining strength of her words. I would be honored to provide some “Kari quotes” from time-to-time, and welcome you to do the same. Words live forever, and are endowed with the spirit of the writer. In re-posting Kari’s words, I feel as if we will be keeping a part of her alive.

    In what can only be described as a “Zen-magic moment,” Kari’s beautiful daughter re-discovered these words written by Kari on John Shirreffs’ Youtube site on February 27, 2010. His video featured Zenyatta working in preparation for the 15th start of her career, in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap.

    ♥ Mr. Shirreffs, You and Zenyatta have brought us nothing but pure joy. It is because of your tireless schooling wisdom and tenderness that she is such a happy horse.For Zenyatta fans she will ALWAYS be our Queen and you will ALWAYS be the man who so patiently taught her to rule. The magic the two of you have created has brought endless smiles, endless joy to us all and will for decades to come. Only a truly great man would thank the ones who are so grateful to him.
    AnimalsRock4Love

    In response to Kari’s comment, John Shirreffs posted the following (note the wry humor), which brought her tremendous JOY:

    ♥ I want to thank everyone for being there for Zenyatta
    jonshfs05

    12th ♥

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnlfmn_b6oA

    • / Reply

      Dear Cynthia H
      Thanks so much for sharing Kari’s words; we are all missing her joyous
      giving nature. It is so good to have a reminder. Hope you had a great time
      at SA Saturday, if you were working.

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign,

        Iti s a special joy to share Kari’s words. And I had a great day on Saturday, cheering Mike Smith’s two wins! ♥

    • / Reply

      My dear friend, Cynthia. What a special post. How we miss “Our Kari”. It is a wonderful idea to continue to share her words with each other. I agree, words live forever. Their humor can make us smile and spark laughter. Their power to describe can bring memories back to life and allow us to visualize that which we may never have actually seen. Their beauty can enrich the mind, stir the soul, touch the heart and cause the spirit to soar. Words can evoke every feeling we as humans are capable of. They are our windows to the world and everything in it past and present. Kari’s words to her Hero are lovely and reading them connects us to her. That my sweet Cynthia is very beautiful!

      Love and hugs,
      Dawn

      • / Reply

        Dear Dawn, thank you for the gift of your immensely beautiful words, which you share so generously and joyfully. Your post is exquisite, as always, and says it all. Love and hugs in return. ♥

    • / Reply

      Dear Cynthia H.:

      It will be wonderful to read Kari’s words again and remember her through them. It will keep her with us in this very wonderful Diary Dottie makes available to us. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Hi Cynthia: This is a beautiful idea to read Kari’s words. It’s like visiting with Kari again. She was a very special person.

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Linda, for the comforting words which you have written over the past week. They have been greatly appreciated. Yes, Kari was an exra-special, extra-ordinary person in every way. ♥

  29. / Reply

    Congratulations to Pirate Queen and Quality Road!! <3

    I am looking forward to hearing what the vet's report is about you and you're foal, Zenny. I am hoping and praying that everything will go smoothly in the very important days that follow.

    The racing action from around the country was FANTASTIC! I was disappointed that Bernie's son Algorithms was scratched from the Fountain of Youth, but Union Rags had a absolutely brilliant performance in that race! Lets hope that the rest of the Triple Crown preps are as good as they have been so far! Good luck to all of the nearly 400 Triple Crown nominees!!!

    You're foal will be here soon, Zenyatta <3 Talk with Pirate Queen and get some tips from her ;) You will be a great mother <3

    Love, Katie(future jockey)

  30. / Reply

    Zenny,
    I love you big girl, it’s so soon to your delivery day.
    I love info on all the mommie (mare) news.
    AND… I love that posters are finding photos, of this years foals.
    …………….. so CUTE!
    My Bloodhorse magazine this week, had a two page fold out of Rachael A. and her colt.
    Goodnight Z.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.