Good Morning,
You are all being so sweet about everything pertaining to ME! I am so touched. In yesterday’s photo, Joan, and several others of you, worried I had on bandages while in the paddock. You are so kind. I am fine and doing great!
Here is a picture taken while I was at Barn 55 showing how much WHITE I actually do have on my hind legs. In racing, they refer to white on the legs like this as ‘socks’.
Many of you may not have realized this…as I wore ‘white hind running bandages’ in all of my races. They were trimmed with 3 blue…’Shirreffs’ stable color’…tapes. The tapes help keep the bandages in place…and I think adds a bit of a design to them as well.
The purpose of these hind running bandages is to provide a bit of protection as John didn’t want ME to brush my ankles behind while running. This adds a precaution in preventing this from happening.
You may also have noticed from earlier photos of me that in the morning, I would wear BLUE POLO bandages on my legs. This is done for the same reason. Just a precaution to keep ME from brushing my ankles behind while training.
Many trainers use these types of bandages and for the same reason. The color of the tape and the polos usually ties into the barn’s stable colors. John’s stable color is ROYAL BLUE…so our tapes and polos are in a royal blue color.
The same is true of the saddle towel that a horse wears in the morning while training. Each trainer has a personally designed saddle towel which his/her horses wear each day while on the track. This is done so the ‘clockers’ at the race track have an additional baseline in identifying the individual horses for workout purposes. John’s saddle towel is royal blue with white lines. You may have seen it on me in photos.
Thus, when Shirreffs’ horses go to the track each day, they wear this saddle towel. They usually have on blue polo bandages as well. All of this is done to help the clockers be able to accurately monitor each horse. This way they can report the works and activity properly for the fans to use when handicapping. During the morning training hours, so many horses are on the track, training, breezing, galloping….that these tools are very helpful in making the horse identification process easier for them.
Have a great day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
sue w
Congrats to all of Team Z for the special award. Now…let’s hope “they” also recognize our Queen as HOY even though we know she is the horse of the century and certainly a generation. She is the total package…and the result of extraordinary care by all who touched her life.
Deana Dameron
Has anyone checked out the 3 pics of Z’s lil sis-Eboulissante on the Zenyatta facebook page? Click on see photos by others 2-364 click on Sophie (Dottie’s dog), and Eboulissante is right there. She looks so much like Z-they share the same mum (Vertigineaux) but her sire is Bernadini (by AP Indy). If Z breeds with AP, is this a sign of what her foals look like. Eblouissante will be training with John Shirreffs around April. Something to watch.
TBPartner43
Dear Z and subjects You are being so patient with so many of your fans. By the time you are finished with your posts, you will be able to publish The Fundamental Knowledge of Horses. There are so many good books available regarding basic care and training and care of race horses. It might be beneficial for some to search them out. Meanwhile, Z…. keep the posts coming, please. I check on you everyday. BTW It took my OTTB a few weeks to discover MUD. He doesn’t stay clean very long now, nor does his blanket. Think spring. It will be here before we know it.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
Dear Team Z and Zenyatta: Congratulations on The Special Eclipse Award for Team Zenyatta!
As I once said to Zenyatta about herself, all of you should win an award for crossing the human/animal boundary. Zenyatta might have made the crossing on her long beautiful legs, but you wrapped protective bandages around those legs.
You raised and trained Zenyatta with skill and with love. As Zenyatta would say, she is indeed a fortunate horse to have found her way into your lives. This rare coming together of humans and a horse allowed Zenyatta to become a great athlete as well as an intelligent and kind “personality,” as the NYT once put it. With Dottie’s assistance, Zenyatta even has become a writer whose deserved confidence allows her to refer to herself as “ME!”
Not every horse, or person for that matter, has the opportunity to live up to his or her full potential. Zenyatta most certainly has in her shimmering past. When set free in her paddock for the first time (with all of you there so that she could be alone in your reassuring presence), Zenyatta’s resounding squeals spoke in the “language of Equus” of a joyous future.
I hope that The Special Eclipse Award for Team Zenyatta forecasts Zenyatta winning the Horse of the Year Award 2010.
With great respect–Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
Suzanne G
Perhaps someone else mentioned this column already. If not, please take time to read it–TERRIFIC info…
http://www.gradeoneracing.com/davidowitz.htm?read=91
Hugs to ‘our’ beautiful girl and her wonderful teams.
Carole
@Deana Dameron — I tried what I thought were your instructions to see Eblouissante but was unable to view the photo — any additional help you can give would be appreciated.
Kathy Kimber
Dear Lady Z,
A special congradulations to all of Team Z. They will receive a special Eclipse award for the wonderful way they took care of you this year. This is so awesome. I knowyou are just thrilled for them. Lovely pictures to day dear lady thank you
L
Dottie,
In the video on Zenyatta’s Facebook I noticed she’s wearing three stall bandages but her ‘pawing’ leg (right front) is bare. Can you take a moment and explain the rational behind this? Thank you.
Nancy McNaul Applegate
Zenny i have a retired greyhound. i selected her directly from the track, instead of going through an adoption group.
her legs and ankles need constant checking. her tissue is very thin and fragile….you can actually see the sun shine through right to left! her bones are thin, but she carries a lot of muscle. the more she eats, the more muscle develops, instead of fat.
Maria
It’s great that the Team Zenyatta will be receiving a Special Eclipse Award on Jan 17. Now, I just hope on the same day, they will award you the Horse of the Year. There will be thousands of your fans including myself will be soooo happy if you receive this award that you truly deserved. I just read a comment from Byron King of the DRF on why you will get an enthusiastic vote from him. I think Mr. King brilliantly explained the reason why you should get the HOY.
Margaret Murphy
Great information love it, thanks. Zenyatta your not just going to be HOTY but you are HOTC (Horse of the Century) God bless you Zenyatta and keep you safe.
Ray
Zenyatta
Good luck on HOY, you are the best and will always be in our hearts.
Toi
Hi Zenny!
I love your white wraps with the blue tape. They look like basketball socks from the 80s. Very retro-stylish! I love learning about such things. It’s really very interesting, and I can tell that Ms. Dottie was a school teacher once. Is that correct?
Sally
Hi beautiful Z! Thankyou again for this post. I wish not only to meet you closely, but to meet Dottie & John, Ann & Jerry. They have been the best. I wish I just could personally tell them that. After all, without their willingness to share you, who you are, my memories would not be the same. But I understand, that is asking too much. When Ann would get choked up, I began to love her too. I loved her responses to the media; she has a wonderful heart!! I love you Z!!
Janet Cutting
Hello Z and All: Thanks for the great news on the Eclipse Award to Team Z and family–also does anyone know if the awards will be televised??? and again I am just learning so muuch from this site–I will never be able to have my own horse but when I drive home from work and see horses outside I think about what I have read here from all of our “pros” and I take notice and admire them more. Take care, and special hello to all the others who are “yearning to learn” about horses like me!!!! Have a good night!! Janet C
Eileen
Hi Zenyatta,
Thank you so much for posting this info about your fellow thoroughbred. I am an avid horse racing fan and eat up any info I can get about the “behind the scenes” of horse racing. I do have a question though pertaining to the bandages discussion, if you don’t mind. I ride western and often put bellboots and splint boots on my little mare’s front legs and hooves. I do this because she often over reaches and clips herself with her hind legs and even pulls her shoes off from time to time while galloping. However, I don’t recall EVER seeing a racehorse run with bellboots and rarely front bandages. My horse is a quarter/arab cross. Are thoroughbreds just a breed that is less likely to overreach while galloping?
deana dameron
Carole-thanks for the message about Eblouissante-Z’s lil sis-Get on facebook-enter zenyatta/athlete in the search spot-go to the left hand side of the page-go to photos by others-4-348-click on the white dog (Dottie’s dog Sophie)-at top of the picture click on see all photos-Go 9 rows down 1,2,3, pics are Z’s sister. If you scroll your mouse over the pic it will tell you it is Z’s lil sis, eblouissante, etc. She will be going to John Shirreff’s to train for the races around April. She is already 16 hands tall, Z is 17.2 hands tall. Her and Z share the same mum-Vertigineaux. Her father is Bernadini. Bernadini is AP Indy’s son who is the sire everyone is saying will breed with Z. It just might be a glimpse into the future of Z’s foal. This is big racing news and to see Eblouissante at John’s barn will be awesome! If you have trouble let me know but if you see it let me know-they have the same stance, ears, look-it is something else! Please let me know what you think. Thanks for your interest.
Carole
@deanna dameron — Thank you, thank you. the photos are wonderful — 16 hands and only a yearling. And Zenyatta’s little sister.
Carole
@deana dameron — I have added Eblouissante to my Equibase virtual stable. Where is she now? At Jeanne Mabee’s Florida center?
Jitka Bělušová
Very beautiful pictures, big girl you are beautiful Zeny :))
anne faulconer
Every member of Team Zenyatta seems to be completely amazing, and Steve Willard is no exception! 67 years old and galloping horses? Not only that but he looks like someone half his age on a horse!!
I met Z’s little sister once and she was very friendly just like her big sis. Hope she has a good blacksmith ’cause she’s got some mighty big shoes to fill ;)
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I love the photos of you. I never get tried of looking at you in your royal blues with head held high. What a Beautiful site to behold! I love reading your posts and everything being explained. I’ve learned a lot from you. Every time I look at you, Zenyatta, you take my breath away by what an amazing & beautiful horse you are. I know your babies will be just as beautful! Team Z has been so wonderful in taking care of you at Barn 55 and did a fantastic job in getting you ready for Land’s End Team Z. And Thanks so much for sharing her with her Fan Family!!I love you, Zenyatta, for all the joy you have brought into my life. Hugs & Kisses from Alabama with Love, Amanda
MaryAnn Donahue
Dear Z,
Thank you for such interesting and clearly articulated information.
Happy, happy new year to you and all of Team Zenyatta. You are the best!
deana dameron
Carole-I do believe there is a family resemblence! They also both favor their mom, Vertigineaux. The person that posted those pics is the daughter of the trainer that has her. She said she is not allowed to say where but that John would have her back again around April. I guess “E” has already been there once. John saw her at her farm some time ago. The cool thing about it is the breeder, Eric Kronfeld, sold their mom last year. He has been sad about it and said he will never sell Ebouissante but he liked John so well and how he took care of
Z that he is sending her especially to him to train her. How cool is that?
Melissa in KY
Thanks for the updates Z and Dottie! (*waves to Mario, John, the Mosses, the Barn 55 crew and the crew at Lane’s End* — is there a nickname for the KY crew yet?)
Wondering if you guys know that Little Silver Charm from Old Friends is patiently waiting to meet his dream girl in the flesh? Yes, he’s a bit on the wee side…and not a thoroughbred, but a boy has to have dreams too! I hear he might even comb his mane for the occasion. :)
@Katie – Here’s a general info page on handicapping (it’s from Wikipedia – which I always take with a grain of salt!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicapping
Learning how to bet on horses is very interesting, but complex! I’ve never even come close to a winning strategy. I’ll tell ya one thing though — I still know folks who know nothing about horse racing who make better bets than I do! Every once in awhile I get lucky with some things I’ve learned from being in the business (knowing pedigrees, about speed figures, etc). In many cases, I swear, the ol’ adage “less is more” really comes in handy. Betting on gut feelings, favorite colors, names and/or lucky numbers can be just as fruitful. The main thing is to have fun! These days, I seem to spend more time hoping all the horses and jockeys have a safe ride though. :)
Hugs & carrots to all!
Bobbie Graser
I noted that your hind hooves are dark. Usually if a horse has white socks the hooves are lighter. I do see that you have a rim of dark hair above each rear hoof. Is that the reason why your hooves are dark?
Love these posts and so glad to hear that you are adjusting so well to retirement. I just retired too and it is an adjustment.
debbie sutherland
Zenny had so much love from the team,wish she could have gone to a farm closer to you and know she misses you all terribly.
Hope she will be able to come home at some point.
This is a big adjustment for her,know you are trying to help.A horse never forgets her people.
Debbie
jim Kelly
Hello Zenyatta.. Just wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful memories, you have given me.Without a doubt ,you should be named Horse of the Year..I also think,that if they breed you to A P Indy..The Mosses should name your newborn.. A Pinyatta..Thanks again girl! ( And on the 7th day.God created Zenyatta )…