Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Friday Photos

Friday Photos and More

Coz and Ziconic are just a few stalls from each other in John's barn at Saratoga.
Coz and Ziconic are just a few stalls from each other in John’s barn at Saratoga.

Happy Friday!

Zenyatta’s boys are at Saratoga with John Shirreffs. They’re enjoying the greenery and beautiful weather. Scroll down for a quick video of Ziconic in his stall.

-Team Z

Cozmic One at Saratoga
Cozmic One at Saratoga
Ziconic at Saratoga
Ziconic at Saratoga

Reader Interactions

689 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Abigail,
    Your words have inspired me many times — now your actions do!
    You are so right that, somehow, we find a way to avoid thinking about the unthinkable actions that happen every day to horses and other 4-legged friends.
    Tears are running because of your story. You are so wise to post here as I know there are many others in Zennyland who, like me, now want to find ways to support you in this. I wish I had millions…..but helping one horse (with a name) at a time will have to do.
    You are a blessing.
    Annie B in MA

    • / Reply

      Anne: What a wonderful way to receive this story. Thank you, thank you, so much. I really do believe that we can ALL do something in our own way, Anne. Another VAULT reader is going to “haunt” the online rescues and post back horses-at-risk to OTTB. I thought that that was just a fabulous idea!!!

  2. / Reply

    To Dottie (the voice of Zenyatta) and Mike Smith – two very important people in Z’s racing life and always considered part of Team Z! We thank you both for everything you have done for her and for us. We miss you a lot Dottie. Hope you and John are having a great summer at Saratoga. I know you must be scanning the condition books for possible races for our two boys. All of the aunties and uncles are waiting and hoping :-)

    ♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪¸.• *¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪•*
    ♪ღ♪ ░H░A░P░P░Y░♪░B░I░R░T░H░D░A░Y░! ░♪ღ♪
    *•♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪¸.• *¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪•*

    • / Reply

      Sandy and Shirley, Thanks for posting about Dottie’s and Mike’s Birthday.

      Happy Birthday, Dottie!
      Happy Birthday, Mike!

      Praying many more of God’s wonderful blessings for both of you and your families.
      with love Elizabeth

  3. / Reply

    Dear Marshall,
    I’m REALLY behind here (just for something different – ha!) so am late in adding my congratulations on your new doggie. Sounds like everything is going as well as could be expected with the siblings, and bless you for rescuing another one! ♥♥

  4. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Goodnight. Godspeed to Glesni, Monty and the Bobs. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank and all the Sweeties

  5. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI and Montey:

    Goodnight. Happy Dreams. Love Ya. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.

  7. / Reply

    Happy Belated Birthday to Her Mike! He celebrated his 30th birthday for the 20th time yesterday!

    Another Happy Belated Birthday to Her Dottie! I hope you, John and Zenny’s Princes are having fun at Saratoga!

  8. / Reply

    Hi Team Z:
    I was just up at Saratoga this Saturday for the Whitney. When I got there I had to park in the general parking field, which is back by the barns. I asked security where John Shirreffs’ barn was located. I was hoping the boys would be out stretching their legs. I would have loved to have seen them. No such luck. The photos of them are great.

    Thanks so much for posting!!!

    Love to all.

    Linda

  9. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to Dottie and Mike!!!
    I hope your birthdays are filled with laughter, friends and lots of good times and happiness today and always.

    I would like to second “Sandy in Ohio” message. We certainly miss you Dottie. We enjoyed your posts so much during the time when you were Zenyatta’s voice. We appreciated you then and now. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!!!

    All the best to both of you in the coming year!!

    Love,

    Linda

  10. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Glesni is still with us so far!!Celyn reminds me of a turkey being fattened up for Christmas!She is huge!!Mei-Xiang’s hormone levels are rising and she’s off her food so hopefully a cub soon!Goodnight God Bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Are you on cub watch, too? I absolutely ADORE Mei Xiang! She is such a gorgeous, perfect, serene lady. She is to giant pandas what Zenyatta is to horses: THE QUEEN. This time of the year, pretty much all of Washington, D.C., if not the nation, all cross our collective fingers in hopes that this stunning creature will produce a beautiful cub. Unfortunately, Mei has had as much tragedy as she’s has success with pregnancies. After Tai Shan was born in 2005, the years after were filled with at least one miscarriage and year after year of pseudopregnancies until Mei gave birth to the precious baby her fans named “Princess” in 2012. We all fell completely in love with the sweet baby girl, so the devastation we felt six days later when the cub died was terrible. Bao Bao’s birth the next year (2013) was such a huge blessing although it was tinged with the sadness that Mei had been carrying twins and the second was stillborn as well as underdeveloped. Mei is an extraordinary mother; it is a privilege to watch her mother her babies. She is so attentive, loving, and protective of her cubs. She and Zenyatta should Face Chat or e-mail each other with mothering tips because in my book they both tie as Best Animal Moms ever! Of course, I don’t think Zenny understands pandaese… I’, praying that Mei is not only with cub, but also carrying healthy twins like her sister Lun Lun at Zoo Atlanta gave birth to in 2013. Lun Lun is also on cub watch, by the way, so the two sisters have the U.S. on pins and needles again!

  11. / Reply

    Dear Deb E.I am so thrilled about Mei-Xiang.I well remember how upset they were when the little cub died and then Bao-Bao survived.We are still hoping for an announcement from Edinburgh Zoo about Tian-Tian no luck so far!I know how excited you must all be.Hugs Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Our Tian Tian at the National Zoo in D.C. is a male, and Mei Xiang’s “husband”. She was artificially inseminated with both “essence” of Tian and Hui Hui this year, so Tian might not be the daddy of Mei’s cub if she is carrying one (or two)! Tian is the father of Tai Shan and Bao Bao as well as the two cubs that died. Her last two pregnancies, Mei was AI’ed with both Tian and Gao Gao “essence”, and Tian came up the winner in the DNA sweepstakes! Gao Gao is the adorable male panda who lives at the San Diego Zoo with his mate Bai Yun. They are both getting up there in years, but had a “date” (natural mating) this year to everyone’s surprise, so Bai Yun might be pregnant, too!

  12. / Reply

    Well–the messagwe I was typing went off into the ozone somewhere–so-if a partial message turns up—sorry!!

    Was attempting to say how very much I loved the photos and video today. The video made me feel like I was right there with Zi–oh, I wish!!! He is such a rascal–reminded me so much of watching Chromie hamming it up for us at Los Alamitos a couple of days after the Breeders Cup last year. Just can hardly wait ’til Zi shows ’em how he’s going to do it in his first race–and all they see is his big red Z butt, pulling away from all of them!!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOTTIE!! Hope your day has been full of great things and that the year to come brings you wonderful things!!!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!! Loved seeing you give Liam’s Map such a beautiful ride this weekend–hope you get to ride him some more–think he likes you!! It was such an honor to meet you at the big Zenny party at BC 2012–thanks so much for signing your picture for me!! you and your friend Gary are my favorite jockeys EVER!!!

    @ Marshall–Congrats on your new baby, Smudge!! It’s so fun to have a new family member! Last month a lady came in to our store with a poster to put up in our locked community bulletin board. She had rescued several feral kittens, had socialized them and spayed and neutered them, looking for new homes for them. One particularly caught my eye and I went to her home to meet her. WHEN i GOT THERE TO MEET THE KITTEN,SHE WAS PLAYING WITH HER TWIN SISTER,AND, WHEN i SAW HOW BONDED THEY WERE, i COULD NOT IMAGINE SEPARATING THEM—SO-O-O-O, i NOW HAVE two NEW LITTLE GIRLS, sTELLA mARIE AND sARAH nICOLE!! tHEY ARE TWIN GRAY TABBIES WITH A LITTLE WHITE ON THEIR CHESTS,WHITE MITTENS, AND WHITE “LEG WARMERS” on their back legs,with Stella’s going above her ( oh,good grief–I wish I’d stop hitting Caps Lock by mistake!!!) knee,and Sarah’s, just below. They are about 4 months old now and I think they are the cutest,and sweetest kittens I’ve ever seen. Of course, I couldn’t be predjudiced or anything!! The other cats are being good about them,and even Star,who has always runs EVERYTHING is bathing them often. They know their names now and come running when I call them. When I get home at night after work and open the dorr, I say “where are my little girls” and they come flying!!I’m SO lucky to have them!!

    @ Abigail-Thank you SO much for your post today–and for all that you are doing!! I read it holding my breath, fearful of the outcome for the dear ones you were trying to help. Many tears flowing by the end!! As, I was saying the other day, I think of them all on a daily basis and wish I had lots of money to save more–I am on a small income and it is taking everything I have to make sure Barnaby has everything he needs and wants. I should have a little extra from the paycheck after next and will send you a check. I love the saying you used–when you add it all up,if everyone sends SOMETHING, a lot can be accomplished!. Barnaby must have been so worried, when he was at the feedlot,waiting to be shipped to be slaughtered, seeing truckload after truckload of horses and other animals,crammed in like sardines,crying in fear. After Marlene told the lady who is her contact at the feedlot that she had received money to save him, the lady at the feedlot actually told him that he had been saved and that he was going to live with a lady in Idaho and have a good home. They actually started calling him Barnaby then!! I thought that was so very special and kind. I think he understood because, when he met me,he gave me a look,as if to say,”oh-YOU’RE the one–and then he starting sniffing me from the top of my head right down to my feet!! Boss Mare Sue said she had never seen anything like it. When he was finished he seemed to say”you’ll do”, and we’ve been bonded ever since!

    Hope everyone has a good and blessed night tonight!

    • / Reply

      Right on Sue! A lot of “little” donations can really add up to something worthwhile! Looking forward to the next edition of “life with two new kittens” :-)

  14. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,
    How can you beat a Tapit colt out of a Galileo mare going for
    2 million at out Fastig Tipton sale. Sold to South Americans. I did
    not realize Micheal Dickson trained Tapit. He is such a creative trainer.
    So glad he is coming back to the US to train. Love his use of high heels to
    determine the softness of the turf and the great mad training job of Da Hoss.
    Love and hugs

  15. / Reply

    Oh my, have gotten here so late; I’ve got horse chores a.m. tomorrow. Hope I can read what is going on later.

    Love you with kisses Zenyatta and your sons
    loving zprincess and my dear Sir
    Auntie Sally B

  16. / Reply

    Dear Dottie,

    Wishing you a wonderful Happy Birthday. We miss you so very much here, but I know your very busy on the East Coast and West Coast. Please come back and post every chance you get. Love You Always, Peggy

  18. / Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MIKE SMITH & DOTTIE!!! Sorry I’m wishing you this late in your day – I hope you both had great days today.

    Mike, I wanted to get to Saratoga this past Saturday when you rode to give you an early birthday hug, but I did not make it. I do miss you being in NY & hope that some year soon you will be at Saratoga for the whole meet.

    Dottie, I hope to meet you soon. I hope you will be at the track when I get to Saratoga later this month.

    Moreno’s owner & trainer want to retire him to Old Friends in KY according to one of my local papers. By the way, he was named after his owner.

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna Z:

      Thanks for this info on Moreno; he’ll have a happy life at Old Friends. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy and Z Fans:

      The Most Interesting Horse In The World on his way back. Go get ’em Danny. Love and Hugs, JB

  20. / Reply

    August 11 Cherokee Devotional

    Two people in agreement sets a trend. It works well, and it works for the good or the bad. Be very careful how you agree with someone, particularly if it is destructive.
    We put down dozens of claims every day, though it may sound like speculation. The markers are there by our own mouths and though it seems like only words, it sets a trend. If we could go back and see what we talked about, what we were afraid of, what we said was possible, we could see where we put down the roots as well. We have been told that where two agree as touching anything on earth, it is established. Do we want that?

    As far as I am concerned, if they are hungry let them eat grass or their own dung.
    Andrew Myrick
    Trader

  21. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.A great devotional.It’s a lovely day here and the “bobs” are all “cwtched “up together!Celyn is massive she’s the 2015 version of Deri.All the furbabies I have visited are fine I haven’t had much time today.The ratties are planning to expand in the bizness world now they have their California license!Watch this space!Good news about Cecil’s cubs they are fine and bonding well with Jericho.I have been busy voting for Zoe she is doing well.Did you read about her visit with Mr Alex last week?He knew so many famous peeps.Loved the story about the bear that got into that car/truck.Think it was on Joey’s page.I am looking forward to York next week hopefully see Golden Horn again!Off to see the rest now!Have a great day(at least we survived Monday)Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      I find myself very short on time these days due to Zoe’s contest. Very time consuming…I hope Diane doesn’t do this to us ever again. I’m glad the ospreys and the FB furbabies are doing well. Also Cecil’s cubs. Yes, Mr. Alex certainly knew a lot of stars. He’s a very interesting gentleman. I sent a birthday card for him. Fingers crossed you get to see Golden Horn again. Have a great Tuesday. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO

  22. / Reply

    Dear Tizgood.I hadn’t heard about the sale of Tapit’s colt.Michael Dickinson lives in Maryland moved there in the 80’s.He was a champion NH trainer over here but not so successful on the flat.He had a record 12 winners on boxing day in 1982 I think and Wayward Lad(one of the famous 5) went out to the US to spend his retirement there.Wesley Ward is looking forward to the Nunthorpe next week with his filly Acapulco.JV can’t come over for the ride am not sure who is booked .She is such a strong .beautiful girl and taking on older horses too.Should be an exciting race.Hugs Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      The Tapit Galileo colt is gorgeous; there is a video of the SA group celebrating their purchase and guess who is standing very close by chewing his gum very hard, Mr Bob Baffert. They don’t have a trainer and not sure if they are going to take him back to SA. BB was taking a good hard look at them. The colt has a Euro look to him with a Euro head, not our narrow US head and a sturdier body than our American TB. He will be one to watch and a nice one at stud. The Tapit that sold for 1.2 million is a very nice looking
      colt, dark bay with white bay and some white stockings. Hope the Chestnut Prince shows his mom and dad proud!!! Tapit is very hot !!
      Love and hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      Kiran Mc Laughlin used Irad a lot for the Godophin horses he is a great
      jockey. Hope he wins.
      Love and hugs

  24. / Reply

    Happy birthday Dottie and Mike. Seems like I can’t keep up anymore. Coz and Ziconic the two best looking boys on the planet. How proud must Zenny be. I don’t want to be a downer but I got my test results back, at least most of them. I have lesions on my thyroid and a goiter. Isn’t that the most awful word. Biopsy time, three, one on each side and one in the middle. During the testing they found my liver enzymes were too high and now it seems my liver is enlarged. Plus I’ve gained 8 lbs. in four weeks. I have to admit I’m scared and I really miss my Mom at a time like this. Loving Zenyatta and the wonderful friends I’ve discovered through her gives me the will to go on. Looking forward to the day I can return. By then I know Coz will have shown the world what he’s made of. Love to All. Vicki.

    • / Reply

      Dear Vicki:

      Keeping you in my prayers. Hoping your health issues will be resolved and you will feel better soon. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Vicki,

      We’re all in this with you. Your friends here are all thinking of you & keeping you in our prayers. I’m sure that your mom is watching over you from above, too.

      Yes, it is scary, but try to think positive thoughts to keep your immune system strong so it can help you fight this. YOU CAN BEAT THIS, VICKI!

      We’re here for you, so keep us posted when you can. Wishing you good results on your biopsies & a quick return to good health.

    • / Reply

      Dear Vicki,

      I haven’t kept up here for the past few months but I was just checking the recent posts and I am sad to hear of the health matters you are going through. I have recently gone through the hardest 3 months of my life and had many prayers said by friends. I did get through it with that help and I will pray hard for you as well.
      It’s ok to be scared just power up and keep it going.
      God Bless you.
      Maryo

  25. / Reply

    Late in returning as usual, but want to nevertheless wish Dottie and Mikey belated Happy Birthday wishes. Hope you both have many more.

    @Sue Noel–congrats on your new babies, and I love the Barnaby story. Passing it on to my daughter.

    @Abigail Anderson– thank you so much for your valuable work and the fabulous issue of The Vault. Left a message on that site for you.

    @Vicki–prayers for your health to improve. Please keep us posted as you are able. If I have missed a need from anyone, please accept my apologies. Will try to be more faithful here. Hugs (and love) to all.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Vicki.I am so sorry to hear about your health issues.No matter how old we are we all need our mums at times.They were always a source of comfort when we had our childhood ailments.Praying you will feel better soon and try your best to keep us posted.Have faith.God bless you.Hugs Sheena.

  27. / Reply

    Dual-guineas winner Gleneagles to set for a mouthwatering clash with our Derby hero Golden Horn in the Juddmonte at York next week.A trip to Deauville was ruled out by Aidan because of the soft ground.Bring it on!!!Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      What a race that will be- Gleneagles and Golden Horn. I think Golden Horn will win but
      one never knows??? What a match, I am surprised the owners are allowing them to meet before the Arc?
      Love and hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Wow, two magnificent boys. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank and all the Sweeties

  28. / Reply

    Dear Dottie:

    Happy Birthday. We miss you, John, his team and horses very much.

    God bless you on this special day. Hugs, Marilu

  29. / Reply

    The latest from Hew Haw–Buck Owens to George Gobel, I understand your wife likes mustaches. Gobel–That’s right, she does. Owens–But you don’t have a mustache. Gobel–Thats OK, She does.

    • / Reply

      To hear that two War Front sons are successful in racing makes me a bit sad because it makes me wonder about what Z Princess might have become had she lived. I think she would have been a terror on the track, just like her Mama Z.

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      Agree with you about the War Front colts’ names. Does make me sad as you and Deb said to think of our unforgettable Z Princess.

    • / Reply

      The Euros think of such great names for their War Front colt and such a wonderful runner our Z princess would have been on earth, but she has her Daddy to teach her to run over the rainbow and all of the Triple Crown winners so maybe she is a KY Derby winner
      over the rainbow. Go Z princess your Daddy is very proud of you !!

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