Happy February!
Last fall we held our fourth annual Zenyatta Celebration, raising $20,000 for Thoroughbred Rehab Center Inc. Five participants were chosen in a random drawing to win the grand prize, An Invitation to Meet Zenyatta. Each winner was invited to travel with a guest to Lane’s End Farm to meet Zenyatta and receive a tour of the farm. These photos document their visits. Photography by Alys Emson.
View the complete set of photos from these visits in our 2016 Zenyatta Celebration Photo Gallery.
Some of you have noticed that we’ve been posting less frequently, but our winter break is no cause for concern. Zenyatta is happy and healthy, and we got to see her at Lane’s End in late January. We’ll be posting images from our visit soon.
Enjoy!
Team Z
Peggy (N) South Georgia
We love you Zenyatta and Family. Happy Valentine Day.
Marshall (NC Broad)
RIP Southwestern Heat
Only 13 years old, he fell victim to colic and was euthanized last month. SH was by Gone West out of Xtra Heat (Dixieland Heat). Another one gone too soon.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/219805/southwestern-heat-dies-due-to-colic
Condolences to all who loved and cared for him.
Hugs and Love
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Marshall.This is sad news.So many of them taken from us far too soon either through illness or injury.RIPSouthwestern Heat.
Judy B from Rhode Island
RIP Southwestern Heat. Run free in God’s Heaven. Love and Hugs, JB
Kris in Illinois
Love how interested Zenyatta is in her visitors!
Cathy Marshall
I thought the same thing. She is so special…
Bluegrass Girl
Eric Mitchell @BH_EMitchell Monday Feb. 13 2017
Harris Farm confirmed Lucky Pulpit, sire of #CaliforniaChrome, died of apparent heart attack in the breeding shed earlier today.
sheena.davies(wales)
Yet another in the breeding shed.Same as Fame and Glory.We seem to ask a lot of these beautiful horses even in their post racing careers.RIP Lucky Pulpit
Sandy Couch
Ask a lot? If we didn’t ask, the specie would die off.
sheena.davies(wales)
You are welcome to your opinion but I stand by mine.
Max
With an estimated 100,000 thoroughbred foals being born world wide each year, there is little chance of the species dying out anytime soon. Sheena’s comment has merit as not all horses are as well loved and protected as those lucky enough to be under the care of the Moss family.
barbara guidotti
we ask a lot from the mares also, to be bred year in and out, the breeding shed is difficult for both mares and stallions.
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena, Max and Sandy C:
Sheena, when Peggy told me about Lucky Pulpit, I immediately thought of your post about Fame and Glory. Gone to soon; so, so, sad.
Max, I agree, if anything all the over breeding, besides the death of stallions, is resulting in so many of the babies needing rescuing at some point in their lives. Many of them end up transported to slaughter.
Sandy C, some horses are lucky and are rescued from kill pens; sadly, more are not. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
Sheena mentioned that Fame is a son of Montjeu. Montjeu himself died way too young. Another son was Hurricane Run who also passed away recently. Then there was the sad ending of St. Nick. The Montjeu genes are getting more and more precious.
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Max and Z Fans:
Yes, Montjeu was only sixteen. I read he died from an infection in the bloodstream.
These are just some of stallions that died from heart attacks or suspected heart attack:
Arch, Scat Daddy (collapsed and died), Herbager (France), Hennessey (In Argentina; he was shuttled after stud duty in KY), Strike Smartly (So. Africa), Lucky Pulpit, Tribal Ruler, Tiger Ridge, Whirlaway, Skip Away, Offlee Wild, Lion Hearted, O’Reilly (New Zealand), Scenic (Australia), Dynaformer (euthanized after suffering an aortic valve rupture two weeks after being pensioned), Widden (Australia), Roman Ruler (In Argentina; shuttled from stud duty in KY for 10 years).
RIP beautiful boys. Love and Hugs, JB
Linda in NJ
This was Lucky Pulpits first mare of the breeding season. Harris Farm has been Lucky Pulpits only home throughout his breeding career, which means he was never shuttled to perform double duty.
It appears a lot was not asked of this particular stallion.
It was just bad luck.
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Linda:
Yes, it’s true. Just as in humans, some horses are genetically prone to heart problems. Sadly, some of them have been stricken, collapsed and died right after a race.
According to Pedigree Query, Lucky Pulpit sired 276 foals in his stud career starting in 2007. That may be on the low side because often times not all of the progeny are recorded on that site.
Compared to other stallions that is a small number, as some of them cover 100 or more mares in a season; and double that number if they shuttle. I think it more than a coincidence that so many stallions have died from heart attacks. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.I heard Camelot another son of Montjeu covered well of 200 mares last season.In my humble opinion way too much.not all of those foals born will ever be champions some may end up as stallions or broodmares but may will fall by the wayside.Sad but true.Love and hugs Sheena
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Yes, that’s so true. So many just disappear. Heartbreaking.
I’ve read that in the wild a band of 100 mares will produce on average 40 foals in a season (and 40 to 50 percent of those babies don’t survive the harsh conditions in some places); so breeding to 200 mares in a season is way out of the ordinary. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Wishing darling Zenyatta and all who post here a Happy Valentine’s day.To love and be loved.X
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Happy Valentine’s Day to you. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties
Kathy
Congratulations to all those lucky people who got to meet the Queen! What a thrill for all of you…
Kathy
February 14 Cherokee Devotional
Our wounds need time to heal. And when it seems the healing has done its work, protection from further hurt is necessary, because our scars are on the surface. Physical wounds are bad enough, but when they come from mental cruelty and unfair treatment, pain returns again and again to reopen what no one should have to bear. It seems almost a sacrilege to ask someone so deeply hurt to forgive those who caused it. Yet unforgiveness causes damage almost as devastating as physical wounds, or more so. There is great stress in bearing grudges and the abused do not need any new pain or new problems. Forgiveness does not set the abusive free, but the abused.
I was living peaceably and satisfied when people began to speak bad of me.
Geronimo
Susan in Fl
Great pics, so much fun! Peace & Happiness
Ann NC
Great photos. Congrats to the lucky visitors. Zenny, you are so sweet.
Happy Belated Birthday to the birthday girls, Marshall and Brenda. Hope your day was very special!
A BIG Valentine heart to all. Lots of love and hugs.
Chrome, even more special now. So sad about your sire.
Love you Zenny, always in my prayers.
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Ann:
Love and Hugs, JB
Celeste_in_TX
Thank you to all of Team Z for sharing this news and all these wonderful photos of those lucky guests having the opportunity to meet our Queen!! Every day I am full of gratitude for this site to come here and check in on Zenyatta and I appreciate any and all updates, feeling blessed you continue to offer this to us. Thank you!!
Celeste_in_TX
Having spent more time studying the Celebration photos I want to express again how grateful I feel for Mr. and Mrs. Moss to continue sharing Zenny with all of us. She looks to be such a kind and gentle horse in all these pictures and you can clearly see the love and affection her visitors feel for her – simply heart melting and makes my eyes well up with tears of sweetness/love. Wow. Thank you.
Max
I agree with you. She is also incredibly beautiful. She never takes a bad photo. The camera like everybody else loves her.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Well said, Max!
Very well stated indeed.
Hugs to you and Celeste
Sally Blank (cherishes Z and her foals)
Happy Valentines ZENYATTA! I think you will get some very special treats today Z.
Peppermint kisses to you
love, Auntie Sally B
I hope every one has a Happy Valentines Day.
Sally B
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Sally:
Happy Valentine’s Day. Love and Hugs, JB
Laura Peterson
Thanks so much and we can’t wait to see the photos you post! When, please, is the great Z’s due date?
Mary M
Thank you Team Z. Zenyatta appears to sooo love all the attention from visiting people. Love the Zenyatta racing colors toque(?hat). Thought I caught a glimpse of Vixana at Z’s rear in one of the shots. Zenyatta looks in great shape, not too heavy. Thank you!
Jo in CO
Beautiful! What a thrill for them! Happy Valentine’s Day to Zenyatta, the little foal on the way, Zi, Coz, and all of Team Z!
Judy Wucherer
Special love on Valentine’s Day to the most beautiful horse in the world, Zenyatta always! ♡
Jeanette Darnell
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Would have loved to come to farm and seen Zenyatta.
I know it’s a working farm. But would love to come for a visit.
If there is a open day for visit, would like to know. I didn’t win contest :-(
Dee in the Hudson Valley
Happy Valentine’s Day to our beautiful Queen!
Hope you get lots of carrots and peppermints.
Kimberly
Happy Valentines Day Zenyatta!! The pictures of you are beautiful. Those were some VERY lucky ladies! ❤️
Susan Williams
Thank you so much for the visit Zenyatta and all of Team Z. It was a thrill-and a memory that I will cherish. My daughter and I had a great time seeing the beautiful farm, Zenyatta, and all the great stallions. The staff was exceptional. Thank you to Louise Hatfield for the tour! And thank you Tyler for guiding me along the way!
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Susan,
Thanks for posting about your visit to the beloved Queen, of racing and of our hearts.
So glad you and your daughter had a great time that you will never forget. Such wonderful memories!
Hugs and Love
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Susan W:
Wow, as Marshall said, great memories of our Queen for you and your daughter. Love and Hugs, JB
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thank you so much for sharing some of your visit with us. So glad that you and your daughter had such a great time!
Sharon Peck
Happy hearts all around for Team Z, Zenny and all the fans!! I love the pictures.
Mary Margaret in Georgia
Say it isn’t so. RIP Lucky Pulpit. You shine like a copper penny.
Mary Margaret in Georgia
Happy Valentine’s Day to Zenyatta and the whole Z family and team.
DMCQ_AL
Love you Zenyatta and always will!! Thank you Team Z for the pictures and for keeping us updated on all things Zenyatta.
Lise from Maine
Bonjour Zenyatta,
Eager to know when the baby is due, and very eager to see
him or her.
Lots of love,
Lise from Maine
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Lise,
Z is due sometime in May from what I gather.
It seems she is doing very well and so is her pal, Vixana.
Hugs and Love
Lise from Maine
Bonjour Zenyatta,
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love the photos. Keep them coming.
Kisses to you, Zenyatta!
Thank you!
Lise from Maine
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Zenyatta,
Sweet girl, you are the “Queen of Hearts”, namely of our hearts and everyone you meet, too.
Sending you Valentine’s Day greetings again and much Love, over and over and over again! ❤️??❤️
Big Hugs and Lots of Love to you, Vixana and all your Family
Rita Pierce in Georgia
Happy Valentines Day Zen. You are the most beautiful Queen of Mares in the world and I will forever love you. I hope when I make my trip to Kentucky I get to see you. Looking forward to the baby soon. Hoping it will be a healthy little filly!!
Marshall (NC Broad)
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to all my Z Friends here on the most wonderful blog in the world!
Hope everyone has a lovely day filled with ❤️ (love) and ? (special treats)!
Lots of Hugs and Love ?
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Judy B. and all Dog-Lovers,
Looking forward to seeing the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show tonight!
Unfortunately, due to the change in networks, I missed the first night since I didn’t see any mention of it in the newspaper channel guide. FS-1 isn’t listed, and I didn’t know I could access TWC channel 400. I discovered today that I can! YAY!
This is my birthday gift from the dog world and is part of my traditional celebration. It is the only program that would ever pull me away from my usual NCIS. Will have to catch it on the reruns, Gibbs! ?
Bailey, Smudge and I will enjoy tonight. Greetings and Love to Lola Mae and to all our canine stars.
Hugs and Love
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Marshall:
Love watching the Dog Show too. Good luck to all. Will be rooting for the little Poodle in the Toy Group. Happy Valentine’s Day to You, Bailey and Smudge. Love and Hugs, JB
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Marshall:
Beautiful German Shepard, Rumor, won best in show. Understand she was runner up in her previous try; retired for a year and came back to win. Congrats to her. Well done!
Little Peak took the Toy Group. Love and Hugs, JB