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2016 Zenyatta Celebration: Fans Meet Zenyatta

Celebration winners visit Zenyatta.
Celebration winners visit Zenyatta.

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

Reader Interactions

640 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Dear Judy:Lovely to read about life at Banstead Manor(link on previous page)The stallions all have a great summer out 24/7 except Frankel who sleeps indoors!Kind is going to visit Galileo this year again.She has 5 sons at stud now.Temps in 50’s over here now They are preparing at the Dyfi for the new season.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Glad your weather has improved. Won’t be long now the Ospreys will return. Love and Hugs, JB

  3. / Reply

    Dear Beautiful Mama Z, COZ, ZI and DC:

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love You. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

  4. / Reply

    Goodnight Zenyatta, you are very important in my life. Stay calm and rested sweetie.
    Love you with kisses and to all your sons
    Z princess and dear Sir
    Auntie Sally B

    Thinking of Judy B.

  5. / Reply

    Huge, Huge Congratulations to Rumor. Westminister Best in Show. Wow what a beautiful girl you are. You remind me of my German Shepherd that I had as a child. I heard you were on the Good Morning show and I missed you. That will teach me to get up earlier. I hear you might be retiring . To have puppies. Wow, wonder who the PaPa to be will be.
    Good Luck Rumor and will sure be looking for some of your puppies in the future

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy,

      I join in the congratulations for Rumor. She is a beautiful dog. Love the way she moves. SO elegant.

      Hugs, Kathy

    • / Reply

      Hi Peggy!
      Yes, she is gorgeous! I picked her for Best In Show when she entered the ring for the herding group. She just draws your eyes to her. She is about the best moving shepherd I have seen, most do not move that rear end so well! I was hoping the vizsla would at least make the cut in sporting group, but alas, not this year. Teak is a handsome boy, bred by a good friend of mine. My 6-year-old vizsla, Brook, had a very enjoyable 2 evenings of Westminster. She actually watches TV and spend most of the evenings jumping up at the TV screen to get a better look at all the dogs!! The other 3 of my dogs could care less… I was at “The Garden” once, many years ago, with my vizsla Bo. Made many good memories with my sister, Annie, who took her PBGV. Annie died 2 years later and I get misty every year I watch Westminster.

      • / Reply

        Dear Lynn,

        I agree that Rumor is a perfect example of her breed — lovely girl!
        Too cute that Brook is so intent on watching the dogs at Westminster. I know those are very treasured memories at MSG with your sister and her PBGV and your Bo.
        Sorry about the loss of your Annie, but it is a comfort to have such a sweet memory.
        Bittersweet, but mostly sweet.

        Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy,

      I saw Rumor and her owner-handler on GMA, and they made an appearance on The View, also. In previous years, the winner and others have appeared on the Today show, also. I guess since NBC is no longer a partner with the WKC show, Today isn’t on the list anymore. I must say that I missed longtime commentator, David Frey(sp?) on the program, but he had announced that he was leaving during last year’s show. Guess it was a good time to leave since the broadcast was changing hands.

      Brava, Rumor Has It!! Gorgeous girl without a doubt. Congrats to Rumor and all in the final line-up, as well as all group winners. Very well done.

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy, Kathy, Lynn, Marshall. Just couldn’t believe her movement. Just so graceful. Such a beautiful dog. Can’t wait to see who she’s bred to.
        I just realized she was named after Adele’s song Rumor Has It.

        • Speaking of Adele, did anyone see Her tribute to George Michael on the Grammy’s. Sorry if someone has already mentioned it here. I thought she did a wonderful job. Just a beautiful song. Brought tears to my eyes when she stopped and said just can’t do this to him. Have to get it right. Then she started again. I thought she did a wonderul job. She is so talented.

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall,

        I missed David Frey, too. Good news…he’s still on the Thanksgiving Day dog show, also heard he will be on the Beverly Hills Dog Show on Easter Sunday.

        Hugs, Kathy

  6. / Reply

    Dear Judy, So looking forward to Monday and seeing GunRunner. Can’t wait.
    Godspeed to my beautiful boy

  7. / Reply

    February 16 Cherokee Devotional

    The biggest mountain is made up of tiny grains of sand and earth. The swiftest, widest river is only tiny drops of water. And in the swell of the human race, you are just as important as the next person. It helps to know that one little drop of water is as complete in itself as the whole river or the entire sea. Even in the smallest way, a person is just as complete and miraculous as any smart invention on earth. It is only by words and actions that circumstances differ and lives take different routes. Each tiny part of anything is infinitely important. Each petal on a daisy is necessary to give it balance to stand straight on its stem. Never say you are not important. You are not just important, you are essential. You have a definite purpose and it is a sacred responsibility.

    We have reason to glory in the achievements of our ancestors.
    O No’sa

  8. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.Yes,we are all important in this world we inhabit even the smallest insect.Spring has sprung over here a thoroughly pleasant day birds are singing and temps will reach the 60’s next week but alas it will turn cold again.A busy morning shopping more children about with half-term holidays.
    The secret serbice have let President Fibbs down again his cheese had been eaten and even the ratties are celebrating spring.Great that Zoe raised $200 for the Ruby Ranch and didn’t she look a picture in that dress.I had no idea that Lesley the ex-pat who created Amigos dos Gatos had died too.There are millions of stray cats in Portugal.The volunteers carry on her good work.Last Year’s GN winner Rule the World had a great day out in London the day the weights were announced.First time I’ve seen the short guy’s sister Katie made up she is very pretty.Cue Card is definitely running in the Gold cup not the Ryanair.I wish I could live at Banstead Manor in my old age do you think if I asked nicely??I would watch over Frankel in the night.He is a gentleman with the ladies according to Rob.It always used to a private operation until Frankel moved in now so many come and visit him and he LOVES the attention.It’s good that they get the summer to be just horses and they can look forward to a great retirement.
    They had 2ft of snow in Nova Scotia Seville and his fur fam cannot go out he demanded the peep dig a pathway for him.I heard Mother Theresa phoned the Donald on Valentine’s day should Mr May be worried we ask ourselves.Larry celebrated 6yrs at no 10 yesterday and posted the list of leaders he has outlasted.It’s World cat day tomorrow.Ossie had nightmares because he heard humans rule and not cats!Have a wonderful Friday eve.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Angel Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXOXO

  9. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    Lucky you with your Spring weather! It has been warm enough here to use our fans. Fibbs’ Swiss cheese was so funny. Zoe is a wonderful little fundraiser. Didn’t you love her Valentine’s Day dress? Too bad that Lesley has passed. I hope the volunteers persevere for a long time in her name. That’s good that Rule the World had a good day. Good for Katie…thank God for makeup! Congrats, Cue Card. I’m sure they’ll make room for you at Banstead Manor! That would be a great position to watch over Frankel! I always love to hear about thoroughbreds who love their fans’ attention. Two feet of snow is a lot to cope with. Poor Seville! I hadn’t heard that Mother Theresa had phoned Donald. Maybe Mr. May should investigate that! Larry is to be congratulated on his long tenure. Felicitations to all the cats out there…enjoy tomorrow! Poor Ossie. It was only a nightmare. He can rule when he’s awake! Happy Friday Eve to you as well. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Angel Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXOXOXO

  10. / Reply

    Thank you Team Z for sharing the pictures of the winners.

    They are so blessed to see and touch Zenyatta.

    Hope to visit Zenyatta too.

  11. / Reply

    URGENT: Santa Anita to cancel Friday’s card in advance of monster storm
    Jay Privman , Santa Anita , 2017-02-16 – DRF Live
    Santa Anita announced on Thursday that it will cancel its Friday card, owing to a dire weather forecast that calls for as much as five inches of rain in the area. In addition, the track will not be open for simulcasting.
    The storm is forecast to begin before dawn on Friday and is expected to bring heavy rain, high winds, and the possibility of local flooding.
    Santa Anita is scheduled to resume racing on Saturday. Racing is scheduled this weekend for Sunday and Monday, too, owing to the President’s Day holiday on Monday.
    http://live.drf.com/nuggets/35185

    • / Reply

      Harris D. Auerbach ‏@AuerHeat ‎Thursday, ‎16 ‎February, ‎2017
      @Leahbrandon The mother of all storms is coming. 6-10 inches
      predicted tomorrow into Saturday afternoon

  12. / Reply

    How exciting ~ just signed up for the new documentary about Zenny! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all watch it together?! Would so love to meet everyone who loves The Queen.

  13. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Enjoy the mild temps. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties

  14. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI and DC:

    Have a pleasant evening. Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love You. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Judy:Steve Dennis talked about Moose in his column today and how he is coping so well with dressage.Always said he was too clever to be a racehorse.Only needs 12 to reach a 1,000 on his FB.Yes,it’s lovely to get these few mild days we must have sent our Welsh weather out to Santa Anita.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  16. / Reply

    Prayers for all in the path of the monster storm. May God keep everyone safe.

    For those who are wondering, Amy seems to be cured of whatever was causing her breathing problem as well as the long time scent gland infection! Now I just need to get her back to eating her regular food after spoiling her to get her to eat when her appetite was bad. Thank you, everyone for your prayers.

    Coz & Ziconic, I pray that you & John’s other horses stay dry in the upcoming storm. Please have someone post an update on you; we haven’t heard anything about you in a long time.

    Mamma Z, I enjoyed the pics of you & your lucky fans. I am sure that you would let all of your fans visit you if it was up to you!

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna:

      Oh, great news. God Bless Amy with continued good health. Hope you’re feeling better too. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna Z,

      So happy to hear that Amy is all better now. I know it is a relief to you!
      Hope you continue to improve also. Will continue to keep you in thoughts and prayers.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna,
      So happy Amy is on the mend! Praying for both you and her to be well ‘all the time’.
      with love, Elizabeth

    • / Reply

      Before the race, Roberto was abandoned by his regular jockey, Piggott, who decided to ride Reingold. Roberto’s American owner brought in a US jockey who had never raced before in England. He took Roberto out of the gates like a dirt racer – “bat out of hell”. Roberto was a magnificent horse, and he proved to be outstanding as a sire. He came home to Kentucky and is the sire of Dynaformer and Kris S, Zenyatta’s dam sire. A great family.

      • / Reply

        Yes after a poor performance in the Irish Derby but there are times a horse will never get beaten and it certainly was Roberto’s day.A wonderful family indeed.I always remember Dahlia in the 73′ King George and Queen Elizabeth it was Rheingold’s race for the asking but no one could beat the mighty mare that day.One of my favourite races

      • / Reply

        Dear Max, Sheena and Z Fans:

        It was Braulio Baeza, born in Panama who began riding in the US in 1960, aboard Roberto that day.

        He had a very successful career in the US winning the George Wolf Award in 1968 and the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1972 and 1979 (the win on Roberto in 1972). He won the Belmont Stakes in 1961 with Sherluck and in 1969 with Arts and Letters. He rode the great Buckpasser, Ack Ack and Dr. Fager.

        He won the 1963 Kentucky Derby and the 1963 Belmont Stakes with Chateaugay.

        In 1975 he was aboard Foolish Pleasure in the sad ill fated match race with beautiful Ruffian.

        He retired in 1976 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame that same year. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy B.,

          Thank you for this important information about Braulio Baeza. He was a very talented jockey. He and Roberto made a great team that day.

          Hugs and Love

        • Thanks for the walk down memory lane, JB.
          Great champions and rider.
          Had a good friend, I called her Ack Ack because of her last name having ack in it. She laughed and was honored,saying…you race fans!

        • Dear Marshall and Ann:

          Always think of Ruffian whenever I remember Jockey Braulio Baeza. What a gorgeous filly she was.

          Ann, too cute. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sheena,
      Thank you, Thank you and even more thanks for posting Hovis. He is such a fun horse and always brightens my day.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      I have missed the magnificent Hovis! Thank you so much for posting this. He looks quite handsome in the photo, all tacked up.

      What a storyteller he is! I am still giggling at the image of his neighbor jumping up like an electrocuted barn cat. LOL!

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Me too!! That was so funny! You can just see him lurking along and scaring the bajeebers out of his neighbor ?

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Oh, our Hovis looks so handsome despite losing his feathers. Always makes me smile. Thanks for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    Help, ZPeeps! I seemed to have missed something. What is this about a Z documentary? ? Also, just saw that Harry & Snowman is available thru Netflix.

    ♥to all…
    Cheryl

  20. / Reply

    February 17 Cherokee Devotional

    Touching the earth is a lovely thing, a feeling of once again finding our beginnings, a knowing that this place where we stand, whether to walk or plow or plant, is something created for us, for the pulse of the earth slows our own and tranquilizes our confusion. The Cherokees believe that seeing the sky in all its limitless depths stirs our imaginations and stretches our awareness of how much simple beauty is provided for us. We can see that bitterness lasts only as long as we allow it, but we have reached beyond the ceiling of our minds and are as unlimited as the sky. As currents of air stir the fragrance of flowers, we may not be able to see all things but we sense the influence and know that life is ours to enjoy. It comes by Divine heritage.

    Ka wat lee os, tat gat eh’. Peace for the Cherokees, Oh, America, peace for Cherokees.

  21. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.So true about bitterness…..Happy world cat day to you.Evie is being kind to her fellow political cats today.Poor Hovis is still having trouble with his leg I had to laugh at his antics with the orange dude though and I can sympathisewith him slowing up at 14.I slowed up many years ago!Another lovely mild day here again.Poor Mr Fibbs I hope all goes well for your president it would be devastating to lose him so soon.Ipray he recobers you need him now more than ever.Did you hear about the brother-in-law of the King of Spain jailed for fraud I think Infanta Christina was cleared.Tony Blair(remember him)has given a speech today in favour of the remoaners saying the brexiteers should be persuaded to change their mind.OMG you should see the comments!Why does he think we care what HE has to say???I think Mother Theresa is in France .Larry is holding the fort.
    I read about Mr Tibbs the cat in Your Cat magazine yesterday and how he loves the sheep and how well they get on.I have been on his FB and he has a you-tube channel They moved down to Devon in 2012 and got him and Bronwyn from a rescue in Exeter.It is fabulous to see him playing with the lambs but he gives the shady chickens a wide berth.Freedy Tylicki is getting back on a horse next week.This brave young man was paralysed in a fall at Kempton last October.He has never seen a replay of the race but remembers everything about the fall.Good luck to him!Hope you have a great Friday hope you aren’t going to get all that rain they got another foot of snow in Nova Scotia yesterday!Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Angel Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXOXOXO

  22. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    Happy World Cat Day! Lots to worry about today…Hovis, President Fibbs…Rats don’t have a very long lifespan, do they? Hadn’t heard about the King of Spain’s brother-in-law. Yes! I remember Tony. Seems like he’s been gone forever! Bless him for thinking people still want to hear from him. Mother Theresa is lucky to have Larry looking after everything. Sweet story about Mr. Tibbs and the sheep. He’s smart to avoid the shady chickens. Gosh, I hope everything goes okay for Freedy. Not sure about that! TGIF and enjoy the weekend. I hope we don’t get as much rain as they predict. Fortunately I’m off today so I can hunker down if necessary! I hope Nova Scotia is busy digging out! Love and hugs from me, kisses from Angel Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXOXOX

  24. / Reply

    Emotional scenes at Sandown today as Captain Guy Disney,who lost his leg below the knee whilst serving in Helmand in 2009,secured success in the Royal Artillery Gold cup aboard Rathlin Rose.He thought of the lads who never made it home.
    A beautiful photo of the grey Monet’s garden on one of our FB’s today his 19th birthday.We nearly lost him six years ago with a hoof injury but he looks fantastic now also Balthazar King enjoying a day out hunting.

  25. / Reply

    Dear Judy.It’s wonderful to see these old champions enjoying life.Lady Aurelia will be back at Royal Ascot this year.Barbara Banke has been to visit Banstead Manor too must have been when she was over here last year.Moose has made it to 1000!YayGoodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Yes, it is. Good luck to Lady Aurelia; hope she travels well. Love our Moose. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties

  26. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI and DC:

    Stay comfy and cozy. Goodnight. Love You. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

  27. / Reply

    February 18 Cherokee Devotional

    We need to get our priorities in a row. A lazy person never has priorities and never plans anything. He lets circumstances make all his decisions-and believes fate has the final say. Even though he has had a thousand nudges to do a certain thing, he ignores them because it is only himself dreaming again. If we cannot hold onto a plan long enough to do anything about it, then we should write it. Write it so plain that when we read it, we run-we run toward putting into practice what we set out on paper. It is essential to decide the ultimate outcome of our lives. If we do nothing, then that is a decision. Our lot in life is what we make it, using every delay, every pain, every injustice as fuel to fire our determination.

    Let the young men of this nation remember that idleness leads to poverty. Industry is honorable and leads to contentment.
    Chief John Ross

  29. / Reply

    Cue Card the most popular chaser in racing today demolishes his rivals in the Betfair Ascot chase.Now 11 years old and in his 35th start he received a tremendous reception from the Ascot crowd.Now for the Gold cup!

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