Happy Tuesday!
If you’ve been following news about Cozmic One, you know he’s currently training with John Shirreffs at Santa Anita. Photographer Mike Sekulic was there for recent workouts, and he sent us these great photos.
John, along with racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, will be answering questions in our next edition of Ask The Experts. While they may not tell you when Coz will start racing, they both have decades of knowledge and experience to share. This is a rare opportunity to submit questions for two people who are at the root of Zenyatta’s success. Use the form at the bottom of this post to send us your questions. We’ll pick our favorites, so be creative!
Enjoy!
Team Z
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Marty R / Colorado
I’ve been away from the blog a few days. Have had my nose in the book, “The Eighty Dollar Champion”. I’m a little surprised because I was always a die hard cowgirl wannabe and now I’m loving Thoroughbred race horses and now fascinated by the story of this plow horse turned champion jumper. I guess I’m evolving. What a good time to decide to check in at the blog. I’m so excited to have a chance for questions and answers from John and Dottie. I’ve already submitted a question. Keeping my fingers crossed it will be chosen. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of news and will need to go back and try to catch up. I hope everyone is staying safe and warm through the storms. Love, Marty R.
maureen ph[llips
Hi Marty,
Happy to hear that you are enjoying your book, let us know when you are done reading it if it is worth reading. Yes, isn’t our own first born Prince just the best?. Have a most Blessed day. It is always well at Z Nation.
Sally Wade
Hi – Just had to give my 2 cents LOL. One day about 1 1/2 years ago, I went to Amazon and typed in “horse books” and sorted thru the results. “The Eighty Dollar Champion” came up and I decided to buy it because I had heard about “Snowman” growing up and thought it would be a good read. Great book – well written. Love a true story.
Barbara Wood
Marty R.–Is that not a fabulous book? I loved it! If it were not true, no one would believe it. Everyone should read it and remember that they are all worth saving. Hugs.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
So glad to see you here Marty. The book sounds like a winner – will have to try to find a copy. Of course almost ANY horse book would be “new” to me :-)
Dona
Thank you so much for sharing. You’re the best, ever.
Funny, how he reminds me of the great, late John Henry. Amazing
likeness.
♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG So. California
♥ Oh I love John Henry… he was really something wasn’t he!!!
vicki
Coz is amazing! Thanks for the wonderful photos Mike. Many thanks to all the connections. I feel so fortunate to have witnessed the greatness of Zenyatta. Her legacy will live on in her offspring.
Mary Margaret in Georgia
Awesome pics. Thank you so much for the update on Coz. He looks like he is enjoying his work. Stay Safe, Healthy, and, especially, Happy. You definitely exude Greatness.
maureen ph[llips
Amen to that, my thoughts exactly.
Stella Bagwell in South Texas
Coz looks like a total professional! So beautiful and focused. I’m praying his career is long and successful. But most of all I pray he’ll remain safe, healthy and happy!
Love to Queen Z, her family, and the whole team.
Stel
maureen ph[llips
Dear Stella, Yes , Yes, Yes to the Professional and Focused and Amen to the Prayers. It is always well at Z Nation, Blessings to all.
Susan In Fl
Fantastic pictures!!! Thanx so much for sharing! Peace & Happiness
Sandie Holliday
Gorgeous…..
Terry Crow
For those who are curious, there is a website where you can find out if a celebrity, no matter what field, is alive or not. It is dead or alive.com. When you get to the website you merely enter the name of the person you are interested in. I was wondering about Andy Griffith and Joan Fontaine. Unfortunately, Mr. Griffith has passed away but Ms. Fontaine is alive as is her sister.
maureen ph[llips
Thanks for the information, good to know. Have you a Blessed rest of the day. It is always well at Z Nation. Blessings to all.
maureen ph[llips
Thanks Terry for the information, good to know. Have you a Blessed rest of the day. It is always well at Z Nation. Blessings to all.
SallyB.(AuntiecherishesZandheryoung)
Terry, Thank you for info. I don’t think I remember hearing of Andy Griffith passing.
Sally B
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Team Z and Mr. Selkulic:
Thank you so much for these fabulous photos of COZ. My God he’s magnificent looking. He’s filling out and reminds me so much of his Mama in action. Thank you again for keeping us updated on his progress. Love and Hugs, JB
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Oops: Sorry, that should be Mr. Sekulic.
SallyB.(AuntiecherishesZandheryoung)
Judy Berube, Yes, mamma in action is right on! Coz sure looks the most like our Z.
love n hugs, Sally B
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Frank, Boo and all the Sweeties
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Beautiful Z, COZ, ZI, V and Montey:
Goodnight. Stay comfy and cozy. Love You. Hugs, JB
Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.
Sally Wade
He has that “Look Of Eagles” in his eyes!!! Grew up gorgeous!
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Terry.Sorry to inform you that Joan Fontaine passed away on December 15th 2013 but sister Olivia de Havilland is still with us aged 98yrs.Hugs Sheena..
maureen ph[llips
Dear Sheena,
Thanks for the update, if 98 is not a good ripe age, I don’t know what is. May Joan Fontaine and the rest of our dearly beloved all rest in Perfect Peace. It is well always at Z Nation.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Poor Nissy is up to “here” in snow!!I got the book today with his rescue story it’s lovely.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Boo and all the Sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX
shirleeinindy
Stonestreet has posted a photo of Taco (Jess’s Dream) on their facebook page. Seem he, like our Coz is a big guy and needs time to mature. From their photos, Coz appears the larger and more muscular of the two.
Just glad their people don’t have Derby Fever and are letting these guys tell them when they are ready.
lin volk
Thank you for these beautiful photos; really enjoyed seeing Coz in action. In photo where he is racing with other horse (both all fours off ground) he looks as though he has a glint in his eye; like he REALLY enjoys doing that!
ronni
He’s absolutely gorgeous!!!
SallyB.(AuntiecherishesZandheryoung)
Goodnight with love and kisses to you Zenyatta, fabulous Coz and handsome Zi
love always to zprincess and my dear Sir
Auntie Sally B
Lori Stein
My gosh he looks like his momma!!!
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
Dear Zenyatta and fans of all things Z….. I am feeling blessed and grateful….. I was fortunate today to stop by Santa Anita racetrack ( on my way home from visiting family north of LA) and really hit the lucky jackpot in that a very nice man came up to me and said if I watched the track I would see John on his horse and Cozmic One out on the track. That very nice man with a camera was Mike Sekulic! He mentioned that his photos were on the blog and I said as soon as I got home I would check out Z’s website. These are wonderful photos. And today, I saw this magnificent son of Zenyatta strut right by me. He is such a superstar. As we who have had sons know, we are always so very proud of them. Zenyatta, you would be so proud. He looks like he belongs at Santa Anita and all of your fans will welcome him with open arms. Thank you so much Lane’s End, all the connections to Z and Cozmic One and especially Mike today for being so very gracious to a rare early morning workout visitor. I will always say, I’ve met the nicest people at the racetrack. It is so very true. The mountains were a gorgeous backdrop and I must say it really was warm and I was about to leave when Mike said he was across the track and would head our way. I am so glad I stayed a bit longer than I had planned It was very close to 10 a.m. but one of the other track folks said when he did his exercises he came out usually late in the 2nd set of workouts. Aside from visiting with my son and his family this was a real highlight to my day.
Celeste_in_TX
How awesome!! What a wonderful morning to be able to see Coz during his workout. That was so very nice of Mike Sekulic to let you know about Coz’s training at that time. So cool!!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
How nice that you were able to meet Mike Sekulic AND see Coz on the track! You really must have felt like you hit the jackpot. Thanks for the report and letting us see him through your eyes Delrene :-)
Donna Z
Just caught up after about 3 wks. away from the blog due to surgery & moving my computer to where my leg is comfortable while I read & type. I now have a new left knee. I really missed a lot while I was gone!
Judy B, I’m glad that your sister’s test results came out ok.
Happy belated birthday, Marshall, & congratulations to Huey’s & you on your new family member, Bailey! Thank you for rescuing a shelter dog. I hope that all other shelter dogs find as wonderful a forever home as Bailey has with you!
Thank you to Team Z & the Mayberrys for the updates on Ziconic & Coz. Both colts look fantastic!
The pain med I’m on is starting to take effect. Take care, Z family!
carol in arkansas
hope all goes well with your new knee….got my left one 5 yrs ago…going to get a new right one in about 2 weeks….follow dr orders…something I have trouble doing..LOL
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Glad to have you back Donna. I am one of the many who can truly empathize with what you are going through. Do those exercises!!! Hope to hear another update soon.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Thanks, Donna Z. So glad to have you back and happy that you are recovering nicely from the knee surgery, too!
Bailey is doing very well, and Huey likes her. Reilly was a shelter rescue as were some of my previous great dogs. These dear doggies are the best. I always want to give all of the shelter dogs a home — they all deserve to be loved.
Take care and get well soon.
Hugs and Love
PamC
What a beautiful upcoming horse we have to look forward to! Thanks for the great photos, and posting ! Can’t wait to see Coz in the racing scene ….looks magnificent — Mama Z you did good!!! :) Sincere gratitude to all the Z team!
Kathy
February 12 Cherokee Devotional
Beauty and ugliness are everywhere-even in some of the same things. To some a wide-open prairie is empty and colorless-but to others it is uncluttered simplicity-the way life itself ought to look.
Physical appeal is high on some lists, but nu tso se dv na, which is Cherokee comfort, lasts longer. Whatever is in our hearts is in our sight. To love something or someone makes us see the beauty of it-not the wrong.
It is to our advantage to be gentle in our observations-to see and cultivate the best in who we are and in those around us.
We love quiet; we suffer the mouse to play; when the woods are rustled by the wind, we fear not.
Indian Chief
1796
maureen ph[llips
Dear Kathy,
Thank you so much for always posting uplifting devotionals, I especially loved today;s and wrote it down, especially these ones, ‘whats in our hearts is in our sight.’ ‘To love someone or something is to see the beauty of it and not the wrong’, which is so true. Love forgives all ills. Remain always Blessed, it is always well at Z Nation. Blessings to all.
Robin LOVES Zenyatta
Here in the NYC area, we have learned of the death of veteran correspondent Bob Simon in a car accident. The first things I thought of, besides his 27 Emmy awards, were his two features of Zenny and how heartfelt his comments were about her. He definitely “got” our Queen and portrayed her with the same love that we feel. RIP Bob Simon.
Kathy
Dear Robin,
Oh, that’s so sad. He was a wonderful correspondent and as you mention, we will never forget the fabulous features he did on Zenyatta. RIP Bob Simon.
Hugs, Kathy.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Yes, this is very sad – especially considering the circumstances. I owe a great deal to Bob Simon – it was his first feature on Zenyatta (before the 2010 BC) that stole my heart. I wouldn’t be here if that hadn’t happened as I had never heard of her before that Sunday evening. Rest with angels, Bob.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
RIP Bob Simon. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
Sad news. I also immediately thought of his work on Zenyatta. It was terrific.
maureen ph[llips
R.I.P Bob Simon, thanks for the wonderful write ups about our Queen Zenyatta, you always be remembered fondly by our Z Nation family. May the good Lord comfort your loved ones until we all meet again. The Queen also sends her heart felt condolences to your family and loved ones. It is always well at Z Nation.
Allen
Great pictures, Thanks Mike. I know Coz has been in training with John for a while, but I haven’t seen any times posted from any of his works. If any of you have this information I would love to see it. Hope everyone has a Blessed Day.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Allen – if you go to equibase.com and create a free account, you can create a “virtual stable” of horses you wish to follow, and you will get notices of their workout efforts. I’ll just say that his workouts haven’t been the fastest, but then only John knows what the goal of any specific workout might be. Speed might not have been the outcome of interest.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder!I didn’t know it was Joey’s birthday yesterday same day as my beloved Frankel.I saw your message I’m sure he’s looking down on us all.I saw a sweet kitty on my way to town today very friendly and fluffy!Pretty tortie reminded me of Katie.Loki’s mama has decided it’s too stressful for him to go to the surgery only if it’s urgent and her vets agree with her so she is looking for a vet to visit Loki at home.He’s been pretty good lately eating and happy and the vet said that the stress of a car trip could lead to heart failure.Has’nt he got beautiful eyes?Haven is going to be surrounded by lovely “ladies”for Valentine’s day.A lot are worried about Fubu must be a week since we heard!Mango is in a hotel in Palms Desert(I think)in CA she did get a bit bored and shredded some napkins but all in all a good trip!Did you see all that snow in Ray’s garden?Jack O found his ball clever boy!Have a great day.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.BTW I gave our Prince Andrew a “like” on his FB.LOL
Barbara Wood
@Donna Z–I feel your pain, We are a matching set! Glad to have you back. I remember I was off the blog for a long time.
@carol in Arkansas–you’ve been to this rodeo before, so you know what to expect. Please let us know the date so we can send prayers and thoughts your way.
Hugs to you both.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
I agree that Joey is looking down on all of us. It’s incredible to think how we are so deeply affected by these precious animals we have never met, yet we still feel so close to them. The power of the animal kingdom! You will have to keep your eyes open for that kitty. If she needs a home maybe you could adopt her! She sounds lovely. Home visits for Loki sounds like a great idea. Good luck to his mom finding a vet willing to do that! Yes, Loki’s eyes are beautiful! Sounds like Haven will have a fantastic Valentine’s day. Good for him! It is very worrisome to not have any news from Fubu. Hope we hear something soon. Did you see that Boo had surgery, too? I hope he recovers quickly. Wondering what he needed surgery for. They said it was quite serious. Poor Boo! Yes, I read that Mango is in Palm Desert, and yes, that’s in CA. Looks like there is snow everywhere in Ray’s yard. I didn’t see the pic of his garden, will look for that. Good for Jack O finding a ball. What a good boy! I’m sure Prince Andrew is grateful for your like! Have a delightful Friday Eve. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
Marty R / Colorado
I was remiss yesterday in not mentioning these glorious photos of Coz taken by Mike Sekulic.. I was looking for dapples, these pics show such great detail. In the one of Coz running shoulder to shoulder with the other horse, Captain Tim, maybe, it looked like there was no more than a whisker’s distance between them. Don’t know how jockey’s legs and horses legs didn’t tangle. Actually, what I noticed was how close Coz was running to the rail in these shots rather than out in the lanes. Maybe that’s a new tactic in his training. I think John is covering all scenarios. But, Cozmic One,himself, magnificent and such an intent, powerful looking student. Thank you Mr. Sekulic for making these photos available for us to admire.
carol in arkansas
Our “Beast” posted a bullet at Oaklawn this am…..5f
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Carol:
Thanks for this news on The Beast. Go get ’em Beasty. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
Thanks for the update. I check on this guy constantly, but I turn my back for 5 seconds to keep from freezing to death and the Beast fires a bullet. Beastie, keep kicking butt.
maureen ph[llips
so sorry for my ignorance, but is the BEAST?
Max
The Big Beast is a four year old colt. I first saw him when he was running against the Moss horse, Guggenheim, in NY. Won the King’s Bishop last year at Saratoga, but missed the BC Mile because of ankle issues. Now training at Oaklawn. His claim to fame is that he is huge but very fast. Likes to break free from his stall and handlers on a daily basis. Beast on the run! Has to have a pony with him at all times including going to the winner’s circle. The pony seems thrilled to get these chances to be photographed. The Beast is a bad boy, which is the way I like them. His stablemate is Big Trouble. The Beast knows how to kick some butt.