Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News, Cozmic One

Friday Photos

Coz with his new favorite toy. Photo by John Shirreffs.
Coz with his new favorite “toy”. Photo by John Shirreffs.

Happy Friday!

John and Dottie sent us these photos of Coz having fun at Belmont. The box he opened was a gift from students at Westgate Middle School. Thank you Homeroom 215!

-Team Z

Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.


Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.


Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.
Photo by John Shirreffs.

Reader Interactions

411 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Aww, such great pics of Coz! So playful! He seems to really like the great posters and gifts from his wonderful fans in Homeroom 215!

  2. / Reply

    Love this beautiful and charming boy! What a personality to go with his looks. I hope he lets John uncover his best skills.

    And, such sad news about V. She gave us the Queen and a wonderful new equine line.
    RIP.
    Annie B

  3. / Reply

    Seeing Cozzie so playful and happy is wonderful! He will mature and surprise us
    with great races when the time is right.
    Also very sad about the passing of Vertigneux, RIP beautiful lady!

  5. / Reply

    Very sad to hear of Vertigineux’s passing. May she RIP. Thank you Allie for verifying and letting us know.

  6. / Reply

    What a Beauty thank you for the photos
    Playfully character nice to see
    have a great weekend

  7. / Reply

    Dear Coz,

    You just look beautiful. Looking at your pictures above, oh gosh coz, the most important thing I think I’ll always say is, Coz always remember my card I read to you. I believe you understood. Love You Always.

  8. / Reply

    He’s looking great. New York must agree with him. Does he know he’s going to be a big brother again?

  9. / Reply

    Hi!

    Coz is so cute and very dark like his mother.

    Lots of love.

    Thank you!

    Lise from Maine

  10. / Reply

    Coz may look “cute” in these pictures, but I see a colt that is relaxed and inquisitive. Hoping that this bodes well for good behavior next time he is in the paddock before his next race. Thank you team Z for sharing. :)

  12. / Reply

    So sorry about Queen Zenyatta’s mom, didn’t expect to hear such news. What happened???. I feel really sad!. May her soul rest in Peace, she will surely be missed. Does Queen Z know?. This reminds one of how fleeting life is, its gone just when you think its just about to begin.! Our heart felt condolences to her connections and to the Queen and her Princes and human connections.

    It is well. God’s Blessings to all.

  13. / Reply

    First Prince, Cozmic One is just too adorably Handsome and smart. It’s amazing how he figured out how to pick up the cone and carry his box, he is something special I tell you.

    His coat is soo shinny and his legs so beautifully strong. I see what John was talking about when he said his legs were built like a tank. A beautiful tank I might add.

    I like his playfulness and his inquisitiveness like his mom the Queen and it reinforces my belief in him. He will just be fine and I think John has found a formula that would work for first Prince as he found the formula that worked for the Queen. I say this because he seems so relaxed in these photo’s as opposed to the earlier photo’s where he seemed way too serious. I guess he just wants to be a kid and have fun.

    Thank you John for the wonderful pics of first Prince. We do hope that Zi is doing well and not goofing off. Some pics of second Prince would be nice.

    Blessings to all. It is well at Z Nation.

  14. / Reply

    Dear Judy from Rhodes,

    Good morning, how are you and Lola doing today. I hope the surgery went swimmingly well without any complications. I have faith in the doc, with a name like that, why would anyone not have faith in her or him.??

    Here is wishing Lola a speedy and full recovery and you, much needed worry free rest. Have an awesome weekend and God’s Blessings always. It is always well at Z Nation. Much love.

    • / Reply

      Dear Maureen:

      Unfortunately, Lola and I had a nightmare day yesterday. I brought her in for her surgery at 7:30 AM and picked her up and 5:00 PM. The surgery wasn’t done due to emergencies all day. She is rescheduled for next Satuday, 6/6. Thank you for your sweet concern and continued prayers. Love and Hugs, JB

  15. / Reply

    Dear Peggy N (South Georgia)

    Hope you had a lovely birthday in spite of some of the news we had to deal with especially the passing of Queen Zenyatta’s mom, the great Vertigineux, May her soul rest in Peace.

    Will be praying for your boy tomorrow who will be racing, May the good Lord grant him racing favors.
    Have an awesome restful weekend and God’s Blessings always. It is always well at Z Nation. Much love.

    • / Reply

      Dear Maureen, Thank you so much for the birthday wishes. It has been sad with the passing of Z’s mom. Will never understand why Coolmore couldn’t have made this known to us. So many loved her. And, she was well known.
      Yes, please keep Javier and Night Prowler in your prayers. They run today around 6. Or a little after. We wish them all good racing safety, but when you know a particular horse its just closer to the heart. Have a wonderful weekend.

  16. / Reply

    May 30 Cherokee Devotional

    The past is ripe with wisdom and knowledge because it brings to the heart the reasons for many things we did not understand then. Search among the memories for the sharp stones that hurt so much you covered them as in a grave. Shame whispered to hide them-but wisdom would have said to use them for good.
    One day you will say that it used the matter but it no longer rules. You can free yourself by taking old humiliations and using them like keys to open your own treasure boxes. And then you will love in a whole different and more wonderful way.

    The red man must leave the land of his youth and find a new home.
    Shabonee
    Potawatomi
    1800s

  17. / Reply

    Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos of Cozmic One!! He looks so great and it appears the traveling to New York did not slow him down at all and he seems to be thriving in the new environment. We are blessed for you to continue sharing the lives of Zenyatta and her sons with us. Thanks again!!!

  18. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.We learn so much from our past.Poor Judy and Lola such a stressful time for them.Now another long week of waiting. It was so sad to hear about Vertigineux.Wish they had announced her passing at the time.
    Happy news from the dyfi with the arrival of the 1st”royal baby” at 6.33pm last night just been watching the video.Monty has his work cut out now!Balthazar King has finally arrived home at his owner’s farm in Hampshire he’s going to get lots of visitors this summer.He is perky but still weak.He is hoping to return to racing but if not will get a wonderful home at the farm.Is’nt Quevega’s filly growing fast?She looks a proud mum!Zoe is going “naked” for the game!The ratties were enjoying their sammich!Nay is going away and mom judy can’t cook!they are also going on a bike trip in June but Mango isn’t thinking too much of that.Poor bird brudder Jade had a bleeding toe I think and he wouldn’t stop screeching so they were all tired last night.I hadn’t been on the Tuxedo Party in a while and Kathy is in hospital she has been quite ill for weeks and is having lots of tests now.Earl Grey was 5 on the 28th which of course was also Stan’s birthday.Ray has lost a few furiends lately.I hope we hear more about Ronzo will find their FB.Have a great Saturday.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO.Her Majesty has just had a winner Peacock!!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Happy Saturday! Thankfully I’m off today. I have a Pilates session at 10:00. I’m busy cooking right now. My aunt said butter beans with ham sounded good to her so I said I would try to make that. My great grandmother who was born in Sweden was a fabulous cook and she used to make them. I’m trying to channel her! She always kept her recipes close to the vest! Prayers continuing for Judy and Lola Mae. So stressful. I was so sad to hear about Vertigineux. I agree, we would have liked to have known at the time. Exciting news from the Dyfi! Now we get to watch them grow! As you say, Monty has his work cut out for him. Very best wishes for Balthazar King. Quevega’s filly is so adorable and yes, growing so fast! Zoe made me laugh…going “naked.” Sounds pretty X-rated! Haven’t visited the ratties yet. Will look in on them a little later. Poor Mango…stuck with the mom who can’t cook! There’s always fast food and canned soup, I guess. Poor Jade. A bleeding toe sounds horrible. Best wishes for Kathy. We take our health for granted. It makes all the difference between functioning and being an invalid. Belated happy birthday to Earl Grey and Stan! Sorry for Ray’s losses. I will look for Ronzo too. I swear, my FB connections are taking up more and more of my days. Have a great Saturday and weekend. Congratulations to Her Majesty! Great news about Peacock! Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO

  20. / Reply

    Those are very cute pictures of Coz, and he is a beauty, but I for one have been waiting for so long for pictures and information on Ziconic arriving to be with his brother at Belmont, and now it’s more of Coz. I don’t want to sound unappreciative of all that you do, but maybe you don’t realize something that us Ziconic lovers find painfully true. It can be a simple case of second sibling, but if you look back, you will see that there are many more pictures and videos of Coz then Ziconic. When Coz came to his trainer, there were videos of him arriving, videos of him walking to the track, and many updates. When Ziconic arrived, there was a picture of him in the stall, and a promise of an update, and instead, after all that waiting, only more of Coz. Maybe it’s because he was second, and then Zenyatta had the preciouses princess that we were all waiting for, but Ziconic has some how gotten lost. It’s ashame, because, maybe he doesn’t look as much as Zenyatta as the other two have, but he has her being in him, and he has always had that presence about him, and the only foal I’ve seen, born with muscles instead of thin, and all legs. The one video we have of him running with his mom, and staying up with her at three weeks old. The farm even said what a good worker, and how great he was to be around. Maybe he doesn’t look as much like Zenyatta as the rest of her offspring, but he has her blasé, and she runs in his veins, and in his heart. If he has the ability of Zenyatta and Tapit (which is why you bred her to him) what a being he will to be reckoned with! Please, no one take this wrong, I appreciate everything the whole Zenyatta team has done, and continues to do, but sometimes people are too close to see things, and I know I’m right, just look back and see, and for Ziconic fans, it is so disappointing; we keep waiting, and it doesn’t happen. This time we were actually promised, and we got more of Coz instead, not one picture of Ziconic. If he becomes something special (which has already been mentioned by others who know) it would be nice to have pictures and videos, like Coz. He is Zenyatta’s son too, and he was born on her birthday, with her blasé; that already makes him special. Please take this post as written, someone writing only in love, appreciation, and hope for the future!!

    • / Reply

      The Red Prince has his own Facebook page where there are many many pictures of him. He is a stunning boy and I do think looks more Tapit than Zenny. But that is just my opinion. I think the Mosses might be hesitant to post too much about Ziconic since they have gotten so many nasty posts about Coz. Of course, all of us want to see more of each of the boys.

      • / Reply

        I agree with you Shirlee, Ziconic has been stamped by his sire, I am sure
        JS will point out the similarities to Zenny. Ziconic’s desire for speed is a Tapit
        trait, he stamps his youngster with that. He is also smaller and less muscular
        than CoZ, Tapit is leaner as well and I believe only 16 hands. They want to
        breed Z to smaller stallions so her foals are not to big.

      • / Reply

        I think the Mosses are trying to keep the world in suspense regarding Ziconic until he’s ready to be unleashed on the racing world, possibly very soon. The very fact that Mr. Moss named the Chestnut Prince Ziconic says it all: he harbors the same suspicions and hopes for this boy’s greatness we all do. And based on the pictures I’ve seen of Zi’s workouts, he looks spectacular. As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s deja vu all over again!” A lady on Ziconic’s other FB page posted this which I think is beautiful as well as prophetic:
        I saw a red horse like you once, Ziconic. He set the world on fire. May the gods shine on you as they did on him.

    • / Reply

      Roberta I understand what you’re saying and feel much the same way when it comes to Ziconic.

      https://m.facebook.com/thenyra/photos/a.10153649719116091.1073741909.37418811090/10153649719231091/?type=1&source=43

      If you can follow the link above, there are about 5 pictures, including 2 of Ziconic “dancing” just like his mother.

      I’d also say, if you look at those pictures, Ziconic is broader and quite muscular. He’s built like a tank, just as he’s always been since he was foaled!

      • / Reply

        He has very nice legs. Perhaps these dance moves are producing some good muscles too. His technique is really superb. Love these photos of Red.

        • Excellent photo. He does look cheeky. Lots of charisma. Tapit is a spirited fellow also. Read that, as a young colt, Tapit was always into some sort of mischief. Cannot forget the early days of Ziconic and his pal, Crescent Moon Guy, together doing the same kind of things at Lane’s End.

        • This is a really great picture. The boys seem to have different riders. Wonder if they will get out on the track together? I know there is an age difference so training schedule is probably different, so maybe not.

        • Cheeky is right. What a look on his face. This guy is loaded with personality.

  21. / Reply

    Agree with Marty R’s comments about Vertigineux on the previous page.
    She is a mare who deserves to be recognized and remembered. Here is a link to a video of one of her winning races on the turf at Belmont. Don’t need to say who she resembles in this race. Rest in Peace Vertigineux.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e-bJwLMrjnU

  22. / Reply

    Dear Max.Shades of Tasty’s passing???.Have heard she died peacefully after foaling and the foal is well.
    Have you seen Quevega and her filly on the INS ‘s FB and the sun is shining!!!She’s a real beauty.The Grey Gatsby is going to run in the POW as planned and we have been promised hot weather for the Derby!Sheena.

    • / Reply

      You said it. It is a pity that even great broodmares like Vertigineux get overlooked. And Tasty was a stakes winning mare who was best friends with the Queen of racing.
      The filly is a real credit to Quevega and Beat Hollow. I wonder if her owners will race her with Mullins? Mullins once said that her owners were all about racing, which explains why Quevega stayed in racing for as long as she did. She seems however to have really taken to being a momma.
      The POW is shaping up to be very interesting. Moore has ridden both Al and GG. if he rides will depend on what Ballydoyle does. Not certain if they have a horse in that race. Al has a very good shot at winning whoever rides. I tend to agree with TC in relation to Chrome’s chances. But these horses can always surprise us!

  23. / Reply

    Dear Max.Have you see some of CC’s pics on FB?He’s looking very well!! the ever popular Kingsgate Native won today.He,too, was retired to stud but was firing blanks and has continued racing,He is still winning at 10yrs old.Sheena.

    • / Reply

      CC looks gorgeous, did you read about the tug of war for Frankie’s services as
      jockie? Do you know anything about that Austrian horse?

    • / Reply

      I did read about Kingsgate, and was thrilled. I also read about Balthazar King going home from the hospital with his groom People are sending money in cards to him for carrots and polos. Article says that the horse cannot get enough of either. Nice story.

  24. / Reply

    So very sorry to hear of Vertigineux’s passing. Have to say we don’t like mares foaling after 20 years of age.
    As we recall, the Coolmore/Kronfeld deal provided for returning Vertigineux to the farm where she was boarded and Zenyatta was foaled after her broodmare career ended. Was she returned for burial?

    • / Reply

      I believe it is Don Robinson’s farm that Vertigineux’s was to go back to. He was I believe the Breeder. It is Winter Quarter Farm I believe.
      It would sure make my heart feel better if I knew she was buried there. I bet that’s what Mr. Kronfeld wanted.

      • / Reply

        Peggy and The Kennedys,
        Yes I remembered the same deal, she was to be buried at Winter Quarter Farm where her mom is…..wonder if that took place. I hate these farms that are so tight mouthed about these famous mares……can’t they share the info as a tribute to her?

    • / Reply

      Dear Kennedys,

      That was my understanding as well. I believe V’s mother is buried there and V was to join her when her time came. I certainly hope that has happened. Those folks were very fond of that female family.

      • / Reply

        I emailed Don Robinson but he did not give me any info. Just said he had hoped she would be buried next to her mother, but she was not his horse, so had no say in the matter. I think this whole thing makes me feel very sad. Nancy Stamp

        • Thank you, Nancy, for following up with Mr. Robinson. I mirror you feeling of being sad. I can’t imagine how the Robinson family feels.

        • Unfortunately you are talking about a death from 2013, so she is already
          buried !!!!! and not at Winter Quarter- Coolmore is huge and very impersonal
          and we all need to accept that- also very $$$$ driven

        • IF she is dead, I doubt she was buried.

          As you said, Coolmore is very impersonal and I doubt they have the facilities (or permissions from the state) to bury every horse.

          IF she is dead, if she didn’t go back to Robinson, her body was probably rendered.

        • Coolmore may be the largest horse breeding and racing operation in the world, but it is privately owned by the Magnier family and partners and it is run from Ireland. They never discuss money and the valuation of the company or their horses. Their wealth did not arise from horse breeding or racing. By all accounts, however the horses come first with Coolmore as was recently demonstrated by the lengths and expense to which they went to try to save the life of St. Nicholas Abbey. Even the name of a horse is important to Coolmore. Each horse is individually named by Sue Magnier, who is the daughter of the late Vincent O’Brien, perhaps the greatest horse trainer of all time. He is considered to be a genius as a conditioner by most experts. He trained Zenny’s great grandfather, Roberto. Something is therefore amiss about this story. We do not have enough facts to reach any conclusions.

        • Coolmore is a very highclass operation and all of their horses are very expensive with royal pedigrees and are treated as such. With that knowledge it is possible like all very high end breeding, racing operations they have burial grounds for all of their very expensive horses, which may include statues like we have at our high end farms. One thing we do know from what Mr Robinson said that she did not come back to Winter Quater Farm. Coolmore spent 10 million dollars for “V”.

          What I meant by impersonal was not “fan” friendly. They are very professional and recognized as one of the best international breeding and racing operations in the world.

        • Have to praise my favorite farm of them all, Claiborne. They bury their horses and even the ones that they don’t own but stand/live at the farm. They have several grave yards on the farm. The one by the office blows your mind with the great stallions there. They treat the girls with respect as well as the stallions.

        • Dear Shirlee,
          So agree with you about Claiborne; one of the most beautifule farms
          in Ky. Gorgeous statues and wonderful gaveyards and headstones for
          those horses who are buried there. Beautiful rolling hills and pastures
          for the stallions, broodmares, foals and yearlings to roam and play.

  26. / Reply

    ❤ Thank you so much, Dottie and John, for these precious photos. When Coz left Santa Anita, he was laboring under the opinion from some that he was a “Peck’s Bad Boy.” Well, “Horses for Courses” is also true, and I believe that Belmont suits Coz to a “Z.” Whether it is his familiar groom or the more spacious stabling or the track—–whatever it is, I think it works for him. And he is working! Last Saturday he breezed four furlongs, and today he is up to five, both in good times. John seems to be keeping this high-energy boy occupied! It is super to see the playful, inquisitive side of Coz in these sweet photos. Zenyatta was very curious, too! ❤

    • / Reply

      He has the “black whip” out on the boy- speed is the focus now.
      And that lovely orange cone is just perfect for a boy who is so very
      “mouthy” and he loves it !!!!!

  27. / Reply

    Second race coming up, can it be?!

    Cozmic One (3-Year-Old Colt)

    Date: May 30, 2015
    Track: BELMONT PARK
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.01:22 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 8/23

  28. / Reply

    Vertigineux’ grand-daughter, She’s Not Here (out of Where’s Bailey) finished 1st by 1 1/2 lengths, on May 30, 2015, at CHURCHILL DOWNS in Race 6.

    She’s Not Here ( Street Cry (IRE) – Where’s Bailey, by Aljabr)

  29. / Reply

    I believe that Coolmore wanted to keep Vertigineux’s little one out of the spotlight. They wanted to give her foal a chance to mature without so much attention. I am just thankful that they have shared this information at this time. It is never too late to mourn the loss of this wonderful mare.

    I was able to speak with someone who actually helped take care of Vertigineux. “Zenyatta definitely got her height and her huge ears from her Mom! No dance steps though although she was a very elegant mover! She wasn’t really eccentric to be honest. She was extremely kind and never a problem to catch or treat (not like her paddock buddy who tried to entice her into running away whenever I was trying to treat them in the AM’s!!) She did however used to chase the gator when she knew I had food in the back for catching the other mares and I’d end up just stopping giving it to her and making a trip back to the barn to get more for the other paddocks. She was lovely”

    • / Reply

      Allie, I am still a little confused on the timing of when she died.and how. Can you clarify?

      Thanks.

        • Her 2013 foal was the Street Cry colt. Must have been 2014 that she died.

        • Der Tizgood, Laura J:

          Yes, I think, she was in foal to Tapit for a 2015 birth. Did the Tapit foal survive do you know? RIP beautiful Vertigineux. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Tizgood and Laura J:

          Sorry, I read V was in foal to Tapit and due to foal in the Spring of 2014. Wondering if the foal survived. Rest In Peace beautiful Mama. Love and Hugs, JB

        • It’s looking like Vertigineux was bred to Tapit in 2013 after having foaled Zenyatta’s full brother. That would mean she should have had the Tapit foal in 2014 and was probably when she passed. I’m going a little bonkers with the shoulds, coulds, probablies, possiblies, but do appreciate that the person from Coolmore described her physical and personality traits that we can see transferred to Zenyatta. “She was lovely”.

        • @Judy B, there’s no record in Equineline of a 2014 foal for Vertigineux, so apparently the foal did not make it.

        • Dear Laura J:

          I checked there too and I thought as much. Thank you for answering my question. Rest In Peace beautiful Mama V and baby. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Allie,
      Thanks for the personal comments you were able get about
      “V”. There were so many on Winter Quarter’s site too. Zenny got
      her gentle side from “V”. I love the photo of Mario and I think Steve
      who went to visit her one winter when they visited Zenny. She was
      a very special mare. Despite the problems with her ankles and trying
      to keep her sound to race, she had a short but sucessful career. And was
      a very sucessful broodmare.

  30. / Reply

    Hi Z Family,

    Glad to see Coz is taking to picking up his own traffic cones and his own mail. If racing doesn’t work out, he can start a branch of the Pony Express at the Belmont backside. :P

    I’ve been seeing so many pictures of Ziconic working and I must say….hubba hubba! I have high hopes that Coz will kick it in gear and Zi is going to kick butt straight out the gate! I’m so excited for the next race for the eldest Prince and the first for his little brother.

    It greatly saddens me that Vertigineux has passed but it saddens me more that we had to find out via the rumor mill. I know farms don’t have to share a thing and I respect that but this isn’t news of her getting pregnant again or moving to a new pasture. This was news that she has passed away; the most final step in one’s life. If I am in their shoes one day and a dam of a famous foal passes away, I would much rather state it myself as soon as I could rather than be silent; especially if she had a fan base as nosy and dedicated as we are sometimes with our habit of overwhelming people with our emails and calls. (Don’t deny it, you know it’s true. :P)

    While we mean well, others online do not, and just as we saw here, one account of what happened unleashed a fire storm of rumors online as I saw many “theories” as to what happened to her. I am one of the most vocal champions of squashing the rumor mill in racing but it is an unfortunate fact that it will always be there. While many of us write directly to the farms and kindly ask for information, others do not and make up things like Ziconic being a grey filly or write to them demanding information. It is likely that even with a press release, some people would probably have still made up some fabricated story as to how she “REALLY” died; because that’s how all trolls function, don’t you know?

    I would have done my best (if in Coolmore’s place) to not let anyone spread false information about one of my most prized mares. I understand protecting the little ones as it is a priority on every farm. I just feel a lot of people would have been less confused and disheartened if a small paragraph had been released with a quick statement of her passing within a few days of her dying rather than staying silent for almost a year until people began to inquire about a rumor that had been started.

    Like Tasty’s connections, they probably don’t want the attention and influx of contact from the public but that’s the price you pay for being associated with Zenyatta: lots of attention from the public both good and (unfortunately) bad.

    With all of that said, I want to thank Vertigineux for being a spectacular mare that impacted so many lives; not just of her foals either. Mares have more of an impact on their foals than we realize and I have no doubt that something in that classy demeanor of hers rubbed off on her foals. It may have also influenced Zenyatta on what she thinks of people (there is a study out on this I believe) and how she reacts to them.

    To live on in the memories of those who love you is not a true death. Vive Vertigineux, even if it is only in our hearts now.

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