Zenyatta

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Zenyatta News

Getting Ready for Summer

Photo Courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Happy Wednesday!

The summer weather has been beautiful at Lane’s End. It time to break out the fly masks and watch Baby Z shed his furry coat.

Zenyatta and her colt are both happy and healthy. Baby Z will be as tall as his mom in no time!

Photo Courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Thanks to everyone who has sent in questions for the experts at the farm. We are continuing to accept submissions, so head back to the last post if you haven’t asked yours yet! Check back in the coming weeks to see answers to some great questions featured in the blog.

In the meantime, enjoy this video of Z and Baby hanging out in the paddock.

Have a great day!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

899 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Thanks to all the kind posters who sent their condolences about our dear old cat, Jeffy. Our sons rescued him while they were at college and found him abandoned and dying from sepsis after his tail was crushed. We were lucky to have him for many years to enjoy raising puppies and kittens and even a couple of pet rats. My sympathies, Linda E…our last little bird died just the week before Jeffy so we’re hoping June will improve for everyone, especially Giant Ryan!

    Hugs as always to the Queen!

    • / Reply

      Thank you Elizabeth. I appreciate that. I had my little bird for 10.5 years and I really miss her. I haven’t gotten another pet just yet. Trying to decide between a cat or a bird.

    • / Reply

      Dear Elizabeth: I am so sorry for your loss too. Jeffy was really lucky to have had you folks come to his rescue. They say animals know and appreciate their owners who have rescued them.

  3. / Reply

    Mike Welsch ‏@DRFWelsch

    Giant Ryan at New Bolton will have surgery early this afternoon. Made 4 plus hour van ride like a champ said Parbhoo
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    • / Reply

      Hoping for the best. He is a real trooper to have done that van ride without complaints. Horses are heroes..

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      Hi Ann:
      Oh, my goodness. Thanks for the update on Giant Ryan. I just love him. I am really praying for him. I have been all over the Internet today looking for some news on him. I decided to come to Zenny’s site and found that you guys are in the know. Thanks for posting and sharing.

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      Thanks Ann.

      Giant Ryan’s injury

      1. x-ray showed a non-displaced fracture, which is the only kind that can be splinted.
      Probably good blood flow because no displacement.
      2. horses are very stoic injured creatures for the most part as any peep in the wild
      when injured, can make them a meal.
      3. since fracture is not displaced walking on it like a human would in a cast is possible.
      4. horses have no choice but to stand, if they laydown, their internal organ will
      crush each other and they can die, that is why when a horse goes down it is crucial
      to get them up as soon as possible. Slings have been used to hold horses up with a hoist. I am sure the horse ambulance has all of these kind of devices as that is their business, transporting injured horses of all severity.
      5. the wait was necessary to decrease the swelling, take many x-rays and make sure
      the injury was operable and to develop a surgical plan. They most likely sent the x-rays to New Bolton as things developed over time. Transporting a horse to early
      will mean they spend time is a strange place with strange people so leaving him at
      Belmont was a good idea. Horses are creatures of habit and really staying in familar surrounding and with familar people makes it better for both humans and horses.

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign,
        Thanks bunches for the information on Giant Ryan’s injury and for the explanation of the wait before transporting him to New Bolton.
        We are all pulling for him!

      • / Reply

        Thanks Sign.
        Hearing that there is no displacement and good blood flow is a plus.He ‘s in a great place. I hope we hear more today.
        Sending him healing hugs.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Ann! He certainly IS a trooper and deserves the chance to recover. Keeping the faith that he will come through the surgery and get well. Best wishes to you, Giant Ryan!

  5. / Reply

    I am guessing but help if I get it wrong…
    GR fracture must closed and bones in place…otherwise splint not adequate..
    Also…blood supply must be intact…
    An open fracture with compromised blood supply is catastrophic ..
    Best Wishes and Hopes for Giant Ryan’s full recovery….he seems to be an extremely
    resilient guy and is handling a horrible situation well

    • / Reply

      Right. If he had had a compound fracture they would have put him down. Big challenge post-surgery is to reestablish the blood supply. In his favor–he seems to be a good patient.

  6. / Reply

    almost forgot…
    hummingbird got safely out of garage…..crisis averted…
    have a great day Zenny…keep the “big boy” out of trouble
    peppermints and kisses around

    • / Reply

      KG. Those who love horses and follow racing will not soon forget I’ll Have Another. I originally thought that Rags would win the Derby, but when IHA emerged as a possible TC winner, I happily cheered for him. The IHA team shared themselves and their hope with the fans and brought a sense of real possibility in the long TC drought. It was a whole lot of fun to dream along with them in May and June. And Lava Man is never to be forgotten. He still has a bigger bank account than most horses and has a good job with free access to food. Go Lava Man. You are still needed. You make us smile.

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen G.:

      No, I don’t agree with this article. I think Mikey and JV rode a great race with great horses. I just think Paynter was feeling tired at the end. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Yes, that was pure race riding by both jocks! Mike was not to blame either, and Paynter wore himself down it appeared to me too.

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy B.,
        I agree with your observation about Paynter’s tiring which led to his drifting out a bit. I personally do not consider that Mike Smith’s fault. Of course, I am not a jockey so maybe I am naive. I do know that Mike is a professional and definitely knows what racing is all about. As for his using the whip with his left hand, he really had no choice since Atigun and Leparoux were very close on the right.
        Thanks for all your posts, Judy. I always enjoy them!
        Take care and hugs!

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      One thing is true what he said about the Belmont. At least the fans can see the entire race. At Pimlico and the KD, the infield is set up with tents, etc. So the fans cannot see the entire track. At Pimlico and the KD you only see 1/2 the race.

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      Dear Karen,

      I may be opening a can of worms here, but it seems to me that Bloodhorse, Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Times have the most dedicated, knowledgeable and credible reporters. I know there is freedom of speech and everyone has the right to work, but some of the stuff that gets printed, to me, is just filling space. Thankfully, we have choices where to get our information and to keep our heads clear of the other noise that’s out there. I think individually, just go where it feels best and is most believable. Marty R.

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        Yeah, I know. We must somehow ‘fight’ those who want to see the demise of the Sport of Kings – maybe when people no longer read these kinds of stories there will no longer be an audience who will listen. But we all know that is not likely to happen either. I post these so one can see how off some can get and take it way out there! I think most rational people KNOW where the best source of daily racing news comes from and will eventually drown out the others. Maybe it is I who is way off base in this thinking, but if we really enjoy this sport and want to see it continue, and succeed in all areas, one can not hide their head in a hole and look the other way (not you Marty!) either. One must be made aware before it is too late to do anything constructive. “The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them'” Now this could work both ways too. And that’s why I applaud all those who want to clean up the sport in areas that need it, support those who fight to stop slaughter, those who retrain horses for after racing, and the list goes on and on. “Some men see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say, why not.” I will continue the dream …. and fight for what needs to be done.
        Great post Marty – thank you!

        • Hey Karen: Great comments. These type of people just make it harder for those that are good owners and trainers that do right by their horses.

          These types of people want more and more regulations and they are making it impossible for those that are in the business and play the game right.

          Do you know that in NJ they are trying to band taking your dog in a car. Unbelievable.

    • / Reply

      This whole PETA thing is crazy. That organization is often out of control and
      inappropriate.

      To request regulations regarding a tendonitis, is ridiculous.

      How many times has Michael Jordan, trained for the NBA championships and
      had a tendonitis. Many many many times. Why hasn’t basketball been regulated.
      Human athletes get injured as well for training for important sports events.

      Unfortunately they are not able to go to “stud” and breed over a hundred women and make millions of dollars a year in that capacity !!!!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen,

      What caught my eye here, was your comment about Peta and then when I opened the link I saw Philadelphia sports all over the page with the article. I believe we think the same way about horse racing and it’s need for change. I just didn’t feel a reporter for a newspaper, if that’s what he is, had the same credibility as someone whose only focus is the horse racing industry. I went back to the article and read the comments afterward. Some of the commenters sounded like they thought the author was a rock star. Others expressed they didn’t think he knew much about anything sports related. Some had definite opinions about what is wrong with horse racing.

      I agree the problems need to be addressed, ,just in a more horse racing specific media.

      I hope I’ve explained myself better. Thank you for your kind comments. Marty R.

      • / Reply

        I knew what you meant Marty. You are right with this observation. And I love this post too! ♥

  11. / Reply

    Dear Lane’s End Team and Z Fans:

    Could really use a new photo of the The Prince and his Mom. Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Hi Z Family!

    So excited! I only have a day left until I turn 17 tomorrow!! I am so excited! It’s raining and ugly but nothing can damper my spirits!!

    I rode Gus and we are finally advancing toward the harder stuff. We are having to go over the show routine, and counting the strides to the jumps. I am also working with Red on patterns. It’s a hectic week.

    I think IHA should have won the TC, and on cruise control. So sad he didn’t, but I hope he gets retired close to my school so I can visit him.

  14. / Reply

    Vegetable hail damage update:

    Tomatoes–Still in place and still hopeful.
    Green bell peppers–Replaced today with new plants of the same variety.
    Cucumbers–Replaced Friday with geraniums. No cukes this year.

    @Pati–I applaud your enthusiasm for life. And I applaud that you realize that hard work brings desired results. You will do fine in your future. And a big happy birthday wish for you for tomorrow.

    Hope this is a good week for all. Marty R.

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      Thank you! I think life is best enjoyed everyday like its your last. Plus, I really enjoy rain. If I was a race horse, my beyers in the rain and slop would be off the charts!! LOL

  15. / Reply

    I wish to thank all of you who posted good wishes to me. The patient has had high pressure in the eye that was operated on so the doctor has given her strict orders not to do anything. I see that Vicki has taken up the slack so everything is good. As far as the Belmont goes, a very good horse won it. If you go by the time of the race, it would appear that IHA would have been an easy winner. However, if times were the determining factor, horses like Doctor Fager and Swaps would never have been beaten. I note that IHA has been retired. Too bad. If, indeed, his injury is one that can be rehabbed, it would have been nice to see him compete as an older horse, if there is no possibility of injury. Horse racing has enough stallions. It needs more good racehorses.

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      Terry C. Glad to see that you are again posting. I hope that you have a little free time to find some horse jokes. Also I hope that your friend is now on her way to a full recovery. You were missed. We need those horse jokes.

      • / Reply

        THanks, Max. The jokes will be back in full force as son as I can devote the proper time to them.

    • / Reply

      Good to hear from you Terry. Hope the pressure in the eye problem is resolving for your friend who, I’m sure, was expecting a far less complicated recovery.

    • / Reply

      Welcome back, TC. Hoping your patient can stablize and that the problem can be corrected. I am terribly nearsighted, but I’m thankful every day for my contacts! Our eyes are so important. I would never take the chance of having lasik and having something so wrong.

    • / Reply

      Very true and well said TC.

      Hope your friend is improving, was it Lasik surgery.
      I have had a few friends with lots of complications
      after the surgery so it will be slow going but
      recoverable. Some people have more swelling
      after surgery than others.

      Wishing her a speedy recovery.

    • / Reply

      Hey TC. Hope your friend is improving. AHHH, Swaps,a fav of mine and my Pops! I have a sweet pic of him hanging on the wall. The kids always saying, Mom, you have more horse pics up than us kids…what gives ma? Ha. Love those classic face photos of the greats too,lookin so classy. Take care.

      • / Reply

        Swaps was the first great horse that I had the opportunity to be near. Rex Ellsworth’s barn was near my mother’s trainer’s barn and I used to see Swaps and Shoe all the time, at least when I visited. Those were great times for me.

        • I bet TC!!!! I want to hear more of those backside stories. I can hear my Mom now…you took her where Bob? Those great times stick w/ ya for sure!!
          Good hearing from ya.

        • How very awesome to be around a champion like Swaps and The
          Shoe.

    • / Reply

      Dear GP TC:

      Great to see a post from you. I agree totally would like to see horses running longer if they are sound. Hugs, JB

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        It just doesn’t seem right to retire a horse early in its three year old year. Back off him and let him heal and then bring him back. Of course, all bets are off if a vet says he couldn’t stand the racing when and if he was to return.

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      Hey, Terry. I hope you see this. I had cataract surgery in both eyes last year. I, too, had higher than normal pressure in both eyes after the surgery on the first eye and then 2 weeks later on the second eye. My doctor wasn’t too concerned about it because I was on cortisone drops after both surgeries. Sure ‘nough when the cortisone drops were stopped, the pressure in my eyes went right back to normal and I’ve had great vision ever since. The other cool thing about cataract surgery is that once the artificial lenses are in place, a person will never have cataracts again. It’s all good and your friend will be so glad that they had the surgery. Before my surgery, I had gotten to the point that I couldn’t drive because I couldn’t see the color of the traffice lights, the lines on the road and dark colored cars so I stopped driving. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Sharon. I, to, have had the surgery but it was uneventful. THis has taken much more time than anticipted.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Thanks for the link on the Stephen Foster. Some fine horses going; should be a good race. Hugs, JB

  18. / Reply

    ABOUT I’LL HAVE ANOTHER. More lucrative to send him right to the breeding shed than taking the chance he will get hurt or lose the Belmont, thus lowering his value. Is anyone breeding for stamina anymore like in the past? They are breeding for speed, speed and more speed, and bones and legs are breaking more and more because of meds and pushing a horse too hard. Zenny was not rushed and look what happened to her.
    I had a very hard time looking at the photos of trainer and owner arm in arm and sad sack…they are not sincere people and neither has a background to brag about. O’Neill has been on his DisneyWorld pitter patter since the Derby–Gee, Wow, Golly, Cool, Great–I’m a big boy scout! But he still could not hide his past, and i hope the best thing that comes out of IHA is that more light will be shown on more trainers/owners drugging their horses. I think IHA would have won or come close, but they went for the money to protect their investment and the rest was drama. IHA is a beautiful horse and he is not injured seriously, thank heaven. He could be healed and make more appearances this summer and at BC. Instead, a three year old is yanked and hits the breeding shed. Were he a gelding, they would have made him run. By the way, I am delighted that Rags won and that Matz finally gave him the right jockey–he finally showed the public what we’ve known from the start–Rags is A1 all the way. I was very surprised to see Mike go right to give Johnny wiggle room, but that’s racing. Two fine horses dueling at the finish, just like the previous TC races this year. Very exciting.

    • / Reply

      Barbara,
      See my post above with the link to Belmont discussion after the race.
      It was race riding forced by Juilian Leparu on Atigun. He came over on the right
      toward Mike and Paynter, Mike had to go left handed to prevent drifting left.
      And he did not know UR was there as jockey’s don’t have a rear view mirror on the left.
      Can only see on the right.

      Juilian thought he was going to win with that move, maybe he did not see UR either.

    • / Reply

      Definately the whole IHA retirement was drama.

      And thinking about the cash he is going to make as a stallion.

    • / Reply

      Barb asks, “is anyone breeding for stamina anymore”? Interesting question. Stamina is partly a product of breeding, but it’s also a product of training and conditioning. I tend to agree with Bill Pressey that horses aren’t trained for stamina even when they are bred for it. The classic distance horses of the past trained harder, ran earlier, and were Lasix free. But here’s some food for thought: Does it really matter? After all, the sport’s two most compelling stars are Black Caviar, a sprinter, and Frankel, a miler. I notice that the hand-wringing over “stamina” comes up reliably every year during the run-up to the Kentucky Derby. It’s almost obligatory. Yet some horse manages to win every year, in a time that’s been relatively constant for decades. I’ve also noticed lately that several of the horses that won recent Belmonts have been criticized as plodders—i.e., not speedy—often by the same people carrying on about stamina. (See: Drosselmeyer.)

      Here’s my take: as long as it makes more economic sense to breed and sell sprinters and milers, people will do so. Most TB owners are not rich. Wealthy owners like the Mosses have the luxury of waiting for a late-maturing horse such as Zenyatta, but most owners want their horses to run as soon as possible, certainly by early in their 3-year-old year. The horse can start to make some money, and let’s face it—it’s a lot more fun to watch your horse race than to watch her gallop at 7 a.m. Racing is the point of the whole enterprise.

      Another issue is that there aren’t many long races being written. Some tracks, such as Charles Town, can’t easily accommodate them. It is unusual to see a race over 9f anywhere. This may be a chicken-and-egg thing. I don’t know if the lack of longer races is because there aren’t horses to fill them, or if the lack of races leads to fewer distance horses, but there it is. On top of that, many long-distance races are also on turf, which has never been that popular in the U.S. A lot of tracks don’t have turf courses. Do Americans even want long-distance races? Will they watch and bet them? To me, it’s telling that the Breeders Cup race most criticized as superfluous/a bad betting race/full of plodders/boring/etc. is the Marathon.

      My opinion is that no distance is inherently superior to another. Each horse should be valued for what she is, whether she is a 5f sprinter or a 12f turf horse.

      • / Reply

        Good point, if you have a horse that wants to go long, you never get to run it. The races never go and you end up having to run the horse cheap at a distance he doesn’t like. Very frustrating. If you breed a horse for a 1.5 miles on the dirt, you NEVER get to run it. Even turf horses, if they are a cut below stakes quality, you never get to run them at the distance they like. We even have a problem filling races to go a mile and an eight.

  19. / Reply

    @Laura J, Thank you so much for your answer to the question I had asked above about the undertack show.

    • / Reply

      Hoofray…cute Karen.HOOFRAY RAY. Gov. Cuomo…REALLY, I mean…really?
      You needed to B reppin your state sir!!!! Go to the detention barn now Mr. gov.
      Thanks to the KY and MD govs for keeping it classy!

  21. / Reply

    Just watching Breeders Cup Classics on HRTV 1994; very controversial
    with Bertrando getting injured in 1993, going to stud and then returning
    to the track.

    Bobby Frankel would not continue as his trainer and Bill Mott did not speak
    highly of the move either.

    Maybe Dr. Hansen will have some issues to deal with, of course this is
    13 years later ?????

    • / Reply

      Karen. Great find. BC looks fabulous. I love her body suit and her leggings. She is a stylish clothes horse.

      • / Reply

        Thanks! it is great! The only champion mare who’s left for us to cheer on now!

        • Karen. There are still some good mares and fillies who are racing. Danedream is supposed to race this year. She won the Arc in record time last year. Homecoming Queen won the 1000 Guineas this year over the same instance as Camelot in a faster time. In the North America there is Zazu, Awesome Maria and It’s Tricky. This trio is fun to follow although they are not in the same league as the Queen. No horse is.

        • Yes, thanks Max! Other than Zazu, and the other two, not much else. :(
          Girl Power was so strong for about three years!

    • / Reply

      Karen Thank You so much for that video. Just made my day. Now we just need to see a new video of Frankel…

    • / Reply

      Karen,
      Thanks for the wonderful link to Black Caviar. Looks great in her ‘scuba suit’! So exciting to see her arrive safely.

      • / Reply

        Cute, go-go boots!!!
        I loved watching her handler talking to her at the end.” Good trip Nelly”
        Thnks Karen for sharing this.

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen G:

      Great video of BC. Thanks. Hugs, JB

      Max:

      Love your play on words. Hugs,JB

  23. / Reply

    Welp! after all the disappointment for LA fans this year FINALLY!!!! A championship for LA Zenny!!!! YAY LA KINGS! THE STANLEY CUP WINNERS 2012!!!!!!! WOOWHOOO! RAH RAH RAH HOOFRAY!!!!

  24. / Reply

    Our tough toothless warriors, the KINGS are KINGS of the Stanley Cup!!! My heart :)’s ♥

    • / Reply

      I hope you get to see the cup in person!!! We had it on our town a few years back. Fun,fun,fun. Maybe the CUP can have a day at the races!!!!

      • / Reply

        Better yet Karen…look where the cup is going!!!!!!!
        Adam Hickman ‏@ahickman2

        Dear #Kings, Will you bring #Stanley to see @Ill_HaveAnother and maybe let him and @Mario_Hastings have a sip or two from the Cup?
        Retweeted by I’ll Have Another

        SWEET!!!!!!!

  25. / Reply

    Does anyone know when the Arc de Triomphe is run this year. I just fell in love with Ofevre last year and I think that is the big race he is shotting for this year.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Karen G.,
    Thanks for your interesting and informative links!

    Dear Terry C.,
    Great to hear from you! Hang in there and come back to the site soon. May your friend continue to improve and recover soon!
    Take care!

    Goodnight to all and pleasant dreams!

  27. / Reply

    Hi all, I just noticed 2 new photos under Watch Baby Z Grow. I have not had time to read if another has already posted this. He has growing so much. They both look so good. have a great day everyone love Z, baby z and BBII

  29. / Reply

    Trina and Linda Edwards; I have not been on for a few days now. I just read about both of you losing your family pet. Awww, I am so sorry for your losses; Trina with Tess and Linda with Peaches. They have a way of working into ones heart and I know it has been a very sad time for you. I hope your hearts can mend soon and you can smile with happy memories. hugs
    Sally B

  30. / Reply

    Zsters; The Belmont was another exciting race and I was very happy for Union Rags! Surely, I felt badly for our Mike with Paynter, the opening happened so quickly, but Paynter drifted out and UR was there just waiting!! There is something to be said about being in the lead through the whole race. The jockey certainly can not see what is going on behind him and just must hope he has enough horse near the wire.
    I was able to watch with my BF and she allowed me to be without the brown bag on my face!! We hugged hi and bye at a distance. haha
    Her hubby is a good sport. She & I went bumming the next day to see what trouble we could get into.
    Terry Crow; Say hi to your friend and wish her well and a speedy recovery. I was glad to see your name again!!
    Have a super sunny day y’al! hugs

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