Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

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

  1. / Reply

    Thank you Team Z… you guys are the BEST! Zenny looks just wonderful and Z12 is getting to be such a big handsome colt. Can’t wait until he finishes shedding… he’s going to be breathtaking just like mom. And I love the way he made a beeline right for the camera person!

  2. / Reply

    Bummer, I can’t get youtube at work, so will have to check the vid when I get home.
    Zenny and WeeZee look super! Thanks to the Z team for the pictures and video.

  3. / Reply

    Thanks for the pics and update on Z and her little man.
    They both look happy and content. Kinda looks like his daddy too.

  4. / Reply

    Thank you for the video we are all very happy today.
    Baby Z is getting braver leaving his Momma’s side to see what is going own.
    He is very special to us. Love you LE Big Z and Baby Z

  7. / Reply

    To all my Z-friends: I posted at the end of the last blog, but I will try to repeat it here for those who missed it. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the many kind words and support you all expressed at Chester’s passing. I so appreciate it and I’m sure Sharon does, too. Chester changed my life in a big way- a good way, of course. He was and is something special. I am grateful and amazed that a humble, funny, tough, sweet pony made so many friends and received genuine affection from all over the country. I miss him.
    Terry C: As I said in my email, it would be an HONOR for Chester to be the celestial mascot of the Redneck Club. He spent his life in the heart of redneck country!
    Trina: As I told you, Chester’s poem is so beautiful and very comforting. I will keep it always.
    To All: please forgive me for not mentioning everyone by name. My eyes are starting to cross and I know I would leave someone off. But know that I read everyone”s comments several times and took them to heart. God bless you all <3
    Zenyatta's Nation is an amazing place to visit. What wonderful people she has brought together!!
    Chopper and Annie are doing okay. They stuck together like glue for the first couple of days (closer than usual) and Chopper's eyes were bigger than usual for a few days. They miss him, too. They knew something big was going on and saw him leave on a trailer. I am so glad they have each other.

    • / Reply

      Sure have been thinking of you – continuing to send you hugs – so glad Annie and Chopper have each other and are doing well. Will send you an e-mail soon.

    • / Reply

      Dear Susan:

      Thank you for keeping us updated on Chopper and Annie. Thinking of you. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Susan,
      Keeping you in my prayers. So glad you have Annie and Chopper. Chester must have been very, very special while he was with you – he’s running on clouds now. Thank you for sharing with us all. Zenny’s family is amazing. Love and blessings from above to you.

  8. / Reply

    Doesn’t Zenyatta look wonderful? And talk about two peas in a pod!! Little z is gorgeous! So funny how he backed down the camera operator to get a look at it! He looks healthy and happy and confident. Great job, Zenny- and Lane’s End!

    • / Reply

      Susan: I missed your last post about Chester, but am sending you condolences and serious hugging. Each and every “being” in our lives is irreplaceable, but I know you welcome Chester home — in your heart. Love from Abigail

    • / Reply

      Yes, indeed. The Queen looks awesome as does her “Prince”. He loves the camera, too. LE, a huge thank you for keeping us updated on these magnificient creatures…The Queen and her little one.

    • / Reply

      Dear Susan:

      Our Queen looks absolutely beautiful and healthy. Wonder if Z13 will be a gray. Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Thanks for the picture and the video. Zenny you look awsome and 12Z is growing up so fast. One thing is for sure he is just like Zenny when it comes to a camera. Thanks again and have a great day Zenny and the Little Prince.

  11. / Reply

    PrinceZ has his mama’s people skills. Learning from her that the people around them (most have cameras) are friends who love them. He is growing so fast and is looking so handsome. Mom is beautiful as always. Nice photos and video….great to see them so happy and content.

  12. / Reply

    I am so glad that Zenyatta seems so happy and content – and what a beautiful baby boy she has… this is how we all hoped it would be for her. Nothing but the best for the best of the best!

  13. / Reply

    I was wondering when I would get another Zenyatta fix. Lane’s End, thank you so very much for keeping us informed about our gorgeous girl and her beautiful little boy. You know we never get enough of her. The pics are wonderful and love the video. Z12 is growing leaps and bounds! What a sweetheart. Miss the diary and seeing and hearing her talk to us.
    Yes they are really going to need their masks this year, as it has not been cold enough to kill the pesky flies, mosquitoes and those nasty ticks.
    Miss you Zenyatta and thank you again Lane’s End for taking such good care of her and babe.
    Love, hugs and kisses to all

    • / Reply

      Please be careful of those nasty ticks. I know it is hard to believe a little insect like that can make one so sick, but they can. I am dealing w/ Lyme Disease and it has been rough.

      Use that bug spray folks and check for ticks!!!!!!

  14. / Reply

    12Z is just gorgeous and looking more like mom every day especially the ears! He’s learned from the best of the best about cameras.

  15. / Reply

    Z looks absolutely stunning – definition of dappled! Baby Z is just as beautiful, inquisitive and intelligent as his mom. Thank you, as always, for sharing them with us. Congratulations again to Dottie, who is in NY for her Frankel Award and hopefully may see the Belmont and the Queen while on the East Coast. Pictures of her award and visit with Z and Baby Z please – we miss her! (you too, Sofie and John).

    • / Reply

      Thanks Max!!! I love the rail blogs. That article is wonderful and w/ more delightful photos.
      What a special day it is, to see little z so handsome.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:
      Thank you so much for posting this beautifully written article on Zenyatta and Little Z. Really enjoyed it. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thank you, Max, for posting this excellent article. If we could transition through our life stages as artfully, gracefully, and happily as our beloved Zenyatta, we would find much of the satisfaction and fulfillment for which we search. She certainly has and looks healthy and happy as a result. Zenyatta is a patient teacher…do we get her message?!?!?

    • / Reply

      Max, thanks for sharing this link. It’s a very special article about my horse of a lifetime and her firstborn. I still get a bit teary reading anything about Zenny…this was no exception. It’s wonderful to be part of the Z extended family … we are all bound together because of our love for all things Zenyatta.

    • / Reply

      Thank you Max and everyone for your kind comments about my story “Zenyattas Transition A Life Lesson.” It was a wonderful visit. I have several other Zenyatta stories that you can find at http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/author/julie-june-stewart/
      A very special Hello to Zenyatta fan Ann who I remember meeting at Clockers Corner…. she was very encouraging about my “Moses Meets a Jockey” story. Blessings to all of you…. Julie June

      • / Reply

        Dear Julie June Stewart:

        Thank you for the link to your blog. Really enjoy reading your stories. Especially like the one about “Taco” and RA. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Julie June Stewart. Your article about Zenyatta and her foal was very well written and so true to her life. As you know, she is an inspiration to all who have come to know her. Your choice of photos, especially the one of 12Z watching his mother, was an additional attraction. I look forward to reading more from you. You certainly have the gift of insight into horses, wonderful creatures that they are. We all love your words about the Queen. Thank you so much.

      • / Reply

        Julie June,
        Thank you for sharing such an emotional and exciting experience with Zenyatta and Baby Z. Am going over to the link for The Rail to read more of your memorable stories.

  17. / Reply

    What a cute little camera hog! Hoping that camera will be on him in the winner’s circle someday soon! Zenyatta looks beautiful – she seems to be very happy and content in retirement!

  19. / Reply

    “Eat……Eat………Eat, Oh hello camera! I’ll just stick my head right here so you can see me better because if mommy comes over here, she’s take all the spotlight from me.”

    Z family,
    What a week it has been. I got my final scores for my classes. I finished:

    AP U.S. History-94
    Honors English III-96
    AP Biology-85
    Animal Science 2-97

    I think I did pretty well this semester. I am looking forward to the summer. I have a lot of riding and jumping to do. I have to figure out how to post pictures in the forum. Can anyone maybe tell me how that works? I haven’t figured out that much as it eludes me.

    I am watching the Belmont at home this year. Gonna break out the chips, and the dip, order some pizza (or make my own) and enjoy a new TC champion. I doubted him before, but he has been working so well, and has just been dazzling people on the track so much that even though I love the Rags, I want IHA to win. Win one for America as Tom Durkin said. “IHA wins it for America, beat UR right on the wire!!!” Haha, wouldn’t that be something?? Tiz time for a new champion. :-P

    Anyone enjoying the BC commercials with out Lady in them as much as I do? I recorded one, so I’ll just go downstairs, crank the volume as high as it goes, and just play it over and over again. It never gets old.

    I saw the post position draws today on FB. I think IHA is in a good spot. He can use his tactical speed to his advantage and coast along on the outside. I would have been worried if he had gotten the rail because if he breaks even a fraction slow, he isn’t Zenyatta. He won’t be able to make up that amount of ground if he gets squeezed in between horses and drops all the way last. But he’s got a good spot, and it leaves Mario with a bit more time than those jockeys on the inside to think about his plan of action. It can’t be TOO much thinking, but he has a cushion there. I like that Doug has been training him on the good, and sloppy track. He’s not taking any chances but from the looks of it, IHA come rain or shine, will do just fine on the track. He reaches well and covers ground very comfortably when many find the track a little in the deep side, but that just depends on where you are in relation to the rail. He also looks very calm when he walks on the track. He stands and looks around. That might be the best thing that Doug can do for him. Let him take in all the sights and sounds, so should he encounter it race day, he won’t take it as badly as he would have if he saw or heard it for the first time in his life. Now no-one can replicate an actual race day setting, but just other horses going around him, the plants along the inside like the hedges, things like that. He almost got mowed-over, so that was probably an unusual lesson for him. “What, horse running on my inside, flying by me? Do I stay calm, or do I panic? Lava Man, what would you do?” Red was the same way last Saturday. He was a complete nut-job going around in the ring. He kept staring at everything outside the ring and refused to collect or even remotely act like he had some sense. So I stopped in the middle, and I let him look around. He took everything in and for the rest of the day, he was the perfect gentleman. We did very well, none of the less. IHA, and any horse really, will probably benefit from that kind of “sight-seeing”. Satisfy the curiosity and the horse will return to his job. Still, I hope someone takes to the lead, because traveling on the front for the entire trip is a bit of a risk for him. Historically, the race belongs to mid-pack, stalker, close to the lead runners. Very few closers or frontrunners have done it. Yes, Secretariat is an exception to everything, so don’t count him. He’s just a freak. I will be hoping for Mike and Paynter to get up in the exacta box. I like Paynter before Mike got him, so getting the HOF is just a bigger plus.

    My Belmont Exacta:
    I’ll Have Another wins and going away easily.
    Paynter runs his heart out and finishes second.

    Trifecta:
    IHA
    Paynter
    Dullahan picks up the pieces, though I am not liking the fact that his trainer thinks he needs to cock an attitude about IHA. I applaud him for the confidence, but Sham’s trainer said the same thing about pushing Secretariat and seeing if he “deserved it”, and he lost by 45 lengths. So, Karma can be a jerk, I would watch the over-zealous talking just for Dullahan’s sake.

    • / Reply

      Dear Pati:

      Great Scores.

      I like your handicapping style and race set-up analysis. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Thank you. I hope to one day help my Z family maybe find their Kentucky Derby horse, so I might as well show that I am smart enough to be of some help. I am proud of my grades too. I worked my booty off for them.

  21. / Reply

    @Marty R–thanks so much for the “It’s My Job link.

    @Karen Gogue (I think) –thanks for the COstas/O’Neill interview. He asked the necessary questions.

    @Susan in TN and Sarah Powell. Hugs to you both! So glad Chopper and Annie are hanging out together for moral support. Sarah, I know you have other horses too. How are they taking Buck’s loss?

    @Lou Ann Cingel– I have missed you!

    @Barbara Brayton–left you a message at the end of the previous blog.

    @Darlene Daniels–you have posed a tough one. I have forwarded your question to my teammates for their consideration. Being the horse dummy that I am, I will attempt to give a “sort of” answer. Is it possible that they could be either out working or in the barn (depending on time of day?). Could they have been in a different paddock?
    If you get up the nerve, would it be possible to ask the farmer? You could say that one had caught your eye and you’ve missed seeing him. Gut feelings can be wrong, but they can also be right. So many of us are so busy, that we have blinkers on, but you are thinking along the right lines, and I love you for that. I don’t have your e-mail address. You may contact me at any time at moo@grandecom.net , and I could forward any answers I get back. Hugs.

    • / Reply

      Karen. Interesting comments by Paul Reddam about the future for IHA. It would be great to see IHA race into his 4th year, if he is able. Too many horses seem to retire to stud too soon. If they are healthy, horses can race into their 4th year and beyond.

  24. / Reply

    LOL! Star Prince sure looks like his momma! He has all her mannerisms and is a camera hog! LOL! THANK YOU THANK YOU! He is gonna be a BIG BOY for sure!

  25. / Reply

    yay!! just in time, a new photo/video fix of the fab Zenyatta and baby Z. Love how he comes right over to the camera! shy?? nah! And Z looks great – I keep forgetting she’s in foal again. It’s amazing to me to see baby Zs real color coming in and how he still has baby fluff around his middle. TOO CUTE!!

    more pics – more videos, please and thank you!!! : )

  27. / Reply

    Hello to all my Zen-ster pals and kisses to Zenny and Z-12.

    I was so glad to learn of a new post here — I can only go SO LONG without my “Zenyatta fix.” The movie was adorable — he is just the cutest and I love the ginger tufts around his ears. (Zenny actually has a bit of that same gingery hue in her forelock.) Thank you so much, Team Z!

    And I agree with everyone above that you look just lovely, Zenny. A new kind of beautiful. As for Z-12, he’s not only grown like a weed but seems to look more like you, Zenny, than a typical Bernardini. If he stays looking this much like his mom, it may mean that Z’s genes were more dominant. (My long-time hunch being that she is a dominant influence, like her own dam — who, by the way, looks so much like Zenny it’s ridiculous! I had seen photos of Vertigenuex before, but there are 2 of her in the Blood-Horse photo shop that stopped me cold. Here are the links:

    http://photos.bloodhorse.com/OntheFarm/on-the-farm/22361462_rvkP8w#!i=1789642239&k=zp7tjbZ

    AND

    http://photos.bloodhorse.com/OntheFarm/on-the-farm/22361462_rvkP8w#!i=1789642332&k=sHV2Nv9

    Love & hugs to all and KISSES to you, sweet Zenny!

    • / Reply

      Thank you Abigail! Yes, that photo does freeze one and the mouth drops open! GASP!!!
      LOL!

    • / Reply

      Abigail. Great links. Z looks exactly like her mother and 12Z definitely takes after his dam line. They are a beautiful family. Z and V are regal horses and have passed on that quality to the foal. He is a very lucky boy.

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail, Max, Karen G. and Debbie:

      Yes, Z does have that red highlight in her forelock. I also think Little Z has a great resemblance to his Mom and Grandma. Beautiful family. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the great photos of Z and V.
      They do look alike, but she also has a
      Lot of her Daddy, Street Cry, visible, too.

    • / Reply

      How cool! Thanks for finding and linking that photo, Abigail. Vertigineux sure does have that same expression that was passed on to our beautiful Zenyatta. Lovely!

  28. / Reply

    Thank you for the post….with picture and video. It is always wonderful to see Z …and now we can see baby Z growing so fast. He is inquisitive just like his awesome mom….and loves the camera like her. He has had so much attention since he was born ….it is like he knows he is special already. Glad to see both of them are so happy and healthy!!!

  29. / Reply

    Our GettingBjggerEverydayWeeZee is a super rock star movie idol……and a complete ham. I think this is a good omen ….because a very great lady named Penny used to say her colt was one too.

    • / Reply

      Carol,

      I agree with you! A good omen with 12Z is what I have felt since his feet hit the ground. I often think of Secretariot and Penny when I look at 12Z. Curious, isnt it? We’ll soon find out along about 2015?

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