Zenyatta

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Hanging Out With 12Z

Photos by Kyle Acebo
12Z, left. His best friend, right. Photos by Kyle Acebo

Happy weekend!

We went over to the yearling barn to visit 12Z this morning after the fog lifted. He was turned out with a group of lazy colts, grazing and napping in the morning sunshine. They were all quite interested in the camera, especially 12Z and his chestnut friend (Heather from Lane’s End told us they’re best buds).

Enjoy the new photos!
-Team Z

Photo by Kyle Acebo
Photo by Kyle Acebo


Photo by Kyle Acebo
Photo by Kyle Acebo


Photo by Kyle Acebo
Photo by Kyle Acebo

Reader Interactions

495 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Wow Revolutionary just won too. Soo Happy. Looks like it going to be a great Kentucky Derby.
    To War Pass, you’ve got a wonderful Son. Know your looking down smiling. Congratulations
    Congratulations also again to Mr William Farish breeder of Revolutionary

    • / Reply

      Hey, Zenyatta, how are you and your foal doing? Sorry I haven’t written you in a long time, but I’ve been busy with work. If I’m not working, I’m either watching horseracing on TVG or too tired to do much of anything. How is your second pregnancy coming along? When is foal no. 2 due? I look forward to it. I enjoy all of the pictures and videos.

  3. / Reply

    A little not to Zenny.

    Zenny a little on down the line I wish you could be bred to Leroidesanimaux. Well, I can hope. Could you have a Chestnut. Wonder if its in your genes?
    I think you two would make a great pair. He’s only l6 hands and a great looker.
    Just look at Animal Kingdom. I just love this family. I know you can tell

    • / Reply

      Zenny I’m having a Brain Storm. Do you have Man O War in your pedigree? Ok I’m thinking There’s Chestnut, The original Big Red. Wonder if you could have a Chestnut. Love Pondering about this.

      • / Reply

        From what I can fathom from the free 5X pedigrees: Z can trace back to Wavy Navy, daughter of War Admiral (35) & *Triomphe (47). This would mean Z gets the POSSIBILITY of a gene (X) from Brushup, War Admiral’s dam but NOT from Man O’ War, his sire. Man O’ War’s X would stop with War Admiral.
        What makes males more simple in linage is that a male (sire) determines the sex of the foal because he will give EITHER a Y determining a colt or an X determining a filly.
        A female (dam) will pass ONLY an X because that is all she has to pass on, one she got from her mother (dam) and the other she got from her father (sire).
        Looking from the past forward, the male line will stop when he produces a filly since his maleness (sire line) is in the Y. The female line can come from either side to a filly since one X will be from her sire’s mother (dam). WHERE the X comes from can now be determined by scientific means (mitochondrial analysis).

  4. / Reply

    Thank you, Team Z. and LE for posting yet another entry while we wait
    for Zenny to foal. It is just so kind of you, and we do so appreciate it.

    Congrats to Animal Kingdom on his Monumental win in the Dubai World Cup. That is quite a feat.

  6. / Reply

    Thank you for the beautiful pictures, Lanes End. Z12 and his BFF are such cutie pies. Z12 looks so much like his mom. I just love the little polka dot band around his left hoof. Too cute!
    Congrats to Animal Kingdom, Revolutionary and Orb. What an exciting day of racing. I just love this time of year with all the Derby preps and new foals.

    • / Reply

      Dear Debbie:

      Thanks for the info on Orb. Knew about AK and Rev. Congrats to Orb on his Florida Derby win. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Couldn’t agree more, it was a fantastic day of racing. I was glued to TVG from morning to evening. So much fun!! Congratulations to all of the horses and connections.

  7. / Reply

    just checking in…
    love you Zenny
    stopped raining so went to Oaklawn…
    none of them are a beautiful as you…
    PACE….PACE….PACE…
    how about a good roll in the mud?
    it sure helped last year…
    just saying..

  8. / Reply

    What a couple of cutie pies! Thanks for keeping us connected as we await word about Zenyatta and her new baby…

  9. / Reply

    Thank you,Team Z! Really do appreciate keeping us updated. Pacing….pacing….pacing. Best wishes to all for a Happy Easter. Hugs!

  10. / Reply

    Thanks for the update and wonderful photos, they put huge smiles on all our faces. Congratulations for getting second with Odeon today. Congratulations Omega Star, John Shirreffs, and all at Barn 55 for win in the Echo Eddie at Santa Anita.
    Great racing today. I’m tired and dizzy! Have a great Easter everyone.

    • / Reply

      If you love something, set it free – – – yeah, right. As Trina so eloquently said – “Goodbye Camelot”. Hanging out in SoCal with my Dumpling pals just won’t be the same. But oh what a long strange (and wonderful) trip it’s been.

      dia-mulling-the-future-without -Camelot-stu in tempe

      Dear Zenny: Can you have your baby now to help cheer us up?

  12. / Reply

    OMG! Sorry for you who love him so in California! He’ll be closer to me, I am shocked!
    In a sign of potential trouble for California horse racing, trainer John Shirreffs, who guided Zenyatta to prominence, has decided to move to Belmont Park in New York with a stable of horses at the end of April.

    “Belmont Park has been wonderful to me,” Shirreffs said Saturday after his 3-year-old, Omega Star, won the $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita.

    Shirreffs has been based at Hollywood Park, which could be closing at the end of this year. Shirreffs said an assistant trainer will also be in charge of horses at Santa Anita.

    Shirreffs said he would return to Santa Anita in the winter.

    “I’m going to try it,” Shirreffs said of his East Coast move.

    Jockey Joe Talamo rode three winners on Saturday at Santa Anita, including Omega Star’s nose victory over Fighting Hussar in the 6 1/2-furlong Echo Eddie Stakes.

    Doinghardtimeagain, under jockey Rafael Bejarano, won the $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes.
    http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-john-shirreffs-20130330,0,7751779.story

    • / Reply

      Dear Ashton:

      Will be so sad for California fans, but I have to say what a joy it will be to have him here on the East Coast. Means he most likely will race horses at Saratoga, my favorite track. I know East Coast fans are thrilled at this news. Congrats to JT on his triple.

      Want to wish you and your family a Blessed Easter. Hope you are doing well. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Abigail:

        Assuming Dottie will relocate too and the horses in John’s stable will move to New York. Hopefully, John will continue as Ebby’s trainer and she may even race at Saratoga. That will be a dream come true for us here in the East. A chance to see her in person. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Peggy:

          I would get there to see her if I have to hitchhike. Love and Hugs, JB

        • And how many of you know WHERE Motion lives?? And does he only race in NY or just the East Coast? Come on people! Sherriffs will become nationwide and his horses will be entered where they can develop to their full potential according to races offered.
          I am sure that he is doing this because of recent rulings done by the several states there. I personally am hoping that this will light the fire under the CHRB!
          ___________A aka amadam to any old TVG Community members out there.
          P.S. I’ve written a proposal to Magic Johnson about the development of Hollywood Park Racetrack. LOL Since I have no money, if I do hear (because it is a great idea)I shall refer him to Jerome & Ann Moss.
          ;-0 ____A

      • / Reply

        Abigail 1849:

        Bring Dottie and Ebby too! Us East Coast fans would LOVE to have them too! I would love to see Ebby run at Saratoga! It would be like seeing a part of Z!

        Come one come all! The East Coast Welcomes you!
        Happy Easter
        GirlSartatoga

        • Dear Abigail:

          It would be like seeing Z (almost), but just to see Ebby for herself would be wonderful. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Ashton. Thanks for this news. A big surprise for sure, and a huge gain for Belmont. Best wishes to you at Easter.

    • / Reply

      Ashton:

      WOW! That probably means he will be doing a fair amount of racing at Saratoga? OMG, I can’t wait, now maybe I will get the chance like all of our Cali dumplings got, to meet him and Dottie, and be in the “know”! For us Easterner’s this is very happy news!

      This sure has been a very exciting Saturday!

      Hope you and your Family have a Happy Easter
      GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      Wow! What a shock! I never would have imagined that. I would guess the handwriting on the wall for Hollywood Park, is likely behind it. It’s sad. April is very soon. H.P. has been here my whole life. And yes, what about Ebby, and others?

    • / Reply

      Yes, I am too sorry for West Coast Fans. But it will be nice to see John here on the East Coast. Wow. I might be having to make a trip to New York.

    • / Reply

      This is certainly a shock, and after what we went through a few days ago about Zenny’s foaling, I’m just going to suggest taking this with a grain of salt until there is more confirmation. I understand that Backside 55 is NOT an “official” John Shirreffs FB page, but it is certainly written by a couple of folks who are quite close to him. Here is what they are saying:

      “The LA Times has just reported that John Shirreffs is planning on taking some of his horses to Belmont because of the impending closure of Hollywood Park. This is NOT confirmed. He’s considering a lot of options and even though he told this to an LA Times reporter today, a lot can change between now and when the track closes. Let’s wait and see! Nobody freak out.”

      • / Reply

        Sandy,
        I read what Backside 55 said. The LA Times quotes him and I can’t imagine them doing that since they could be held liable…Plus it says he is moving at the end of April. They stated a lot could happen before Hollywood Park closes. I think they may just be in shock, and heartbroken.
        It is heartbreaking to think of Hollywood Park closing and I know for the people in LA , they don’t want to see him go. I honestly thought he would relocate to Santa Anita, but at least it says he will return for the winter.
        If it’s not accurate, it is the LA Times, not like I’m spreading tweeter rumors. LOL!
        LA Times in serious hot water if this is not true.

        • Correction.
          *** they- backside55 stated a lot could happen before Hollywood Park closes.
          Sentence reads in a confusing way leaving out backside55.

        • Ashton – I know you were just saying what the LA Times had reported, and one would like to think they would get it straight before dropping such a bomb shell. Just happened to check the Backside 55 site when I was looking for your source, and thought it worth noting that maybe this isn’t a totally done deal (or maybe it is – we’ll find out soon I’m sure).

        • Sandy, I hope that did not come across like I was taking issue with you or being sarcastic. It wasn’t my thoughts or feelings. I’m the one who first shared it with backside55. When someone else posted it here, but without a link or reference I googled it. LOL I’ve had several chats with them about this. I agree, one hopes the Times got this accurate before dropping such a bombshell! BloodHorse mostly just repeated and quoted the LA Times. I’ve had little sleep, been up since 5:00am, watching all today’s races from Dubai, derby preps and more. I can barely complete two sentences right now. I hope you have a wonderful Easter Sunday!
          Prayers for Zenyatta and baby Z to be.

      • / Reply

        Good for you Sandy! All those others are the ones that also passed on the “birth” and even told the sex! lololol I’ve written my replies & ideas elsewhere in this thread. Come on folks . . . please do at least a BIT of research before jumping in!

  13. / Reply

    Z12 looks so much like Zenyatta…he is really starting to look more grown up. Love the polka dots!

    Thank you for sharing!

  14. / Reply

    Is it just me? But I see a lot a Bernie in “Our Sweet Prince”! I think it’s in his face or around his eyes? However, what I do see in his eyes is mischief along with his BFF!
    How cutie are those two boys hanging out, snakin’ on grass, running and jumping raising all sorts of chaos as often as they can! He does like the camera like his momma! Wonder how his dance moves are coming along? (Maybe he should be practicing instead of playing LOL!)

    CONGRATS to Animal Kingdom, what a beautiful ride to the finish line. Hope our girl Royal Delta is ok, she just kind of stopped? Maybe she didn’t like it being at night or dark? Does anyone know how Gary Stevens and Little Mike did?

    Is there going to be a little extra something in Lanes End Easter Basket tomorrow morning?

    Oh Happy Days!
    GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      Dear Girl Saratoga:

      I see Bernie in The Prince too. He has the look of Z, but there is that beautiful dish face like Bernie’s and I think his overall coat color is going to be like Bernie’s.

      Hoping there is a special present in the Easter basket in the morning. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I don’t see any dish face a la “Arabian” but I do see a narrow face as of this stage of development and compared to his best friend. Will have to find photos of Bernardini.

        • Handsome devil, Bernardini sure is! He has an elegant neck with its arch and when he also flags his tail it is a classic “flying horse” pose. I see the match. His robustness is great to keep the bone to Zanyatta’s height, length and long legs. No wonder 12Z has such good bone in his legs. Now, just to develop and maintain muscle support all through his racing.

    • / Reply

      I always thought 12Z looked like his daddy, especially his face. ;-);-) But not his adorable ears!

  15. / Reply

    Easter wishes coming your way, Dumplings!
    Of course, Zenny & Z-12 can’t really have chocolate, so we’re sending a HUMUNGOUS virtual basket of pears & peppermints!
    Love you, my sweet Zen and Z-12.

  16. / Reply

    12Z and friend…sending you big kisses and they should arrive about…NOW!!!
    MWAH! Hope they landed on those soft,sweet noses.
    Thanks for the precious pics., Team Z.

  18. / Reply

    Dear 12Z ♥
    You are your Mother’s Son :-)

    I was at Santa Anita today, so I visited your Mommy’s statue like I always do.

    The talk around the track was the news (or rumor) about John moving out of California :-( Sad is an understatement! We have been so lucky having him to root for. The Z Dumplings have remained loyal followers – we continue to “stalk” him LOL and his horses… today was no exception. We go into the saddling barn and encourage his horses (aka showing our love). I met a fan today whom I’ve not met before. He was wearing a Zenyatta hat.

    YAY Omega Star! That win was so exciting! When John walked by Karen Gogue and I (we congratulated him) John was grinning from ear to ear. He said “That was a squeaker”. Too cute.

    I will sign off but wanted to add one last comment: I’m so happy Prince that you have a BFF :-) I’m confident you will have many BFFs as you go through life… but when you hit the race track (just like your Momma and Daddy) you will be all “business”.

    God Bless you always,
    ♥ Love Auntie Judy

  21. / Reply

    Another huge thank you to Team Z for these wonderful pictures of Prince and his BFF (but we still wonder what happened to “crescent moon guy”). He is SO grown up and so handsome. It seems to me that his nose looks a little more like Bernie than Zenny (?longer or something), but in any event, it is a thrill to see him.

    Good night Zenny – here is a little evening prayer for you and all those you love. It’s from a far away place – across an ocean – in the land of your ancestors. You’ll like the pictures too. Think calm thoughts as you drift off . . . .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw5TtwJFIKU

    Love from your Ohio friend,
    Sandy

    • / Reply

      Keta isn’t he beautiful. There was another beautiful head shot pictureof him today that I thought was just beautiful it was right after he won the race and was going back to the winners circle. I wish they would put out the still shot of that too.

  23. / Reply

    Animal Kingdom was great ……Orb was great ….but the one that “ran like a girl” was Dreaming of Julia….OMG…..crushed them…
    ……
    the other girls did not do as well today ..
    I think…Royal Delta does not like that track…
    was pulling for the Japanese champ Gentildonna but not to be….
    and what is with our So African girl Igugu…
    …..
    the SoArf boy Softly Falling Rain is quite a guy….
    it was a very exciting day with these and all the others
    ….
    Zenny….anything we can do to help ….I am lighting candles ….and sending all the positive energy I can…be safe big girl

    • / Reply

      carol in Arkansas
      It was a WOW moment! Here it is

      RACE REPLAY VIDEO
      http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/gp/2013/3/30/8/gulfstream-oaks

      Dreaming of Julia Devastates Gulfstream Oaks
      By Claire Novak, The Blood-Horse Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013 5:05 PM
      Stonestreet Stables’ homebred Dreaming of Julia left her connections dreaming of victory in the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when she devastated the $300,000 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II) March 30 at Gulfstream Park with a 21 3/4-length romp, leaving five contenders in the dust. (VIDEO)
      The 3-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy out of the grade-I winning Wild Rush mare Dream Rush earned 100 points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks with her powerhouse win under Racing Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, vaulting to the head of the leaderboard for the Classic with 132 points overall.
      Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/77205/dreaming-of-julia-devastates-gulfstream-oaks#ixzz2P3pu9Ev0
      Hugs, Keta

      • / Reply

        Dear Z Fans:

        Congrats to Dreaming of Julia and Johnny V. JV had five winners today at Gulfstream Park including DOJ, Orb and Cigar Street. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Keta:

        Wow, what an impressive win by Dreaming of Julia. She did AP Indy proud. Thanks for the link to the replay. Hugs, JB

        • Sign/LGE/CL. Please take your negativity elsewhere. This site is for the love of Zenyatta, not for you to attack Keta and everyone else.

        • Please people, let us be nice. We all are on this site for the love and joy of Zenyatta and her wonderful spirit. If you don’t like something someone posts, just don’t read it.

    • / Reply

      Dreaming of Julia looks like a super star and since she is a filly, hopefully she will stay at the track for a year or so. No disrespect to Mark Hennig, but they could have strapped rockets to Lively Lively’s back feet and she would not have caught Julia. So happy for Stonestreet and Ms. Banke after the scare they have had with Rachel.

  25. / Reply

    Great for Animal Kingdom’s win. I feel bad for Royal Delta, though. Wonder what happened. Just seemed to run out of gas. John’s moving to Belmont is a good move, I think. Perhaps Ebby will go with him as Mr. Kronfeld is fr. NY. Feel bad for his barn staff. I hope he takes Mario & Carmen with him. Also, Frank. I’m sure he’ll do what he feels is best.

    • / Reply

      Nothing is definite about a move east….article on bloodhorse stated that if/Hollywood closes many options being considered….taking some ..not all….horses to Belmont is a possible ….remaining horses would move to SA….sounds like nothing happening anytime soon

      • / Reply

        April is next week !!!

        Royal Delta got tired on the track, very difficult
        Track to run on if not a regular their. AK was trained
        On hills at Fairhill so was in top shape with great
        Stamina to overcome the heaviness of the track !!!

  26. / Reply

    Trainer Shirreffs to Try East Coast String
    By Claire Novak, @BH_CNovak

    Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013 10:12 PM
    Posted: Saturday, March 30, 2013 10:06 PM

    Trainer Shirreffs to Try East Coast String

    Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

    Trainer John Shirreffs

    Trainer John Shirreffs will leave the West Coast to run a string at Belmont Park at the end of April, according to a March 30 report from the Los Angeles Times.

    Shirreffs, best-known as the conditioner of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, is a California native who has been based in that state since he took out his trainer’s license in 1978. He has been based at Hollywood Park, which is likely to close at the end of the year.

    “Belmont Park has been wonderful to me,” Shirreffs told Eric Sondheimer of the Times. Shirreffs has saddled five horses at Belmont without a win.

    “I’m going to try it,” he said of his East Coast move. According to the Times, an assistant will be in charge of the horseman’s string at Santa Anita Park. Shirreffs said he would return to Santa Anita in the winter.

    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/77231/trainer-shirreffs-to-try-east-coast-string#ixzz2P54Ik4Kn

    • / Reply

      Wishing you the best Mr. John Shirreffs. You are a consummate horseman in the truest sense of the term as evidenced by the stellar training you did with Zenyatta. Your training of the great Z was a work of art and you are the artist. Best of luck at Belmont. I wish you all the success you deserve. I am a Zenyatta fan forever and it is in no small part because of you. Thank you and good luck.

  27. / Reply

    I may have looked at this wrong….but did DoJ really get the 1 1/8 mile over 2 seconds faster than Orb?

    • / Reply

      Dear Carol:

      DOJ’s time was 1:48.97 for the mile and an eighth and Orbs time was 1:50.87 for the mile and an eighth. They both carried the same weight, 122 lbs. Info listed on Equibase.com. Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    I’m kinda worried about Zenyatta. In the close-up photo of her with Z12, her eyes look very tired. Of course, any person or any horse would be tired at this stage of her pregnancy. I hope nothing’s wrong. I love her, and want nothing but the very best for her.
    Millie

  29. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, Prince and Baby Z:

    Thinking of all of you and sending you my love. Hugs, JB

  30. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans, LE Team and Z Team:

    Wishing all a Blessed Easter and/or Happy Passover. Hugs, JB

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