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

    • / Reply

      Omaha was also a chestnut. He lost narrowly at Royal Ascot to a filly, Quashed. Let us hope that this grand ole chestnut, AK, will win it for the US.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Wow! Guess some horses are just more prone to bleed than others under the exertion of racing. Makes me think of Spring in the Air/Little Zenyatta. Glad AK got through without it and ran so well. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Here is the latest on Spring in the Air. She is back to racing and was second to Spring Venture, both sired by Spring at Last. Spring in the Air, Little Z, is like our Z with the dance moves and sweet disposition. Spring Venture is more feisty and does not dance, but she may kick. I think that Little Z is racing again in early April. Thank God for this recovery.

          Do you recall if Animal Kingdom was on Lasix for the BC Mile?

          http://www.obssales.com/2013/03/spring-venture-scores-in-obs-championship-stakes/

        • Dear Max:

          Glad to hear Little Z/Spring in the Air is back on track. Spring Venture sounds like It’s Tricky. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Thanks. Good for AK that he could race without it. The Brits do not allow it in their races, but I see that Excelebration used it for the Mile.
          Yes, I think that Spring Venture may be like It’s Tricky or our Tasty.

        • I’d venture that this could be one of several reasons that Barry Irwin, CEO of TVI, switched to H. Graham Motion for trainer and for the long lay-off for AK to heal & develop proper lung capacity and muscle development by using the elevation training at the facility.
          TVI posted that UK article on their FB page and encouraged sharing, in the hopes of encouraging med. free racing in the U.S.A.
          I agree. That is the only way for the U.S. to return to prominence in racing.
          ____________A

        • Thank you so much, Max, for the update on Spring in the Air. I’m so glad she is doing better. I got to see her dancing in the paddock before her race last year, and I’ve wondered how she was recuperating. High hoof!

  3. / Reply

    It is going to be really strange to see John saddling horses at Belmont. But he will be closer to visit Zenyatta and her babies.

    I was looking at ORB’s pedigree and on his dam’s side there is a mare named Seximee. I thought that name was really cute!

    Thanks for the great pictures of 12Z and his buddies.

  4. / Reply

    I think Zenny is waiting until tomorrow, so she and 13Z can celebrate the same birthday. Would also like to welcome John to the east coast. Hope that he will chose to let Ebby run a few races on the east coast. Happy Easter to everyone, Zenny wishing you a safe and easy delivery.

  5. / Reply

    Dear Ann Mitchell Adam

    Thank You so much for your comments about Zenny Connection/Wavy Navy/War Admiral. So enteresting From Page 3
    I so wish Zenny could have a chestnut.

  6. / Reply

    Zenyatta, I hope so much your doing well today. Happy Easter to you. Did you see the Easter Bunny today. I sure bet you saw your family. Love You very much.
    Will it be tomorrow. I’ll keep hoping. Although, you go when your ready.
    Pace, Pace, Pace
    Love to You l2 Z also, Happy Easter………………………

  7. / Reply

    Dear Ann and Jerry Moss and Lane’s End.

    Hope you all had a very Happy Easter. God Bless You All

  8. / Reply

    dear peggy happy easter to you too! I have had many highs in racing I will never forget when kauto star came back to winning ways at haydock after everyone had written him off then he went on to win his 5th king George days that will always live in my memory enjoy your high days there’s nothing like it!!!hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,Yes it has been a good weekend. I read Max’s article above and it made me a little sad though. It was talking about Animal Kingdom and Graham Motion was telling about where he was going from here and they said he would not likely return to the US. I know Sheena the highs and the low’s . You love em and you lose em.
      But he is still with us and I’m so happy about that. Just Australia is so far away. Just wish he would be closer.

      I think he has had such a wonderful trainer. I so respect Graham Motion. I think he really cares so much for his horses and loves them.. I remember what he did for Better Talk Now. When his career was over. He kept him right down from his present training center. I think he is still there. Just a great trainer.

  10. / Reply

    Beautiful photos of Z12 – Thanks to Team Z and Lane’s End for sharing them.

    Tomorrow is Zenyatta’s birthday – so here’s wishing her a very happy birthday, which I am sure it will be since she has her human family with her. Perhaps her second born will choose to come tomorrow so that they can share the happy day together.

    Trina – your poems for the pacing Z’sters and for the various birthdats, including Secretariat;s, are inspired.

    Racing in California will not be the same without Zenyatta’s John, but wish him the greatest of success and look forward to his return this fall.

    I hope everyone has a great rest of this day.

  11. / Reply

    Dear Z, Prince and Baby Z:

    Z, maybe tonight’s the night? Sweet dreams. Love you. Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    An Easter and Passover Poem for Z-sters
    (March 31, 2013)

    Dear Z-sters,
    At this time of Passover and Easter,
    Others might find it
    More than a bit,
    Shall we say, funny
    To see
    How we,
    Together with Z,
    The delivery await
    Of that dear bunny
    Sent to her by Tapit,
    An Easter rabbit
    Who seems to still find it best
    To stay in the nest
    Of Z’s tummy.
    We’ll today
    Celebrate
    Both Easter and Passover,
    Each in its own way
    A venerated celebration
    Of hope and liberation.
    Moreover,
    Though we of Zen Nation
    Feel some consternation
    That for 13Z
    Liberation
    Seems to be
    Still in preparation,
    We with renewed dedication
    Await the day
    This gestation
    Will be over,
    And we fervently pray
    There’ll be
    No single complication!
    Dear Z-sters and Z,
    I wish you today and always
    All the best!
    _________________

    • / Reply

      Trina. Very very true. Z always showed patience in her races, knowing when to make her move. We must await her call on this one too.

    • / Reply

      Wow Trina – how do you keep up such an inspired level of composition?? Thanks for sharing this, and I also realize that I was remiss in not wishing a Happy Passover to those who celebrate that holiday so I’ll do that now :-)

    • / Reply

      Dear Trina,
      Wonderful poem!!
      Thank you once again for these gifts you share with us.
      Cheers and hugs

  14. / Reply

    I wish you the best! Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Happy birthday tomorrow.
    Love always to you and the baby.

  18. / Reply

    Santa Anita: Shirreffs intends to stable string of horses at Belmont Park
    By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 03/31/2013 2:51PM
    ARCADIA, Calif.- Trainer John Shirreffs will have a stable in New York this spring, and plans to have divisions of his nationally prominent stable on two coasts in the future, he said on Sunday.
    Shirreffs said he is in the process of contacting his clients to determine which horses will be sent to New York, and which will race in California. He said it was unclear how many horses would be based at Belmont Park in New York, but that approximately 25 to 30 would remain in California.
    “I’ve got to talk to my owners and see what they’re comfortable with,” he said.
    “I’ve got good people here so I would go to New York myself. It’s a dream of mine to train at Belmont. It would be fun to train over a mile and a half track.”
    Shirreffs, 67, who is best known for training 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, went to high school in Port Washington, N.Y., not far from Belmont Park.
    http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-shirreffs-intends-stable-string-horses-belmont-park

    • / Reply

      I wish the best for John Sherriff and know that it must have been a major decision for him. If Hollywood Park is closing, we have to save Zenyatta’s stall!! Will Ebby be now an East Coast racehorse or a West Coast?

      Zenyatta, Peeked in here one last time before bedtime…no news of your baby foal arriving. Tomorrows a new day Z, a special Birthday for you, perhaps your foal too!!
      love n kisses on your soft nose, Auntie Sally B

  19. / Reply

    March Madness for sure
    The Final Four is set:
    Louisville vs. Wichita State
    Syracuse vs. Michigan
    Anyone have that in their bracket?

  20. / Reply

    Hi Zenny:
    Thinking of you and wondering how you are doing! Well I hear your John is planning a move to Belmont Park. Wow this is a real shock! I wonder if Ebby will move with him.

    Anyway, we are still waiting for your little one. I hope you have your baby on your Birthday, tomorrow! Pacing and pacing and pacing.

    Love you Zenny!

    – Linda

  21. / Reply

    Checking in to see how Zen is doing and all the pacers. Again, Trina that poem is perfect and like others say: how do you do it?? Ok, back to the waiting room and fb….. Pace pace

  22. / Reply

    Good Night Zenny….I will check on you frequently tonight….
    Every time I get up to PACE…PACE….PACE….

  26. / Reply

    Dear Rachel Alexandra

    TVG just replayed your Haskell win in 2009 where you beat Summer Bird and Munnings among others. What a race Dear Rachel. Remembering you this Easter Sunday. Please continue to heal well Hope your enjoying being home.
    Love Ya very much.

  27. / Reply

    Last check in for this lovely Easter Sunday. Zenny may want to share her birthday tomorrow. Wishing a restfully night for all

  28. / Reply

    To Zenny, Team Z, Lane’s End and the Z’sters,

    Goodnight, peaceful slumber, and sweet dreams!
    All the best, always.

  29. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta,

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear girl! It is almost midnight here in the East.
    Stay safe and strong — 13Z will soon be here!
    Love and Hugs

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