Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Happy Birthdays!!

Zenyatta and her birthday cards. Photo by Alys Emson
Zenyatta and her birthday cards. Photo by Alys Emson

Happy Tuesday!

Today is a very special one, as Zenyatta and 13Z are celebrating their shared birthday. The Queen turns ten today, and her little one is now a whole year old. It feels like yesterday that we were awaiting his arrival at Lane’s End.

The staff at Lane’s End kicked off the party this morning with cakes, cupcakes and stacks of cards from all of you. Thanks for the birthday wishes!

-Team Z

Reminder: Today is the last day to enter your guess for 14Z’s birthday! Enter here.

Birthday cakes from Jan and Bob Stein. Too cute!
Birthday cakes from Jan and Bob Stein. Too cute!

Zenyatta's stall lined with birthday cards. Photo by Alys Emson
Zenyatta’s stall lined with birthday cards. Photo by Alys Emson

Photo by Alys Emson
Photo by Alys Emson

Photo by Alys Emson
Photo by Alys Emson

13Z gets a taste of a birthday cupcake. Photo by Alys Emson
13Z gets a taste of a birthday cupcake. Photo by Alys Emson

13Z admires his cards. Photo by Alys Emson
13Z admires his cards. Photo by Alys Emson

Cards and cupcakes. Photo by Alys Emson
Cards and cupcakes. Photo by Alys Emson

Reader Interactions

688 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, Little Big Red and Baby Z:

    Not too much longer now Z, we’ll be welcoming the new baby. Stay warm and cozy. Love Ya. Hugs, JB

  2. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Love and Hugs to you, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc and all the Sweeties

  4. / Reply

    Dear Max. Chocolate Mocha sounds good,will have to think of something for Quevega and then there’s Denman on the 17th so many cakes.Oh the poor hips!!!,I quite agree with you about McCoy’s ban compared to Moosie’s seems horses do nothing to get punished!The extra 4 furlongs nearly caught out the New One today.They all fared well with the big fences in the Foxhunters,Great ride by Sam Waley-Cohen, maybe Long Run on Saturday??Free the Moose!Have you heard about the smog in England,the health and safety are having a field day.Neigh.Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Imagine Rummy used to run 4 miles 4 furlongs. What an athlete!
      Heard about the UK smog. Hope it isn’t near you. Also heard that Nick has hired Piers Morgan to do some PR? I wonder what Dave thinks of that move.
      I am cheering for Tidal Bay as is Moosie. Go Sammy. Go Tidal Bay. Come home safely, Tidal Bay.
      Free the Moose! Neigh!

  5. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Little Captain Hercules.and all the Sweeties.Loved the video of WD having a bath, he was such a good boy .Nissy’s snow is turning to slush.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Nissy must be hoping that’s the last of snow storms for this year. Yes, WD is a patient boy. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc and all the Sweeties

  6. / Reply

    Has anyone noticed that the horses in the races at Golden Gate Fields seem to be exceedingly shiny? They almost glisten! I wonder if they have special rubs for their coats at this track. Every horse gleams; it shows beautifully against the grey color of the Tapeta track. Maybe it is the angle of the sunlight in San Francisco?
    Just wondering. . . Love and Hugs to All

  7. / Reply

    Well, little number 3 of the Zenyatta line didn’t make it to help celebrate it’s mom’s and brother’s birthday, but mom and that gorgeous brother had a great time anyway. Wish I could have been there to share in the cupcake extravaganza. Much love, “Auntie Shirley.”

  8. / Reply

    It looks like 13Z is really eyeing the picture of Mom. He has such a precious face like her. Hope the storms miss their area. Love you, Zenny, 13Z and Coz. Hope the new baby comes soon.

    • / Reply

      Third! Good for our Hovis. Thanks as always, Max, for posting our Friday morning treat. Better than a glazed donut!

    • / Reply

      Dear Max,

      Thank you for a wonderful update! Hovis was magnificent jumping over the tyres. So proud of him! He sure showed the snooty trolls a thing or two! lol Starting to pace now. Can’t wait to see Z14! Free the Moose!

    • / Reply

      Wow! What a day for our boy and Aunty Becky. And to think they came so close to qualifying for an even bigger competition. Not bad for a first effort. Thanks as always to Sheena via Max for our Friday treat.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Thanks for this Hovis fix. Wow, good for him and Aunt Becky; they did very well. Love the photo of H in mid jump.

      Yes, Z is getting really close to foaling I think. Let the pacing begin. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Max
      I look forward to Fridays just to read the latest Hovis adventure.
      This was awesome.
      Having been to many hunter/jumpers/cross-country shows,
      the description of the course and the crowd had me laughing out loud.
      Thank you for sharing Hovis with us-he makes my Friday
      Hugs, BGG

    • / Reply

      Great job, Hovis!! You sure are a handsome hunk — I think the little yellow mare must be enamored of you. She is very petite and pretty. Congratulations to both of you!!
      Big Hugs

  10. / Reply

    April 4 Cherokee Devotional

    Our choices have brought us to this place. Other people affected us to some degree, but never so much as what we chose to do and how we chose to react. We are at the point the Cherokees call the hour of tsu du go ta nv, the place where we decide who is to sit at the forefront of our lives to guide the way. The hardest part is to stop thinking dilemma ad start thinking and talking solutions. There is no room in problem solving for self-pity, not even revenge. Past events may have been wrong, but now we have to see it as change, not always our doing, but we have to handle it anyway. It is here that we decide to be happy, to be examples so that younger ones will want to follow. It is a worthy thing to be a good example. We may never know who will be watching.

    Convince the world by your character that Indians are not as they have been shown.
    John Ross

  11. / Reply

    Glad to see Keeneland is going back to a dirt track. I don’t think the statistics bore out the theory that the Poly reduce injuries and breakdowns. If they want to get a Breeders Cup, I think the dirt will be a positive step.

    For those of you who have not made it yet, the Fall Meet at Keeneland is something all horse lovers should experience. Another world compared to the other tracks. And October in central Kentucky is beautiful.

    • / Reply

      On the contray, they had one of the best records. Remember, they spent a lot of time putting in the polytrack. Drainage systems was one of the best. Never had to worry about a souped up speed track or scraping the rail for speed. Problem was with the handicappers. They could not get a grip on how to handicap when it came to throwing out speed. All in the numbers for some handicappers.
      I hope their new “State of the Art” dirt track, as Keeneland is calling it, is just that.

        • I think that Anne is right on this one. Woodbine in Toronto for example has one of the best records in North America for their poly track, which is state of the art. Also UK and Europe have far less accidents because horses race on more forgiving turf and poly tracks. I’m with LoPresti. It should always be about the safety of the horses.

        • Overall, synthetic tracks in the U.S. have been safer statistically. Turfway’s record isn’t quite as good as Keeneland’s, but it is still way under the average at 0.5-something.

          Look at what happened with Santa Anita. They put in a hard, fast dirt track and their fatality rate nearly tripled.

          I think this is mostly about the Breeders’ Cup, although where they think they will put people, I haven’t a clue. I guess they can build temporary seating. It’s not like they aren’t successful currently. The place is packed to the gills, they have full fields, they attract good horses and top jockeys. There are people at the betting windows every time I go there. maybe they think their handle will go up if they put in dirt. Who knows?

  12. / Reply

    To Sheena,

    I probably won’t get to write to you later. I hope all is well with you. TGIF! Enjoy your weekend. Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy

      • / Reply

        Dear BGG,
        Thanks bunches for this link about Torbay! He is still a handsome boy even at almost 27 — he has a birthday coming up soon, April 16. I am sure that he will get lots of birthday hugs and treats! What a great story and how wonderful that the Barrs found him, gave him another career and most importantly, a loving home.
        May they all be so blessed. Love and Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      Thank you for this great story and photo of part of the Legend of Big Red. Wonderful. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      BGG, Thanks for posting the story of Torbay. Always good to hear a story with a happy ending. Blessings to the folks who love and care for him.

  16. / Reply

    @Dawn, what a beautiful tribute to her majesty. Thank you!
    Did you know my mother did a video to the same beautiful song? It’s always been one of my favorites….I thought I would share it. Her words-
    Uploaded on Feb 19, 2011

    “This is the Love Story of Zenyatta’s fans love for her, Barn55, all of team Z and their love for all of us.~
    “Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a love can be? …The simple truth about the love she brings to me….where do I start?
    “With her first hello (dance/race)…She gave new meaning to this…world of mine…”
    “There’d never be another love another time…she came into my life and made the living fine”
    “She fills heart with very special things with angel songs with wild imaginings.”
    “She feels my soul with so much love!.”..JOY!!!!
    I reach for her hand (Zsters) , it’s always there.”
    “Can love be measured by the hours in a day?”
    “I have no answers now , but this much I can say , I know I’ll need her till the stars all burn away…and she’ll be there.”.
    ~The photo at 0:11 of Zenny looking at camera or her “Dear John’was taken by her wonderful trainer Mr. John Shirreffs~
    ~The photo of Zenny Ann Moss & precious poodle was taken by Jane Wade~
    The picture of Zenny running through the fall color was done by ~Candace Jones~
    The photo at 1:59 was taken by my husband at Churchill Downs the day after her 2010-BCC-since several have ask about it….I will email you a copy (free of course) so you can print it.”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFt-nXHJoM0

    @ Debbie G., GO CATS!!

  18. / Reply

    Counting the days dear Zenyatta. May all the runners come home safe and sound this weekend. I still haven’t been able to choose a Derby horse. So many choices!

    • / Reply

      Vicki, I’m trying to think of a long shot for the Derby. Almost afraid to say it but am looking at Conquest Titan because of the pedigree. He should have no trouble getting the mile and a quarter. Of course, there are about 5 others I like. Good luck with your handicapping.

  19. / Reply

    A Track’s Shift to Dirt Adds to Horses’ Risks
    By JOE DRAPE The New York TImes APRIL 3, 2014
    On Tuesday, the Jockey Club released statistics from its equine injury database showing that synthetic racetracks were far safer than dirt or turf, and that the one at Keeneland Race Course was one of the safest in the nation, with a fatality rate last year of 0.33 per 1,000 starts.
    So on Wednesday, what did the lords of the venerable racetrack do?
    They announced that at the end of the current meeting, they were replacing Keeneland’s synthetic track with dirt, a surface that fatally broke down racehorses at a six-times-greater rate from 2009 to 2013, according to the Jockey Club.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/sports/in-a-tracks-decision-horses-are-the-losers.html?ref=joedrape&_r=0

    • / Reply

      From NY Times article by Joe Drape
      “Isn’t it supposed to be about the safety of the horses?” said Charles Lopresti,
      trainer of the two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, in The Lexington Herald-Leader.

    • / Reply

      NY Times article by Joe Drape
      Keeneland wants to host the year-end Breeders’ Cup World Championships in the future. It has not been lost on the powers that be that Santa Anita Park will host its third straight Breeders’ Cup this fall after switching from a synthetic surface to dirt in 2011. They also are aware that another California track, Del Mar, announced it would replace its surface with dirt by next year in hopes of landing a Breeders’ Cup.

      It is well worth reading the entire article-these are just excerpts from it.

  20. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to both Zenyatta and 13 Z. They both look GREAT !!!!

    Wish I was there to give you both a slice of Carrot Cake.

    But I am here in Virginia.

    Take care of yourselves….Spring is almost here !!!

  22. / Reply

    Dear Max.As our Sir Bruce would say “didn’t he do well” Hovis I mean and the little yellow mare!When is he going to learn that the ladies like to play hard to get!Hopefully William fox-in-a hole will get in touch.
    Great day for Nicky Henderson and Geraghty at Aintree today,it was Ladies day and the Liverpool Lasses were out in their finery.Moosie is supporting Tidal Bay if not his owners Rose of the Moon.Few jockey spills but horses were safe.
    I hadn’t heard about Nick he’ll need help after losing the EU debates with Nigel Farage,should think UKIP will do well in the European Elections.The smog didn’t reach us here in Carmarthen,think some parts of Wales were affected but the heavy rain cleared it yesterday.Hope the Fly gets treats tomorrow.Free the Moose.Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Nothing much would make me happier than to see Tidal Bay win the grand National. Can understand why Moosie is going with him. Is Sammy riding? Go TB! Come home safely.
      Glad that you are smog free.
      Thanks for the news that this is World Rat Day. As Nissy might say, MOUSES!
      Thinking of Black Forest cake for The Fly.
      Free the Moose! Neigh!

  23. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, Red Prince and Baby Z:

    Z, hope you are comfortable and cozy. Sweet Baby Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

  24. / Reply

    Dear Max.I love Black Forest!Yes, Sam is riding him.Princess Anne seems to have put her foot in it again saying Badgers should be gassed to control TB in dairy herds.the culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire have been very controversial.Here in Wales we have gone down the vaccination route.Anne is her father’s daughter very outspoken!Free the Moose.There was much liquid refreshment at Aintree today need I say more!!!!
    Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I did not live in a England for long, but I did learn one very important and valuable lesson, never to be forgotten: badgers are much loved creatures. It is a very bad idea to attack them in any way. First suggesting that horses be eaten and now this? Maybe someone else should consider silence instead of giving interviews.
      Black Forest cake seems Fly like. Those tart cherries have bite. Thinking of Strawberry shortcake for Quevega, but that might not be diva enough. Will check out the cakes for sale over the weekend. There are lots of exotic cakes available that might suit her more.
      Free the Moose! Neigh!

  25. / Reply

    Sheena. Just read that Boston Bob won at Aintree for Willie Mullins. Nice! Paul Townsend was riding so that he must have recovered from being tossed by Adrianna des Mottes at Cheltenham. Also heard that Kauto’s brother tossed his jockey today. Is Kauto Stone okay?

    • / Reply

      Two Jockeys Hospitalized at Aintree Festival
      By The Associated Press April 4, 2014
      Four jockeys were injured in falls at the Aintree Festival near Liverpool, England on April 4, with Mikey Fogarty and Paul Carberry both hospitalized.
      All four fell during the Topham Chase, which is run over the same Aintree Racecourse fences used for the showcase Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, April 5.
      All four fell during the Topham Chase, which is run over the same Aintree Racecourse fences used for the showcase Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, April 5.
      Carberry fell off Kauto Stone and underwent precautionary x-rays on his pelvis before being discharged, according to the Professional Jockeys’ Association. Carberry, who won the 1999 Grand National on board Bobbyjo, is booked to ride 10-1 shot Monbeg Dude on Saturday.
      Fogarty was unseated while riding Bishopsfurze, and the PJA said he had fractured two vertebrae. He was due to ride 66-1 shot Vesper Bell in the National.
      Andrew Tinkler and Noel Fehily also face fitness tests ahead of Saturday’s race. The BBC says Tinkler hurt a wrist, and Fehily sustained an elbow injury.
      Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/84219/two-jockeys-hospitalized-at-aintree-festival#ixzz2xyMpVVPr

  26. / Reply

    Go Big Blue!!
    From John Clay article
    Kentucky wasn’t supposed to be at this Final Four. Not unranked Kentucky.
    Not the Kentucky that Dick Vitale labeled as the season’s major disappointment.
    Not No. 8 seed Kentucky.
    And then: Surprise!
    This does not mean everyone is happy to see the Cats.
    “They’re the Yankees,” Turner and CBS analyst Steve Kerr said this week. “They’re Notre Dame football. They’re the team that is just always going to be in the news.
    They are great for college basketball. Love them or hate them, they are a story.
    People want to watch them, either to cheer for them or against them.”
    Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/04/04/3179310/john-clay-kentucky-the-uninvited.html?sp=/99/268/#storylink=cpy

    • / Reply

      BGG, We Kentucky farm kids grew up on UK basketball and an announcer named Cawood Ledford. He called the games for almost 40 years. We were tobacco farmers and I can remember listening to Cawood and UK on a radio in the stripping room. For you all who don’t know tobacco, the stripping room was not a place to disrobe but where the tobacco leaves were removed from the stalks. No matter where life takes us, we love UK basketball and thoroughbred racing. GO KATS!

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee,
        I know about stripping tobacco! Where I grew up in NC, the stripping of tobacco took place in the strip house — same thing.
        All the Best to your team! Hugs

  27. / Reply

    Dear Max.Our Jump Jockeys are a breed apart.Sorry I forgot to tell you about Boston Bob,they say if he got his jumping straightened out he’d be world class.I have been looking through some recipes found a lovely one with Belgian chocolate may try it.Did you know Teaforthree is the favourite for the National,trained in Pembrokeshire the county next to me.I heard all the horses were alright today.Free the Moose.Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Yes, you are right. I found some details in the English papers. Several jockeys got injured but the horses came through “unscathed”. Good especially for Kauto Stone.
      I read somewhere that Red Rum was so good a jumper that he never fell. He was an astonishingly talented horse. Love that story of him being a guest on a sports show.
      Did you see the photo of Kauto Star’s new pal? He’s a lovely gray from Corfu.
      Read that shorty is upset about being on the sidelines and missing Aintree. Cannot say that I miss his opinions on horses.
      Still hoping for Tidal Bay.
      Free the Moose! Neigh!

  28. / Reply

    Dear Judy. Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Little Captain Hercules and all the Sweeties. Just been reading about Torbay he’s had a wonderful life.Luck plays a big part.Love and hugs SheenaX

  29. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Yes, I believe luck does play a big part in the lives of our beloved horses. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc and all the Sweeties

  30. / Reply

    Medal Count Brave in Transylvania
    By Claire Novak The Blood-Horse April 4, 2014
    Trainer Dale Romans has liked Medal Count from the start, and Spendthrift Farm’s Dynaformer colt rewarded his faith April 4 with a brave victory in the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes on opening day of the spring meet at Keeneland (VIDEO).
    Squeezed back early on, the bay colt bulled his way through an opening on the rail coming off the final turn and galloped to a 1 1/4-length score in the 1 1/16-mile event, fending off a strong run from Picozza.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/84223/medal-count-brave-in-transylvania#ixzz2xyCAWnN5

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