Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Zenyatta and her valentines. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Zenyatta and her valentines. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Happy Friday!

We wish all Zenyatta fans a happy Valentine’s Day, and we’re sending extra love to those of you who put a valentine in the mail for Z. She enjoyed each and every one—particularly the peppermints!

What’s better than to celebrate with some new photos of 13Z in the snow and an up close and personal view of Zenyatta eating her peppermints? Thanks Alys!

Enjoy!
-Team Z

13Z and the boys. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End.
13Z and the boys. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End.


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End.
Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End.

Reader Interactions

1,289 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Kathy As is often said, no man is an Island, we all rely on each other in different ways.I hope what Max said is true about the 2nd Marius.I always felt Zoos were safe places for our wildlife but it seems not and anyway is not a natural environment .Have you ever seen the Panda’s at San Diego I love Bai-Yun she is an incredible mother.I found Flint another cutie! Cant believe Boo has reached 9.8 million likes in a few days! Cuteness overload with them today!Poor Ray had to be carried into the vet for his check-up because he was a wittle scared but passed with flying colours!Marty is ordering his yogis! didn’t know he has his own you-tube channel.Is there nothing that rat doesn’t do??Have a lovely Sabbath Hugs to You, Kisses for the Puppy Pack.Sheena. the sun is out today YAY!!!

    • / Reply

      Sheena and Kathy. Let’s hope that the second Marius will not be killed. That incident last week is still on my mind. Cannot even look at rye bread or much else without thinking of it. Everyone whom I know is amazed at how grotesque that this was and the zoo reaction that it was the best thing for Marius. My attitude to zoos has changed dramatically. We need to protect endangered species, but not by making them into prisoners.

  2. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    I’ve been totally distraught over the killing of the first Marius. It didn’t have to happen. I know you can’t make blanket assumptions about a total population, but Denmark is not very high on my list of countries that can be trusted at this point. Yes, I have been to the Panda’s at San Diego Zoo. They’re very shy so sightings are quite rare. They are wonderful animals. Boo and Buddy…taking over the world one cookie at a time. lol! Ray’s Daddy had his arms full carrying him into the vet’s office. You can tell Ray’s doctor adores him. Marty makes me laugh. His Mommy and Daddy are great promoters. Have a wonderful Sabbath. Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy

  3. / Reply

    Zenny will smile about me, Ebby thank you for second place in allowance for older fillyes and mares, i think Coz watch your race to learn race situations on course, Coz one more race video, youtube ” barbados horse racing sandy lane gold cup day 2013 ” , in 2nd white horse decreased speed after break, her legs are healthy, in 3rd bay horse were late, in 4th better she he would not come to race, to put on blinkers like Smarty’s echo did and carefully to train some months on home course with kind mates, …….. i fell after emergency command turn to left on rush to soft surface, it was well that i quickly leaved reins on neck, big right front hoof near my hand of chestnut 550 kgs power mare Zorjka, she moved her head and have begin to sniff me like i was her foal or filly :-), i fell on walk to glide ice under snow, when i claimed on thick white kind Maljvina without saddle from fence from right side :-), two times i hung on knee on neck of quick power white Milena, surface was frozen, i was frightened not long time, i believe to horses that have some time with me and like me …….. Coz do you see free horse frollicks in paddock, in 8th, free horse automatically change speed and make turns more lightly and with rate 1,5 times quickly than with jockey, usually in race videos free horses are carefull with rest horses in herd, only Coz be carefull with horses that at side moving towards you, 35 plus 35 mph is too much, lil glide turn may be late, Zenny drink not cold water, eat light green hay, walk on air with Life is sweet, don’t get cold and lil hear what your vet doctor tell, he can carefully hear two sides of your belly, better when horses don’t bring him lot of work, Zenny what is love :-), beautyfull zenny lil tall 13z with mates coz kiss your soft noses

    • / Reply

      Judy, Thank you for the smile and yes, the tears the video brought. She is like a sunbeam lighting up our cold snowy day. What a blessing for Mike to be able to dance with the queen as he did.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B.,
      Thanks for posting this video from Kari. It is still so beautiful, and it is wonderful to see it again, again and again! Our Queen Z showed us some lovely steps, didn’t she?
      Love and Hugs

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        You’re so welcome. Always wonderful to see our Dancing Queen. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      There will never be another like her. Our beloved Kari always captured the spirit of Zenyatta … I loved stepping back in time to experience it all again.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B,

      Thanks for posting Kari’s gift to us of our horse of a lifetime, Zenyatta…it brightens this winter day just like the sun.
      Hugs,
      Maryp

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann and Shirlee:

        It is a long road! I have no idea yet who my pick will be. I hope they all stay safe and sound too. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      So many. I only like about 7 of them. Might go with Harpoon or Vicar’s In Trouble if the latter does well in the Risen Star. After all, that is where I first saw Muchie. But also like the Birdstones. As I said, I like at least 7 of them.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Max Darren is just the best!!And he’s keeping Moose in the news too!I wonder what he’ll come up with next.Have heard Nicky Henderson has been flooded and without power over the weekend which means he’s had to postpone SS’s planned racecourse gallop at Kempton on Feb 22nd,am worried the festival is only 3 weeks away.Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Sorry to hear about this trouble for Henderson with the weather. Let’s hope for a dry spell to allow for racing. You’ve had enough rain.
      A Mad Moose fan has suggested that Darren should prepare a calendar devoted to the adventures of the recalcitrant equine. Then Moose suggested that the profits should go to a horse charity. That Moosie is complex. Darren said that he would discuss it with Nigel. I would buy a calendar. Horses like Moosie do not appear every day. Free the Moose!

  9. / Reply

    Shades of Ebby. Rachel’s little sister, Samantha Nicole banged her head on the gate and bumped another horse for a terrible start in her maiden race. Still finished second.

    • / Reply

      Winner is the bumped horse, Lane’s End filly, Handmade, by Candy Ride. She ran well.
      Samantha Nicole may have a better start next time. Second is not bad for such a start.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      Wow, poor baby. She did well considering. Hope she has a better start next time. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JudyB. I thought that Sam did well too for a maiden race. She is just a baby after all with no experience. Her sister lost her first time out and it all turned around for her. Looks like Sam might be following the racing style of Zenyatta, coming on from last. As I recall, Rachel liked to get out in front.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes, I think SN did very well too and you’re right, RA would go right for the lead.
          Maybe SN’s style of racing will be different. Hope she is OK. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirley, Max, Judy, Sheena

      I thought Samantha did really good even not winning. So hope she is Ok tomorrow. Max I agree with you. She’s just a baby. I think she will get better. Great Race

  11. / Reply

    Question for you all in the know about horses. I just saw a picture of a foal out of Bluegrass Cat and a dark colored dam that was mostly white with some chestnut markings They called it a sabino chestnut. Will it stay white with spots or turn chestnut? Do you know what causes this?

  12. / Reply

    Dear Max Yes, I saw that news on Moosie’s twitter,an excellent idea, would certainly buy one is a great charity.It ‘s been a much quieter day over here but promises more rain for the west tomorrow! I cant see anything drying out before the festival which bodes well for the Irish Horses,am still waiting to hear which race Annie Power will go for.Hope there’s not too much snow with you. Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. The snow is massive. If you go to a mall, the parking lots are filled with mountains of it. There was a five minute January thaw so that nothing much has melted. It’s been a long, cold winter. Racing in NY at Aqueduct has been cancelled several times. This weather is still preferable to rain and floods.
      Hope that The Fly is resting his hoof for Cheltenham. Mullins said that he came out of the Irish Hurdle in good form. No word yet on plans for Annie Power.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max, Sheena and Z Fans:

        Met friends and my Sis at the local mall today for lunch. Looks like the Alps in the parking lot; so many mountains of snow pushed up by the plows. Thinking Spring. Love and Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. When it comes to some of these intersections without lights, driving can be tricky too. It’s tough to see over those snow banks to make a left hand turn. I’m looking for spring too.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes, that’s a real problem. I approach with caution. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Same here Judy. My plow guy puts the snow from “my half” of the driveway into the other half. It looks like the Tetons! Can’t even begin to imagine how long it will take for all of this to melt, and they are predicting RAIN for Thursday which should result in a real mess for sure.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Thank you for sending Nerissa’s Blog to me. God Bless Nissie and his Peep for taking a stand against what happened to little Marius. I hope it helps stop this horrendous practice. It’s barbaric. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      I absolutely agree with everything stated in Nerissa’s Blog. Still sickened by Marius’s murder. God bless his little soul and may he rest in peace. We here will not forget and will do whatever we can to make sure this never happens again.

      Hugs, Kathy.

    • / Reply

      This horrific situation has definitely changed my outlook towards zoos and facilities like them that claim to cherish and protect the animals in their care. Maybe this wasn’t an isolated case… maybe it’s done more often than anyone knows. I feel like my trust has been violated.

      I also feel the same way about aquariums now… has anyone seen the documentary “Blackfish” that has recently been shown on CNN?

  15. / Reply

    Rough Debut for Rachel’s Sis at Fair Grounds
    By Jack Shinar The Blood-Horse February 16, 2014
    Samantha Nicole, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, had an adventurous career debut, but managed to run on for second in a maiden special weight test for 3-year-old fillies Feb. 16 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
    With Rosie Napravnik aboard in the one mile and 70-yard race, Samantha Nicole banged her head on the outside stall door leaving the gate, brushed with rival Handmade to her outside and trailed the five-horse field. Handmade recovered from her start to eventually get the lead approaching the quarter pole and opened up a substantial advantage in the lane.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83385/rough-debut-for-rachels-sis-at-fair-grounds#ixzz2tXFRODdn

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      Wow, feel bad for Rosie N too. She was aboard Ebby at Saratoga when Ebby hit the gate.
      Hope Samantha Nicole is OK and has better racing luck next time. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Hope Rosie keeps the mount. She has a potential Derby mount in Vicar’s In Trouble for the Ramseys. She looks very nice in Ramsey red and red roses would be the crowning touch.

        • Dear Shirlee:

          Hope RN keeps the mount too. These kinds of rough starts can be mentally challenging to horses and riders. Takes courage, character and determination to be a successful jockey and RN has all of these qualities. Love and Hugs, JB

  16. / Reply

    Dear Judy Goodnight God bless you, LM PC HT Little Captain and all the Sweeties. Thank you for the beautiful pics of Ebby ,so dramatic!Thought Nissy’s blog was wonderful tonight. Keep warm and cosy. Love and Hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      You’re so welcome. Ebby is feisty; she has attitude. Nissy’s Blog was wonderful and a lovely tribute to little Marius. I like to think of the Little Darling running free and happy in God’s Heaven. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap and all the Sweeties

  18. / Reply

    Dear Terry

    I watched the movie Let It ride tonight. I loved it. I emailed judy and told her how much I liked it. It was soo funny. Didn’t realize it was filmed at Hiahleah.
    I think it brought me good luck today. I was pulling for Nellie Delaney at Los Al tonight.
    I was thinking can she do it or not. ………………….I decided got to go with her. Such a nice filly.
    And I was pulling so hard for Samantha at the Farigrounds. And I thought she did spectacular overcoming all she did and came in 2nd. I had been just waiting and waiting for her to appear on the scene. Nice Debut I thought

    Thank You again Terry for telling me about the movie. And, Judy Thank you again for sending it to me I am going to forward it on to Ann next week. .

    • / Reply

      A bunch of old time horsemen got together at Santa Anita and voted Let It Ride their all-time favorite horse racing film. As an anecdote, the film had to be edited after its release. The part where Richard Dreyfuss goes out into the crowd and asks them who they like and ends up with the horse nobody likes originally had him betting on a horse named Fleet Treat. It had to be changed when the producers found out that there really was a horse named Fleet Treat. As Judy would say, even when you know, you never know. Every once in a while when somebody asks me who I like I tell them I want the right to bet on Lord Byron. Not funny unless you have seen the film. Welcome to the club.

      • / Reply

        Dear TC GP and Peggy:

        Peggy, so glad you enjoyed the movie. Thanks for forwarding it to Ann.

        TC GP, loved your post and I want the right to bet Lord Byron too. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Yippee, can’t wait to see this classic.
          Thank you, Peggy, JB, and TC.
          Oh, and TC, Houston comes to mind about a loss in the final seconds! God Bless Jimmy V.

        • Ann-I didn’t mean to insult NC State. I heard about the loss on the radio and wondered what the circumstances were. As you know, I like the southern teams. God Bless Jimmy V, indeed.

  20. / Reply

    February 17 Cherokee Devotional

    Touching the earth is a lovely thing, a feeling of once again finding our beginnings, a knowing that this place where we stand, whether to walk or plow or plant, is something created for us, for the pulse of the earth slows our own and tranquilizes our confusion. The Cherokees believe that seeing the sky in all its limitless depths stirs our imaginations and stretches our awareness of how much simple beauty is provided for us. We can see that bitterness lasts only as long as we allow it, but we have reached beyond the ceiling of our minds and are as unlimited as the sky. As currents of air stir the fragrance of flowers, we may not be able to see all things but we sense the influence and know that life is ours to enjoy. It comes by Divine heritage.

    Ka wat lee os, tat gat eh’. Peace for the Cherokees, Oh, America, peace for the Cherokees.

  21. / Reply

    Dear Kathy Wonderful post!Glad you got to see Nissy’s tribute for Marius,as JudyB will testify he is usually so witty,it was unusual to see him so serious.I haven’t had much time to visit our furbabies today,had a funeral this morning.Have seen Zoe looking gorgeous as ever for President’s day and Boo’s numbers continue to rise is sure to reach 9.9 million this week. Did’nt know Marty had a cat for a sisfur! Yikes, he’d better be careful! It’s back grey and damp here today.Yuk! Hugs to You, Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      I have been meaning to read all of Nissy’s blog. Maybe I can get a lot read today. I’m off work for Presidents’ Day! I’m sorry you had a funeral today. That’s never easy. The furbabies are all adorable today. Boo looking so cute in his Valentine’s overload pic. He’s one POPULAR doggie! I know he will break 10 million before long. Found a new furbaby thanks to Zoe…Love Angus xx. A cute little shih tzu. Yes, Zoe is gorgeous. Love her tear-jerker rest home interactions. I hope Marty’s visits with that cat are ONLY supervised! Have a good day. Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy

  23. / Reply

    A U.S. Olympian (downhill skier?) and Silver Medal winner has adopted four Sochi homeless puppies and their mother. He will take them home to Colorado where they have been promised to various family members and friends, with the exception of one female puppy that he intends to keep. He’s deciding on a name. He put his silver medal around her neck for the photo. Hooray for the Silver and Hooray for five lives saved.

  24. / Reply

    These are LOVEly pictures and what a great video of our QUEEN with her peppermints! :-) 13Z is a stunner as he is growing….wow! Thanks again Team Z!!

    Now, thought you might like to know that our horse Cowtownmary came in second in this past Saturday’s 5th race!! (Santa Anita) Once again he was on the lead for a while (as he was in his first, one month ago; he likes to get out in front), but didn’t make it into the winners’ circle. However, we are VERY pleased with his two races thus far. :-) At one point we were 2-1!! Yikes! He will be getting some extra carrots (or as much as his trainer Mike allows, lol) next time we see him. Good boy! I want to ask him how he liked having Bejarano as his jock. We think that helped to lower his odds, ya think?

    A side note: we were sitting with some of our partners in the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant area and once I saw Jerry Moss walking by. (The Mosses had Stanwyck in later, who came in third.)

    ALSO and this is for YOU, Zenny, I took three of our partners to visit YOUR statue!!! The husband is very familiar with horse racing, but the two wives, not so much, yet. (Steve’s wife, Kathy says I am a very good teacher!) So, we posed in front of your likeness and everyone was properly impressed. Yes, I know, how could they NOT be?
    So, it was a great day all the way around and YOU were part of it!!

    Continue to be happy Zenyatta–it does so much for the mental health of–well, all of us!

    • / Reply

      Anne-Good to see a post from you. Did not realize that you had another horse and are back in the game. I will keep a special eye out for Cowtownmary from now on. Horse racing could use more people like you and your partners. I haven’t been to SA for some time and I guess it is time I went. Let us know the next time she runs.

    • / Reply

      Dear Anne:

      Thanks for sharing Cowtownmary with us. Two seconds so far; very impressive. How exciting it must for you and Ron. Will be looking forward to updates. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Anne,

      I have to ask: how did your horse, being a gelding, got that name?
      Congrats on the two seconds and best of luck in the future.

    • / Reply

      Vicki B.,
      Love both of these links! Thanks for posting them.
      Both of the Patches certainly were unique characters.
      Cheers and Hugs

      BTW, what is the plural of Patches?

      • / Reply

        Marshall, & Judy, you are welcome. Marshall, in this case, since patches is the plural of patch, but Patches is a proper name, its plural would be two Patches, or whatever number of horses named Patches you might have handy.

  27. / Reply

    I realized I have about no hope of catching up from the past week, but will try a bit. The week before last, I was minding my own business at home, getting ready for work, when a pickup truck went out of control, the driver put it in reverse to avoid hitting someone in front, but then spun around in the street, before backing over the curb and hitting my car parked in my own driveway. The motor was still revving hard, he got out and opened the hood, trying to shut it off, before he realized all he had to do was turn the key off. I was running 5 min. late, or I easily could have been out front getting into my car, or pulling out of the driveway, when his “motorized weapon” arrived. His steel body hasn’t a scratch, but my car will need some work, luckily he’s insured. So, like some friends said, my first problem was “being at home, minding my own business”. You just never know, what can happen.

    • / Reply

      Vicki B. You have my sympathies. You are right and I get what you are saying for sure. I was once in a grocery store and some guy “lost control” of his car and proceeded to slam into ten cars as he made his way out of the parking lot, careening over the curb and sidewalk as he went. Then he noticed the damage in his rear view and from the yelling of victims, and wheeled back in from the street to hit 5 more cars. I figured it was game over for me when he returned as visions of a visit to the body shop passed before my eyes. He missed my brand new SUV by inches. Cops arrived within minutes. Now I always drive past that place.

    • / Reply

      Dear Vicki and Max:

      Wow, two close calls. Thank goodness neither of you were hurt. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Max, Judy, and Ann, thanks — I am glad I wasn’t hurt, of course, but everything else is so annoying about it, there is a real cost I’m stuck with, that insurance will not pay for — the loss of my time (I asked them), namely, having to use vacation time from work dealing with the aftermath, making insurance phone calls, meeting up with an adjuster, more phone calls, uploading photos, getting advice in order to make the right choice about body shop, talking to my neighbor about the lawn damage, and other things — it all adds up, and no one counts that cost, except me.

  28. / Reply

    Vicki-At least it wasn’t a runaway hay wagon. In that vein, here are some rednecks for today. You might be a redneck if you have a tattoo that says “mother” but it is spelled incorrectly. You might be a redneck if you daddy’s tombstone includes the word varmit. In honor of presidents’ day, you might be a redneck if you skip work on Garth’s birthday. You might be a redneck if you are late for work because a cow was lying in the middle of the road. You might be a redneck if people ask you if you were in the movie Deliverance. Lastly, an old favorite. You might be a redneck if Motel 6 turns out its light when it sees you coming.

  29. / Reply

    Dear Max Have you heard about trainer Philip Fenton has been charged with possession of anabolic steroids and unprescribed antibiotics.He will appear at Carrick-on Suir district court on Thursday. Did’nt they say Last Instalment was going to have a crack at the Gold Cup? Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Very very disturbing news. He trains one of my favorites, The Tullow Tank, as well. I hate to think that these innocent horses were the victims of drugs. Grotesque if it is true.

  30. / Reply

    Dear Max I read in the Guardian he’s already had 2 court appearances (unreported).Yes, I remembered he trained the Tullow Tank is getting difficult to trust people these days. The racing stables ,the zoos what next??Hope you enjoyed your day off( President’s day). Dave is still very busy visiting all the flood hit areas. Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I read that too. Getting more and more disturbing.
      You said it about trust. I only trust horses and other animals now. They’re my heroes. Z is our role model.
      Heard that there is trouble in the Coalition. Nick is getting negative about Dave being a conservative? How can this be news to Nick now? Between Ed and Nick and the flood, Dave does not have an easy time of it. Is there any improvement with your weather?

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