Zenyatta

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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

    Q&A With Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith
    By Ciara Bowen The Blood-Horse February 20, 2014
    Like many children, Mike Smith dreamt of one day following in his father’s footsteps, and as the son of a jockey those footsteps led straight to the racetrack. That profession, though full of risk, proved the right one for him.
    Born in Roswell, N.M., Smith began riding races at age 11 and took out his license there in 1982 at age 16. Now—31,529 starts later—he finds himself a member not only of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, but of the ingoing class of 2014 for similar honors in his native state.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83447/qa-with-hall-of-fame-jockey-mike-smith#ixzz2txNzozCF

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    February 21 Cherokee Devotional

    A young Indian boy named Slow was so brave in battle when he was fourteen that he was renamed Sitting Bull. He had a great love for birds and imitated their songs-finally writing songs of his own and chanting them. How many of us have been called slow? If not in one category, then in another. The change comes when we study something we love, doing what comes so naturally that we succeed in an area that was totally unexpected. Never underestimate the power of small beginnings. Sufficiency in all things more often than not begins in small ways. Little ideas and tiny steps evolve into greater accomplishment. Someone said it takes twenty years to become an overnight success, but it only takes seconds to recognize the beginning of one.

    Let us look forward to the pleasing landscape of the future.
    Chief Ross

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    Dear Kathy. Reminds me of our reality shows with instant fame,is far better to work towards a goal in life.YAY BOO HAS HIS 10 MILLION!!! am surprised there’s no message from him yet.Joey’s been doing some sunbathing lovely weather in Little Rock. Is Ava’s big day tomorrow,wonder what Jersey Boy Phillips will get her.Marty looked so cute tucked up in bed and then having ice-cream!!He didn’t seem to care for his tomato!Off to visit the rest of the furbabies now.Have a great Friday.Love and Hugs to you, Kisses for the Puppy Pack. Sheena

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    Dear Sheena,

    Yay Boo!!! I’m sure he will leave a message for all his adoring fans soon. Joey looks happy and comfy. Congrats to Ave and Jersey Boy Phillips. Hope there are lots of pics! Marty is awfully cute. Before I found him I never would have dreamed that I would be the fan of a rat! lol. Oh well, a mouse made Walt Disney a multi-billionaire, why shouldn’t a charming little rat have tons of fans? TGIF, Sheena. Have a great weekend! Hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar.

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    Adena Springs purchases interest in Mucho Macho Man
    Published February 21, 2014
    Adena Springs release:
    Adena Springs Farm announced Friday the agreement to purchase an undisclosed interest in Dean and Patti Reeves’ Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Mucho Macho Man.
    The agreement in the six-year-old multiple Grade I winner is for racing and breeding purposes, and is effective immediately.
    Mucho Macho Man is by Adena Springs-bred and raced Breeders’ Cup winner Macho Uno, who in turn is by Horse of the Year Holy Bull out of Broodmare of the Year Primal Force. Upon his retirement, Mucho Macho Man will join a stallion roster that will feature five Breeders’ Cup Classic winners: Alphabet Soup, Awesome Again, Fort Larned and Ghostzapper.
    http://horseracing.bloginky.com/2014/02/21/adena-springs-purchases-interest-in-mucho-macho-man/

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      Hope this is a good thing for Muchie. Seems as if it will keep him from being sold abroad. I have been on Adena Springs and it is paradise for a horse. Glad that Finn, Kathy and the Reeves are still managing his career.

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      Another trip to Kentucky is definitely needed! I have so many fresh faces to see when I return! Went for the first time in 2010, now I already have Will Take Charge, Take Charge Indy, Fort Larned, Quality Road, Animal Kingdom, Creative Cause, Bodemeister, Blame, Data Link, Graydar, I Want Revenge, Morning Line, Liaison, New Year’s Day (he would have been my KD pick for this year had he stayed on), Orb, Oxbow, Overanalyze, Paynter, Point of Entry, Shanghai Bobby, Violence, Archarcharch, Cape Blanco, American Lion, Drosselmeyer, General Quarters, Giant Oak, Gio Ponti, Girolamo, Haynesfield, Ice Box, Misremembered, Paddy O’ Prado, Sidney’s Candy, Tizway, Twirling Candy, Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty, Wilburn, Afleet Express, Afleet Alex ( and everyone at Gainesway as was unable to get there the first time!), Discreetly Mine, Eskendereya, Hold Me Back (everyone at WinStar lol)…. this list is getting bigger and bigger!

      And now will definitely have Mucho Macho Man on the list, too! Love that he is returning to his ‘roots’ so to speak :-) Love too that they are going to keep him with Kathy Ritvo.

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    @sheena. Congrats to UK men’s curling team with a silver medal at the Olympics. Canada took the gold in both men’s and women’s curling. Moosie worked wonders.

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    oops, Valentines Day completely slipped my mind this year, Howver I will send a big package for your Birthday gorgeous Zenyatta and Z13.
    Love the pictures and video.
    Love to all
    love hugs and kisses

  8. / Reply

    Dear Max.Thanks for your congratulations I haven’t watched much of the Olympics, mostly catching the results on the news,the ladies won the bronze.It was definitely the support from the Moose that clinched it. Hovis had me in stitches today,his poor mum, her command of Anglo-Saxon is to be admired! Wales beat France tonight in the six nations (rugby)England next!!
    Nicky hopes to make a decision about SS in the next 10 days,he is still being monitored and all seems well.I know Nicky won’t risk him if he’s not II0%.Hugs Sheena

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      Sheena. Very sad story. I don’t know the details, so that one hesitates to criticize this person, but this seems really drastic given the apparent offers of help.

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      Sheena. You are not too sensitive, but if you are, it is a far better thing than being hard hearted. I agree with you. I also would always choose life for a horse. Did you notice in the same edition of H&H that slideshow of photos of Henry Cecil? There is one photo of him looking Twice Over. He loved that horse, and it is very clear from that photo. Twice Over is very handsome.

  12. / Reply

    Zenny, it won’t be long until all of us are in that crowded waiting room ready for you to give us 14Z. Sleep well tonight and know you are deeply loved by thousands worldwide.

  13. / Reply

    Dear Max I saw the lovely slideshow of Sir Henry.Enjoyed that. He thought the world of TO. I like to think Frankel had a special place in his heart too, although it must have been a great responsibility to care for him, he often said it was the thought of the great one that kept him going through all his treatments. I miss them both at the racecourse.Hugs Sheena

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      Sheena. I’m sure that the joy and stress of training Frankel kept him going and happy during those last years. It is sad to see how his health failed in the photos. At least he lived to see Frankel retire undefeated. He is a great loss to racing in the UK.

  15. / Reply

    RIP The Usual Q. T.
    Facebook Post Friday Feb. 22 2014
    We are very sad to announce that Multiple Grade 1 Stakes Winner, THE USUAL Q. T. has passed away at the age of eight. He brought so much joy to our lives. Melinda and I would like to thank Jim and Melanie Bassett Cassidy for providing the best care for him during his racing career and in his retirement. He was a tremendous race horse and he will live on in our hearts forever!
    Race Record
    Winner of 8 races in 23 starts with 6 second place finishes. THE USUAL Q. T. sports a bankroll of $1,531,240. His four graded stakes win include the 2009 Grade 1 Hollywood Derby and 2010 Grade 1 Eddie Read at Del Mar. Retired March 8, 2012.

  16. / Reply

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

    Goodnight. Sweet Baby Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

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      Goodnight to all!
      Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and thanks for the warm friendship that emanates from this remarkable blog. To paraphrase Snoopy: “Happiness is a warm Zenyatta”! Lots of Love and Hugs

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    Z, you know we love you and miss you on the track, but with Coz coming up and learning quick the ways of racing and z13 growing to be one of the most handsome boys around, z14 is going to be amazing to see. But I for some strange reason think you need a second job besides being a momma, Id actually like to see people riding you often and even jumping just cause thats what i believe youd be talented at.

  19. / Reply

    February 22 Cherokee Devotional

    We are persons with a desire for variety. Rigid routine can make our spirits sag. Following the same path at the same time every day, repeating and repeating without the slightest change, dulls the spirit. Life gets to be routine because we let our minds fall into a rut that has no future. Nagging fear enters when living falls into inertia, and we are troubled not so much by what is going on around us as what is going on inside. There are many words for spirit, but the Cherokees call it a da nv to, or life, v le ni to nv. It means to show some initiative, some serious intention. It is not something we only hope to have one day. It is a necessity-moisture that feeds the roots and sunlight that draws new life. But it must be stirred up.

    Warriors stir up themselves to go to battle-and so must we.
    Strong Legs

  20. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.Love the name Strong Legs!Strange Boo hasn’t mentioned his I0 million followers although a new pic has been posted. I went on Istabraq’s FB the other day and he was soo excited to reach 4,000 likes!Is our boy getting a little blasé!Zoe looked adorable all dressed up to go to Miss Norma’s party yesterday, She had a very busy day. Marty is going end up a fat rat with all those yogis and strawberries. The trolls seem to have been visiting Gizmo so cruel! Have you seen Hawley’s paws!!!Have a great Saturday. Hugs to you,Kisses for Holly, Nikko and Sugar.Sheena

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      That IS strange that no mention has been made acknowledging the 10 million followers. That’s such a milestone! Zoe is an adorable little girl. Love that pic of her in all those red flowers. I think Marty’s looking a little chunky. I know how tempting it is to give your beloved pet treats. But it’s up to the parents to make sure they’re not getting too heavy. Not good for dogs, cats or even rats. Poor little Gizmo. Anyone attacking a poor innocent animal is just scum. They much have severe inadequacy issues, have to put someone else down in order to feel important. LOVE Hawley’s fuzzy paws. Have a wonderful day. Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Paul must be pleased with that win. First Mohican is now jumping? Has he left Warren Place? How are things going for Lady Cecil?

  22. / Reply

    Dear Max.First Mohican is with jumps trainer Alan King now,he won on his debut at Doncaster earlier this month. Lady Cecil,s new website will be completed by the start of the flat season. It was great to see a small owner/breeder and trainer win the big chase at Kempton today. I remember Desert Orchid winning that race carrying 12st 3lbs over 3miles!Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. These horses always amaze with their versatility and talent. Mohican is a very good looking chestnut. I hope that he does well in his new career. The Fly started out on the flat and look at him now. We’re not certain where Moosie is, flat or jumps. Hope that he gets back safely from Sochi. They should let him carry the flag in the closing ceremonies as no running is involved. Free the Moose!

  23. / Reply

    Dear Shirlee:

    You must be thrilled. Rivers Run Deep finished second today. I have not been able to find a video replay of the race. He’s had five starts; one win, two seconds and one third. Congrats to him; talented boy. Love and Hugs, JB

  24. / Reply

    Welcome back Normandy Invasion!
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83481/normandy-invasion-sets-track-record-in-return
    He returns a winner! He looked good doing it, too… stay sound buddy, cannot WAIT to see more! Normandy Invasion was the one I rooted for in last year’s Derby, but not meant to be… he’s among my favorites. Welcome back! Thank you Fox Hill Farm for giving him the time he needed to recover and come back healthy!

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