Zenyatta

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Zenyatta News

HRTV “Zenyatta” Documentary

courtesy of AP – by Mark J. Terrill

HRTV Premieres “Zenyatta” Documentary On Friday, Nov. 2
Brilliant Mare’s Career Revisited in Moving Tribute

Arcadia, CA — The legendary Zenyatta captivated the racing world during a spectacular career, and HRTV (R), The Network for Horse Sports, will present a poignant documentary on the impeccable mare when “Zenyatta” premieres on Friday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. ET.

The half-hour offering is perfectly placed between the two-day, 29th running of the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park, a world stage where Zenyatta punctuated her place in the racing history. While the HRTV broadcast is thirty minutes, it represents part of an in-depth 60-minute DVD that will be released for the holiday season by Zenyatta.com, featuring extensive bonus features and additional footage. Zenyatta’s illustrious career totaled 19 wins in 20 starts, Horse of the Year recognition in 2010, and more than $7.3 million in earnings.

Produced for HRTV by the accomplished Kristen Rocky, whose credits include working the 2012 Olympics and Tour de France for NBC, the emotional documentary underscores the essence of Zenyatta’s connection with the racing world, and her uncanny ability to cultivate even casual observers. Affectionately nicknamed “The Queen,” many believe she is the most charismatic champion since the wondrous Secretariat. During her remarkable four-year racing campaign,Zenyatta’s “fan club” seemed to quickly blossom and grow exponentially with each impressive victory.

Zenyatta’s connections — owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, along with trainer John Shirreffs, racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, and jockey Mike Smith — are interviewed extensively and offer their candid, heartfelt recollections on a once-in-a-lifetime journey experience with racing royalty. From the daughter of Street Cry’s undistinguished presence in the sales ring, to wins that snowballed into Zenyatta becoming a racing immortal, to a short-lived retirement, to Zenyatta’s first foal, the Zenyatta team witnessed the making of a superstar from the inside — and cherished every minute. Also included in the documentary are exercise rider Steve Willard and erstwhile groom Mario Espinoza.

Reader Interactions

120 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Can’t wait to order it. Thanks LE for the pics of 12Z & his pals today. He is getting hugh like his mama. His rump & ears are pure Zenny.

  3. / Reply

    Horse Racing: Kauto Star retires
    WalesOnline Oct 31 2012
    Kauto Star, the outstanding chaser who won two Gold Cups at the Cheltenham Festival, has been retired.
    The 12-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, bows out as one of the greatest horses in the history of National Hunt racing.
    Kauto Star had been under consideration for another season of racing, but time has now been called on his career.
    Smith told Press Association Sport: “It’s always been in the back of my mind this summer that we should retire him and I’m pleased that now we have made a final decision.”
    Kauto Star won 16 Grade One races during a magnificent career.
    Although he became the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2009, having firstly taken the blue riband of jumps racing in 2007, the esteemed chaser will also be fondly remembered for his startling five victories in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
    He made history in December 2009 when becoming the first horse to win four consecutive renewals of the King George, but even better was to come last season.
    Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/racing-news/2012/10/31/racing-kauto-star-retires-91466-32139933/#ixzz2AwOyQ8Nt

  4. / Reply

    Love this photo of Zenny, she looks deeply in thought, maybe wondering about
    her next pride and joy and looking forward to raising another wonderful colt or
    “grey filly”. Or reflecting on her new life of relaxation, manicures, pedicures and
    eating bon bons with the girls !!!!

    http://instagram.com/p/RdjWCpoqHP/

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign:

      Thanks for posting this wonderful photo of Z. She’s just so beautiful. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy and Kathy R,
          She is such a gorgeous mare and a true one
          Of a kind.

    • / Reply

      Our Z in all her beauty! Spectacular! I think she is thinking about all the accalades she is going to get at her party Friday night. She knows how much we all love her and she is revvelling in it.

      • / Reply

        She really does look sooo beautiful, so very expressive.
        What a joy to still have her in our lives.

        Thanks to Team Z, The Mosses and Lanes End !!!

    • / Reply

      Zenny’s beauty radiates from the inside out. What a magnificient being she is…her eyes are the windows into the soul. How I wish our Kerry was here to relish in it with all of us.

    • / Reply

      So true, Kathy R.
      All of their fertility issues are open to the public and in print, good thing they are not
      humans. They would be embarrassed.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Sharon I Atlanta ,

    Any chance you could post the second Zenyatta
    60 minutes you mentioned. The only one I could
    Find was Zenny running free!!!

    Greatly appreciate it .

  9. / Reply

    This is so wonderful! I don’t have HRTV so I will anxiously await release of the dvd and will cherish it.
    Thanks once again to Zenyatta’s team…the very best!!!!!

  10. / Reply

    Yippeeee! I cannot wait to see HRTV’s documentary on Friday. Hopefully I can record it also, but there’s no doubt in my mind I will order the 60 minute DVD once it becomes available on this site. Can’t wait!!! Thank you, Team Z for sharing this wonderful Queen and her ongoing story with those of us who adore her.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    Sent you and e-mail, not sure if you got it. Is there a “dot” between your first and
    last name??

    Hope you enjoy Kauto’s video, a bittersweet retirement for this champion.

  13. / Reply

    Love the new pictures. 12Z is turning into
    a handsome colt.
    @ Sign loved the video on Kauto. Hope he has
    a wonderful and well deserved retirement.

    Havre de Grace is Hip # 76 at the Nov 5th
    Fasig Tipton sale.

    Hoping everyone back East is doing okay.

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet,
      I am so bummed out about HDG being sold.
      Besilu stables is not going to be at the auction.
      So very concerned she is going to go to Japan.
      No one else in US has or will spend 10 million
      On this mare.

  14. / Reply

    dear sign sorry did’nt get your email there is a dot between sheena and davies beautiful pic that you posted of Z so serene deep in thought maybe remembering her racing days and all the fun she had!!lovely tribute to kauto in the racing post today 16 pages! he’s staying at paul’s for the time being and will parade at haydock and kempton look forward to seeing him there was also a nice piece about your bob baffert saying it was a pity frankel had’nt come to the BC sad to hear how many people died in the storm hugs sheena

  19. / Reply

    ♥ Zenny Sweetheart ♥
    I’m counting down the hours until BC tomorrow AND the icing on the cake: YOUR PARTY where we will watch this lovely documentary! YAY!

    ♥ All my love Queen! {{hugs}] to Prince 12Z too! XOXO

    Auntie Judy ♥

  20. / Reply

    Is anyone else having trouble accessing DRF? I haven’t been able to access this site since the storm! I wanted to read Judy B’s story on previous blog about a courageous horse, been trying to read this story.,. If anyone else has had problems, please let me know.
    Thanks
    GirlSaratoga

  21. / Reply

    GirlSaratoga yes I have had trouble for the last coule of days. This morning I received an email from DRF saying they have been having trouble. I thought it was just my computer also..

    • / Reply

      Jan D:

      Thanks for letting me know, didn’t get an e-mail but so glad it’s not just me! I am sure it is weather or storm related, alot of links are down.

      Thanks Again!
      GirlSaratoga

  22. / Reply

    Love the new pics of Baby Z. Love those ears. They really stand out in the photos where he’s standing next to his buddy.

    • / Reply

      Harriett:

      Just read that the winner’s of tickets need to pick up their tickets at the party around 3pm before the doors open up, and before the last race!

      For all of you who won tickets (I hope it’s not too late) there is a new blog with a pic of our Z-Girl talking about the party and the ticket winners! SOOOOOOO get off this page and go to the next blog and find out how and where to get your tickets!!

      Have fun wish we all could be together to meet and party!!

      Peppermints to All

      GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        Actually, GS, I read the newest blog and that is for the Party Tickets not the Winners tickets!! Believe me, Harriet and I have gone round after round over this entire thing. Needless to say, neither one of us will be there since, our Tickets never came!

      • / Reply

        GirlSaratoga, Thanks for thinking of me. If I were there, I would probably need all the help I could get just to show up at the right place at the right time. Sadly, I won’t be there. As HeidiK. said, we never received our tickets. I had a knee problem earlier this week and would not have been able to hop onto a plane on one leg, anyway, so I won’t be there for two reasons. The pain in my knee helps to only slightly ease the pain of not getting the tickets after being notified of winning them in the contest. Nonetheless, I plan to be on my couch, watching the Cup, and cheering on the beautiful horses and the other Dumplings who are there.

  23. / Reply

    “Little Zenyatta” is darling! And quite talented also. Sorry, saw video but don’t recall th site. She has some dance steps tht are really cute. If anyone knows th site, wld surely love to see it again. Thanks!

  24. / Reply

    Heidi K:

    Winner’s tickets need to be picked up! I hope you see this before your trip! Scale up this page to the part that says “news” click that site and up comes info about the winner’s tickets, and where and when to pick them up! This site just appeared about 20-30 mins ago, or else I would have posted this info ooner!

    Hope this helps!

    Have a great time everyone!
    Be looking for you all on T.V.

    GirlSaratoga

  26. / Reply

    This is so amazing!…She deserves a great documentary and I’m positive HRTV will deliver!

    When you think of how many lives she touched and how many memories she created for her fan all over the world, one can’t but be happy to see her get her due.
    There were the John Henry’s, the Secretariats, and the Seabiscuits in history, and now I can proudly say I witnessed one of the greats race and added to that list – Zenyatta!

    I too included her in my short documentary for HRTV/Santa Anita earlier this year, titled “A Day @ the Races…with the Paddock Tree Gang.” Even though it was made for 5 mins in duration, Zenyatta was included for a good part of that. She was an honor to have covered in this contest.

    The doc went on to WIN Top Prize for the best On-Line votes and also was awarded 3rd Place in Judging.

    In addition it has played @ the Louisville Internation Festival of Films, and will be making it’s west coast premier next week @ the “Los Angeles ALL Sports Film Festival.”

    I will be forwarding a copy to the Zenyatta camp, in honor of her greatness! (if I only knew how? or to whom?)

    Thank you HRTV and TEAM Zenyatta!

    from your fans @ Cuatro Mascaras Productions

    • / Reply

      Karen, I commented on fb to this but, I will here too. Seabiscuit was everything to America during his reign and his story. We went through a similar situation about a year or so ago while locating Noor’s remains and Charlotte Farmer was the one that pushed for his remains to be transported to Old Friends so that Noor can always rest in peace. I helped the only way I could but, at least, I was a part of it no matter how small my contributions were.
      Seabiscuit deserves the same respect that Noor got. His remains need to be located, dug up and transported either to Santa Anita to be with his statue or to Old Friends where, he will always always rest in peace.

    • / Reply

      Yes, I was amazed the situation was allowed to degenerate this far! And with people “voting” to decide where he “officially” is declared to be marked as buried, regardless of the reality!

  28. / Reply

    It is a real shame if there is a parking lot over the top of him. We need to get him out of there and bring him to Kentucky and the grave yard at Old Friends where he can be with other great champions.

    Wasn’t he a Kentucky bred?

  29. / Reply

    i hope every1 who is able to go to the BC will have a blast.
    i’ll be watching some of it on tv :)

    every1 be safe & god bless <3
    hug/prayers, vamp

  30. / Reply

    I can’t wait to order that DVD!! It sounds great! Thanks Team Z!

    I hope everyone going to the Breeders’ Cup today has a great time and that all the horses and riders come back safe and sound.

    Love to all,
    Leslie

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