Zenyatta

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Zenyatta News

Merry… Zmas?

Zenyatta. Photo by Alys Emson, Lane's End Farm.
Zenyatta. Photo by Alys Emson, Lane’s End Farm.

Zenyatta asked Santa for mud and peppermints and she got both!!
Merry Christmas to everyone from Zenyatta and the team.

Enjoy!
Team Z

Photo by Alys Emson, Lane's End Farm.
Photo by Alys Emson, Lane’s End Farm.


Photo by Alys Emson, Lane's End Farm.
Photo by Alys Emson, Lane’s End Farm.


Photo by Alys Emson, Lane's End Farm.
Photo by Alys Emson, Lane’s End Farm.


Photo by Alys Emson, Lane's End Farm.
Photo by Alys Emson, Lane’s End Farm.

Reader Interactions

1,268 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Storm Frank is on the way now!Sad to hear of the tornados in Texas Lovely pic of Ziconic with Mike aboard.Hope he gets to ride the 2 boys.Aidan got shot tonight in the play I was very sad!!Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  2. / Reply

    Having our first major snowstorm in Wi. Zenyatta. May you be spared and enjoy warmth and peace for you and baby.
    love you with kisses and also your sons
    loving Z princess and my dear Sir
    Auntie Sally B

    • / Reply

      Dear Sallie,
      Hope you stay warm and have lots of cocoa and tea. We just had ours, and it was kind of exciting. Although, Christmas Day we were all homebound from a snow storm, we made the best of it. All roads were closed, so we missed getting together with our family, and no one could fly in. Yesterday was cold, but sunny again. God bless you,
      with love, Elizabeth

      • / Reply

        Glad to hear from you, Elizabeth. We keep seeing pictures of the snow in NM on the news, and I hoped that you weren’t stranded someplace besides home!

      • / Reply

        Dear Sally B. and Elizabeth in NM,
        I admit that I am a little envious of your snow. We have been having the warmest December ever — everything is just moldy, mildewy and muddy. Disgusting! We saw a short time of sun this afternoon, but it is supposed to be rainy again tomorrow and Thursday. Of course, the temperatures have been in the 70’s to almost 80. This is not my cup of tea to put it mildly. Very abnormal. There has been some flooding around Chapel Hill and Durham, in low lying areas, too.
        Oh for the ground to freeze, then it wouldn’t be so soggy!

        Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Hope everything is OK up there in Wisconsin, Sally. I have a friend who has been living in Eau Claire who picked the past two days to drive back here for a visit. Worst Ride Ever!

      • / Reply

        Dear Sally, Elizabeth, Marshall and Z Fans:

        Stay safe and warm all of you experiencing Winter storms. So far we have had only some sleet and a bit of icing on the roadways here tonight. Have to admit, Marshall, I’m not unhappy that we’re having a very mild Winter so far. Can change real quickly though in our neck of the woods. Love and Hugs, JB

  3. / Reply

    Tizgood, caught your post on gorgeous CC. I love him so and I will always be praying for him. He is awesome. Thank you, Sally B

    • / Reply

      Dear Sally,
      Hope the weather clears soon for you; bundle up
      and stay warm. A little hot toddy keeps the one
      warm on the inside in the cold weather. Love that
      CC, too. Can hardley wait for the San Paquel- Dortmund
      is going to be a challenging foe- maybe now he can
      see him and give him the “eye”.

      So sorry to hear about Regal Ransom’s passing. These
      farms need to do something different with their diet
      to help relieve their stress, these beautiful young
      stallions are dying way too young !!!
      Love and hugs

  4. / Reply

    To all those who might like to go watch the horses workout in the early mornings at Los Alamitos, parking is free by the big horsehead. Then you walk to the left of the track to “Schwanie’s Grill” where you can watch for free while you have breakfast, if you’d like ;-)

    It sounds like CC will have his next workout between races at Santa Anita, rather than Los Al sometime soon.

    • / Reply

      Dear Cheryl,
      Thanks so much for getting this great information.
      Wish I lived closer to see CC work- please let us know
      about the experience. And all for free, with a great
      breakfast to offer.
      Love and hugs

      • / Reply

        Tizgood, I think I may need to clarify something I said. The parking/watching is free, not the breakfast. Wouldn’t that be something if people started showing up for the “free” breakfast lol I can see it now..”but Cheryl in Bellflower said…”

    • / Reply

      Dear Elizabeth:

      Wow, that’s the highest odds I’ve ever seen on a winning horse. Congrats to RB Wild Promise and his team. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Congratulations to R B Wild Promise, Trainer Gwendolyn Crosser and all connections!
      He looks very handsome, and his young trainer seems to love him. That was some long longshot!

      Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Elizabeth,
      Loved this article- what a great win for this young
      and enthusiastic trainer. She really loves the horse,
      too. He has had sporadic wins- now maybe with
      the right trainer he will win more.
      Love and hugs

  6. / Reply

    La Estrella has made history at Southwell with a record 27th all-weather course win Ridden by Frankel’s Tom Queally He will celebrate his 13th birthday this Friday!!He is a course specialist at Southwell and is owned and trained by Don Cantillon who rides him out each morning.CongratulationsX

  7. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    I’m back! Hope your Christmas was wonderful. I visited all the FB furbabies. All were doing well. The ratties gave their mom a big container of Tide…she was thrilled! Have a good Tuesday, love and hugs from me, and kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO

  8. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.Welcome home!Hope you had a great Christmas.We had some VERY exciting races over here during the festive period.I enjoyed all your devotionals.Yes,the ratties were kind to their mum.I never see the Tide brand in the UK anymore I use Bold.Fubu is still doing well.They spent Boxing day at Nana’s.Have a lovely day.Love and hugs to you,kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO

  9. / Reply

    Nichol’s Canyon dug deep to win his 6th grade one at Leopardstown this afternoon.Shorty paid him the ultimate compliment by comparing his stamina to the mighty Fly.He will need a long rest after his hard race according to Mullins.Sheena

    • / Reply

      This was an exciting lrace. Nic is a very good little horse. His grand sire is Montjeu and his dam sire is the Arc winner, Dalakhani. This horse is all heart and courage. Mullins says that he’s very aggressive like The Fly. In other words, he might be a biter. He also handed Faugheen his only loss. Nic is one to watch.

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NFZLbgr8wO0

        • Glad that you liked it. I think that this little fellow is a real star in the making. He was first trained on the flat by John Gosden. Mullins said that in his experience most horses would have given in when challenged like that for the lead, but Nic put his head down and kept on battling. His stablemate, Faugheen, is a much bigger horse, but that did not bother Nic either in their race. He held Faugheen off decisively.

        • Dear Ann NC,
          I have missed you lately. Glad to see a post from you!
          I was about to post an inquiry about your whereabouts when I saw this post from you. Hope you had a lovely Christmas Day!

          Hugs and Love

        • Thank you neighbor. The season has been very nice, but wish this rain would go away. Hope you and the pups are enjoying the holiday.
          Luv ya!

      • / Reply

        Dear Max.Thanks for the replay a gutsy performance.i heard someone on FB say he could be a gold cup horse if he went over fences.He should do well in the Champion Hurdle.I remembered to read the daily mail I bought today Shorty said Kauto was incomparable and he could never hope to find another.you and I both remember his views about Our Conor!!Lovely video of Cirrus and Corinne up a sort of selfie he said.they obviously adore each other.Al’s mum is expecting Kingman’s foal maybe you know.Hugs Sheena

        • I cannot forget what Shorty said about Our Conor. Every time I see that guy I think of that comment. When I see or hear anything about O’Brien, I think immediately of George.
          That is big news about Al’s mother. I had not heard that. The foal may be very interesting. Have you heard anything of Frankel’s brother, Proconsul, or his mother, Kind?
          Isn’t it amazing that Dalakhani is Nic’s dam sire? He looks nothing at all like Dalakhani. Little Nic definitely takes after Montjeu as does The Fly. Mullins says that Nic is a “cold” horse. He does everything with a miminal amount of fuss. Mullins is still trying to figure him out.

        • Dear Sheena and Max:

          Thanks once again for all the insightful info you give us on the Euro horses’ quirks and personalities. Also, thanks for the info on Kind. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        My God, what a gutsy boy; he just would not give up. Beautiful. Nice ride by Ruby too. Thanks for posting.

        • Last time out Shorty was riding Faugheen and Nic booted for home ahead all of the way. Danny Mullins was with Nic. Might be wrong but I think that another time Nic tossed Ruby. Gotta love that little horse.

        • Dear Max:

          He’s got the “spirit” of the Danimal. Gotta love the attitude. Love and Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Hi Zsters?

    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
    Isaiah 40:31 KJV
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Today’s devo:

    Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

    When you get up in the morning and you face a day, what do you say to yourself about your hopes for the day? When you look from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, what do you want to happen because you have lived?

    If you say, “I don’t even think like that, I just get up and do what I’ve got to do,” then you are cutting yourself off from a basic means of grace and a source of guidance and strength and fruitfulness and joy. It is crystal clear in the Bible, including this text, that God means for us to aim consciously at something significant in our days.

    God’s revealed will for you is that when you get up in the morning, you don’t drift aimlessly through the day letting mere circumstances alone dictate what you do, but that you aim at something — that you focus on a certain kind of purpose. I’m talking about children here, and teenagers, and adults — single, married, widowed, moms, and every trade.

    Aimlessness is akin to lifelessness. Dead leaves in the back yard may move around more than anything else — more than the dog, more than the children. The wind blows this way, they go this way. The wind blows that way, they go that way. They tumble, they bounce, they skip, they press against a fence, but they have no aim whatsoever. They are full of motion and empty of life.

    God did not create humans in his image to be aimless, like lifeless leaves blown around in the backyard of life. He created us to be purposeful — to have a focus and an aim for all our days. What is yours today?

    HugZ❤ prayerZ, vamp

    • / Reply

      Dear Vampressqueen,

      And I thank you for YOUR devos, too. They are always so thought provoking and always Scripture-based. Blessings to you today and going forward into the new year.

      Hugs, Kathy

  15. / Reply

    Zenny, glad Santa paid you a visit. The photos and videos are precious!
    Happy Holidays to all and soon a New Year.
    Thanks, Alys, Team Z and LE.
    Love to all.
    Zi….eat your sweet taters. I hear Patti LaBelle makes a good pie! Coz…drink your juice.

  16. / Reply

    Dear Max.Kind is expecting a Kingman foal too.The foals in the Irish Stud are due around Jan 10th so many babies will be arriving late winter/early spring.I haven’t heard about Frankel’s brother maybe will race next year.Frankel’sfirst borns will race this year hopefully.I love those tough little horses like Nic and the Fly they never know when they are beaten.Bringing my new calenders out I began thinking of Monty and Glesni’s return.Hugs Sheena.It’s snowing in Nissyland!

    • / Reply

      Frankel’s brother looks like he could be a twin to Ziconic. I thought that Fabre would send him out this fall, but I guess that he’s not ready yet. Keep a watch on that front. Also let us know if you hear anything of Zenyatta’s brother.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B.,
      Thanks for posting this link. What an interesting guy Mr. Denman is! I like what he says about horse welfare, too. I enjoyed the article very much.

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        I’m glad you enjoyed the article as much as I did. I think Mr. D loves Zenyatta as much as we do. Nice man. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Lovely article on Trevor – he is going to be very hard to replace,
      such a unique race announcer and great personality. Love all
      his comments about the horses personally and how he got
      to know them, the trainers etc … on the track.
      Love and hugs

  18. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Storm Frank has arrived!Not so much rain here so far but very windy.Peeps up North are getting prepared.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX.Hearing about the floods in Missouri

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Oh, I hope Frank leaves quickly ad doesn’t linger. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties

  19. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI and Montey:

    Goodnight. Stay comfy and cozy in your stalls. Love you. Happy Dreams. Sweet Baby Dreams Z. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.

  20. / Reply

    December 30 Cherokee Devotional

    We move now toward a new year. It gives reason to think who we are and what we are about. Do we reach eagerly toward the future or does it frighten us with its weapons and voices and anger?
    Think long and hard about this, for it reveals your state of existence. A person cannot go on thinking “some day” and change anything. But to say that this day is the day to make changes and to bring one’s own personal spirit into alignment, that is an accomplishment.
    Some feel they are not good enough to be any different. But what they don’t realize is that making the effort to change makes them good enough. A person can’t get there until he takes an action.

    Some of our people have gone from here in order that they may have a change.
    Spotted Tail
    Sioux

  21. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.Spotted Tail has good advice.I heard about your earthquake on Zoe’s FB.Weather is very weird this year.Storm Frank passed over last night and we had all that flooding over Christmas.Some without power in Northern Ireland and Scotland.I heard about flooding in Missouri last night and Cody has been playing in the New Mexican snow.Mango and family are on their way home stopped off to see Bow-Tye.There’s a lot of post awaiting them.I hadn’t realised Zoe’s mum and dad were away for Christmas too.I have been following the Precious Present.Fubu had a good Christmas and the ratties are having mashed taters and corms today.My grandmother used to make me mashed taters with milk and butter when I was a little.I loved it!I winder what the New Year will bring to the world.Of course we all pray for good health and happiness and peace amongst nations.Who knows??Have a great day.Love and hugs to you,kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      As I posted to Zoe, some things fell off the shelf but luckily nothing broke. Glad you were safe during Frank. That’s tough when the power is out. Hopefully they get it back on soon! Lots of people traveling right now. Journey’s mercies to all of them! The Precious Present is really good. I’ve been following along, too. Glad Fubu had a good Christmas. Really enjoyed the pic of the mashed taters and corms. Those rats have a pretty nice lifestyle! As to the new year, we all hope for the best but there are certainly a lot of hateful and murderous people out there who will ruin any prospects of peace. Happy Hump Day. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO

  22. / Reply

    Hi Zsters?

    Today’s devo:
    Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20–21)

    Christ shed the blood of the eternal covenant. By this successful redemption, he obtained the blessing of resurrection from the dead. He is now our living Lord and Shepherd.

    And because of all that, God does two things:

    he equips us with everything good that we may do his will, andhe works in us that which is pleasing in his sight.

    The “eternal covenant,” secured by the blood of Christ, is the new covenant. And the new covenant promise is this: “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33–34). Therefore, the blood of this covenant not only secures God’s equipping us to do his will, but also secures God working in us to make that equipment successful.

    The will of God is not just written on stone or paper as a means of grace. It is worked in us. And the effect is: We feel and think and act in ways more pleasing to God.

    We are still commanded to use the equipment he gives: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” But more importantly we are told why: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

    If we are able to please God — if we do his good pleasure — it is because the blood-bought grace of God has moved from mere equipping to omnipotent transforming.

    HugZ❤ prayerZ, vamp

  23. / Reply

    Wishing La Estrella a long and happy retirement.His career came to an end today after his record breaking win yesterday.He will stay with his owner/trainer Don Cantillon until as he said”he can find him the best home imaginable”Hugs Sheena.

  25. / Reply

    Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. It was so warm here until the storm passed through. Then the temp dropped so fast. At least the sun is shining today. Appreciate the wonderful photos of Zenyatta. She is the prettiest muddy horse I have ever seen. My lantana is still blooming! The grass is so nice and green. Too weird! A safe and happy New Year to all.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for this. That is a really good photo of Frankel. It catches his other worldliness very well. There was always something ethereal in his attitude. The theory of breeding back to the middle does not seem to hold for the Northern Dancer line. The little horse not only equaled himself, but he also surpassed his own records by producing among others an English Triple Crown winner. Frankel is in his sire line and also on the distaff through Danzig and Danehill. You just never know, especially with that connection to Bobby Frankel.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy.Thank you for this great article about our beloved Frankel.I know he can never hope to reproduce himself but I pray he will get some champions.let’s hope Bobby can sprinkle some fairy dust on Frankel’s youngsters.After all the name was special and the magic spell may work again.Thanks for sharing.Love and hugs Sheena

      • / Reply

        Dear Max and Sheena:

        It will be very exciting to see how Frankel’s sons and daughters progress as racers. As you said, and to quote a line from the racing movie, Let It Ride, “even when you know, you never know”. They will have the “magic” of Bobby Frankel going with them and most important, we wish them Godspeed; safe and sound always. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Tiz:

      Thanks for this update on Beholder. Hope she is fully recovered. Love this girl. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Maybe a little Aloe juice, guiness stout, fruit or something – these poor boys are
      dropping like flies way too young. A 9 yo TB is at his peak as a performance horse,
      a wonderful age to compete !!!!

    • / Reply

      So sad to leave us so young – only 9 years old. Damn that colic.
      Running free now with angel wings.
      RIP Regal Ransom, beautiful boy

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      What an absolutely ridiculous statement.

      As if these farms don’t have the best managers and vet care at their fingertips. These people have forgotten more than most of us on this forum will ever know.

      A domestic horse’s digestive system is second only to their suspension system in terms of delicacy and complications. Colic is not one matter to be addressed with a quick fix, it covers a wide variety of gastro-intestinal issues that can be brought on by anything, diet is only a tiny component.

      People are so quick to judge these farms without having any idea of what factors were involved. As if these farms just ignore the health and welfare of their charges.

      • / Reply

        Dear Z13R,
        Unfortunately I have seen many many cases of colic and
        not one death. In fact a friend of mine had an elderly TB
        that began colicing regularly at age 17. She added a flake
        of alfalfa to his diet every day and had 2 buckets of water put
        in his stall instead of one, after she did that. He never coliced
        again and lived to be over 25 years old.

        Do you really think a breeding farm with 20 to thirty stallions
        breeding 100 + mares a day in 4 to 5 months is going to have stress free environment for staff and horses? and does each horse get an individual diet tailored their specific needs? A horses GI system is more delicate than their
        bone and muscular structure. Only TB begin training as a yearling and as two
        year olds. Other breeds spend 3 to 4 years growing before they even begin training. There is a group involved in TB racing that wants to stop 2 year olds from
        racing because of bone and joint issues. Some trainers don’t take the time to let them grow through their two year old season by resting them.

        JS does great work with nutrition; adding so many different vegetables to their diets; aloe juice to sooth the GI track. Why do you think Zenny was given a bottle
        of Guinness a day – stress relief and GI tract relaxation. She is a “hot” mare and that
        kept her from colicing.

        Have you owned/leased a horse?

        Love and hugs

        • You are extremely sanctimonious and an unpleasant person.

          Enjoy spreading your lies and judgement all over this blog, I do not have time in my life to deal with someone like you.

        • Dear Z13,
          Thank you so very much for being receptive and open to others
          thoughts and opinions on this wonderful blog. So sorry you are not appreciative of comments made with knowledge and experience.
          Everyone on this blog has a lot to contribute to it and to the sport of
          TB horse racing. Wish you much happiness and joy in the new year.
          Love and hugs

        • Your experience is not the experience of others.

          I feel no need to explain myself but I have worked on these farms and with these people for decades now. To see someone swoop in with what is a lay man’s know it all and judge mental attitude based solely on experienced gained second hand from ‘some I know’ or ‘someone I boarded at’ is sickening.

          You have an opinion yet you state it as ‘I know better then anyone’ without the common decency to accept that you have no knowledge of the details of this particular horse, this particular farm, these handlers.

          You insinuate that these people neglect these horses because there are so many but you have no knowledge of how a breeding farm/nursery operates.

          You are just like the people who swooped in demanding answers from Lanes End and making disgusting accusations when Princess Z was lost as a way to further their own agenda.

          And the worst thing you do?

          You wrap up your comments with a condescending ‘Love and Hugs’ which you obviously use as a pat on your own back as to how clever you are to dupe other blog members into thinking you mean it.

  29. / Reply

    El Nino is a total wet blanket! How can anyone stand rain for days and days and days?
    We have had abnormal amounts of rain — I wish it could be sent to areas that are in drought. Our days have been consistently dismal, grey, drizzly sometimes and downpour at other times messes. It surely is spirit-crushing (or drowning?).
    Bailey and Smudge do not want to go outside, even when they need to. I don’t blame them. The kitchen floor is disgustingly dirty from the muddy feet, mine included.

    Stay warm and dry, Zenyatta — except when a mud bath is required, of course.

    Oh well, at least I still can gaze at the Christmas tree!

    Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Marshall.Come on over to the UK!!It promises another wet and windy weekend.It is pouring as I speak but soo mild I have my window open.December has been a very depressing month for us and those caught up with the floods.I don’t blame Bailey and Smudge for staying indoors.Stay cosy!Love and hugs Sheena.Sadly no knighthood for AP McCoy in the new years honours list!

    • / Reply

      Marshall,
      The only good thing for us here in Indy is that we aren’t up to our “you know whats” in snow and it has been warm enough to walk outside every day it is not pouring rain. Was in Baltimore for Christmas Day and the AC was on for awhile. My kitchen floor seems to have joined yours in the mud. Have to mop every time the cat comes in.

  30. / Reply

    My mistake AP has been knighted!!!!WOO-HOO.Thoroughly deserved.He not only was the greatest jump jockey we have ever known but a sportsman of the highest quality.Arise Sir Anthony Peter McCoy.Huge congratulationsX

    • / Reply

      Congrats to AP. He seems happy. For a laugh check out spoof Mullins. He says that he has been secretly offered a title for services to Cheltenham. As you know, the Irish don’t allow their people to accept foreign titles from the UK, but it’s a good photo of Mullins.

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