Zenyatta

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New Photos and Videos

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

Happy Thursday!

Today we have a few new photos from Lane’s End. Alys has been spending time with Zenyatta and 12Z, capturing aspects of their daily routines. She sent us these two videos, each featuring a 360 degree view of Lane’s End!

Enjoy!
-Team Z

Video of Zenyatta in her paddock, 360 degree view:

Video of 12Z in the barn, 360 degree view:

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


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z in his stall. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End
Zenyatta enjoying a sunny day. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Reader Interactions

1,074 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Taking time this morning to check in at my favorite site on the internet and I am touched by all the kind comments about my husband’s hospitalization. You are all so sweet and I thank you so much, I just can’t express myself very well. It means a lot to me. We are hoping he will get to go to a rehab facility for a couple of days for some physical therapy to get some of his strength back and then he can come home. Woohoo! I’m getting ready to head up to the hospital in a few, but I wanted to let y’all know how moved I am by your kind thoughts and prayers. Zenyatta brings out the best!!!

    • / Reply

      hope your hubby feels better soon….mine is better just being in a lower altitude…but we still have to keep him up on his meds…we have managed to keep him out of the hospital for 3yrs..mostly because the doctors and I have worked together…he has learned the warning signs of a impending pneumonia and we keep what is needed to fight it in the house…that way…no wait to start the treatment and early treatment equals faster recovery…sometimes 45yrs in nursing helps…
      I just hope yours is better and can be home soon….

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol (and Celeste and Barbara): Did not know that altitude was a factor with respiratory problems – fascinating. I also assume that a slightly warmer temperature also is better? Downunder the altitude is not an issue, since we’re really pretty worn down as a continent. Well done to all you caring ladies. Hope the rehab. goes well for you Celeste. It’s really exhausting doing all those trips to hospital. Hugs to all, KathyR.

        • Dear Kathy R,

          Less oxygen at higher altitudes, so folks with respiratory
          problems usually live in low altitude, dry climates. Less oxygen
          makes the lungs get even tighter and does not allow for
          the carbon dioxide to be expired.

          We often use the medication Diamox when going to higher altitudes
          to ski, rock climb etc…. It allows the body to compensate for the
          lack of oxygen.

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol and Celeste:

        Wishing good health for both of your husbands. They both have loving wives and families who are taking wonderful care of them. God Bless all of you. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol,

        So glad your hubby is doing well and has made the necessary adjustments
        to live with a long standing problem. We both know that makes them a
        lot happier too. Great work !!!

        • Dear Sign: Thanks for the information on altitude and respiratory issues. As I mentioned, Australia is pretty flat (some folk here like to think we have Alps), so it’s not an issue. Thanks again. Hugs, KathyR.

        • Dear Kathy R,

          Would love, to see the ALPS, down under.

    • / Reply

      Celeste,
      Keeping you and your husband in our prayers. It will be great to get him back home with his own nurse.
      God’s blessings to you both.

  2. / Reply

    Dear Zenny Fans, Dumplings and All,

    Guide us lord, you are our heart
    you are our strength, you are our hope.
    Teach us lord, and guide our way
    and our horses and animals way,
    to safety, caring and kindness,
    We love you more with each passing day.
    Amen

    Blessings to all as the New Year approaches !!

  3. / Reply

    HRTV: PROGRAMMING AT OAKLAWN

    ( and our behind the scenes, Dumpling, Carol !!!)

    HRTV
    By Blood-Horse Staff
    Updated: Sunday, December 23, 2012 1:28 PM
    Posted: Sunday, December 23, 2012 7:59 AM

    HRTV has announced it will provide exclusive programming from Oaklawn Park when the Hot Springs, Ark., facility kicks off its meet Jan. 11, 2013.

    The 56-day meet will feature racing primarily on a Thursday through Sunday schedule, with two Monday exceptions—Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Day) and Feb. 18 (Presidents’ Day).

    HRTV will provide race-by-race analysis of the live action from Oaklawn, and its “Westrock Coffee First Call” show will be on-site for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I), the meet’s signature event and a major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75192/oaklawn-park-races-to-air-on-hrtv#ixzz2GG3Ff0K9

    • / Reply

      Thank you,Sign. Wonderful to see these fantastic horses and scenes.SYT,that hair!

      By the way, did you notice the advertisement to the right of that page?
      I am talking about the person mounting the horse with the use of a step ladder?
      Maybe we should give it a try?HMMMMM? Might produce some big crow hops!

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann NC,

        In that video of 12 Z, it looks like he may have a SYI, forelock, what do
        you think? It is hanging over his eyes and getting kind of bushy.

        Did not really notice that type of forelock in photos of Zenny, Street Cry or
        Bernie. He does have that Bernardini eye, I have a photo of Bernie after
        he completed the Moneigh I bought, looking out of his stall and he has
        that same eye. 12 Z is really starting to get some Bernie characteristics.

        • Dear Sign,
          Yes, Z12 has the eye! I notice it every time I see his photo. Becoming more and more evident, isn’t it great! Nothing will get past this guy! It is an inquisitive eye.

          I adore his sun kissed forelock. It would be spectacular,if he acquired the big,bushy look! Time will tell. SYT and Zagora can give him grooming tips.

          I am sure you treasure the photo of , Bernie! I must get one of our Shack. My kids just shake their heads…oh Mom,putting up another horse,ha!

  5. / Reply

    Dear Carol,

    So glad you SURVIVED, and that is sooo true.
    Wishing you heat and hot water soon, today is better.

    Oaklawn is opening soon !!!!!

    • / Reply

      went by Oaklawn yesterday afternoon….had heat in the truck..so loaded up the critters and took a long drive….no power at Oaklawn….casino dark…no cars in the parking lot…
      looked spooky….drove thru the parking area and checked out the “backside”…all seemed ok….they are due to open in about 2 wks …hope the snow melts by then….
      ….
      also, most of “downtown dark”…lots of branches and trees down…
      …..
      we are blaming this on my hubby….saying he brought it with him from Utah…haha..
      only happens every 10yrs or more…but we are assembling a survival kit of lights and stuff..just in case

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol,

        Hope everything “thaws” out and lights up for you, your hubby and
        critters with Oaklawn opening soon. Wondered if this type of weather
        was a regular occurance, Drat that Hubby !!! He brought it all with
        him in from Utah his tool box.

        Wishing you warmer weather soon !!!

  7. / Reply

    Yesterday, much to my surprise, we ended up having “Boxing Day”. The plan was to put a few things away, but we just kept going. (The outside decorations will have to wait for the first thaw.) Everything inside was boxed up just before the Sir Beaufort Stakes, which I watched on Calracing. I so wanted Battle Force to win, but second’s not bad.

    So many things happen when you take a few hours away. Celeste, in Tx., I also hope your husband will be able to come home soon. Carol in Ark., so glad you have your electricity back on. Sandy, N.E. Ohio, so glad you didn’t lose your electricity and heat. I echo Barbara Wood’s request that people check in as soon as you’re able so we know all are ok.

    YAY Paynter!! Very happy for his Vox Populi award. Congratulations to the Zayats and all Paynter’s connections. How appropriate the presentation will be made on the day he returns to California to begin his race training again. He will always be a champion, even if it turns out he doesn’t enter any races going forward.

    My, my….HDG is going to be bred with Tapit. I thought Malibu Moon would be a good match for her, but I really don’t know about these things. I’m just very happy she’s in the U.S.A. to stay.

    Hope this is a good day for all. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty R,

      So glad you enjoyed “boxing day” in the US. Loved that race with Battle Force,
      he is really coming along. I just love the way John traines his horses.

      Tapit sure is the hot sire these days and he does produce the “speedsters”,
      HDG with her speed and stamina and his speed, should produce a
      really fast baby.

  8. / Reply

    I hope all of my friends on the blog had a good Christmas and will have a happy new year. Here are some redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you can give the date and place of every bullet hole received in your car. You might be a redneck if you think people is two words. You might be a redneck if every blown tire means a new flower pot for the front yard. You might be a redneck if you wash your car more often than your kids. You might be a redneck if you keep your baby in a bucket instead of a car seat. You might be a redneck if the Roto Rooter man comes to your house and asks “what’s that smell?”

    • / Reply

      Dear TC,

      Great jokes, went to a patient’s home today and his daughter was so
      proud of the tires he was making into the shape of the sun and of
      course, flower pots. They were also painted, very RN.

      Have a great new year.

        • Dear SIgn: It used to be fashionable over here for people to fashion swans out of old tyres (tires) – they have now become quite collectable. Maybe your patient has an overseas market there?

        • Quite true TC, I do have some unique patients and some unique
          experiences in my day to day wandering all over Houton.

        • Dear Kathy R,

          Love the idea of a “tyre swan”, will defineatly give him this information.
          May be a those you all” down under would like the suns, or perhaps
          some snow or rain painted on the tires !!!

          It gets sooo hot here, I know what you are talking about.

  9. / Reply

    “Will European champion Frankel be a great sire”?

    That is the heading on an article by Les Young in Breeding World, in Sportsman today, Friday December 28. It goes on to say:
    “The son of Galileo retires to stud in Britain next year amid the highest of expectations. Timeform gave Frankel a record rating of 147, which put him above any horse to race in Europe since the 1940s. With a sound female pedigree and a fine physique, Frankel seemingly has every box ticked to become a superstar sire. However, while the great Secretariat was by no means a failure, his stud deeds were regarded as disappointing – and Frankel faces the same challenge. Nature seems to decree the truly great horses breed back to an average and it is highly unlikely Frankel will sire even one son or daughter with his level of ability.”

    As they say, time will tell. But interesting comment nonetheless.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R
      There are such high expectations for Frankel foals.
      Only time will tell if those fabulous genes that produced a Frankel can/will be
      passed along.
      Hugs,
      Keta

    • / Reply

      It’s good old fashioned statistics; namely, regression toward the mean. Frankel is such an outlier that the combination of factors that makes him so good is highly unlikely to recur. However, even though he probably won’t reproduce himself, he should still sire lots of successful, stakes-winning progeny. Plus, he will have the best mares in his books.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R,

      So very true, it is a rare champion that can reproduce themselves.
      Wish he would have raced as a 5 year old.

  10. / Reply

    Message for Keta!!!

    Bensley’s Hoss Amor goes around in Race 6, Hyland Race Colours over 1250 metres, at Canterbury, western Sydney on Saturday. Time to jump 4.30pm EDST. James McDonald will take the ride, and she will carry 56. She is returning after a 77-day break. Has finished top two in six of her eight career starts. It is a field of 13 (unless we get scratchings on Saturday morning) and she jumps from barrier 9.

  11. / Reply

    KY Tbred Assoc tweet Thurs. 12/27
    KY-bred Mizzen Mast for Mr. and Mrs. Moss MT
    Mentor Cane entered Sat — expect 2-5 after his 2nd to Flashback

      • / Reply

        Trina
        Do not know why they named him Mentor Cane
        There are no obvious references on Google
        Maybe someone here has the story.
        Hugs, Keta

      • / Reply

        Trina and Keta, I’ve been wondering about that name too. I hope someone can cast some insight on how the name came to be. It’s a name with some thought put into it.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Sign: I bow to your knowledge (and that of others), but every time I open up to that lovely picture of Zenyatta it looks like a scab from an insect bite to me. Maybe that’s because the mossies got to me while I was pulling weeds yesterday?

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R,

      Anything is possible, there may not too many insects in KY at this time
      of year with the cold weather, though. I do think a lot more about insects living
      in Texas and in the heat, we have huge 3 inch cockroaches, that are very dangerous looking, plus many more stinging types. Texas A & M is well know for it’s expertise
      in entomology, study of insects.

  13. / Reply

    PAYNTER UPDATE FAREWELL TO FAIR HILL. WITH FINAL PHOTO
    Alex Brown‏ Racing tweet Thurs. Dec. 27 2012
    Congratulations to Paynter, winner of the Vox Populi award.
    Great way to end 2012
    http://twitpic.com/bpry6f (photo of Paynter in paddock)

    A.ZAYAT‏ tweet to AlexBrownRacing to justinzayat
    thank you very much.
    He will miss seeing you and the love you gave him

      • / Reply

        Dear Keta, Ingrid and Z Fans:

        I hope Paynter continues to stay healthy and sound and enjoys returning to training. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Ingrid,

        He does look sad, lots of turn out and time in the paddock is something
        horses love. Those racing barns with the tiny stalls and demanding
        schedules are defineatly a challenge for a horse’s minds and body.

    • / Reply

      Thank you ,Keta.
      I bet the personal handler to, Paynter is missing him very much.
      Those two solved many world problems together. Longs walks, in the fields,alone with a horse……heaven! Good job team.

  14. / Reply

    Keta,

    Thank you for this latest picture of Paynter. I wonder if he suspects he will be leaving soon? Probably won’t need his turn out blanket in Calif.

    Speaking of pictures, here on the Blog in the photos, there is a category, “Moments of Zen” These are pictures of Zenyatta as an athlete when she was so sleek. They were submitted by Mike Sekulic. Some beautiful shots.

  15. / Reply

    @Terry Crow–funny, funny. I have a true story. I read a few days ago in our local paper about rural ways of celebrating New Year’s. I am not kidding. This is true: a certain town in North Carolina (but it could be anywhere) counts down the seconds with a “possum drop”. The possum is not harmed in any way, but I think the PETA people made them change to a stuffed one. Not sure about that. I was just thinking that your jokes for today struck close to home for some rednecks–lol!

    • / Reply

      Very funny Barbara !!!

      Figures PETA would have a word to say !!!

    • / Reply

      haha! I am from NC and I remember all of my friends saying that they should not take it away and making a big deal about it. I honestly don’t really care but you can tell that we are redneck!!

    • / Reply

      Barbara,
      Yes, PETA did succeed in getting the possum drop limited to fake possums. I think the little community is considering challenging that ruling, but don’t know if they will. The possum is never hurt or mistreated, but the folks at PETA said the event was too stressful for the animal. To be continued…, I think.

      Another little community in our Tarheel State has a Flea Drop using a huge replica of a flea, and of course, Mt. Olive North Carolina has a Pickle Drop! Our capital city, Raleigh, the City of Oaks, has an Acorn Drop New Year’s Eve (they call it a First Night celebration). Sure is a whole lot of dropping going on!!

      Thanks for the publicity!! We sure have our little quirky rituals!
      Cheers!

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall,

        That PETA will create all sorts of ruckus.

        One of my friends work for a pharmaceutical
        company and they were always interfering.
        It was real challenging to deal with and
        tease out the “real” issues.

        Keep us posted on the To be Continued !!!!
        NC is a great state with lots and lots of character !!!

  16. / Reply

    MOVING FORWARD…
    PaynterZayat tweet on Thurs. Dec. 27, 2012
    Big month coming up for @JustinZayat @jazz3162 (A. Zayat) with
    Paynter returning to BB barn &
    Fast Bullet, Justin Phillip in Palos V & Zee Bros debut.

  18. / Reply

    Dear Z Dumplings and Z sters:

    A close friend who has posted here in the past has a close friend who is a monk. Brother John Cullen is 84 and is not doing well these days. It might lift his spirits if candles are lit for him from an “extended family of strangers” who are thinking about him. He knows about Zenyatta. Please go to the Gratefulness Candle site link below. Love and hugs,
    diastu in tempe
    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=ZENNY

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign:

      Thanks for the link to MF’s race chart. He is only two and this was a very crowded race. Hopefully he will gain experience from this. Love this little guy. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy B,

        Definately agree, best of luck to this boy.
        He will show his Mama proud !!!!

  20. / Reply

    I love this horse. It is good to see her fat and happy!! BabyZ is getting so big and that got me thinking… Who are they going to breed her to after the Tapit baby is born? I personally think that they should breed her to curlin or I want revenge. I am also wondering what they are going to name BabyZ and when they are going to start racing him (since they started zenyatta later). Thanks and I hoped everyone had a blessed holiday!

  21. / Reply

    A Birthday Poem for Sherry Drish
    (December 28, 2012)

    Dearest Sherry Drish,
    We hope that every gift
    That was your wish
    Did for you appear
    On December twenty-fifth,
    And, dear Sherry,
    We hope that today
    Will be equally merry
    And that the coming year
    May find you always in good cheer.

    Happy birthday, Sherry, and many, many happy returns!

    • / Reply

      Dear Laura J,

      Thanks for posting this very special story with and wonderful outcome.
      Thanks for the video warning, it is a true warning.

      • / Reply

        Dear LauraJ: Thanks so very much for posting that heartwarming story! I’m just about to go listen to the racing here in Australia, and it’s a wonderful story to have in mind regarding these equine athletes. Thanks again, and Godbless those terrific people. Hugs, KathyR.

    • / Reply

      Dear Laura J.:

      Remember reading about Notinrwildestdrems. A truly miracle rescue. Thank you for sharing and congrats to ESPN on their Eclipse Award. Hugs, JB

  26. / Reply

    The New York Times‏ tweet Breakdown: A Pony’s Death Draws Notice
    to Medication in the Show Ring
    Here is the NY Times article

    Sudden Death of Show Pony Clouds Image of Elite Pursuit
    By WALT BOGDANICH The New York Times Published: December 27, 2012
    Early on the morning of May 26, Kristen Williams and her daughter, Katie, arrived at a barn on the grounds of the Devon Horse Show, where elite competitors in full dress have entertained spectators for the last century on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
    Ms. Williams had paid thousands of dollars to lease a pony for Katie to ride in a hunter competition, a 12th birthday present. Soon after arriving, their trainer left to administer an injection to a nearby pony, Humble, that Katie’s friend, also celebrating her 12th birthday, was scheduled to ride shortly.
    Moments later, with Ms. Williams and her daughter watching, Humble collapsed and died. The death of a supposedly fit pony about to carry a young rider over hurdles was worrisome by itself, but circumstances surrounding the death made it even more so.
    In the three days before Humble died, he had been scheduled to receive 15 separate drug treatments, including anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids and muscle relaxants, according to his medication chart.
    “The average horse that walks in my clinic here doesn’t get anything like that,” said Dr. Kent Allen, chairman of both the veterinary and the drugs and medications committees of the United States Equestrian Federation, the sport’s nonprofit governing body. “It gets a diagnosis and then gets a very specific, appropriate treatment.”
    The horse-racing industry has openly debated the influence of drugs on the safety and integrity of the sport, and has taken significant steps this year to minimize it. But in the cloistered equestrian world, medicating horses has attracted much less public attention
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/us/ponys-death-draws-notice-to-drugs-in-show-ring.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

  27. / Reply

    Hawthorne Quarantine Could be Lifted Jan. 10
    By Frank Angst, The Blood-Horse Updated: Thursday, December 27, 2012 9:51 PM
    In an update provided Dec. 27, Hawthorne Race Course officials said the quarantine put in place at the Illinois track because of an equine herpesvirus outbreak could be lifted around Jan. 10.
    In a statement, Hawthorne assistant general manager Jim Miller said a horse that was being monitored in quarantine died Dec. 24 after testing positive for EHV-I Dec. 12. Officials believe a necropsy at the University of Illinois will reveal EHV-I as the cause of death, which would make the horse the seventh to die since the outbreak began in October.
    Miller said that because the horse who died had been in quarantine since Dec. 12, that date becomes the clock “reset” day for the 28 days needed for a possible lifting of the quarantine. The meet concludes Dec. 30.
    “That leaves the timeframe as of today for a possible removal of quarantine sometime around Jan. 10,” Miller said.
    Miller earlier said two horses that had been in quarantine tested negative for EHV-I and were able to return to their original barns. He said test results on six other horses are awaited.
    Miller said Illinois State Veterinarian Dr. Dawn Folker-Calderon will continue to be on the backstretch at various times to assist with quarantine information.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75234/hawthorne-quarantine-could-be-lifted-jan-10#ixzz2GLP1mCMQ

  28. / Reply

    Good Ba Ba set for Australian debut
    Posted by: AAP Filled in: Australian Horse Racing | 28/12/2012 at 5:15pm
    Hong Kong’s former Horse of the Year Good Ba Ba makes his keenly-anticipated Australian debut in the Group Three Standish Handicap at Flemington on Tuesday.
    The 11-year-old who won three successive Hong Kong Miles, the most recent in 2009, joined the Caulfield stable of Rick Hore-Lacy in September.
    Hore-Lacy has prepared him for his comeback with two barrier trials and plenty of slow work.
    In the first Good Ba Ba scored by five lengths at Cranbourne and has since finished second in a Pakenham trial.
    The son of Lear Fan will be having his 47th start in the Standish and his first since April last year.
    Good Ba Ba is giving weight to each of his 15 rivals, including the defending titleholder Catapulted whose trainer Mark Kavanagh is looking to complete Melbourne’s summer sprint double following the win of Undeniably in Wednesday’s Christmas Stakes.
    Read more: http://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/good-ba-ba-set-for-australian-debut/181061 #ixzz2GLWF0dWu

      • / Reply

        Dear Keta: Then again, there is a horse that goes around in the country races called Baa Ram Ewe (they do say Australia used to ride on the sheep’s back!). Cheers, KathyR.

  29. / Reply

    Dear Zenny Fans, Dumplings and All,

    May the grace of Christ, our Savior,
    And the Father’s boundless love,
    With the Holy Spirit’s favor,
    Rest upon us from above.

    Thus we may abide in union
    With each other and the Lord
    And Possess, in sweet communion,
    Joys which earth cannot afford.

    Amen

    Have a Wonderful Day !!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign:

      Thank you for another beautiful prayer. They’re making me think of DJ, a Z’ster who hasn’t posted in some time. I hope she is well. She always posted beautiful prayers on Z’s Diary. Hugs, JB

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