Happy December!
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Many of you have asked what we have in store for the holidays, and we’re excited to start announcing new products this week. We’ll be rolling out all-new arrivals in the Zenyatta Shop over the next few days. Sign up for our mailing list (on the right side of this blog post) for special deals and announcements!
Enjoy these new photos of Zenyatta and friends out on a snowy Kentucky day.
-Team Z
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
I work today, so if I don’t make it back here to check on you, have a marvelous Saturday and take care. Everything seems okay in FB furbabyland except for poor Fubu. That poor kitty. Hugs and love from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
shirleeinindy
Alys,
Admit it. You sneak in at midnight and put those beautiful red streaks in Zenyatta’s mane! Thanks for the photos and the wonderful care you give to our Queen.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Love your post. Too cute. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.I like Big Bear.Sorry you have to work today.It is so sad about Fubu,Kimberly is very wise not to bother with further intervention at his age.It’s just a matter of time now.Many prayers for him.Exciting races here Oscar Time won the Becher Chase under the “galloping dentist”as we call Sam.13 yrs old!!Moosie must be tucked up in his stable cosy and warm very cold at Sandown.Have a wonderful weekend.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
I’m sorry I have to work today, too! Every other week, Sheena. The things we do for money! I feel for Kimberly with what lies ahead. So sad, He is a beautiful cat even at this point. Enjoy the races! For real??? A 13-year-old jockey??? I hope Moosie is very comfortable. Looking forward when he does run. Bye again. Take care.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy. No, a 13 yr old horse!!!Hugs Sheena.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
That makes sense! Hugs, Kathy.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
So that made me think…how old do you have to be to be a jockey? Seems you have to be 16. Bye for now. Hugs, Kathy
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max.Where are you??In the absence of the national treasure that is the Moose Dodging Bullets won the Tingle Creek for Paul and Sam.Am worried about Oscar Whiskey looks to be injured no news yet.Great to see the Grand National fences again!
Sheena.
sheena.davies(wales)
Very sad news about Oscar Whisky he lost his life in the Tingle Creek.Owned by Dai Walters and trained by Nicky Henderson.They have lost a great warrior.Also Ballabriggan who fractured a leg I the Becher Chase It was hard to see the injury.RIP.
Sheena.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
So very, very sad. RIP Oscar Whiskey and Ballabriggan. Love and Hugs, JB
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Very upsetting. RIP Oscar Whisky and Ballagriggan and all connections.
Hugs, Kathy.
sheena.davies(wales)
My sympathies to Dai Walters,Nicky and his Seven Barrows team.Wales has lost a superstar today.Winner of 16 of his 27 starts he deserved more than a couple of lines in the Racing Post!!!RIP my beautiful boy.You run free now.Sheena.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Boo and all the Sweeties
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, V and Montey:
Happy Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB
Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.
Kathy
An interesting bit of trivia, everyone. Who was the youngest jockey ever? That would have been Alonza “Lonnie” Clayton back in 1890 at the age of 14!
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.Lester Piggott rode his first winner at Haydock in 1948 aged 12yrs!!!Won his first Epsom Derby aged 18yrs.Love and hugs Sheena.
Max
Sheena is correct about Piggott. He started racing at 10 and won his first race at 12. He is also the last jockey to win the English Triple Crown with Nijinsky.
Clayton is the youngest US jockey to win the KD. I think that there is an Australian jockey who won the Melbourne Cup at 13.
Kathy
Max,
Amazing stuff! Thanks for clarifying.
Kathy
Max
Piggott was jockey to Roberto, Z’s grandfather. They won the English Derby. Then Piggott abandoned him to ride Rheingold in the Gold Cup. Brigadier Gerard was the favorite in that race. He was seen as unbeatable. Roberto however kicked butt big time and beat them both. He handed the Brigadier his only career loss. He ran that race like a bat out of hell with a U.S. jockey who had never raced in England. Roberto is a wonderful horse. He was named after Robert Clemente. Not only Is he Z’s grandfather on her distaff, Roberto is daddy to Big D.
Max
Made a few mistakes here. Roberto is Z’s great grandfather. Her grandfather on her mother’s side is actually Roberto’s son, Kris S, another fine horse. Roberto is named after Roberto Clemente, a great baseball player.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
AMAZING! I guess “Lonnie” was the youngest in the US.
Love and hugs, Kathy.
Bluegrass Girl
Pat Conlon Saturday Dec. 6 2014
2 great national hunt horses that sustained fatal injuries today
Balbriggan and Oscar Whiskey.
Gordon Elliott @gelliott_racing · Saturday Dec. 6 2014
Devastated to say Balbriggan suffered a fatal injury in today’s Beecher Chase.
He’ll be a huge loss to the yard…
Bluegrass Girl
“He was a warrior. He was so brave, reliable and honest, and he’d never miss a day.”
Oscar Whisky dies after Tingle Creek fall
By Lydia Symonds Racing Post 6 DEC 2014
THE Tingle Creek had a sad postscript on Saturday when the prolific Oscar Whisky, one of racing’s most popular horses, died after suffering a fatal injury to his hind leg.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old, better known for his efforts over hurdles, fell at the sixth in Saturday’s 888Sport-backed Tingle Creek, which was won by Dodging Bullets.
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/henderson-star-oscar-whisky-dies-after-tingle-creek-fall/1786635/top/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews
Bluegrass Girl
From article
Oscar Whisky was a horse who excelled at Cheltenham, winning six races at the track, including the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle on two occasions, but he never won at the Festival.
A winner of 16 of his 28 starts, he scored three times at the highest level in the
Aintree Hurdle in 2011 and 2012 and the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown in February.
But perhaps the most special of his wins for owner Dai Walters was when he destroyed his rivals in the 2011 Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las where Walters is chairman.
Bluegrass Girl
David Grening Daily Racing Form Friday Dec. 5 2014
Bad spill in AQU 8th involving Half Nelson and Quick Money.
Saturday Dec. 6 2014
Jockeys Manuel Franco & CC Lopez both suspended 15 days for careless riding
from Friday’s spill.
Waiting to hear if either will appeal
Bluegrass Girl
sdhorserace.com Friday Dec. 5 2014
Sad news from #Aqueduct. Both horses, Half Nelson and Quick Money, had to be euthanized following the spill in mid stretch of race 8. R.I.P.
Bluegrass Girl
Mike Adams Friday Dec. 5 2014
53 starts and 33 top 3 finishes.
RIP Quick Money.
You had a big heart & will be missed by many who saw you run.
Barbara Wood
RIP to both boys. Just awful news.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
So, so sorry. Rest in Peace Quick Money and Half Nelson. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear BGG.Thank you for the article you posted about Oscar Whisky,Sadness both sides of the pond today.RIP.Sheena.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max.I well remember Roberto winning the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup(now the Juddmonte) at York that day.No one would have caught him.There’s a meeting at Cheltenham next weekend wonder if the Moose will turn up.Not far to travel.He’s got over 4,500 followers now on twitter.Sheena.
Max
I noticed that number. The elusive Moosester has not taken a step on a race course in nearly year and he’s got more followers on Twitter than Wise Dan. It’s unbelievable.
I would have loved to have seen Roberto run. He looked like Zenyatta. The blaze is almost the same. Her ears are exact replicas of his.
Max
It never gets old. Roberto winning the Gold Cup at York. You can see both the blaze and his ears at the end. He passed his looks to The Queen. Grit and determination went to her too. Pretty cool that her great grand daddy won the Derby.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GNsATgJA50g
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Max:
Thank you for this and thanks for the info on how Roberto was named. I did not know he was named after the great Roberto Clemente. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
JudyB. Owner of Pittsburgh Pirates for whom Roberto Clemente played thought so highly of him that he named his prize horse after him. Clemente later died tragically in a plane crash while on his way to do humanitarian work.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Max:
I remember. Tragic loss. He was not only a great baseball player, but he was a kind, generous man who cared about people as well. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max.Thanks for the memories.Yes,it’s pretty cool Z’s great grand daddy won our Derby and now here we all are celebrating her life.Did you ever see the Mighty mare Dahlia beat both Rheingold and Roberto in the King George and Queen Elizabeth at Ascot in 73′?She lived to be 31 yrs used to belong to Nelson Bunker Hunt.Moose should hand out advice to all other racehorses on how to behave!Sheena.
Max
A great chestnut racing mare. She was totally fabulous. She won races in Europe and North Amercia. Won the Canadian International in record time.
If the Moose passive aggressive philosophy prevails, there will be interesting non racing times ahead. Moose is the total opposite of The Danimal. Dan has to be held back. That never happens with Moosie.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Hope you enjoyed your visit to see Charlie today.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Little Cap Hercules Frank Boo and the Sweeties.Love and hugs Sheena.X
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Thank you. Didn’t get there today; going tomorrow. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Boo and all the Sweeties
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Judy B.,
Have fun tomorrow with Charlie and the gang!!
Lots of Love and Hugs
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
My Dear Marshall:
Thank you. Love and Hugs, JB
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Many thanks to all who were so kind as to post replies to my birthday poem for Sandy, Nov 27, and my Nov 29 poem for my Sweet Caroline on her transition to the Rainbow Bridge (Abigail 1849, Ann NC, Barbara Wood, Bluegrass Girl, Carol in Arkansas, Celeste in TX, Debbie S, Donna Z, Heidi K, Ingrid Arnone, Janet Neuman, Judy Berube, Marshall (NC Broad), Marty R, Maryp NY, Max, pamhomeier , Sandy in NE OH, sheena davies (wales), Sue Fredrick, Terry Crow, Vicki, and Vicki B.) I do feel your love and it comforts me.
Now for another birthday bright spot, the birthday of our talented, lively, outgoing and simply wonderful Z-ster, Dawn Conrad, whose presence we enjoyed again this year at the Breeders’ Cup, where she so graciously made sure that her friend Steve Coburn, co-breeder/owner of California Chrome, stopped by our Saturday night gathering to chat with us. Those who are newer to the Blog may not be familiar with Dawn’s beautiful posts which were much more frequent in years gone by, but you can rest assured that her posts were unfailingly highlights during the days of Zenyatta’s Diary. You might want to take a look at her eloquent (and winning!) entry in the contest for the Nina Kaiser tabletop bronze of Zenyatta (which I believe is identical, or at least almost identical, to the life-sized bronze which now graces the grounds of Santa Anita). You can still read Dawn’s entry at https://staging.zenyatta.com/diary/diary-post-231 .
Thank you, Dawn, for everything, and happy birthday! I’m sorry I don’t have a new poem for you, but I offer again my prior poem for you, slightly revised.
A Birthday Poem for Dawn Conrad
(December 7, 2011)
The first horse Dawn did adore
Was a dark bay filly
Bought for her by none other
Than her big brother
In the days just before
He went off to the Vietnam War–
He knew his little sis,
Who loved him silly,
Would miss him sorely.
I’ll bet Dawn did kiss him
On the cheek
Many times that week!
The filly, named Cinder, was all
Dawn could’ve wished for—
And even more.
Dawn had a ball
Every hour that she with Cinder spent.
They had a game,
Played always the same:
Whenever Dawn to the pasture went,
Cinder would instantly come
On the run,
Then stop on a dime
At the fence line
In front of her mistress
To receive her kiss and caress.
The years did pass,
And then
That once young lass,
Now into a woman grown,
Fell in love with a filly again—
This time one of world renown,
For who has not heard a lotta
’Bout the great Zenyatta?
Dawn followed all three years
Of Z’s brilliant racing career,
And then
She thanked God (and Dottie!)
When
Z’s diary came along.
Since then a year
Has come and gone–
If you remember,
He Diary started in early November.
Z had already raced and won
Nineteen times
To the cheers
Of an ever-increasing throng–
And the racing days
Of this phenomenon
Were nearly done
When Z did pen
The lines
Of her Diary Entry One.
The BCC of 2010
Was just days away,
And then
Z’s retirement would be at hand…
Her many fans did fear
That they’d seldom hear
Of Z in her broodmare years,
But on that first diary day,
Z was making plans
So that she with those fans
In touch could stay
In this novel way,
And thus it was
Before her last race was run
That this new form of fun
Began
For Z and her every fan.
Z’s diary with fecundity
Soon did spawn
A new society
Like no other,
With posts from fans of great variety,
And one “founding mother”
Was our dear Dawn!
Right from the start,
She wrote from her heart
And found the means to convey
With great zeal
What we ALL do feel
About Z’s magical way–
Astounding yet real–
But lack the words to say.
Dawn, our writer extraordinaire,
Beautifully expresses
In fluid prose
How Z,
The mare
For whom we all care,
Us impresses
With her magnetic personality
And other-worldly quality.
Thus it was no surprise
When Dawn to the occasion rose
As Zenyatta did propose,
With the advent of March Madness,
Her own writing contest
To erase our sudden sadness
And the tears that quelled up
When Z’s first foal failed to develop.
To see if perhap’
We’ll win the bronze
Number nineteen,
Each of us dons
Our thinking cap.
We try our best
In honor of the Queen
To suggest
What she means to us.
When the Final Four are randomly drawn
And their texts are seen,
We judge each sender
To be a worthy contender.
But now we get to voice
Our choice,
And it’s DAWN
Who wins the prize
(And by a landslide!)
For which many had vied.
In this I hope she took pride—
For sure, it brought tears of joy to her eyes!
Later when the prize arrives,
Dawn a photo does share
Of herself with the bronze of the beloved mare—
Z’s dancing as if before a race—
And we see Dawn’s
Gracious, sweet smiling face
And her coif, a soft shade of fawn.
Then as summer approached,
Since she’d known some cancer travail,
She thought herself to avail
Of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.
There she the doctors consulted
And with them broached
Follow-up care.
We all said a prayer
It would go well for her there—
And I believe it indeed so resulted.
Leaving there the first week of June,
She soon
Was at Hollywood Park,
Team Z to meet
And to see
Where Z had left her mark.
There she met Mr. Commons and E,
And Dawn
Delighted to see horses still graze
On what in former days
Had been Z’s own lawn.
Now the Dumplings all hope Dawn will be back
To visit Santa Anita track
For the 2012 Breeders’ Cup
And that together at The Derby we’ll sup!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Dear Z-sters, you can read Dawn’s entry where she shared in touching detail the story of Cinder, her first horse, and her brother Duane (who thankfully returned safely home from the Vietnam War) at https://staging.zenyatta.com/diary/diary-post-211/comment-page-5#comment-36757 .
Kathy
Dear Trina,
Good morning, and thank you for your beautiful poem to Dawn and the link to Dawn’s story. Remembering your Sweet Caroline. May she rest in peace. Have a good day, Trina, and thank you again. Hugs, Kathy
pamhomeier
A very special Happy Birthday to Dawn!!!!!
Janet Newman
Dawn,
I remember your posts. May you have a very blessed and happy birthday!
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Trina:
So glad you are back posting. Missed you. Thank you for another beautiful poem; this one for Dawn.
Dear Dawn:
Happy, Happy Birthday. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
Happy Birthday to Dawn Conrad.
Best regards to Trina.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Trina,
Thank you so much for this lovely tribute to Dawn Conrad — it is still quite beautiful!
Hope you are doing okay — you and Sweet Caroline are still in our prayers.
Lots of Hugs and Love
Dear Dawn Conrad,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more lovely ones to come!!
We have missed your lovely presence here and are always pleased to hear from you.
Let us know how you are, please.
Hugs and Love
Kathy
December 7 Cherokee Devotional
The easiest thing in the world is to look at someone and say what we would have done in their place. Yet none of us knows what we would really do until we are in their place going through the same things. We are meek in our thinking, but prepared to do battle if we need to-or so we say. How inane to talk a good fight and not even be able to stand up for what we believe. How reckless to think we know what we would do. Self-sufficiently is a mark to our good-but has it ever been challenged? This is the reason we need the compassion and support of other people-we can hold each other steady in times of stress and trouble. Together we build courage and pass it around to anyone who needs it-and still have plenty to spare.
Our knifes were ready, and the heart of Black Hawk swelled high in the bosom…
Black Hawk
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Dawn.A very Happy Birthday to you.Enjoy.Hugs Sheena.
Kathy
Dear Dawn,
Have a wonderful birthday. Enjoy your special day. Hugs, Kathy
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Good morning. Looks like everything is okay with the FB furbabies. Lost my mother 13 years ago today. It would be nice if there were a link to heaven. Will always hear my mother in my head. Have a blessed Sabbath. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
carol in arkansas
Happy Birthday Dawn Conrad…..wishing you all the best…always…
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.Yes,we both have memories today.It’s my favourite Aunt’s birthday.We spent a lot of time together in childhood and as I grew older.Those memories just never fade do they?I pray they are all looking down on us as they continue to live in our hearts.The furbabies are well(thank goodness)Ray’s big day tomorrow.Marty’s Angel pillows will be out in the new year and he’s counting down to Christmas.I so miss that little guy and I loved the pics of Joey and Theba in the snow!Such a cute little puppy afraid of the stairs! All our euro horses have arrived in Hong Kong safely ahead of the big races next weekend.Am still sad about Oscar Whisky yesterday.Have a Blessed Sabbath.Love and Hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.X
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Remembering those we loved so much and have lost. God bless all of them. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
sheena.davies(wales)
I am a regular poster WHY???Sheena.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Team Z.Thank you!!Love to Z and all.Sheena.
sheena.davies(wales)
A great win for Wishfull Thinking at Huntingdon today.In the autumn of his racing life(nearly 12) he put in a faultless display of jumping to take the Peterborough Chase.Always plagued by wind issues he has yet to win that elusive grade 1 next year maybe??Always remember the nasty tumble he took in the Champion Chase a few years back.(he crashed through the rails).It’s wonderful to see him run well.Congratulations to all concerned.Hugs Sheena.
Barbara Wood
@Dawn Conrad–Hoping your birthday is fabulous in every way.
@Trina–Once again, many thanks!
Faithful Z Supporter
To all still interested in Z’s little sis Eblouissant, or Ebby as we call her, had a work today at Los Alamitos 6FL 1.15:20 Handily. Hmm, maybe she’s close to a race. I recall some of us here care about her as much as we do Z. Very little news, so was not sure if the new owners still wanted her to still race considering her recent past ones. Fans used to visit her often…wonder if they still do. Coz resembles her a lot I think.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Faithful Z:
Thanks for this info on Ebby. Godspeed beautiful girl. Yes, I think E and COZ have that “Bernie” look too. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
Glad to get this news of Ebby. Think of her often.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Thanks for the update on Ebby! Great to be able to keep track of her, and hope she is happy and loved in her new place. May she stay well, safe and sound.
Hugs