Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

The Results Are In!

Zenyatta.com Celebration fan photo winner: Roxanne Cook
Zenyatta.com Celebration fan photo winner: Roxanne Cook

Happy Monday!

We’re so happy to announce that the 2014 Zenyatta.com Celebration raised $20,000 for Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc!

The winners of our auction and prizes are as follows:

Grand Prize: An Invitation to Meet Zenyatta
Mary Pilger—Clayville, NY
Donna Temple—Crystal Lake, IL
Lori Koellner—Glen Burnie, MD
Debbi Martin—Chilhowie, VA
Linda R. Moss—Mission Viejo, CA

Auction: Zenyatta’s Halter
Judy—Burbank, CA

Auction: Zenyatta’s Shoe
Terence—Arlington Heights, IL
Deborah—Medford, OR

Auction: Signed Limited Edition Track Bag
Cathy—Santa Clarita, CA
Kristi—St. Charles, MO
Judith—Fuquay Varina, NC
Candace—Lexington, KY
The fifth winner requested to remain anonymous

Auction: Signed Zenyatta Breyer
Deborah—Medford, OR
Ann—Knoxville, TN

Gift bag winner: Our favorite fan photo
Roxanne Cook—Boulder Creek, CA

Gift bag winner: Celebration participant from our mailing list
William Uecker—Boerne, TX

Thanks fans, we couldn’t have done this without you!

Team Z

Reader Interactions

634 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Team Z has already said that Zenny will be re-bred to War Front in 2015. I think they said this around the time that Z Princess was born.

    If anyone collects Breyer Horses & wants to get the model of Coz as a foal, I learned that Breyer is discontinuing it at the end of the year. As far as I know they’ll still keep producing the Zenyatta model, though…

    Kathy, I checked out about buying the Cherokee Devotional books. The first two are available at a reasonable price, but the third one is selling for around $100! I think I’ll ask for the first two for Christmas & keep looking for the third one to come down in price.

    I wish there were more trainers like Charlie Lo Presti who only takes only as many horses as they can work with personally! As far as I’m concerned, a lot of the horses of the trainers who have big stables at several different tracks are not really trained by the listed trainer, they are trained by the assistant trainers who are with them & should be listed for their races as so.

    I also think that the grooms do not get enough credit. They do more with their horses than anyone else & are usually the first person to notice if anything is different or wrong with “their” horses since they spend more time with them than anyone else.

    What does anyone else think about these subjects?

      • / Reply

        JudyB. Villandry, a chesnut, trained by Charlie LoPresti, recently had a win in the River City. LoPresti predicted it by noting before the race that the horse was ready for a win. Silver Max was also in the race, but did not place. Another day.

        • Dear Max:

          Really like CL. Congrats Villandry. Yes, another day for Silver Max. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Donna Z,
      I agree with your comments about assistant trainers and the grooms. Think as you do, that the big stables just cannot give the individual attention that the smaller ones do. Don’t think my boy, Muchie, would have been as successful as he was without Kathy being with him so much.

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna Z,

      That stuns me that Vol. III of the Cherokee Devotional costs so much. I was able to get it in paperback, was just regular price. By all means hold off until you can find one for less. That’s crazy!

      Kathy

  2. / Reply

    Atta boy, Margano!

    @Judy Berube–I went to the link for CIgar’s Memorial and couldn’t find the video. The space where it should have been was blank. I did see Ashton’s beautiful account of her visit to him on his last day. SO moving. Hugs.

    Donna Z–I know what you mean about the price of books! The most expensive book I ever bought was a used edition of Barbara Livingston’s “Old Friends” I paid $89 for it. It had formerly been in a library in Colorado. I wanted it to go on our coffee table, along with “More Old Friends”, which was more readily available at the time I bought them.
    I bet some of the SO Cal Dumplings who know John S could answer the groom question. Judy Gadwood, Karen Gogue, are you there?

  3. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Boo and all the Sweeties

  4. / Reply

    Wouldn’t you just know it??? On a hunch, I decided to check Amazon to see if there are copies of “Old Friends”. The used copy I got for $89 in 2009 is now about $21. They must have done another edition. That is SO typical of my luck. If anyone wants one, now would be the time. Hugs to all.

  5. / Reply

    Dear Beautiful Z, COZ, ZI, V and Montey:

    Goodnight. Stay comfy and cozy. Love You. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.

  6. / Reply

    Stevens Bridges Del Mar’s
    Dual Hall Of Fame Foursomes
    By Hank Wesch DEl Mar News 11/15/14
    For the second time in its history, Del Mar has four current Hall of Fame riders in its jockey colony.
    Gary Stevens is the linchpin, the connecting thread, the common denominator. And, as he will tell you, proudly so.
    Stevens was elected to the National Thoroughbred Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in 1997. Upon gaining membership, he joined a trio of Del Mar regulars who had held that status for years. There was Laffit Pincay, Jr., a Hall of Fame member since 1975; Chris McCarron (Class of 1989), and Eddie Delahoussaye (1993).
    Late in article
    With Stevens, 51, back in the fold, plus the return in the past months of prodigal sons Kent Desormeaux and Alex Solis, as well as the continued presence since 2001 of Mike Smith, Del Mar has another Hall of Fame quartet for fans to appreciate and bettors to consider. Smith was inducted into the Hall in 2003 and Desormeaux the following year, while Solis gained entry last summer.
    https://www.dmtc.com/media/news/stevens-bridges-del-marsbrdual-hall-of-fame-foursomes-297

    • / Reply

      From Del Mar article
      Entering racing this week, the Hall of Fame quartet had combined
      for 94,947 races ridden, 15,835 wins and
      $749,693,822 in purse earnings

      • / Reply

        Dear BGG,
        WOW!! That’s a lot of races and tremendous total purse earnings!
        That’s why they are in the Hall of Fame — they are great!

        Love and Hugs

      • / Reply

        Terry
        George Taniguchi rode from 1954 to 1968.
        This article was about 4 Hall of Fame jockeys riding at the same track at the
        same time.
        Were there 3 other HOF jockeys riding with George?
        BGG

        • Well, in the 60s at Santa Anita there was Bill Shoemaker, Walter Blum, Don Pierce, Bill Hartack and John Longden. Not a bad group and HOF’ers all.

  7. / Reply

    For all those involved in the discussion about Alydar, I finally went back and read the Blood Horse article. When I read A Wild Ride one of the first people mentioned was a man named Alton Stone who was as I remember it, some kind of a caretaker for Alydar. In the book the author treated this guy a some kind of a hero. It wasn’t until much later that I happened upon news about a perjury trial in Texas. The charges were brought against Stone for some statements that he made indicating that it was just a coincidence that he was not attending Alydar the evening he was injured. It turned out that he was paid off to not be there. All of this was brought up not only in his trial, in which he was convicted of perjury, but the subsequent trial of J. T. Lundy who almost single-handedly brought about the collapse of Calumet.. If anybody wants to form their own opinion of all of this, just read the trial manuscript of the case of J. T. Lundy, in which he was convicted of many crimes.. The vet in the Blood Horse story was doing a lot of posterior covering. We will probably never know what really happened

    • / Reply

      Terry,
      Thank you for the additional information about Alydar. I was in central Kentucky at the time, and it was whispered, but pretty common knowledge, that the skunk, Lundy was responsible. I am glad Mrs. Markey was gone and did not know what happened to her beloved Alydar. If I ever encounter Lundy, this LOL (little ole lady) is going to end up in jail.

        • hmmm.. I think I’d do a bit of “justifiable damage” before making it a justifiable homicide … don’t think I’m alone in that thought…

          I visited the Tower of London a couple of months back and among all the other sights was the exhibition of torture “tools and equipment.” Anyone who would deliberately injure or maim any horse (or dog, or child, or mate) certainly deserves a session there—!

          Normally I’m a kind, quiet, jolly sort, but those kinds of people really raise my hackles…

    • / Reply

      Terry,

      I read the article too. I also thought there was posterior covering going on as well.
      Alydar’s death and the way it happened will always be a bitter pill. I just have to find comfort in the fact that the ultimate judge will have his say and there will be no posterior covering at that one.

      • / Reply

        I just laugh when people say that Lundy could not have have it done because of the financial mess it would have caused. The fact of the matter is that Calumet’s future income was entirely tied up in stud fees involving Alydar. However, Lundy had sold future bookings or seasons to Alydar for literally decades in advance. The seasons became moot and worthless when Alydar died. The breeding seasons were paid for in advance for bargain prices and no refunds were in store. Since the breedings were paid for in advance, Lundy had nothing to lose by killing the horse and collecting the insurance. This is not my speculation. These facts came out at his trial. Among apparently necessary Calumet expenses were a private plane so Lundy could travel in style. This guy only escaped further prison time because no evidence about the death of Alydar was allowed at his trial. If the vet involved in the Blood Horse article did not know this he should have.

        • Yes, Terry, it’s yet another example of shabby journalism — and if you rewrite and destroy real “history” enough, then fewer people can even remember the truth. This is a common ploy by those wishing to always wear their rose-colored glasses and preserve fictions in their own minds about who you can trust in the world. It’s a pathetic assessment of unfortunately, a lot of people. J.T. Lundy did indeed, get away with it!

    • / Reply

      Poor Alydar, so very sad. Reminds me of the Show Horse Industry and how a few “killed” off for Insurance money.

    • / Reply

      I’d be interested if one can get the disposition of a court case over the internet and how to do it. I’m asking here because you’ve mentioned trial transcripts. At one time I saw the final disposition of Jackson’s suit against all those that helped him become Kentucky landed gentry, which he lost. Since his death I can’t find it. He also lost his case years before against Gallo, when he was becoming a California vintner. His biographywould make great reading as long as it was factual.

      • / Reply

        Ann-If you knew the case and/or docket number and when it was litigated this information can be obtained. Most of what I know about Lundy’s culpability was discussed during the trial that was held in Texas and has been discussed on the net. Google perhaps?

        • As an added comment, try looking up Alton Stone perjury trial. I don’t know about know, but there was at one time pages of stuff about it. Eye-opening stuff.

  8. / Reply

    November 16 Cherokee Devotional

    A midnight sky in November is a sight to behold. Nothing compares to the clarity of the limitless night sky aglitter with so many stars as to appear more like a gossamer scarf thrown across forever. We take so much for granted. The common beauty of everyday life, the sweet sleep, ga lv di, and quiet breathing the night offers. It seems that whatever knocks loudest gets our attention, and all that delights and comforts us slips by without our seeing it. Now, while the night sky is so spectacular, it is a gift of the season to look up and know that we are spirit-freed and unlimited. Not even the immense universe and the glittering stars created for us can compare to the stars in our hearts and what has been prepared for us.

    My heart is glad and I shall hide nothing from you.
    Santana

  9. / Reply

    RIP Dessie Hughes
    Steve Andersen ‏Daily Racing Form Sunday Nov. 16 2014
    Dessie Hughes, who rode horses such as Monksfield and trained
    dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, died Sunday in Ireland. He was 71.

    IrishRacing.Sunday Nov. 16 2014
    A minute’s silence will be held before the third race punchestown race this afternoon
    as a mark of respect to the late Dessie Hughes

  10. / Reply

    Mad Moose on his way to Cheltenham Races!
    Mad Moose Nov 5
    Dear BHA Press Office
    Please let me race, I promise to behave,
    the new starting process will help immensely & I won’t let Nigel chase me
    Mad Moose Nov 6
    Thanks to all my fans for their lovely comments about my return to the track.
    Hopefully I can go to Cheltenham Races next weekend if fit!!
    Mad Moose Nov 11
    Nigel thinks I’ve eaten too much over the summer so not quite ready for racing yet.
    Hopefully back Cheltenham Races in December.
    Mad Moose Nov 15
    One of my owners (Dave Arthur) came to see me this morning.
    Seems to think he can persuade me to run by talking to me

  11. / Reply

    Zensters,
    So glad to check in and read some good news for a change.

    Terry, welcome back, we sorely missed your jokes and sense of humor here, with all the sad news and losses we’ve experienced. Hope your medical condition continues to improve, we certainly will all keep praying…..PUT.

    Wonderful news about our Danny Boy, I love this horse so, he is the epitome of a what a race horse should be. Hope he wins some awards this year……so deserving.

    Omar, CoZ’s groom has a pic on his FB hugging CoZ and saying he will miss him, so I guess our boy will be going to California with John. Maybe he will race there.

    hugs to all,
    kisses to Mama Zen, CoZ, Ziconic, angel Princess, Dubai, and my beloved Indy

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue:

      Thanks for this info on COZ. I kind of thought JS might take COZ to CA. We’ll have to wait and see if he has his first race there. Bet Mario might take over as his Groom. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JudyB. Hope Coz goes to LA for the winter. He’ll be close to his peeps and our Zsters like TC, Auntie Judy, Karen G and others can visit and give us some news about him. His momma did well with her career operating out of California. Chromie has done okay too.

        • HI Max!
          I just wanted to clarify that both Karen G and I don’t visit Shirreffs’ barn unless we get prior approval. We don’t troll the backside and expect to be welcomed at his barn, or other barns, unless they know we are coming. Respect goes a long way :-)

          It was wonderful to see Mario and Carmen!!! They welcomed us with hugs :-) In fact Mario asked where have we been…. It was great to see Ebby and Mr. Commons, just to name two.
          JAG

        • Dear Max:

          Yes, indeed. He would be following in Mama’s footsteps (literally). Love and Hugs, JB

        • Auntie Judy. Did not mean to imply anything other than it might be easier to see Coz at SA. Know that all Z peeps have the best manners and always show respect to Team Z. Really hope however that you get an invite or if Coz runs there, you will see him on the track and can tell us about it. Love those details.

        • JudyB. The Fly is amazing. Still coltish at 10.
          What is the news of your farm? How are Angela and the others doing? How are you coping?

        • Dear Max:

          Fly is incredible at 10.

          I went to the farm on Thursday and it was very sad to walk by Dubai’s empty stall. I visited with Charlie and groomed him.

          It’s been a very sad loss filled year; losing Sir, Street Cry, Z Princess, Dubai and so many others. Dubai’s loss was hard, but more so because we believe it was caused by mistreatment at the hands of those that were supposed to be his caregivers. Too many of our beloved horses are at the mercy of unscrupulous people. One of my dearest rescue friends just saved two mares (former racers) from starvation and neglect.

          Makes me ever more grateful for JS and CL and trainers like them. Love and Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. It is shameful the way in which some of these beautiful creatures are treated. I am so sorry about Dubai as I had momentarily let my guard down thinking that he had turned the corner and was well on his way to recovery. His empty stall would be a cause of further heart back. The only consolation for you is that he is pain free. We and especially you and Angela and those who knew him best now carry the pain of emptiness. Be kind to yourselves as you grieve.
          Willie Mullins is another trainer who respects his horses. He gives them all the personal touch. His wife looks after the business side while he concentrates on training. He does a lot of the daily grunt work himself. He was bending over in a stall to get a drink of water for the Fly at Cheltenham when the Fly saw his chance and took a big bite out of Mullins’ butt. Drew blood. Mullins’ reaction? He laughed. He knows from close experience what the Fly is like and blamed himself for forgetting and giving the Fly an easy target. He’s a great man and trainer.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes, it will take time for everyone at the farm to grieve for Dubai.

          Mr. Mullins sounds a lot like JS and CL. Another one to be careful not to let your guard down with is Hudson. She will take advantage of an easy target too. Total Diva. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Max-loved reading so many comments about the tiny horse with the
        heart of a lion. Here is one article about the race. Thanks for the replay. BGG

        Hurricane proves he’s pretty fly for an old guy
        By Stuart Riley RacingPost.com 16 NOV 2014
        Report: Punchestown, Sunday stanjames.com
        Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m, 4yo+
        GRADE 1-winning machine Hurricane Fly took his tally to 20 and avenged two defeats by Jezki at the end of last season, jumping into the lead at the last to win his third Morgiana Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.
        All the talk at the end of last season was of a changing of the guard at the top of the Irish two-mile hurdling division, with many calling for the usurped king to be retired. His trainer Willie Mullins said that would not happen, but did concede the ten-year-old may have to be stepped up in distance..
        However at the minimum trip, on his preferred winter ground, Hurricane Fly put the young pretender Jezki back in his place and took a three to two lead in their personal head-to-head.
        http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/hurricane-fly-w-p-mullins-r-walsh-cheltenham-festival-punchestown-hurricane-proves-hes-pretty-fly-for-an-old-guy/1775284/top/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews

        • BGG. On this blog, we often use tiny to mean 17.2 hands. Just so people don’t get confused, The Fly really is small. He takes after Northern Dancer, but he looks like his father. Small, feisty and mighty. He’s eccentric too like his sire Montjeu. Mullins calls him a character, which might be short form for he’s a biter. He’s defintely coltish.
          Thanks for the article. Kick butt Fly.

  13. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Goodnight. Miss you. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Boo and all the Sweeties

  15. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, V and Montey:

    Goodnight. Stay comfy, cozy, safe and sound always. Love You. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.

  16. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta, hope you stay cozy and safe
    prayers for you. Coz, Zi and always zprincess, with love n kisses
    Auntie Sally B

  18. / Reply

    November 17 Cherokee Devotional

    We tied a rock to my dresstail when I was one and a half. I cried, and my mother scolded her little brother. I could not bear to have him scolded. I loved him so. I backed up to him to have the rock tied on again. This was an uncle whose language was so colorful it was not acceptable in more genteel circles. But no man has commanded the respect and love of every person the way he did. He was an unmerciful tease, a friend in need, a giver of unappreciated nicknames, and he stood a head and shoulders above men of intellect. When he left us, hardened oilfield workers and little grandmothers cried unashamedly. He was udu ju, uncle, to many nieces and nephews and worlds of friends.To me he was a devoted, loving and precious friend. Can I ever measure up to such standards?

    Little mountain is now dead. He did all he could to make peace.
    Santana

  19. / Reply

    Good morning to all my Znation family, just me wishing all a wonderful day and a Blessed week. Prayers for all those that are sick for a speedy recovery, comfort for those who grieve that Gods Peace will continue to bring them comfort. For all who miss ZPrincess, that we will all be comforted as we await another princess, may she forever run free. It is well. To my dearest Prince’s may God continue to keep them safe as we await their presence on the tracks. To the QUEEN and all her family and care takers, Peace. It is well. Much love to all.

  20. / Reply

    A message from Vamp (Sue).
    Well im back home now. Was discharged fri. Been crazy here so haven’t been able to post im home til now. I have mixed feelings bout being home. My kidneys are still a mystery. They’re weak still no idea why except not lupus. Habe to get blood work today.
    Thx to everyone who sent me ecards. They cheered me up.
    Rob bought me a Xmas cactus as a coming home pressent. Coolness .
    Good news tho is that i lost 15lbs in 2wks in the hosp and I’ll prob lose more cuz im still swollen. Before i went to hospital and the swelillng, i weighed 192.6lbs.
    Once i was swollen, i went up to 209lbs from the edema. When i went to ER i was 200.4Lbs
    ***Drumroll***
    I now weigh 175lbs!!!
    My legs r stiil swollen. So I’ll weigh even less once my body returns to normal. HOOFRAY!

    • / Reply

      Dear Heidi and Sue:

      Heidi thanks for updating us on Sue.

      Sue, hope you feel better each day. Love and Hugs to both of you, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue,
      Glad to hear that you are home and seem to be in good spirits. It is good to know that there is a silver lining to your illness, namely the weight loss. That is looking at the cup half full; good for you! Hope the swelling continues to subside and that you will improve steadily. Prayers for healing and positive thoughts continue. Hugs

      Dear Heidi,
      Thank you for getting Sue’s message to us! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Sue, hugs and prayers for your continuing to get better. Hard way to do it but congratulations on losing the weight!

  21. / Reply

    Vamp/Sue
    Blessing and prayers for your continued healing. You are in the thoughts and hearts of many here in Zenyatta land.

  23. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, V and Montey:

    Goodnight. Love Ya. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.

  24. / Reply

    To Zenyatta and family, both equine and human, and to all Z’sters:
    Everyone have a happy week — may the clouds disperse and the sun shine brightly.
    Loving thoughts and Lots of Hugs

  25. / Reply

    November 18 Cherokee Devotional

    The first touches of frigid air have cleared the sky and brought a stillness to the land. Long ribbons of southbound geese break into several gaggles, their cries carrying over the valley. The sound alerts us to stop and look with wonder at the changing season. Blue haze hangs in the cleft of a distant hill. On sunlit days it changes to rose then beige and near white. Sunsets are vivid and alive, streaking the sky with deep reds like hot embers that fall to the horizon and glow like the hearth in evening. But a cool moon rises over the eastern hills with all the power in serenity and peace that the sun has in riotous color. Just at that breathless moment between day and night, a quail calls. It is the simple closing of another day, a time to settle in and enjoy the peace of home.

    Tell them how we loved all that was beautiful.
    American Indian

  27. / Reply

    Rookie Sensation Retired, to Stand in Canada
    By Blood-Horse Staff November 18, 2014
    Rookie Sensation , a 4-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2015 breeding season at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs North in Aurora, Ontario, Canada.
    Rookie Sensation will stand for a stud fee of $5,000 (Canadian) live foal, and will participate in the newly inaugurated Adena Advantage Program.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/88791/rookie-sensation-retired-to-stand-in-canada#ixzz3JSGnbliL

    • / Reply

      From article
      Trained by John Shirreffs for breeder Stronach, Rookie Sensation won three of his first five starts, including his stakes debut in the $150,000 Twilight Derby (gr. II) on the 2013 Breeders’ Cup undercard. He retired with three wins from 10 starts and earnings of $232,900.

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      Thanks for this info on Rookie Sensation (always loved that name). Wishing him a happy, healthy retirement. Love and Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    Goodnight, I love you Zenyatta and all your foals
    Stay warm. Love n kisses,
    Auntie Sally B

  29. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Missing you and your posts. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT. Cap, Herc, Frank, Boo and all the Sweeties

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