Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Welcome Summer!

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Happy Friday!

We hope everyone is enjoying the first day of summer. Zenyatta and her two colts certainly are! Alys sent along some photos from her last visit to Zenyatta’s paddock. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend!

The Zenyatta Shop also has a small update this week: The “Zenyatta & Colt, April 2, 2013” print is now available in 8″ x 10″ and 11″ x 14″ sizes.

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

To top it off, here’s a quick video of 13Z being cheeky with his buddy and Alys’ phone…

Enjoy!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

1,260 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Team Z Please don’t stop posting because of a few mean adults. I use all the information you post in my classroom. The children love seeing Zenyatta and her foals. They love watching all the videos. You have taught the children so many things. We feel lucky to be part of such an amazing world. Zenyatta is the best mom. Thank you and God Bless, Shari Voltz

    • / Reply

      Shari…not to worry. Team Z is wise to the ways of the world and understand some have a need to stir things up. No one will interfere with the intent of this wonderful site which is all about love for everyone.

    • / Reply

      The reasons you stated are the reasons that this site will remain up. To teach the young and to furnish a great love for the sport. It is for those of all ages to gather and rejoice in reunion and to gather to make new friends. To teach is to breathe life into a new generation, and the cycle continues.

      • / Reply

        Ditto, Pati! We love this mare so much and she has had a profound influence on the lives of so many. It is reassuring that Team Z will persevere to weed out the bad apple(s). Read a comment elsewhere that Team Z is working to resolve the problem and suggested that in the meantime, ignore and don’t respond to the mean and misleading posts. Sometimes easier said than done, but, good advice, I think!

    • / Reply

      Dear Shari, I agree with Sue and Tony, you don’t need to worry. By the way, it is only ONE person posting under many different names who says those un-Zenny-like things.

  3. / Reply

    My adorable Zenny, if I have to pick which of your babies are more beautiful, I cannot do it, both they are so handsome….

    My dear Zenny, and my dear Z fans.

    I have sad news, my mother fell again… and this time was worst that last year, she fracture her left shoulder, because her age is impossible to perform surgery, I need your prayers.

    Hugs Ingrid.

  5. / Reply

    Dear Sheena, Keta and Max:

    Thank you for always keeping us abreast of the great horses and races across the Pond.

    Now if only we can get our Dear Kathy to come back and post about Aussie racing, everything would be just right. Love and Hugs, JB

  7. / Reply

    Amen, Judy B.! Hugs

    To Zenyatta, 13Z, Cozmic, LE and Team Z, as well as our kind Z’sters, hope everyone has a good week!
    Sure wish I could send this excessive rain to all who desperately need it!
    I don’t think I have ever seen it rain this much within a 24 hour period — not even with Hurricane Fran. More is on the way, too! ICK!!
    Take care and Hugs

    • / Reply

      So sorry, Ann, that the weather gods are not being at all fair-minded and even-handed. I hope it lets up for you soon.

      • / Reply

        OOPS, that was in response to Marshall, but I guess you, Pati, and Ann are all in the same boat (or Ark?). Sorry.

        • Unfortunately yes. Not for the company I keep in the state ;-) but for the impending weather guest.

    • / Reply

      Marshall…we also took the full rath of Hurrican Fran when we lived in NC. Our property looked like a war zone after she was done. Stay safe…hope you’re area isn’t prone to flooding.
      Zenny, Coz and 13Z we hope you have a sunny, dry day at the beautiful LE.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Ingrid,

    I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s fall. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

    • / Reply

      Thank-you Trina and I do not know if you saw my response to the lovely poem you wrote the other day. Very much appreciated.

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Janet, yes, I saw your touching response. I can’t take credit for authorship of that poem, but I find it very moving and comforting. I think it might have been Vicki B who found it and shared it here first.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Keta, and Zenyatta family:

    Am devastated to hear of the loss of 19 of your firefighters in Yarnell – we Downunder know from cruel experience just how hideous these bush fires can be, but to lose so many good men is just too dreadful. My prayers go out to the families, and the community, and for a change in the weather. Hugs KathyR.

    • / Reply

      KathyR, Everyone will be thrilled to hear from you, I know I am. Please come back and stay. We miss our friend from Downunder!

    • / Reply

      :-D :-D :-D

      Welcome back!!!

      Yes, I had hope when they first reported that they were missing, but sadly that was not the case.

    • / Reply

      KathyR. Good to see a post from you. I always enjoy reading what you have to say about horses. I am sorry to learn this terrible news about your firefighters. Any loss of life is sad, but so many losses both in Australia and Arizona is very hard to endure.
      I hope that you are well and will let us know how racing in Australia is going. Any second career news of the lovely Ms Nelly?

    • / Reply

      Thank you for your concern and prayers Kathy R. Despite the sad circumstances, I join the others in saying a big “welcome back.” Hope we hear from you again soon.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R,

      So glad to see a post from you. Hoping all is well with you.
      Please remember you are a very important person to this site and I know
      all the folks in Arizona appreciate your prayers for them.

    • / Reply

      Dear KathyR, I am THRILLED to see your post, though I do wish the circumstances could have been happier. Thank you for your concern for the firefighters so tragically lost in Arizona. You will stay with us now to enjoy the good times too, I hope? I don’t know if you have seen all the messages to you in the past months asking for your return, but there have been many. Perhaps you will do me the honor of e-mailing me at trinambn@yahoo.com.

    • / Reply

      KathyR
      Having you back helps take some of the pain out of our terrible loss.
      19 firefighters-young men-average age 22-lost their lives yesterday.
      They were all from the same unit-from the same town, Prescott.
      It was one of those times when the winds suddenly shifted due to storm
      and they were trapped. One firefighter In the unit survived because he
      was not with the others. He was repositioning equipment
      This is the second major wildfire in less than a month.
      The same unit had just finished fighting the first fire.
      Our weather has been extremely dry and extremely hot.
      We had a high of 119. So hot, some of the smaller commuter jets could not take off.

      Dear Kathy, I could not be happier to have you back with us.
      Can’t wait to hear what is happening with Nelly and Barbie and all the rest.
      Not to mention Gai and the others.
      And, an update on your Mum.
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R.:

      So glad and happy to see a post from you. Please continue to stay with us.

      Yes, we know all too well that you have experienced loss from similar fires in Australia. So terribly sad. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R.,
      Thank you for your kind heart! You certainly do know from experience about loss of life from horrible fires. Do so hope they can get this under control soon.
      Please DO stay with us — we have missed you terribly. Welcome back to Zennyland! We feel complete with our Aussie friend back in our “Z stable”. Don’t leave us!!
      Love and Big Hugs

    • / Reply

      KathyR
      Something important I want to tell you.
      I am so sorry for the pain I have caused you.
      It was not my intent and I was terribly upset when you left.
      I missed you as did so many others. You are a valued part of the Z family.
      Hugs, Keta

  13. / Reply

    dear KathyR delighted to have you back despite it being in sad circumstances .Have just heard this devasting news their families are all in my thoughts and prayers love and hugs sheenaX

  15. / Reply

    As we in Canada celebrate the nation’s birthday the news this morning is so sad as I learn that nineteen firefighters have died in Arizona. I have to wonder what is happening with the climate, Alberta is slowly recovering from floods as the Southwestern US is suffering such dreadful heat. Mother Nature seems to have gone crazy.
    Thoughts and prayers are with the families of the brave firefighters.

  16. / Reply

    I had hoped to get here BEFORE any of our Canadian Dumplings (should have moved faster this morning) but HAPPY CANADA DAY to Brenda, Abigail, Tiz Herself and others that I may not be aware of. We Yankees are lucky and proud to share a long friendship with Canada, and all of us here are fortunate to share our love of Zenny with such delightful people. Hope everyone has a great day of celebration!
    Hugs,
    Sandy

      • / Reply

        I will “third” it….had the greatest day to all our neighbors to the north…hope its a little cooler up there…we have gotten lucky in Arkansas…a 2 day respite from triple digit heat…but its on the way back

    • / Reply

      Sweet Sandy:

      You are of course right — I missed your Canada Day message! I kind of skimmed through several pages before I posted because I’d lost track of the exchanges between people. And I missed yours as I skimmed along.

      Thank you for the kind thoughts!

      Hugs.

    • / Reply

      Well said, Sandy! I do have a few names to add. In addition to our dear Abigail in Montreal, Max, Brenda S and granddaughter Vic, and TizHerself, here are a few more proud Canadians Z-sters from whom we would love to hear more often than we do: Annette Reynar, Linda, Wiggy, Cindy McConnell, Madison, Tupster, Nicki, Kayla, and last but not least Stacy Ferris (now in FL). Have I left anyone out? Happy Canada Day to one and all!

      • / Reply

        Holy Moly – I never would have started “naming names” if I had realized the potential for missing so many!! Max? I knew you have some British ties, but I honestly thought you lived in the US (and PLEASE know that I am just making a passing comment – NOT an attempt that you have endured several times in the past to get you to disclose your location).

        Forgot to mention earlier how much I’m looking forward to another brief visit with my dear Canadian friend Brenda – coming up soon!!! :-)

        • Sandy, you are more astute than I! I see from Max’s post on the next page that being Canadian was a rumor started by you know who! That had escaped me, so I apologize, Max, but I’m glad to see you are happy to celebrate many different “Days”. High hoof!

  18. / Reply

    dear Max Am always so grateful that you post Hovis’ diary for me (will learn one day!!) It amazes me how you all have taken this lovable horse to your hearts!!!am watching Wimbledon over here serena just been knocked out by Sabine Lasicki!Great to see Kathy back posting but very sad about the firemen in Arizona RIP hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Glad to do it. I was thinking this am that your horses have great characters. We all love Hovis and his diary. Moosie and Kauto may be the tip of the iceberg in the UK horse twitter world. Supersteve, the Tank and Nipper are interesting too. It makes for some much needed laughter in a sometimes rather sad world. I laugh to think what Hovis would say about Moosie wearing pink even if only in his paddock.

    • / Reply

      Sheena – Hovis has been one of those delightful “unexpected benefits” of being on this blog for me and many others (I’ve even shared him with those who don’t post here). We’re very grateful to you for leading us to him and to Max for keeping us up to date each week. I just bought the “last available” copy (from an Amazon reseller) of his first book. I hope the second one will show up eventually :-)
      Hugs,
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      You’re one of the Z’sters and Dumplings that make Z’s Blog so wonderful. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    As Sheena & Brenda have indicated, it is indeed CANADA DAY here and in Quebec (where I live) that means it’s also MOVING DAY, since leases end & start on July 1. So up and down the streets of Montreal there are moving trucks, moving vans, economy cars piled high with personal items, bags, boxes, tables, chairs, mattresses….you name it!

    All to say that it’s a TERRIFIC day to take a curious dog like my Daisy out for a walk! She just can’t believe how transformed her neighbourhood has become and loves to peer into the open vans & trucks, smell everything parked on sidewalks and investigate odd shapes waiting to be loaded up. WHAT AN ADVENTURE!

    I forgot to mention when I last posted that I have renamed Daisy (a rescue who came to me with her name) “DAISY DEVINE” after that fabulous & hard-working thoroughbred of the same name. And, as it turns out, the last name of the woman who runs Montreal’s largest SPCA is “Devine” and she’s a personal friend. So Daisy’s extended name has at least a double significance. (She is, of course, a “devine” girl in her own right!)

    I was so pleased to see that SMARTY JONES got another winner (CENTRALINTELIGENCE) the other day. This colt’s BM sire is none other than the great SEATTLE SLEW. Smarty also has a daughter, BETTER LIFE, who runs in Australia and Japan and is a millionaire.

    I was a HUGE Smarty fan when he was running and have been discouraged by the lack of respect he was getting in Kentucky. So I’m just thrilled to see him in the press associated with this good colt and amazing mare. Here is BETTER LIFE winning the 2012 HONG KONG GOLD CUP. She’s #2, wearing the red hood, in the colours of America:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEjwph5ll6o

    Here’s the link on Blood-Horse for the CENTRALINTELIGENCE win — impressive!
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79148/centralinteligence-commandeers-triple-bend

    Last but not least, here’s one of my favourite sites on FB, called Horse Racing History. Overlooking the fact that they regularly “borrow” photos from THE VAULT, it’s a really interesting place to visit if this kind of thing interests you:
    https://www.facebook.com/HorseRacingHistory

    Well, that’s it from me for now. Wishing all Canucks a HAPPY CANADA DAY and to all our international cousins here on Zenny’s blog: here’s a smile to chase your cares away and a hug from me to you (and that includes you, BIG GIRL, as well as your 2 boys!)….

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail:

      Thank you for all the wonderful links. Happy Canada Day to you. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail,
      I, too, am a HUGE Smarty Jones fan! I was so pulling for him to win the Triple Crown, but alas, Birdstone spoiled his bid. Thank you for the update on two of his offspring.
      Will keep a lookout for Centralinteligence and Better Life. Smarty deserves much more respect than he often gets, I think.
      HAPPY CANADA DAY! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Great post, Abigail! Happy Canada Day! I’m glad that Daisy Devine is having fun. Hugz, and pats for Daisy.

  20. / Reply

    Abigail. Thanks for this very interesting post with all of these great links. I like Smarty too. Happy Canada Day to you. I did not know that July 1 was moving day in Quebec with leases ending on that day. I wonder if this is because there is civil law in Quebec as in Louisiana and Scotland and it is organized that way by a civil code? Sounds by your description to be very busy on a holiday. Saw a CNN show recently with Anthony Bourdain visiting Montreal and Quebec City to taste the local food. Liked one part about elegant dining in a fishing hut on a frozen lake.

    • / Reply

      I think the July 1st business was an agreement made by the owners’ association because they have a better chance of getting new tenants if everyone moves on the same day. But CHAOS it is — much to Daisy’s delight!!!

      Quebec is a bit like visiting France in North America and Montreal has some absolutely amazing restaurants. In the summer, both Montreal & Quebec City are too much fun — art shows, jazz festivals (Montreal’s jazz fest is on now), film festivals, street fairs — and make it easy to spend “summer in the city”!!!

      The ice fishing: this is an absolutely ancient tradition & goes on all over Quebec, as well as elsewhere in Canada. For generations people have had fishing cabins they set up on the ice in the winter. The cabins and your “spot” on the ice get handed down over the generations!

  21. / Reply

    Kathy R welcome home. This site means so much to me. When my Mom passed away at age 81 of cancer in November 2011 this site was really all that kept me going. The love and respect we all share for life, human and animal, is the binding fabric that brings us all together. Please, whatever your real name is, don’t try and destroy something so positive and life affirming. Let us keep love, kindness and truth in our lives everyday. Love to all.

    • / Reply

      Thank you, Vicki, for welcoming KathyR and for your support in the matter of Sign. If I may, I wish to clarify that your appeal to the person who has not revealed her true name here is meant for that very Sign, who has used numerous other aliases, including in the past two days DianaS and wow. I just mention this to be sure that our dear KathyR knows that your plea to not be destructive was intended for Sign, not for her. Love and hugz in Dumplinghood, Trina

  22. / Reply

    Dear Zsters,
    My gosh, I missed a day or two and again so many things happening.

    Janet Newman, prayers for you and family to help you make the right decision for your lovely dog. I have cried over many a loss thru the years, they leave a hole in your heart and can never be replaced. But someone is waiting who also needs a home and someone to love, maybe in time you can save another one.

    Ingrid, sending prayers for your dear mom, hope she can heal and resume her normal life.

    Belated wishes to the great Katherine Wheeler who has done so much for horse rescue. I hope you have many, many more healthy years to continue your good work.

    Welcome back Kathy R, we certainly missed our dear Aussie friend and all the news from down under. Please stay with us.

    Congrats to the amazing Wise Dan on his latest victory, what an iron man he is.

    This weekend is our ice cream and pie social fund raiser for the humane society, so I will be working baking pies and selling on Saturday. Wish you could all come. Hope we make lots of money for the puppies and kittens.

    Kisses on noses to Zenny, CoZ and the redhead, love you guys. Auntie Sue

    • / Reply

      Bless you, Sue, for working the fundraiser for the humane society. I hope it’s a great success. Hugz.

  23. / Reply

    Like Sue Fredrick, I’ve been able to take only a quick look here the past few days and am once again woefully behind. In hopes of not missing anything,

    Max – thanks for the information on The Curraugh. Sounds like a place with a lot of history – wonder if we will get to see any races from there on TVG?

    Ingrid – prayers and best wishes for your mother. Hope she will recover from the fall with no complications

    Janet Newman – will be thinking of you and Sassy this week. So glad that you could spend this time with her

    To all of my North Carolina friends – I hope the relentless rain will stop soon and you all stay safe and dry

    Keta – thanks for posting that great picture of Wise Dan winning in the pouring rain at Churchill

    I just heard this morning about the terrible tragedy in Arizona. This is a tribute to the brave firefighters and their loved ones, and a few minutes of solace for all of us:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU-zqGbUf1o

  24. / Reply

    @ Sue Frederick and Sandy, Thanks for your thoughts.

    @ Terry Crow, I am sure Sassy will be glad to add Corrie to her list.

    Sassy is resting comfortably beside me in the bedroom as I type. I read all the comments out loud and when she hears her name she will raise her head and I tell her, yes that is for you baby girl.

    I am so sad for the loss of the firefighters in Arizona and my thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

    Let me say it again, how much you all mean to me. There are not enough words to
    express how you have lifted me at this time.

    Thank-you, Thank-you!

    • / Reply

      She knows she’s special and I’m sure that hearing her name so much must be very comforting to her. She knows she will never be forgotten.

    • / Reply

      Janet:

      When my beloved Jericho died our Zen family was so amazing in their caring & support. In that same caring spirit, I send you & Sassy a large bowl of positive thoughts and a bow (wow) to the love that holds you close.

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet:

      Will keep you and Sassy in my thoughts and prayers. Love and Hugs, JB

  25. / Reply

    I can’t wait for more pictures of the royal family. I’m excited.

    Stay safe and cool everyone in the West. It’s burning up out there.

    I have lots of SHERR news and we got two new horses. Not anything you ever want to see, but I’m happy we got them because now they have a chance to get better and find a family that will take care of them.

    I think Mr. Besilu was terribly confused with his first start. More experience will do him some good.

    I wish I could go out to Hollywood Park, but alas, I’m way over here on the East. Have fun everyone! Take lots of pictures!

  26. / Reply

    OK, no one has asked me to stop the Lone Ranger jokes so here is another one. Tonto had gone missing and, after two days of searching. the Lone Ranger found him on the ground. “What Happened, Tonto?” asked the Lone Ranger. Tonto replied “White men come this way on four horses, also have stagecoach with lady in back.” The Ranger was impressed. “Tonto, I’m amazed. You can tell all of this from listening to the ground?” “No, Kemo Sabe,” replied Tonto “They ran me over two days ago.”

    • / Reply

      Terry, DON’T stop… I’m loving these! BTW, back in the day I always kind of considered that Tonto was really the brains of this outfit.

    • / Reply

      TC. Agree with Randy. Tonto was the smart one, and is my favorite after their horses. More LR jokes and talking horse jokes would be appreciated.

        • TC. Just checked google. You’re right. He was in a lot of movies such as Key Largo with Humphrey Bogart. Have to watch for him the next time that it’s on tv. Also talked about his work with standardbreds, which you recently mentioned. This is cool stuff. Like hearing anything about Hollywood and horses.

    • / Reply

      Oh nooooooo! Another LOL moment. As others have noted, Kemo Sabe isn’t looking too bright here :-)

    • / Reply

      I suspect that the intelligence level of Tonto depends on when the various versions of this story were made. There are a ,lot of jokes about the meaning of Kemo Sabe, but the best explanation is trusted scout. Apparently, the Ranger saved Tonto way back when and nursed him back to health. In appreciation, Tonto gave him a fancy ring. When the Ranger’s troop of Texas Rangers were wiped out by Butch Cavendish, Tonto found the Ranger barely alive, and said “I know you. You are Kemo Sabe, trusted scout.,and nursed him back to health, recognizing him from the ring that he had. To throw everyone off the trail, Tonto buried the fallen Rangers and included a grave for John Reid. Pretty smart I would say. Of course, one of the real problems with Tonto is what the name means in Spanish.

    • / Reply

      Dear Barb W. and Joanna:

      Joining you in prayers for the families of the brave Arizona Fire Fighters. RIP Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    I always come back to look again at the lovely pictures of our Zenny and ‘lil Red’. I was sort of surprised at all the postings today.
    I too, share in the sorrow at the loss of our fire fighters in Ariz. How tragic. It was really hot here on Saturday, records of 108-110 in San Antonio area, but no major fires that I know of.
    Ya’ll take care out there. If you’ve got lots of heat, remember or remind others to take special care of the elderly and critters.

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