Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

You’re Invited – Please Join Me for My Birthday Party!

Zenyatta Enjoying Her Pasture, March 2022. Photo by Todd Claunch.

We are not joking when we say one of the most special days of the year is April 1st.  The day our Queen Z joined the world.  Today Zenyatta turns 18 years old – Happy Birthday!  And, if you recall, Z gave us all a wonderful birthday surprise on this day 9 years ago when her 2nd colt, Ziconic was born.

We have a special party planned today and we hope to see you there!

Today at 2PM EST, @lanesendfarm will be streaming live Zenny’s Birthday Party on their Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/lanesendfarm See you there!

Remember, you can now purchase your 2021 Zenyatta Celebration sticker here to enter the raffle and be one of 10 lucky winners to visit Zenyatta at Lanes End Farm.

Zenyatta and Ziconic, April 2013. Photo by Alys Emson.
Ziconic, March 2022. Photo by Linda Moss

Reader Interactions

132 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL and DC:

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love and Hugs, JB🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

  4. / Reply

    Thank you for showing Zenyatta to the fans on her birthday. I have missed regular updates on her. She is so special and my favorite racehorse of all time.

  5. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Zenny and Zi.
    Hope you both enjoyed the birthday treats.
    Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos of the two. They look great!
    Love to all.

  6. / Reply

    So wonderful to see our precious Zenny and to recall the birth of Ziconic. We love you as much as ever, our Queen.

  9. / Reply

    Our Queen has 12 acres to roam, with a gal pal. Their barn is close and the Queen is still the boss mare of the two. Alys, filled us in on Zenyatta’s friend’s name, Mary Berry. She was included in the favorite cookie, Mrs. Pastures. I happen to know that Lava Man is fond of Mrs. Pastures as is all the ladies at MIMS. Too cute! The video will come around for folks’ that didn’t see it. I must say, Zenyatta looked mighty spiffy. Hungry as usual.

  10. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL and DC:

    Have a lovely evening and Happy Dreams. Love and Hugs, JB🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

  11. / Reply

    Sadly, I missed all the fun due to computer malfunctioning. Also, the post I tried to send from the library didn’t go through. So, here’s a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Zenyatta and Ziconic. Also, if you haven’t heard, SECRET OATH came in third in the Arkansas Derby. In fact, she almost pulled a Zenyatta and came from last to third. You could tell she was tiring but she gave it all she had. Hope she comes back okay. Good night and pleasant dreams.

  12. / Reply

    Hi everyone,
    Decided to wait with Hovis until after the Birthday celebration. Our boy is tired of Barbie Boy’s antics and plans some moves of his own😊
    https://secure.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hovis-friday-diary-seems-to-me-that-a-good-dose-of-moody-mare-is-needed-782353
    Still trying to digest the results of today’s races. Congratulations to White Abarrio, Tiz the Bomb, and Cyberknife Very disappointed about Classic Causeway, but maybe he hadn’t recovered enough from his last race. Secret Oath sure gave it her all even if she didn’t win. On to the Santa Anita Derby!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy:

      Thanks for our weekly Hovis update. Looking forward to reading about his plans.

      Only saw SO’s replay. Great effort from her. Will have to check out all the others. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy,
      Thank you for posting the weekly Hovis report!
      What would we do without the smiles and giggles he brings us?
      ❤️ 🥰 ❤️
      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Sandy,
      Thanks for Hovis. Love his cure for Putin’s madness!
      I was disappointed in Classic Causeway’s race but not ready to give up yet. Thrilled for Cyberknife since he was bred by the Ramseys whose farm is just a few miles from my home in Ky. I am no expert but think Secret Oath had a really bad trip. Oh well, another of our “boys” will hit the track at Santa Anita.

  13. / Reply

    Well, I’m two days late to the party. Would have loved to have seen it though. I’m sure it was awesome! So Happy Belated Birthday Zenyatta! Your one special racehorse. And thanks for sharing the updated picture of Ziconic! It’s neat to see how the family has progressed over the years.

  14. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL and DC:
    Thinking of you all so often and sending love your ways. I love hearing about you and seeing pictures and videos. Thanks Lane’s End for sharing and caring so well for our Queen Z.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Z-Fans,
    Did anyone hear of Un Ojo being injured in the Arkansas Derby yesterday?
    They mentioned an injury (on America’s Best Racing, FS-1 or FS-2) that he sustained when he came up through an opening on the rail. I think they said he bumped the rail and tore open the skin on his shoulder — he was taken back by his jockey. Hope it isn’t too serious. Power up, Un Ojo!!
    Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thanks for posting this happy foaling news. That is quite a gift (x2)
      from Gift Box — TWO colts!! So glad the foaling went smoothly, and Mama is well with healthy foals.
      Congrats to Villa d’Este, Gift Box and all at Coteau Grove!!
      Cheers and Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Marshall and Barbara:

      Double dose of cuteness. I thought Mama looked tired. Sounds like the owners are taking good care of her before she’s bred again.

      Barbara, hope you feel better soon. Love and Hugs to both of you, JB

      • / Reply

        The twins, how precious. Years ago a friend was surprised with twin foals. Dad was given a photo of them and proudly displayed it on his office desk. Such a miracle.
        Hope you get to feeling better, Barbara.

  21. / Reply

    Belated Birthday wishes for Zenyatta and Ziconic — I don’t do Facebook so I was unable to see the Lanes End post, but there were lots of twitter posts noting Z’s birthday. I loved seeing a current photo of Ziconic, I’ve always had a special affection for Z’s Red Prince!

    I sure wish the Forum would be restored — it was so informative and friendly — a great resource for past and current information on racing, breeding and thoroughbred history. It’s been down for “maintenance” since January!

    Betty in Tampa

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        Me too.

        Did you see the video I posted above of California Chrome listening to my ‘Old Kentucky Home’? Melts your heart. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Judy,
          I saw the video. Makes me sad too because I wish he and I could go home to Kentucky. He looks wonderful and they seem to really like him.

        • Dear Shirlee:

          Yes, I was thinking the same. He is well cared for.
          Hope he does come home some day. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thanks so much for posting this article about Un Ojo — happy to know he is okay after such a rough bumpy experience. Hope he continues to do well, too. Godspeed handsome boy!
      Thanks for the California Chrome post, too. He looks SO good!
      💕 💕 💕
      Hugs and Love

  23. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL and DC:

    Have a restful night and Happy Dreams. Love and Hugs, JB🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      So glad Mr. Raftary’s wonderful (and extensive) collection is in such safe and capable hands! Barbara Livingston is the perfect one to catalogue these priceless negatives thus giving life back to them and preserving them. Brava!!
      Hugs and Love

  25. / Reply

    Ok y’all, it is time to roll out the Tums and get ready for some special racing today and tomorrow. I always get nervous when my favs are running. Hope everyone picks lots of winners.

  26. / Reply

    Happy Friday everyone! I think the news from Hovis is quite similar to what we heard last week, but the poor fella was quite disappointed with his experience with poles that were meant to be jumped (not walked) over.
    https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hovis-friday-diary-i-only-spooked-at-two-things-things-that-were-real-and-things-that-were-not-783296
    As Shirlee noted above, an exciting and important day for racing tomorrow. Hope the weather improves at Keeneland, and we see a horse or two who looks like true Derby material 🤞🤞🤞🤞

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy,
      Once more Hovis has made me laugh! Humorous Hovis is very consistent — he always makes you smile. Poor guy, imagine how disappointing it is to think you are going to sail over obstacles, but then realize you can only walk over the poles on the ground. Sigh!!!
      Thanks Sandy❣️
      Hope everyone racing tomorrow will have safe trips!
      Hugs and Love 🥰

      • / Reply

        Dear Sandy:

        Thanks for our Friday Hovis update. As our Marshall said, he always makes me smile.

        Godspeed all tomorrow; safe and sound. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sandy,
      You know I am a sucker for the Curlins. Wow, Nest was something else! I think there is more talent in the fillies this year than the colts. Oaks should really be exciting.

  28. / Reply

    Oh my gosh! The racing at Oaklawn got off to a scary start with Race 1 today. It was a claiming race for mares/fillies 4yo. As they came around the last turn, Mostly Awesome (ridden by David Cabrera) clipped heels with Daigle (ridden by Chel-c Bailey) leading to what appeared to be a totally awful outcome. Apparently, Kelsi Harr aboard Daring was unseated, too.
    David Cabrera was taken to hospital, but he was conscious and coherent.
    Chel-c Bailey walked off the track without help as did Kelsi. Both horses (Mostly Awesome and Daigle) walked off, too. I am happy and amazed since I was certain that Mostly Awesome had suffered fatal injuries. Of course, they did not say anything about the horses — I located an article which reported that Cabrera was in good shape in the hospital, the other two jockeys walked away and the two horses who clipped heels walked off. What a relief!!
    Hope all is well with everyone involved.
    Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      That was an amazing run by Zandon for sure! Congrats to him and all connections!
      I must say that I was hoping Smile Happy would hold on to the wire, but it was certainly an exciting race.
      Glass Ceiling won today, and I was excited about that. Congrats to GC and all connections!
      Congrats to MoDonegal — what a finish!
      I will have to go to NYRA to check the race numbers — I just recognize the names of the horses right now and not the names of the stakes races.
      Hugs and Love❣️

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        Congrats to GC, Tabia and Mike and MoD too.

        So relieved to hear it appears all horses and jockeys involved in that Aqueduct race are OK.

        Nice effort by Smile Happy.

        Love and Hugs, JB

        • OOPs:

          Marshall, I stand corrected; that race was at Oaklawn, not Aqueduct. Sorry about that.

          Love and Hugs, JB

        • That’s okay JB — I just misspelled Taiba’s name!
          Apologies to Taiba! 😊

          Cheers and Hugs❣️

    • / Reply

      Congrats to Zandon and his team.
      After seeing Morello have that terrible break from the gate and then Zandon lagging behind, just about turned away. Well, slap me silly, never underestimate theses TBs. What a race!!! So proud of him. The Remsen was a good lesson for him. Soooo exciting. He and Mo will meet again.

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