Our recent trip to Lane’s End was filled with lots of excitement, including the pleasure of being able to help present a donation to the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross. The donation came from the sale of one of Zenyatta’s halters by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. If you would like to join Zenyatta and Rood & Riddle by making a donation to the Red Cross’s disaster relief fund, click here.
Here is the story from Rood & Riddle:
April 2, 2012, Lexington, Kentucky –A recent eBay auction of a halter worn by 2010 Horse of the Year and legendary race mare Zenyatta brought a final bid of $6,712.50 in a fundraising effort for the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross. Zenyatta, along with owners Jerry and Ann Moss, and Rood & Riddle veterinarian Dr. Debbie Spike-Pierce, presented the check from the sale of her halter to the Red Cross at Lane’s End Farm on Monday.
“It’s a great tribute to her, and to racing fans to come up with this size of a check,” said Jerry Moss.
After fees, the Rood & Riddle Foundation was able to donate $6,478.84. Jerry and Ann Moss also made a generous personal contribution to the disaster relief fund.
“She’s always been so generous with all the people, dancing for them, and showing up for them … it’s nice that she can still contribute. As you can see, she really enjoys it,” agreed Ann Moss.
Zenyatta was famous in her days on the racetrack for her 17 consecutive victories in graded stakes events, including 13 grade one races, which inspired a legion of devoted fans the world over. Since her retirement in 2010, the mare has resided at Lane’s End Farm outside Lexington, where she gave birth to her first foal, a colt by Bernardini, on March 8.
Dr. Spike-Pierce purchased Zenyatta’s halter in 2011 at a fundraising event on behalf of the Foundation, which chose to put it up for auction for the Red Cross after a line of severe storms and tornadoes tore through Kentucky in early March, destroying homes and farms, killing 21 residents.
“I guess you could be surprised [about the price it brought], but with it being Zenyatta and the absolute superstar she was on the racetrack, I wasn’t,” said Spike-Pierce. “We’re so excited to be able to give the money to areas that were so devastatingly hit. We’re excited we could be part of all this … and that Zenyatta could be too.”
Red Cross director of development Winn Stephens says the organization is thrilled to accept the donation, particularly given its unique origins.
“It’s been really amazing for us, because we’re providing services to Kentuckians, and this fundraiser is an only-in-Kentucky kind of thing,” said Stephens.
The money will go to the Red Cross’s disaster relief fund, which is used after natural disasters for both immediate needs like getting supplies to first-responders and individuals, and long-term needs such as financial aid to victims, cleaning materials and other supplies.
Sue MacGray
Good for Zenyatta and the Mosses! It’s fantastic that they continue to give to deserving charities. Zenyatta has staying power off the track, too!
signofthetimes
GO GO GO ZENNY: EAT THAT CHECK !!!!!
signofthetimes
Love those ears !!!!
Listening everywhere like radar !!!
Terri Z
What a personality our Queen has. I just love this video as she is such a ham and a showgirl. She is truly one of a kind and a very old soul at that.
I would love to see a video with her and the animal psychic who used to be on Animal Planet. I’ll bet you she would teach us all quite a few lessons.
A past life reading for Zenny would be really cool too.
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi – What a wonderful story – the pics are great – God bless the Zenyatta team for always being so generous to so many charities.
Kathy R. Canberra Oz.
What a wonderful story to start the day – God bless to all involved!
Vickie A Dana Point Ca
Zenyatta continues to contribute! This is another example of the class shown by the Mosses. Nice video too!
Lauren
What a lovely story. Mr. and Mrs. Moss, you guys are the greatest!!! You are so kind and so wonderful to so many charities and the love you show Zenyatta and Baby Z is so evident!! I am so thankful that you share this with all of us.
Last night I watched a replay of the Breeders Cup on TVG. All I can say is AMAZING.
Hugs and kisses!!
maryp
This is such a great tribute to the great mare and to the people who think so much of her. It is fortunate for Kentucky to have her there as an inspiration to help where help is needed. Bravo to Jerry and Ann Moss who keep her in touch with us!
Candi E. Carter
The great Zenyatta are always philantrophies.
Michelle Carter
This is great. Zenyatta and her colt are amazing
Peg
What a wonderful way for her to contribute. Thanks for allowing Zenyatta to be a part of our lives. It says a lot about her owners for sharing her. She does seem it enjoy it all. Her solt looks amazing. Hope he has her personality.’
Memento Vivere
Congrats! So happy with the outcome !!
Kathy S.
Very heartwarming! It is SO IMPORTANT to give back. Hats off to the Mosses for their generosity.
signofthetimes
They do have $$$$$ BILLIONS !!!!!
Terry Crow
I hear that it is only 998 million.
Jamie Smith
Thanks to “Team Zenyatta” for all you do. Much Love.
Jill in FL.
What a great story! Thanks for the pictures of her and her beautiful colt! They are both so great to see…
Wendy Treadaway
Thank you for posting this wonderful story and PICTURES!!
Mary Margaret in Georgia
Congrats to everyone. The Queen and the Prince look fantastic. It appears both mares and their babies are getting along quite nicely. Those babies are so cute. I never get tired of looking at anything Zenyatta does or her colt. She is definitely one in a million. Hugs and kisses to all those mommies and baies.
Ann
Sharing the LOVE. Thanks to the Z team.
Keta
What a great story!
I’m going to contribute.
High hooves, Z to you and your team!
♥ ♥ ♥
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Yippee! A new blog entry. I love the part in the video with Zenny holding up her end of the check! Too cute. Always helping out.
signofthetimes
More like EATING the CHECK !!!!
Terry Crow
If Zenny had been able to eat the check, I wonder who would have been in charge of cashing it.
Max
Zenyatta and her colt look very well. The young 12Z walks just like his mother. He is growing up quickly. Z is obviously an excellent mom.
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
Thank you Zenyatta, the Moss’s and Lane’s End. We love all things Zenyatta. A great cause. The video is cute. I love the one picture, ( there are so many places to go now I can’t remember where I saw it) Zenny was chewing on the check.
Great way to start a Monday. I’m sure you also heard the good news of your favorite jockey Mike. Still miss you so much at the racetrack, but you are so happy now in your new life as a Mom. Mother’s Day is around the corner!!!!
Take care all.
Brenda in TX
Another thanks to her wonderful owners for letting her keep lending her name to such wonderful charities – What a beautiful mama & baby and such a joy to see them together – thank you Jerry & Ann …
Terry Crow
For those of you who wanted me to post my Kurt Russell story, it is at the end of the last blog entry. Enjoy.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Great to have you back, TC.
signofthetimes
Thanks TC: hope you had a great EASTER !!!
Terry Crow
I did, Thank you, sign.
Trisha from VA
Great story and so good to see our girl. There is only one thing
OUR GIRL WON 19 out of 20 races not 17!
Let’s not short change our Queen.
She has always been giving .
Miss you Zenyatta
Love, hugs and kisses
Eveline / Maryland.
Absolutely !!!
Zenyen
She won 17 GRADED stakes races. That is what they are mean by the 17.
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
That is so very true. I was recalling that Mike Smith was her jockey for all but 2. Thank you though for clarifying the issue. I believe Dave Flores rode the other 2 times she won.
signofthetimes
First one was a Maiden Allowance, second one was not graded either.
Jan S. / Houston
Zenyatta: Always giving and so generously. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Moss for the pics and video. Z and 12Z look really good and healthy. Lots of love & kisses coming you’re way Ms. Z and baby Z. xoxo
Jenna
Zenyatta is a godsend!
Sue Noel/Sun Valley,ID
What a wonderful story!! Queen Z just keeps on giving!!
Have been very remiss in posting. The last couple of weeks have been extremely eventful.
Many of you have read about Traveler and Casey, my friends’ horses. Casey,you may remember was the one I have been madly in love with since he came into our lives at age 19 almost a year ago. He looked like Zenny with even the two back white socks! Last week,one morning,when the ranch manager went out to give him his early morning grain,he found him asleep forever in his pasture. He looked very peaceful and it seems as though he fell asleep next to Traveler and wole up on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge!! I miss him so much and cried buckets for several days,but I know he had some of the best times of his life this past year. He was spoiled rotten and constantly told how much he was loved. His mom provided everything he could want or need and he had many admirers who doted on him.I have to keep remembering how lucky we all were to know him at all and how much joy we found in sharing this time of his life. He was buried on the beautiful ranch and Saturday I took flowers and the ranch manager took them out to his grave for me.
There is really something so true about the circle of life!! Some of you may remember my writing about one of the horses we helped Marlene save looking like my Barnaby,a horse II had about 20 years ago. You can see him on her website on the part called Call to Action. He’s number 5 and she actually named him Barnaby. Here’s the amazing Circle of Life part—–due to some miraculous events which I can’t completely go into, he is going to be my horse!!!!! Can ‘t even believe it,I am SO happy. He is ,hopefully,going to be picked up today (weather has been holding this up as Donner Pass,which the shippers have to go over,as they are picking up other horses coming here first on the other side,has been a problem.) He should,if all goes well,arrive in our valley tonight to stay at another ranch for the night and be trailered to his new home tomorrow!! Keep your fingers crossed –I sure am!! I am over the moon about this,as you can imagine–it will all seem like a dream until I can put my arms around his neck and hug him like crazy and assure him that he is really home!!!
This is,as you can imagine,a dream come through for me and I have to be thankful for several guardian angels,both here on earth,and,I’m sure,some up above, who are helping to make this happen!!
Both my friend Sue and I have been amazed at the timing of all this. Although Barnaby has been on the horizon for a couple of weeks,isn’t it amazing that he is due to actually arrive right at the time that we have just lost Casey?? Although no one can ever actually replace another,the joy in having him arrive will help lessen the grief over our loss,and he will now be a new friend for Traveler and will share a pasture with her after he is out of about a 10 day “quara
ntine” at the ranch. Hopefully they will love each other as she and Casey did from day one! Will keep you posted on how this all goes!!
Absolutely loved all the pics and all about Z’s birthday!! How wonderful to see her responding to all the festivities–what a blessed and happy girl she is! Her little Prince is so sweet–I can almost feel what it would be like to hug him,the photos are so great. He seems to have such confidence already –and to be really interested in the camera and his people!!
Hope everyone had a really Happy Easter and that spring is really here where you are–it has been late in showing up here,but my bulbs are starting to show a little green now! Yay!!
Eveline / Maryland.
Great story Sue, good luck with Barnaby || .
Max
Sue. I am sorry for your loss. It is very painful to lose a friend with such a character as your Casey. But it is so wonderful about welcoming Barnaby. I hope that everything has worked out for him and for you. Please keep us informed when you can about him. Sometimes life can bring you some sunshine even after such a painful loss. Here is hoping that it has for you.
Jeanie
Sue,
I am so happy one of Marlene’s rescues brought a new love into your life. Hopefully he will help with the loss of Casey and be Traveler’s new best friend. I truly believe there is no such thing as an unwanted horse and you just reaffirmed that for me. Hugs to you and your fur babies.
Jeanie
Keta
What a beautiful story about endings & beginnings!
Truly the circle of life.
There are no coincidences.
Please keep us posted.
Hugs, Keta
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Dear Sue, Condolences on losing Casey, and congratulations on getting Barnaby! This is heartwarming indeed…Love in Dumplinghood, Trina
Sharonatlanta
What a wonderful story about you’re getting Barnaby. Reminds me of Joan Pitt and her RT who she rescued from an irresponsbile owner who raced him until both of his front legs were just about gone. Joan got him and he is now at Remember Me being treated for his legs. He will never be ridden, just loved and pampered for the rest of his days. I love these stories. Thanks for telling us.
Shari Voltz from Ohio
Dear Sue what a beautiful story. May Casey run forever at Rainbow Bridge. May God Bless your new angel. Your in my thoughts and prayers, Shari
DebbieG
Beautiful story, Sue. Thanks for sharing.
signofthetimes
It is so wonderful when they sleep away in their favorite pasture, but sad.
Enjoy your new Barnaby !!!!
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin- Elated
Sue Noel,
Sorry to hear you lost your wonderful Casey……he sounds like he was quite a guy. I hope your Barnaby can help fill the gap in your heart, and you’ve rescued another horse. God Bless you! Hugs Sue
Terri Z
I’m sorry for your loss and I am sure you are glad Casey went so peacefully. Good luck with Barnaby, Sometimes there are no mistakes in the universe. The circle of life goes on. Your kindness and good works have come back to you. Best wishes, Terri
Jeanie
I need to defend my GIRL. Rood and Riddle is WRONG. She had 19 consecutive victories — not 17. HOW ABOUT A CORRECTION!
j
Sandy
Jeanie, they’re correct in saying that Z won 17 consecutive GRADED STAKES.
Jeanie
I didn’t respond correctly. My error. Didn’t read this carefully enough. Thanks.
T.Buck/Texas
Zenny has really had an impact on many people around the world as I can mine too especially since her colt was born on my birthday I lve you Zenny and little zenny
Sue Noel/Sun Valley,ID
Oooops!! Fumble fingers again!! I meant woke–not wole!!
Keta
Had to share this story & photos.
Kentucky Horse Park tweeted
Endearing photos of wild stallion rescuing filly from drowning
Wild horse photographed rescuing another horse from drowning in Arizona
Stallion named ‘Champ’ grabbed filly by neck and dragged her to safety
http://www.rgj.com/videonetwork/1549681230001/Wild-horse-photographed-rescuing-another-horse-from-drowning-in-Arizona
Janey Boyd
Amazing,but not surprised.Horses are so loving and have such loyalty!!thank you for the video. And a big thank you to the Moss’s and Queen Z for all you continue to do.
Keta
Janey–agree to all-Keta
Barbara Wood (Texas)
I just saw that–fantastic!
Keta
Yeah–Champ!!!
Max
Keta. Wonderful video. If I ever go swimming, I want Champ to go along with me. He is a hero. A very smart horse.
Keta
Me too, Max.
It was so incredible that he saw the filly go underwater & knew what
to do when she surfaced.
Creeks & rivers run fast this time of year due to snow melt
This was so special
I knew all of you would appreciate as much as I did.
Hugs, Keta
Max
Keta. The really interesting part is that Champ acted right away, knew exactly what to do, and he made certain that the filly got back to shore safely. Horses are wonderful creatures of God, as Sign said elsewhere on this blog. I always enjoy your posts, so keep them coming.
signofthetimes
WOW, what an amazing moment; Wild horses and their herd; the stallion’s job is protect
the herd and he did. How very special to see this acted out in the wild. Thanks for sharing.
Keta
Sign–quite a moment to be caught on film! Knew you would like it.!
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin- Elated
Keta,
Thanks for the amazing video, I couldn’t believe my eyes! So glad that park ranger was there to record the stallions quick thinking. I enjoying her remarks at the end too! Hugs Sue
Keta
Glad you caught that.
I did too!!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks, that really got to me. The look on Champ’s face, very kind, an old soul. Thanks, Keta.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
This was absolutely fantastic and it is wonderful that Zenyatta is continuing to assist and help bring up funds for organizations and etc that are in need. Zenyatta and her connections are great and are truly appreciated for all that they do for others out there in our world.
Sending Love & Blessings to Zenyatta, her little prince and their connections!