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.
Ingrid Arnone
My dear Judy B, my sincerely condolence, and all my love in this moment, my prayers are with you and your beloved Russ. Hugs Ingrid.
Jan S. / Houston
Dearest Judy,
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your beloved husband Russ.
Many prayers and thoughts coming your way.
Carole Klumb #42 / Eagle, WI
Judy, so sorry for the loss of your husband. Words cannot express your loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Carole
JAG / L♥VE Auntie Judy / So. CA
High Hoof! Congrats to the highest bidder – worthy cause!
Zenny, your halter would look lovely next to my John Henry halter (wink wink) ;-P
I wish ALL owners had the class your Mommy and Daddy show year in and year out. Sorry, without mentioning names, some of them are an embarrassment to racing :-(
I miss you, My Queen! Sending a big {{hug}} and peppermint kisses to you and Baby 12 Z xoxoxoxo
Love Always and Forever,
Auntie Judy
JAG / L♥VE Auntie Judy / So. CA
p.s. Congratulations to YOUR ♥ MIKEY! It was an exciting to see him win his 5,000th up and close and personal!! HIGH HOOF!!
It was almost (repeat, “almost”) as exciting as seeing him win with YOU in the 2009 BC Classic! :-)
JAG / L♥VE Auntie Judy / So. CA
Judy Berube
I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved husband, Russ. My ♥ breaks for you.
Rest in peace, Russ – God bless you always.
Terry Crow
Judy-I lit a candle for Russ. Words cannot properly convey my thoughts at this time. Russ is the second celestial member that the club has.
Terry Crow
I kept the candle burning.
JAG / L♥VE Auntie Judy / So. CA
Thanks, Terry
I’ve not been able to lite one until tonight…
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
So awesome! thanks for the video got to see more of your baby!! FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
Terry Crow
OK, here is a combination horse and cowboy joke, more cowboy than horse. It is a golden oldie. The first time I heard it is was about Clinton but I am substituting the present chief executive. A man was drinking in a bar in Texas when he saw President Obama on TV. He said, very loudly, “That guy is s horse’s behind.” A cowboy sitting on the other end of the bar got lout of his seat, came over, and knocked the man off his seat. Picking himself up, he then noticed that Michelle Obama was on TV. “She’s a horse’s behind, too,” the man yelled. A cowboy sitting at the other end of the bar got up and knocked him off his stool. It took the man awhile, but he finally struggled up and sat on his seat. The man turned to the bartender and said “Wow. This must be Obama country.” “Nope,” said the bartender. “Horse country.” Bonus redneck jokes-You might be a redneck if your smile resembles a broken windowpane. You might be a redneck if you ever rolled over in bed and started a lawn mower. You might be a redneck if you have ever ridden a bicycle without a seat. You might be a redneck if your grandma gave you a wedding present wrapped in Christmas paper.
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin- Elated
You crack me up……love it!!!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks, Terry, I like that “Horse country”. I cannot say what you might be if you rode a bicycle without a seat, for very long. Maybe “in trouble” is the best way to put it.
signofthetimes
Love the Texas, Cowboy, horse joke; great end of the day humor.
Marshall (NC broad)
Terry,
Great jokes! You always can lighten things up! “Horse country”, LOL!!!
Darlene Daniels
Terry. Great jokes! Riding without a bicycle seat, OUCH!!!
Darlene Daniels
P.S. Terry. You might be a redneck if your Aunt and Uncle ever gave you a wedding gift 3 years after the wedding because they wanted to make sure the marriage was going to take.
Terry Crow
Thank you all for your kind words. Darlene-Sounds like you speak from experience. Hang the gift in the outhouse.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Darlene and Terry—You two are too cute!
Rose Cola
Wonderful achievement! What a wonderful thing the Mosses and Zenyatta did for the folks in need in Kentucky. Great people and a great mare doing a really great thing!
DebbieG
Thank you, Barbara, for letting us know about Russ. I hate to hear this. Judy is such a dear, sweet, caring person. I feel just awful for her. I’m sending prayers her way. And thank you, Trina, for the candles.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Dear Judy, Vic and I send our deepest condolences to you at this very sad time. Words cannot really express our feelings. Many horsey hugs to comfort you.
Linda Edwards in NJ
Hi Zenny: What a wonderful story!!! It is so nice that YOU and YOUR Mr. and Mrs. Moss are so thoughtful and generous supporting the good works of this fundraising event. The tornados were so devastating and horrific for so many people.
Linda Edwards in NJ
Dear Judy Berube: My deepest condolences to you and your family during this very
sad time.
Kim S in Tampa FL
Zenny, just loved the pictures and video. Lil Z is just TOO CUTE, but that’s not surprising. Kudos to Jerry and Ann for their generosity.
Lotsa love to all
Kim S in Tampa FL
Sue Noel–sorry to hear about Casey but so glad for Barnaby getting you as his human.
Terry Crow–love, love, love the jokes. Going to go read your Kurt Russell story, he’s always been one of my favorites.
Rosemary McCauley–belated Happy Birthday
Trina–again, another wonderful poem
Darlene Daniels–Thinking and praying for you
Shari Voltz–Go Mistletoe Go!!
Good thoughts and prayers for everyone. Lotsa love to all.
Darlene Daniels
Thank you Kim. I really appreciate your caring.
Terry Crow
If you ever get a chance to meet him, you will not be disappointed. He knows what it is like to have nothing.
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hello again QUEEN Z…once again you are in the thick of things, as well you should be. LOVED that video and hearing your Ann and Jerry talk about YOU and your Prince.
@Barbara and all of the dumplings, I am so sorry to learn of Judy’s husband, Russ. As with the rest of you I send my condolences to her and her family. Thanks for that message Barbara.
I thought I wanted to comment on some other things, but I need to re-group. Hope I do not lose sight/track of this diary, as I have with some recent others. I did see the birthday “cake” one and commented on what a great party you all had, Z! Yum!
Hi Terry Crow!
Now, time permitting I want to scroll through again. Need time to read/view it all.
:-)
Terry Crow
Anne-You don’t visit often enough. Have always enjoyed your company at the track.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Dear all: I want to just mention that Judy’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, people could make donations to St. Jude’s. I don’t anyone to feel like he/she has to, but everyone seems to want to “do something”, so that is why I’m mentioning it here. I don’t want anyone to feel left out who might want to participate.
She is such a big part of our Z-family, I thought it should be mentioned. Big hugs to you all.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks, Barbara.
Anne from Paramount, CA
One more item for now: listening to a traffic report on the way to work this morning the reporter referenced a “slow down” on the 210 at Santa Anita and told everyone in that vicinity to “hold their horses.” Wiithout missing a beat he went on to other traffic concerns. Made me smile–not an easy thing for me at 7:15 or so! :-)
signofthetimes
How cute Anne; and how appropriate for an area around Santa Anita,
the great race place.
Darlene Daniels
Anne. Too Cute. And as I remember my visit to Santa Anita, it was Well worth whatever traffic jams one may encounter. Anxiously awaiting going to Santa Anita again, but dont have a clue when that will be, as I have many stokes in the fire.
JAG / L♥VE Auntie Judy / So. CA
:-D
signofthetimes
Just watched Clinton Anderson re break an of the track TB; Tricky on this show for the last 14 weeks; what an awesome trainer and Tricky is a lovely dark bay gelding;
he looks like a “giraffe” with long legs and neck as Clinton says, who prefers his 14.1 quarter horses. “The best horses are quarter horses” he says. But we all know differently !!!!
Tricky is going to be an eventing horse he has a lovely long stride and is a very brave
jumper. A young girl in KY bought him. How very wonderful to see a race horse
get a second career.
Emma
Is that Tasty and her foal in the pictures?
Marshall (NC broad)
Emma,
No, that isn’t Tasty Temptation. Zenny and 12Z have new paddock friends now.
Spooky Minister and her Candy Ride colt, 12SM, are paddock companions of Zenyatta and little Z. Tasty’s foal was not born soon enough to be in with our Queen’s foal.
Also, as it turned out, they would not have been together anyway since TT did not take kindly to being a mother. Her colt is being raised by a nursemare. He is doing well with his adopted mama. It is hoped that Tasty will react better to the next foal whenever that may be.
Cheers!
Marshall (NC broad)
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, Rosemary! Hope you had a wonderful day and are blessed with many more!
Great poem for Rosemary, Trina! So nice to learn about our Z fans.
Terry Crow
Agree. Rosemary is a remarkable person, worthy of respect.
Madison
Congrats Zenny we luv u so much and this is why. It’s great to see u and ur new paddock mates getting along although I think u miss ur old friend Tasty Temtation. Does any one know if Tasty has foaled yet, all I know is that she is in foal by Candy Ride
Madison
That’s very unfortunate that Tasty and her colt and Zenyatta with her colt couldn’t be together. I hope Tasty turns out alright without her foal by herside. I wonder how her colt will turn out as well. We all know Zenyatta luvs her foal so much. All parents luv their children so I hope Tasty and her next foal can be together.
Darlene Daniels
Dearest Judy Berube,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Russ. My heart breaks for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers as well as many others here in Zenyatta land. You and Russ have been such an integral part of all the friendship and goodness we have all found on this website. Even though we have never met I can tell you are such a lovely and kindhearted woman through all you tender and wonderful posts. I am very pleased to consider you my friend. Please remember how many of us care about you and are grieving with you. I also believe if you give your pain to God, He will lift you up and comfort you. God Bless you.
Darlene Daniels
Keta
There’s an App for that!
Horse Races NOW! App Launched
By Blood-Horse Staff
Updated: Thursday, April 5, 2012 1:28 PM
Kenny and Sue McPeek, past winners of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award, announced the launch of their iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch application Horse Races NOW!
The app was created to provide comprehensive horse racing video and data for new fans and veteran horseplayers, according to the couple. The mobile version is being offered free for a limited time.
Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/68653/horse-races-now-app-launched#ixzz1rkJoW200
Karen Gogue / L♥ve m♥mma and b♥by!
DUH!! I’m sorry, didn’t realize you posted this already! I must read all the way through! LOL!
Shari Voltz\Ohio
Dear Judy Berube,
I am so sorry to hear about your dear husband Russ. You are in my prayers. Just know my thoughts are with you. Love, Shari
Shari Voltz\Ohio
Hi Z Family I just wanted to let you all know that I am using an article about Zenyatta and Baby Z in class to reinforce fact and opinion questions. We will read the article and the children have to figure out which sentences are facts and which ones are opinions about our Queen. I am trying to reinforce some language arts skills for their OAA Test in two weeks. I got the article from the DRF Weekend paper. My uncle sent it to me. The children love anything about Zenyatta or the other horses. What is cute is they will ask me why I don’t have an article about Mistletoe. They think Madame Mistletoe is like Zenyatta. I just know our Queen would understand. Just this morning two of my boys said they had Uncle Mo pencils ( Blue & Orange ). I hope everyone has a good day. Shari : )
@ Kim S in Flordia thank you for the cheer for Mistletoe !
RUN MISTLETOE RUN !!!!!!!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
That is excellent. My reading class had the hardest time distinguishing between fact and opinion. And that is so important. Stroke of genius on your part to use Z. as a teaching model!
Especially Horses / Southern California
Shari,
You are just fabulous! Of course, just my opinion, but the facts would back me up.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Cute one, Especially Horses!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
High hoof, Shari! And run, Mistletoe, run!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Judy Berube,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sandy
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Judy Berube — Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Richard and Carole
maryp
Dear Judy Berube, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Russ. Loving memories will carry you through and faith will lift you up. Prayers and blessings to you and yours.
carol in utah
Just watched Mistletoe race…she is so beautiful and tries so hard…but did not win this one…good job trying
Max
Carol in utah. Where did Mistletoe place?
carol in utah
Hi max
she was in the middle most of the race…but faded at the end to last …
Max
carol in utah. I guess that everyone cannot be like Zenyatta. Maybe she will have better luck in future races. We will have to support her and hope for the best. Go Mistletoe, and keep going forward next time.
Terry Crow
Mistletoe was on the inside almost the whole race and did not appear to like it there. Her last race was on a sloppy track. This is the type of horse that you can really cash a big bet on. She can run, but just make sure it is not on an off track or that she has an inside post position.
Keta
Terry,
Read the charts and I wondered if she was pulled up.
Definitely last but the wording made me wonder.
If you saw the race, did you see anything unusual at the finish?
Keta
Terry Crow
It looked like the jock just wisely eased her when she was hopelessly beaten. I do not know who the jockey was but it was a wise move. These riders who keep whipping a horse when they have no chance of finishing in the money are a disgrace. It may also be that Misteltoe simply did not like the Oaklawn track.
Keta
Here is the exact wording from the Footnotes
MADAME MISTLETOE gave way after a half
Keta
Thanks Terry.
My concern was that she was injured.
Just not her day.
Keta
Terry Crow
The DRF footnotes describe it as well as anyone can. As I said before, the rider did not persevere with her. If you are going to finish farther back than 5th, it really doesn’t matter where you finish. This horse has talent, though.