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Zenyatta halter raises over $6,400 for Bluegrass Red Cross

From left to right: Dr. Spike-Pierce, Zenyatta, Ann Moss, Wynn Stephens, Jerry Moss. Photo by Kyle Acebo

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.

Z was thrilled by the size of the check. Photo by Kyle Acebo.

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.

Reader Interactions

701 Comments

  1. / Reply

    @Judy Berube–I’m so glad to see you here to see all the love poured out for you from the family of Z. I know you feel like half your heart is missing. I know I would, You were always about “we”, not 2 separate people. Big, big hugs, love and prayers. I’m so glad Russ could be a part of all this too.

    • / Reply

      JAG,
      Thanks for that link! What a brave and caring 15 year old! She did a fantastic job to rescue as many horses as she did. Hope they locate the three that ran away.
      I think Madison deserves special recognition for her selfless acts of heroism.
      Take care and lots of hugs!

  3. / Reply

    My heartfelt thanks to all who commented about Barnaby ( full name, Barnaby John,just like Barnaby I ). He is truly a miracle horse in so many ways I’ve got to figure out a way to scan some pictures of him on to the computer one of these days!! (I am such a computer dunce—and don’t have a digital camera,but my friend Sue does,so maybe we can work it out somehow).

    I would love for you all to see him–the picture on Marlene’s website is cute,but it doesn’t do him justice (as she said). I think he is very majestic–he has a lot of spunk. The first night he was here and was down at my friend’s ranch,waiting to go to the Susie Q (great ranch name for MY horse,don’t you think?) the horse in the next pen over got jealous because Barnaby was getting so many treats and reached over and bit him on the neck! You should have seen Barnaby—he squealed like mad and reared up to his full height (which seemed like about 10 feet!! The other one reared up too and they were momentarily facing each other at full height over the top of the pens!!! It was scary as they could have hurt themselves but they came back down and were both OK. He definitely has spirit–he was not going to stand for being picked on!

    Only an hour to go and I’ll be on the road to go see him!! Oh boy,oh boy!!Stay tuned!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue,
      How very very funny. I took Jethro to a show and he was put in a stall right in front of
      a very animated problem causing stallion. He also reared up and despite the fact
      he had been a gelding for a number of years, he still showed that stallion he was still and man and they met reared up in the air as well.

      We moved him to another more peaceful stall. Sounds like you are having fun.
      Look forward to the photos.
      XXXXOOOO

    • / Reply

      Sue Noel Great story. This horse is going to be a source of great happiness for you. If you keep telling these stories on the blog, it will also be a source of happiness for all of us. I hope for many updates on this love story.

  4. / Reply

    Dear Barbara Grimaldi,
    Thank you so very much for taking the time to travel to Rhode Island and provide
    our dear Judy Berube, support from the Zenyatta Dumplings/fans at Russ’s funeral.
    So very touched and moved that you did that and if I lived closer I would have
    joined you. You represented all of us to one of our very special family members.
    Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Signofthetimes, I will like to do the same, but in this moment, I am looking to buy a new apartment, our dear Judy knows that our love and prayers in this hour of pain are only for her. Hugs Ingrid.

    • / Reply

      Yes, thank you, Barbara Grimaldi, for making that four-hour-each-way trip to give love and support to our dear Judy. Bless you!

  5. / Reply

    @Sue Noel–I love the story about Barnaby. Isn’t he the one Marlene described as a tank? Too cute. One time our Money bit his neighbor, Joey, on the nose because Joey tried to reach Money’s food. We don’t call him “Mr. M. with the munching mouth” for nothing.
    @Terry Crow–in no way can I compete on redneck jokes, but I heard one that I thought was funny. You may be a redneck if you receive an invitation designated “formal”, and in your mind, that means “wearing shoes”. You may have even done that one before.
    @Dawn Conrad–Is your mom doing ok?

  6. / Reply

    Terry: What song is it that containst the lyrics “It never rains in Southern California”? Whoever wrote that song is all wet (pun intended).

  8. / Reply

    @Judy Berube – Thank you for taking the time to post. I know that couldn’t have been easy. You have been on my mind and in my prayers. Your Z family is always here for you. Hugs, Debbie

    • / Reply

      You guys are all very funny. The one joke similar to that one Barbara is from Hee Haw. Yes, I watched it and enjoyed it. a couple of hicks were lounging on hay bales. One hick says to the other “You going to the dance Saturday night?” “Yep.” says the second hick. First hick-“you taking a bath?” “Nope,” said the second hick. “IT aint formal.”

    • / Reply

      Keta. Thank you for this link. I am in the Union Rags cheering section for the Derby.
      I love him and I love his story. Good luck to his owner for her loyalty to him. She believes in that colt. It is not a business for her. I understand that Rags is 17h like our Zenyatta, so that he takes some time to close. Go Rags.

      As for Sue Noel, it is heart warming to see her love for Barnaby. I hope that she continues to tell us about him.

    • / Reply

      Keta, Thank you for this love story of Union Rags. I do not have TVG or HGTV but I have followed him with the Bloodhorse magazine. I just love looking at him. He has heart and power for sure. He is just so handsome too.

  10. / Reply

    Dear all: several mentioned earlier that you were intrigued by the story of the stallion saving the filly from the swollen river. (At least I think it was here). Today’s entry in Horse and Man (www.horseandman.com) has “the restof the story” with pictures.

    • / Reply

      Hi Barbara,
      I posted the link to the stallion saving the filly from a newspaper article.
      Thank you for posting the rest of the story.
      Champ is such a good name for this horse.
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Ah, I love it, Karen! Great article on Manure! which I have always liked the smell of, especially as it wafts in off the farms out in the Central valley, over Hwy 5 or 99, when I’ve been driving up north. As a kid, we went every other weekend to my Aunt & Uncle’s house, at the corner of a big cow pasture in Artesia, which was dairy country then in So.Cal. As an adult, I have often been gardening and composting — both aerobic & anaerobic (Phew-Wee, is right), and laying down steer manure on vegetable beds.

      In fact, for anyone who doesn’t yet know, there are wonderful items paying homage to horse manure, at hoofprints.com — their “The Little Book of Horse Poop” has a little of the same info as on the link-page you posted. (http://www.hoofprints.com/horsemanure.html)

      And you probably remember the oft-told story that when someone asked President Harry Truman’s wife, Bess, if she could make him stop using the word “manure”, she replied, “Heavens no. It took me 25 years to get him to say ‘manure.'”

  16. / Reply

    Hi Z’sters, we will be heading south for a week and will have limited access to a computer. We will miss our daily check-ins and especially the wonderful links shared here. Karen, we hate to read that Secretariat’s birthplace will be auctioned. It seems as if it’s another sign of the times…sigh.
    Zenny, if you are peeping in here we hope you and little Z enjoy the coming week and work on giving us a video or two of you romping in the paddock. We can never get enough of you!

  18. / Reply

    A Birthday Poem for Pam Homeier
    (April 14, 2012)

    Our dear Pam
    Is a great racing fan
    And has the horses followed
    Since back in the fifties
    When first TV did allow
    The country to see
    The Run
    For the Roses.
    Back then Pam found it nifty
    And fun
    To bet with her dad,
    And one supposes
    She was only a little bit sad
    If her favorite didn’t come in
    For the win—
    To her dad she did yield
    The whole rest of the field!
    Now Pam
    Is a huge fan
    Not only of Z
    (And of other horses,
    Too, of course,
    Such as Hansen and Union Rags),
    But also of the Shirreff’s darling Sophie,
    That white ball of fluff
    Who puts joyous tailwags
    On display.
    And for Pam it’s not enough
    ONE such canine to have for her own–
    No, she has TWO at home
    That she does adore–
    Just like Sophie in fact,
    Except that they’re black!
    Yes, Pam’s dogs are both mini poodles
    With ever so clever noodles,
    And for them a favorite thing
    Is competing for awards bling
    In the obedience ring.
    Dear Pam, to you we say
    Happy birthday today
    And we hope you have oodles
    Of good times in store!
    Happy birthday, dear Pam, and many, many more!

    • / Reply

      Happy Birthday, Pam! Hope it’s a good year for you!

      Thanks for your continued gifts of poetry — another great job, Trina!

    • / Reply

      Dear Pam Homeier, I am so sorry that your state Kansas and the plains states in general have been suffering such terrible tornadoes this weekend. I hope you and yours have escaped damage, and I offer prayers and condolences to the families and loved ones of those poor souls in Oklahoma who perished.

  19. / Reply

    Good morning all, and Happy Birthday dear Pam! Hope it is wonderful for you! Trina–you outdo yourself every time.
    Until we got our Daisy, I wasn’t aware how much it adds to a “single” dog’s life to have a companion. Mommy and Daddy are great, but a fellow canine works even better. The male/female combo works so well for us. Of course, they are both “fixed”.

  20. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Pam. I love your birthday poem; Trina never fails to amaze me with her talent.

    I love poodles. A poodle, Teddy, was my family’s first dog. I was the child in the family who begged for a dog and not just any dog, I wanted a poodle. One day my dad came home with a little ball of black fur and it was love at first sight. Now all these years latter I’m fortunate to love and have the companionship of rescue dog – he is all white and is a Korean Jindo mix (it’s a bit of a telling of how I ended up with this dog, I’ll save for another time). This morning I put on the snow boots and snow jacket and we went out walking in his favorite type of weather…cold and snowy. He’s an old guy now, 13, but the snow seems to energize him and though it was cold outside seeing him run and leap for joy warmed my heart. His name is Archie, but most of the time you can hear me saying “Baby Dog, are you ready for a walk?” Oh the things dog lovers say and do for their four legged friends.

    • / Reply

      Wow. running and leaping at thirteen is wonderful! I’ll be looking forward to reading more of Archie’s story…And thank you for your kind words for my poems.

    • / Reply

      Especially Horses,
      I am energized by snow, too, just as your Archie is! I have an 11 year old “Baby Dog”, also. Reilly is a Lab-mix adopted from the shelter and is the smartest dog I have ever had! I have a Chow-mix named Huey who is very sweet, and they are good brother-buddies. Huey was on his third name when I adopted him from a rescue group so I thought we should keep that moniker. Love my doggies!
      Look forward to hearing more about Archie!

    • / Reply

      I need a little help here from you horse people. WHAT is he doing? Is this how horses “stretch” or is he trying to figure out “grazing” or . . . ?????

      • / Reply

        Sandy,
        My guess is he is trying to figure out grazing.
        Someone (may have been Sign) said foals quite often lie down to graze
        when they are very small.
        So, this may be the next step.
        We’ll see what the experts say.
        Have a great weekend!

      • / Reply

        Isn’t he adorable!!!! Sandy, since his legs are so long, he has to bend or spread his front legs to graze. He looks like he’s praying! LOL Tooo Cute for words!

    • / Reply

      I agree it looks like stretching… and then, “While I’m down here, might as well eat a bit.” Or could it be, “I’m bracing myself, so I can pull up this ONE very resistant clump!”

    • / Reply

      Keta,
      He is so cute! I’ve heard of horses coming from the backstretch, but maybe he’s practicing to go right to the ‘frontstretch’. I’m just kidding about the frontstretch, but you just never know. Zenny liked to come from the back. Will have to go back and see how Bernardini raced – from the back or right to the front. Maybe someone will post about this. What a cute photo.

  22. / Reply

    Frankel Update
    From Twitter: BBC reporting Frankel “may not race again”.
    Later Tweet

    Tom Hall‏@lordatwar
    Per Racing Post, Juddmonte’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe has confirmed rumors untrue:
    Frankel has not been retired

  24. / Reply

    @Rosemary McCauley, yes that Souplantation is the one near Lakewood Mall. Their “theme” for April is lemon, which added a nice taste so some dishes.:-)

    @Recent birthday people: Rosemary, Lou, Virginia and Pam: hope each of you had a very special day! :-) Hope I did not miss anyone!

    More again…want to review some of the videos. Happy weekend to all dumplings, equine and human!! That was some RAIN yesterday–fortunately the torrential stuff stopped before I left work, so I drove home okay. Hope those of you in tornado territory are okay!!!!

  25. / Reply

    I am on my way out and may not be able to post tomorrow. So, here is a horse vignette, a cowboy joke and some redneck jokes. “Dogs have best friends. Horse have staff.” –anon. A cowboy appears before St Peter at the pearly gates. “have you ever done anything of particular merit?” asked St. Peter. “W,ell, I can think of one thing,” said the cowboy. “On a trip to the black hills I came upon a group of bikers who were threatening a young lady. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn’t listen. so, I approached the largest of the bunch and smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring and told him to back off.” St. Peter was impressed. “When did this happen?” he asked. The cowboy replied, “Just a few minutes ago.” You might be a redneck if you wear the same shoes your dog dragged into the yard. You might be a redneck if there is a plunger in your outhouse. You might be a redneck if your idea of foreplay involved sweeping the cockroaches off the bed. You might be a redneck if you own a membership to the chaw of the month club. You might be a redneck if you’ve ever taken a bath using flea and tick soap. You might be a redneck if there is a gun rack on your bicycle.

  26. / Reply

    This is a video of the English Grand National which was run today

    It was a photo finish and was won by the gray Neptune Collonges. Although exciting, it is also disturbing to see the number of horses who fell during this race. So dedicated are these wonderful creatures that most of them just kept racing without their riders. Sadly two horses sustained very serious injuries which resulted in their deaths. Very sad to see this.

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

    • / Reply

      I have to say, Max, that was incredible! Unbelievable! I have never seen such a race, where half the riders are unseated, and a quarter of the horses continue on their own — some going with the hurdles for awhile, some “taking the easy way” around them. I had no idea. Awful that two horses didn’t survive. I’m amazed they can continue holding such races, in spite of all the falls. Like an automobile demolition derby, except these are horses & people! Amazing. I would think they’d be more frightened.

      • / Reply

        Vicki B. I was astonished myself by the sheer number of horses in the race and the number who fell and still continued on without riders. The race is 4 miles and 4 furlongs. These horses are just incredible athletes. Neptune is the first gray to win. He is 11. At first I thought that Tasty Temptation had won. He looks just like her.

        • Wow, Max, that’s even more amazing! I thought a couple of miles, as it seemed to go on forever, but well over 4, and then 11 yrs. old — thoroughly mature. I don’t want our horses hurt, but what a strange racing business we have in the U.S., with horses so often “retiring” at 2 & 3, and seemingly overall, they are more fragile with time, not running as much or with as much weight as in the past, so apparently less stamina. Something quite different here about the development of the industry.

        • Yeah, I noticed the similarilty to Tasty, too, Max. TT certainly captured our attention, but then really has blazed a different trail from Z, hasn’t she?

        • Vicki B. Here is an article with the comments of the owner of one of the horses, According to Al, who died after the Grand National. He says that he will not race any of his horses again in that particular race. The owner of the winner said that he had had concerns about racing Neptune at all. Both his wife and daughter were against it. He said that the happiest moment of the race for him was seeing the horse clear the last fence and come home safely. This is a very long and tough race. Apparently, the authorities will look again at more safety measures, such as fewer entries, but risks will still be there. These horses are delicate creatures even if they look big and formidable.

          http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-17719966

        • Vicki B. That Tasty is an independent kind of horse who takes the path less travelled. The maternal instincts just did not kick in with her. I would have thought that all of that time with the Queen would have had an effect on her to imitate Z, but Tasty instead goes in the opposite direction and rejects her beautiful foal. I am still interested in TT and I would like to know how her colt is doing. He looked very handsome as a newborn. I was glad to see that his step mom was attentive to him.

  28. / Reply

    My Dear Z Family

    Debbie G., Sign, Barb W., Anne from Paramount, Sally B., Deborah R., Sue Noel, Ashton, Louise C., Maryp, The Kennedy’s, Sandy, Shari V., Darlene D., Linda E., JAG, Ingrid Arnone, Terri Z, Terry Crow, Dawn Conrad, Max, Marshall, Kim S., Sharon in Seattle, Peggy N., Leslie R., Keta, Especially Horses, Sue F., Karen G., Susan C., Trina N. and so many more of you I consider my Z Family:

    Thank you all so much for your friendship and kind words for me and my Russ. He did not feel any pain and he died peacefully. I am trying to adjust and see to everything that needs to be done. All of you have given me the strength I need to cope at this time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have my wonderful family and all of you for support. Means so much. You are some of the kindest people I have ever known.
    I hope all of you are doing well.

    Ashton, I think of you and your Moma often.

    Dawn C., I hope your mother is feeling better.

    Barbara (Skip) Grimaldi:
    All I can say is Thank You for making the trip from New Jersey to Rhode Island for Russ’ service. The whole family was just amazed at your making the trip. Thank you again.

    • / Reply

      Aww sweets – anything for you …. and yes, a big shout out for Skip, Barbara, for going and taking all of us with her for you and Russ.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      YOU are one of the kindest people I have ever met! It was wonderful of Barbara to go to the funeral and represent all of us, that was truly a hearfelt gesture. I would have come myself if I lived closer. You mean a lot to our group on this diary and I certainly hope, when you have the desire, you will continue to post……I always enjoy them so much. God Bless you and your family. Hugs Sue

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      So glad to see you posting, a very special
      Friend to us. Thoughts prayers always with
      You and your Russ.
      XXXXOOO

    • / Reply

      Dearest Judy, You are always in our thoughts and hearts. Thank you so much for posting. We’re all wishing you the strength and spirit of Zenyatta as you again take up the reins of life.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      It is so thoughtful of you to share your heartache will us here. You are such a kind woman. It was so good of Barbara to go to be there for you. Keeping you in my prayers.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy: So nice to hear from you. I will continue to keep you in my prayers during this difficult time.

    • / Reply

      Judy – so thoughtful of YOU to be thinking of us. We’re glad that you’re “back” here with your Z family and hope that we can continue to support you.
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Judy B. Glad to hear from you. I hope that you are doing a little better with each passing day. Know that you are in our thoughts.

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