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The Zenyatta statue will be unveiled in Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens area at noon (PDT), Saturday September 29. Watch the ceremony live here on Zenyatta.com courtesy of HRTV.
LEGENDARY MARE ZENYATTA TO BE HONORED FOR ALL-TIME WITH LIFE-SIZED STATUE IN SANTA ANITA’S PADDOCK GARDENS AREA, UNVEILING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 29
ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2012)—The legendary Zenyatta, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita and Horse of the Year in 2010, will be honored for all-time by Santa Anita Park as a life-sized statue of the great mare will be unveiled in Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens area on the first Saturday of Santa Anita’s upcoming Autumn Meet, on Sept. 29.
Zenyatta, who at the age of eight is currently enjoying her role as a broodmare at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky, will be joining two of the greatest horses of all-time, John Henry and Seabiscuit, as her statuary likeness will now join these legends of the American Turf adjacent to the track’s grandstand.
Named after The Police’s blockbuster album “Zenyatta Mondatta,” Zenyatta is owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Moss and his wife, Ann.
“Like the song written by Sting and performed by The Police, everything Zenyatta did here will always be magic for the entire Thoroughbred industry,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “Her win against the boys in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic is considered by many to be the greatest moment in Santa Anita history.”
The incomparable Zenyatta retired with a remarkable 19 wins from 20 career starts and $7,304,580 in earnings. Although she was defeated by a head in her final start, the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic, her stature as one of the sport’s all-time greats remained undiminished as she was voted the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year for 2010.
“The breadth of her accomplishments at Santa Anita alone is astonishing,” said Haines. “She won a total of seven races here, all stakes and six of them were in Grade I competition. Her story will forever resonate with our fans and we know we’ll have many thousands of people coming here over the years to admire her statue, which will be situated on south side of the Kingsbury Fountain, directly across from John Henry.”
Trained by John Shirreffs and ridden in her final 17 starts by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta made her third career start on Jan. 13, 2008, winning Santa Anita’s Grade II El Encino Stakes by 1 ¾ lengths under David Flores.
As was the case in her 2009 Classic victory, all nineteen of Zenyatta’s wins came in last-to-first fashion.
After winning the El Encino, Zenyatta’s subsequent Grade I wins at The Great Race Place came in the 2008 & ’09 Lady’s Secret Stakes, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, the 2009 Classic and the 2010 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap.
“We’d again like to thank the Mosses for running Zenyatta here and we look forward to welcoming them back as we again honor ‘the big mare’ on Sept. 29,” said Haines.
Sculpted by Nina Kaiser, who also created the statue of John Henry, Zenyatta’s likeness stands at her height of 17.2 hands, and weighs 1,200 pounds, which is approximately what Zenyatta weighed throughout her racing career. Commissioned by Santa Anita, the world-renowned Kaiser worked on the project for more than two years.
Santa Anita’s 2012 Autumn Meet gets underway on Friday, Sept. 28. For more information or to make dining and seating reservations, fans are encouraged to visit www.santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
Debbi M
Thank you again for thinking of all Zenyatta’s fans who can’t be there in person or who don’t have access to HRTV. You guys are a class act all around!
Marshall (NC broad)
How utterly exciting!! YAY, Zenyatta! Many thanks to Nina Kaiser and Santa Anita for this magnificent tribute to “our girl”, the amazing “Z”! What excellent company — she will be with Seabiscuit and John Henry.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Wish I could be there for the unveiling!
All the Best!
SuzCATX
So glad I’ll be able to watch via the web. Z’s team is first rate for setting this up for Zenyattas fans
Diana Stuart - Wish I Could Be There!
Dear Zenny,
I’m stuck here in AZ but happy all my SoCal Z Dumpling friends will be there to cheer the unveiling of your grand statue – and take lots of pictures! I will try to be near a computer to watch the live feed – what a wonderful idea!
All the best to Mr. & Mrs. Moss and all of Team Z, and Santa Anita for orchestrating this incredibly important event.
I’ll see all of you at the Breeders’ Cup!
diastu in tempe
signofthetimes; President of Texas RN Chapter
Diana,
Wish I could be there, too. Have fun California Dumplings, you are a great represetation for all of us. Get those hats, food etc…. What a great day for Santa Anita racing
in the great California Sun.
HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THIS GREAT EVENT !!!!!
Kathy R.
A message indicates that “this content is not available in your area due to rights restrictions”. I assume that means there is some problem (of whatever nature) in transmitting this into Australia? Oh well, if that is so, I’ll just wait patiently until the Team is able to provide images. Hope all goes well with the ceremony!
sheena.davies(wales)
dear kathy same message here over in the uk very disappointed!!hugs sheena
Kathy R.
Thanks for that Sheena: I agree, very disappointing, but thanks so much for your hugs, and I return them. I also enjoy your posts with Max!
Helen Donnelly (Michigan)
I will be glued to HRTV all day. Can’t wait for 3PM to roll around in Michigan. Got a tease yesterday as HRTV showed Zenyatta’s statue being placed (plastic wraps and all) very gingerly on her base. How much love that greatest race mare of all time has gathered from around the world. What a wonderful world it is to share memorable moments and honor the glorious creature. Bravo!
sheena.davies(wales)
dear kathy you are very welcome to my hugs i hope we will get images on the website of the statue am glad you like my posts with max!!am sure they will all have a great dayin santa anita when red rums statue was unveiled at aintree he was there at the ceremony pity Z is at home awaitng Z13! hugs sheenaX
Sue Fl CPRC
Thank you so much for allowing all of us that cannot be at the event to still be part of the festivities. It is just like the Z Team to think of the fans all over the world and give us this live feed to watch. Wink Wink maybe you could do this for the BC Z party too…
You guys are the best. We all love you for letting us be a part of the greatest Race Horse in a life time Zenyatta. Oh that little stinker the Prince is very special to all of us too.
Imagine if you will a row of statues Z and her Prince and Princesses all lined up at Santa Anita on display some day. we can dream
Celeste in TX
Thank you so very much for going way over above and beyond in sharing the wonderful Zenyatta with those of us who love her! This is another exceptional moment that you are generously creating for us to feel a part of also. It is just amazing, as is our Queen and everything about her. Thank you!! I cannot wait to see the statue unveiling and will be glued to this site as well at HRTV, my favorite racing channel!
Victoria
Once again, the gift of Zenyatta fills our hearts and spirits thanks to the ever totally unique and generous Mosses, Z Team and all those she touched or are and were a part of her extraordinary life. You thoughtfulness and caring continue to amaze. You have set the gold standard for all time for what the spirit of racing can be, from start to finish. Will be watching every second. Thank you.
Judy Sims in Florida
This is so fantastic for us devoted but far away fans of the “Queen” and all of Team Z.
You all are such a class act and such wonderful ambassadors and shining examples of the sport.
I feel so blessed to experience this once-in-a-lifetime horse.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of you that made this happen.
I can hardly wait until 3:00 EDT to tune in from Florida.
What a memorable day is it going to be.
Judy Sims
Pati- gradually losing sleep over BC!!!!!
Bah, rain delay at the show. :-( I hate waiting, it makes me more jittery.
Coco
This is awesome! Thanks guys!
Marty R / Colorado
Thank you so much to Team Z for thinking of us and for doing whatever work it took to make this possible. I will be here at 1:00 mountain time with my Zenyatta ornament in tow. (Hope I don’t wear off the paint) This is a moment in history and we’re invited. Thank you again.
Vickie Willmuth
Have web site up, alarm set on phone. I am CDT. Thanks for thinking of us and having the ceremony here for us to watch.
carol in utah/soon arkansas
thanks again for this site…i also do not get HRTV so this is a blessing…for those out of the country and cant get live feed because of “rights restrictions”…i have been having the same problem with newspaper article links from Australia…wont open…but this should get to youtube quickly…not the same as live feed better than photos…
also, say to Americain for us…heard he just arrived in your country…got to love those Dynaformers
Zenny…..eat exercise rest….keep spa date…mud bath today?
kisses for all soft noses worldwide….peppermints to all….
i wish POE and Little Mike were not in the same race…
Kathy R.
Carol: I’ll certainly send your best to Americain! He’s just wonderful and the way Stefanie Nigge looks after him is just delightful. I don’t know just what David Hayes did to the horse when he was left here in Australia originally, but he was like So You Think – not a happy camper at all. But his return to France and the surroundings he knows and loves seems to have done the trick. So I’m hoping he can come through well in the campaign. With regard to the newspaper article links not opening – is that happening when you go direct to the paper, or when you try to open them on the Forum headings! I’ve pasted quite a few on there, and would be disappointed if folk were not able to access them. Cheers from Canberra, Australia!
Stella Bagwell South Texas
Zenyatta with Seabiscuit and John Henry–now that is fitting! Can’t wait to see the beautiful statue and hope that someday I’ll get to view it in person.
Zenyatta defines horse racing and my family and I will always love, love, love her!
Stel
Shannon From Cool, CA
A historic day for all Zenyatta lovers. I’m so glad this is happening today instead of 25 years from now.
Would give anything to be there but will enjoy this broadcast instead.
Sue Fredrick Co-P WI Chapt.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU To the Mosses and LE and HRTV for letting us share this historical moment. For the last couple of days I’ve been brooding that I wouldn’t see the unveiling because I only get TVG. Now I can sit in my “Zen Den” with all my “Zen” souveniers and pictures and watch Our Queen immortalized with the great Seabiscuit and John Henry. She is my “horse of a lifetime” and this is a fitting end to her racing career which I shall always cherish.
Love, hugs, and abundant thanks to all who made this possible.
Auntie Sue
Keta
Team Zenyatta
Thank you and Jerry & Ann Moss for arranging this live feed.
For those who want to watch, it is my guess that the feed will be live
during the unveiling only. It is a special link.
If you try to access it before, you might get a restricted type message.
What a wonderful day for Zenyatta, racing, and Santa Anita!
Like Diana, I too wish I could be with all of you to share this incredible
experience.
Take lots of photos & give us a full report.
Happy Super Saturday!
Keta
Kathy R.
Keta: The no access message is still there, and no amount of clicking will open it up. No worries, the various links people have put up are terrific – while it was disappointing to find we couldn’t get it live out of the country, I’m just absolutely delighted with the idea of a live feed to you folk, and now to have seen the magnificent sculpture of Zenny!
Jan S. / Houston
Thanks so much Team Z for the opportunity for us to watch the great Zenyatta statue being unveiled. She means so much to all of us.
Keta
Belmont track update
NYRA tweet Happy Super Saturday!
The main track is GOOD and the turf is YIELDING to start the day at #BelmontPark. Races 1 and 4 are OFF the turf.
Gloria
You guys are so awesome to offer this to the fans! I’m going to be out there in the flesh and the heat (ugh!). Love to you guys!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thank you so much for letting those of us spread all over the country in on the fun today. Can’t wait till 2 P.M. central.
@sheena davies and Kathy R.–thank you so much for joining our group. Maybe you can catch it on YouTube very soon after? Hope so. Hugs.
Miserable rain here in TX today. We need the rain badly, and I am so thankful, but it makes it difficult when we are doctoring a horse twice a day.
AJ from CA
Nina Kaiser comments on Zenyatta statue:
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_21655473/santa-anita-parks-opening-day-draws-horse-photo?source=rss
signofthetimes; President of Texas RN Chapter
Nina Kaiser was on HRTV yesterday and gave a wonderful story of the commision,
her creations of the stautue (with the small bronze ones) as her “pilot”.
She is going to ask the Mosses about creating a bronze 12 Z to go with the Zenny
bronze. I know they had the Breyer created, but maybe ????
THANKS NINA FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE TB
INDUSTRY IN CREATING THIS STATUE AND THE WONDERFUL BRONZE ONE THAT I HAVE ON MY MANTEL.
TEDDY LOVES TO PLAY WITH “HER”.
sharon in seattle
to all who will be there today – LUCKY, LUCKY!! and have fun!! Can’t wait to see Z, John Henry and Seabiscuit again, soon I hope, as in BC time!!
The legacy of Zenyatta is immeasurable – she has brought all of us together and many great things have come of that collective energy. long live the Queen!!
Ann Maree / Tennessee
The feed is “live” now! This morning, as of 8:00 a.m. PDT. Just not much going on, yet. Reminds me of when I visited Churchill Downs the Thursday before the BC race on Saturday. Standing in the Silks Lounge porch, which overlooks the paddock area, everything was quiet, not much stirring around. Then later, when Zenyatta was schooling in a paddock stall, there were so many people hoping to catch a glimpse of our queen, it was an amazing site.
Here is a link to view a slideshow of my visit on Nov. 4, 2010. http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab279/deltalady01/Zenyatta/?albumview=slideshow
I had run into John in the paddock area, far outside the inner circle, and l grabbed his arm as he was passing by, introduced myself, and he very kindly took us to the “inside ring” directly opposite Zenyatta’s stall. I wanted to run up and fling my arms around her neck, but, of course, sanity prevailed and I kept my proper distance! Of couse, the two armed guards and Steve Willard made it more obvious this would not be a good idea!!
Hugs to all of Team Z, Lane’s End, and thanks to the folks at HRTV.
signofthetimes; President of Texas RN Chapter
THANKS FOR SHARING ANN MAREE,
PASSWORD ???
The feed has no audio, just picture of Santa Anita !!!
EVERYONE ENJOY THE DAY AT SANTA ANITA OR BELMONT; GREAT RACING.
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
Ann Marie; I don’t have a private password that is requested. It must have been soooooooo exciting for you. Sally B
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
BLESS YOUR HEARTS and thankyou so much Ann & Jerry and HRTV for allowing the fans who forever love Zenyatta , who can not be there personally, to see this unveiling of Zenyatta’s statue today at Noon!! This will be the most beautiful work of art I will see in my lifetime!!! Zenyatta IS the horse of my lifetime!
Sending love & kisses on Z’s soft nose; to 12z too. Auntie Sally