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Zenyatta’s 2016 Foal Has Passed Away

Photo: Kyle Acebo for Team Zenyatta
Zenyatta’s 2016 colt by War Front has passed. He was born on April 10, 2016. Photo: Kyle Acebo for Team Zenyatta

VERSAILLES, KY — (April 13, 2016) It is with heavy hearts that Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End Farm must announce the passing of Zenyatta’s 2016 foal by War Front. His death occurred at approximately 9:00 am this morning due to complications of meconium aspiration syndrome. We express our deep gratitude to Dr. Peter Morresey and the professionals at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital who worked tirelessly to support the mare and foal. Zenyatta is in good health and back home at Lane’s End Farm.

Update — 5:30 pm
Zenyatta has returned to the field that is her original home at Lane’s End. She has been paired with the mare Vixana, who is also owned by Jerry and Ann Moss. Zenyatta and Vixana are the same age, and they trained together under John Shirreffs at Barn 55. The two are becoming reacquainted and have already shared a drink at the water bowl.

Zenyatta, turned out with Vixana, Ann Moss by her side.
Zenyatta, turned out with Vixana, Ann Moss by her side.

Reader Interactions

676 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Thank you for that beautiful and heartfelt poem. I can’t think of anything any warmer to express my sadness and love. Dear Zennie: Please remember how you loved him all the time you carried him; and how you caressed and cherished him when you could finally feel and see his countenance. We all love you and grieve with you; and we will all eventually heal, as we hope you will too.

  3. / Reply

    So very, very sorry for the loss. My heart hurts for Zenyatta and her family, especially Ann. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad that Zenyatta is ok.
    Hugs,
    Jane

  4. / Reply

    Today horrible news made me think of a beautiful poem of loss at a young age. No, this colt never proved his athletic prowess nor legacy. But no one is assured of being able to do that in life. Here is the poem:

    To an Athlete Dying Young

    By A. E. Housman

    The time you won your town the race

    We chaired you through the market-place;

    Man and boy stood cheering by,

    And home we brought you shoulder-high.

    Today, the road all runners come,

    Shoulder-high we bring you home,

    And set you at your threshold down,

    Townsman of a stiller town.

    Smart lad, to slip betimes away

    From fields where glory does not stay,

    And early though the laurel grows

    It withers quicker than the rose.

    Eyes the shady night has shut

    Cannot see the record cut,

    And silence sounds no worse than cheers

    After earth has stopped the ears.

    Now you will not swell the rout

    Of lads that wore their honours out,

    Runners whom renown outran

    And the name died before the man.

    So set, before its echoes fade,

    The fleet foot on the sill of shade,

    And hold to the low lintel up

    The still-defended challenge-cup.

    And round that early-laurelled head

    Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,

    And find unwithered on its curls

    The garland briefer than a girl’s.

  5. / Reply

    So very sorry for this great loss. I am heartbroken. I know the veterinary staff did all they could. I am keeping our beloved Zenyatta, the Mosses, and everyone everywhere
    who loves Zenyatta in my thoughts and prayers.

  6. / Reply

    Such heartbreaking news. I send deepest condolences to Ann and Jerry Moss, Zenyatta’s wonderful owners, and to the entire Z team on the passing of this beautiful little foal.

  7. / Reply

    I am saddened beyond words by this news.

    I have lost a lot of friends to cancer, and I keep this quote framed on my wall.
    It’s from a book called “The Little Prince,” by Antoine de Saint Exupery.

    In one of the stars I shall be living.
    In one of them I shall be laughing.
    And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night…

    There’s more if you look it up online, this quote has always given me peace

  8. / Reply

    It is really sad to read this.

    You have invested so much Love in this little guy already, even before he was born.
    Heartfelt condolences from afar!

    Nicolette
    (Germany)

  10. / Reply

    Such a sad shock to see this. Run free with your beautiful sister over the Rainbow. Tears and hugs for Z and the Mosses and everybody involved. So sad.

  11. / Reply

    So very sorry for Zenyatta, the Mosses, and the team at Lane’s End. We saw the bouquets accumulate on her statue at Santa Anita after her little girl passed. Many of us were in tears. She is still so loved…

  12. / Reply

    Julie Hertz you used all the right words in your comment. Your love and sadness were beautifully expressed.Zenny I along with your many fans wish you and Team Z and the staff at Lane’s End lots of love and hope your sad heart will have less pain as each day arrives. Thank you so much for keeping us informed Once in a while please give Zenyatta a hug and kiss from us. I love you Zenny. Sending prayers.xoxoxo. ,Donna

  13. / Reply

    So very sad to see this first thing this morning. I can hardly wrap my head around it. Just doesn’t seem fair. All my deepest condolences to the Mosses, the Lanes End people and all us who love Zenyatta with every breath of our being. Hopefully you will have another that you can love unconditionally. My heart breaks for you and I know you feel this loss also. Sweet Zenyatta…..

  14. / Reply

    It breaks my heart to hear this news rip little boy and praying to st Francis for this boy, my prayers for zenyatta as she goes on without her baby and for team zenyatta . run free little colt with your big sister up across the rainbow bridge. So so ? sad .

  15. / Reply

    To Zenyatta, the Mosses and the entire Zenyatta team,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with all of you. He was the most beautiful baby; we will always remember that beautiful little face.

  17. / Reply

    I am emerging from “lurking” mode to share my heartfelt sense of loss as you all so beautifully have expressed. My heart just breaks for the Mosses, especially Ann, and all who work so hard to care so deeply for Zenny. I don’t know how horses grieve, but I am sure that Zenny will somehow provide the comfort and strength that her people need right now. She’s a champion in every way. Tears won’t stop flowing…

  18. / Reply

    To all of Team Z and the staff at Lane’s End….
    Words cannot express my sadness; for Zenyatta, and for all of you. Please know that all of Zenyatta’s fans are keeping you in our thoughts. And, thank you to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for taking care of Zennyatta and foal.

    A lovely poem by by Brenda Riley-Seymore…..

    Don’t cry for the horses that life has set free.
    A million white horses forever to be.
    Don’t cry for the horses now in God’s hand.
    As they dance and they prance in a heavenly band.
    They were ours as a gift, but never to keep.
    As they close their eyes forever to sleep.
    Their spirits unbound. On silver wings they fly.
    A million white horses against the blue sky.
    Look up into heaven, you’ll see them above.
    The horses we lost, the horses we loved.
    Manes and tails flowing they gallop through time.
    They were never yours – they were never mine.
    Don’t cry for the horses. They’ll be back someday.
    When our time is gone, they will show us the way.
    Do you hear that soft nicker? Close to your ear?
    Don’t cry for the horses. Love the ones that are here.

  19. / Reply

    I cry for all of you as I read of this sad news. Stay strong in your faith. Thank God Zenyatta is safe. She has to be sad. I love her. The colt was beautiful. You are all in my prayers.

  20. / Reply

    Oh my God- first the tragic death of her filly and now this… I don’t know what to say.

    It is beyond belief. My condolences to the the Mosses, the staff at Rod and Riddle, Land’s end and of course, Zenyatta.

  21. / Reply

    I was so concerned when Zenyatta and baby left for the hospital. Sooo sorry the little
    guy died. Very difficult to treat meconium fluid inhalation with a good result. I hope he
    his suffering was minor.

  24. / Reply

    I have already posted my condolences, I am so sorry for this terrible loss.
    I read that Z Princess crashed into another horse and broke her back and now this beautiful colt didn’t stand a chance with this condition.

    I wonder if anyone knows if this would have happened if he had been born on his due date two weeks earlier, I know human babies are at higher risk when they are overdue.

    Do they induce horses like humans, I just feel in my gut that if he had been born on time this may not have happened.

    Please don’t think I am being critical of anyone I am just trying to understand if things had been done differently.

    Also I wish the Mosses would pick another stallion, I don’t think I could face another foal from the same stallion after what has happened, but obviously they will do what they think is best for Zenyatta.

    Humbly Donna.

    • / Reply

      Horses are not induced like humans. Occasionally it happens (special circumstances or irresponsible vets), but it is not standard practice (and for good reason). Determining a foal’s point of development is not nearly as easy as it is in humans, so inducing puts you at risk of having a foal born whose lungs are not mature enough yet. Due dates in horses are more a range vs. a set date. 342 days is average, but anything from 335 to 360 is considered within normal range, and even pregnancies outside of those ranges aren’t abnormal. I’ve got a mare that routinely foals at around 330. I’ve got another mare who routinely foals at 360 (and has gone as far as 380 before). Essentially, a foal will be born when it’s fully developed and ready to be born.

      You don’t induce mares except in very extreme special circumstances – it’s not safe for the baby or the mare. Inducing a mare before she is ready to foal is pretty much a guarantee that her milk supply is not ready to support a foal. Her milk will come in, but baby will miss out on the needed colostrum and will require supplementation along with plasma and/or other supportive care to make up for not getting what it needed from the mare (and may still be at higher risk for developing fatal infections in its early days due to a compromised immune system). You also have the very real risk of a baby who is not in the correct position to be born (which can mean anything from just presenting backward to trying to come out while still folded up – requiring major intervention or even a c-section to get the foal out safely). Inducing a mare also puts you at much higher risk of a red bag delivery (where the placenta presents before the foal, meaning it is partially/fully detached and the baby is deprived of oxygen during the birthing process – some red bag babies die immediately, others are “dummy foals” that may or may not recover after intense care). You also increase the chances of a mare hemorrhaging post foaling, which is often a fatal complication for the mare, even in the best of care.

      There are specific instances where mares might be induced (the one I have seen most frequently is when a mare has had multiple natural red bag deliveries and it is imperative that veterinary care be available at foaling), but you always wait until the tests that can be performed on the mare’s milk indicate that she is within 24 hours of foaling naturally. That helps to ensure the baby is fully developed and the mare’s milk/colostrum are in and ready to support a baby. There are still risks, but inducing within hours of when the mare would foal anyway does decrease those risks (but obviously that would not come into play in the type of situation you’re talking about). Inducing a mare simply because she is overdue is simply not done, both for the safety of the mare and the baby.

      What happened with this foal is unfortunately just one of those things that happens. Being “overdue” likely had nothing to do with it (especially as she was well within the “normal” gestation range regardless.

  25. / Reply

    Dear Zenny, Ann and Jerry and all of Team Z,

    Sometimes in a lifetime.
    We’re lead to question “why”,
    Why is life so fleeting,
    It’s hard to say goodbye.
    This newest Prince was here and gone,
    Oh, those calm, sweet eyes,
    Revealed the beauty of his being,
    He was a cherished prize.
    To have had him for a little while,
    Is better than not at all,
    God mastered His perfection,
    In this special one …so small.
    So now he runs with Grandma V,
    Street Cry is up there, too,
    And the precious Little Princess,
    Will show him what to do.
    Run among the clouds, sweet Prince,
    Please know that we down here,
    Found in you a joy and love,
    Worth every mournful tear.

    I am praying for the Mosses, especially Ann, who shares a unique bond with Zenny and her offspring.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue/VA,
      Thank you for this lovely poem. It is a wonderful tribute and a beautiful expression of love and sad farewell.
      RIP Sweet Z Angel boy

      Hugs and Love

  26. / Reply

    At the risk of leaving someone out by naming names, MANY THANKS to all those who wrote or shared the lovely poems. As Judy B said above, it is very difficult to grieve alone, and it seems as though many of us are in a situation where we have no close family members or friends who understand EXCEPT for our wonderful Z family here. Some of us are good with words and others aren’t . . . . so we share as we always have.

    • / Reply

      Today is Super Hero Day at School. I have my shirt on with Zenyatta of course. When we just got into the classroom one little girl asked if the baby had been born. I logged in and saw the her colt’s face and read he had passed. I just got tears and said, “no.” I walked around and showed the kids his precious face. I feel so sad. I met Ziconic at Lane’s End for the Zenyatta celebration. She was in foal to Warfront with the filly. I am so sad.

      She is my hero along with Team Z and all the fans. I wake up to Zenyatta with photos on both sides of the bed and Two framed ones above. I love you Zenyatta!

      I’m am very sorry for how her connections must feel. My prayers go out to all of you and the fans as well!

    • / Reply

      4/14
      I just read the news at a Starbucks in Medford, OR. Tears came as I said, aloud, “OH NO, OH, NO!” My heart goes out to the Mosses and to all the fans of our great mare. Anyone who loves an animal and wants only the best for that creature knows the heart ache when that animal passes.
      May the recently passed foal be romping gaily with Princess Z in heavenly pastures.

      Holding all in my heart and my prayers

      GM

    • / Reply

      This is so heartbreaking. Such a beautiful colt. I’m sure Zenyatta is grieving too. Such a loss for such a great horse and her connections. I hope the future is much brighter for her and her future babies. The Mosses are wonderful, caring people. This must be so painful for them too. RIP little one.

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