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.
Crystal Harrison
Devastating loss to all. There are no words…. Please hug Zenyatta for all of us and give her our love :'(
Wendy Hervey
So sorry to hear that Z16 has passed. This is heartbreaking news. My condolences go out to the Mosses and Team Zenyatta and all involved. ?
Nancy
Maybe they can give her a nurse mate foal to fill her heart!o
Valarie
I’d be interested if they did that! If there was a foal that needed a mother it would make sense to me. But I don’t know how things work at the big farms and what would be better for Z.
Christine Brakman
Devastating and absolutely heartbreaking… <3 <3 <3
Cheryl Burge
So sorry for this loss. With love from a life-long horse racing fan in Minnesota, CB
Joan B
Sincerest condolences for the loss of this handsome little guy. Horses fill our hearts with joy and break our hearts to pieces. Relieved that Mom Z is okay… Wishing all better days ahead.
Debbie johnson
Ooh Mama Z, not again. I’ve seen this at my place. It hurts for a long time. Prayers for mama & family.
Pam
My heart is broken and tears are streaming. We all need a great big hug right now. I’m so grateful that Zenyatta is OK. I do worry about Zenny’s grief, though. Will she be looking for her baby?
Please let this be the end of all the tragedies surrounding Zenny!
To Mr. and Mrs. Moss….I can’t even imagine your sorrow at this time. I am so sorry.
Thank you for letting us be a part of Zenyatta’s life….the ups and the downs. I truly love your special girl and wish only the best for her.
LeslieA
Team Z: Words cannot express my sadness at this terrible, terrible news. My sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you all. May the presence of your beautiful Queen comfort you all….
Ann NC
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone, Team Z, LE, all caregivers and especially, Zenny, Ann and Jerry Moss.
RIP, baby boy, Z16.
Love and hugs.
Lynne
To Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End Farm
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of the little foal. I am sure
Zenyatta will be missing him for awhile. Maybe Zenyatta should have a year off from breeding for physical and mental rest, and then be bred to a different stallion.
Robin LOVES Zenyatta
We are all so devastated, so we cannot imagine the distress that all of Zenny’s humans are going through. Please know that we are sending positive thoughts and saying strong prayers for you all as you grieve. We all grieve in our own way.
All of you who are near our Queen – please give her lots of hugs and kisses for us – so that she knows she is surrounded by love.
Aphrodite
Our hearts are broken for all her connections. We shared your joy, and we feel your sorrow.
HeidiK, Vallejo,Ca
I am so sorry for the loss of the colt. I don’t know what else to say, I’m bawling.
Joanne Kraft
So very sorry to hear this. Deepest condolences to Team Zenyatta for this loss. He was a beautiful little foal.
Christine
I am beyond heartbroken for all. I don’t understand how God would help create such a beautiful baby boy & never give him a chance to run & play on this earth. I hope he’s enjoying life in heaven now with Z Princess. I wish I could comfort u Ann & Jerry and all at Lanes End. I hope Zenyatta can cope with her terrible loss. I will never forget his sweet face. No sleep tonight, & red, swolllen eyes for a long time to come. He touched us all.
cheryl
I am devastated and can’t imagine the grief the whole team is feeling. So sorry for all involved,especially Zenny and the Mosses. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs to you all.
Ellen
My deepest condolences to the Mosses, Team Z, Rood and Riddle, and Lane’s End. Hope Zenyatta is doing well. Lots of hugs to all.
Lisa
Mr. and Mrs. Moss,
I am so very sorry for the loss of this foal, I also own and breed and this has got to be one of the hardest things to deal with. I teach and have used Zenyatta in my writing projects. The students love to follow and learn about her. (Now they all want racehorses). We have followed her for the last two years I have been at this school.( I have followed her since the beginning) My students and I were very sad to hear of this today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lisa Bevill and her class
Marshall (NC Broad)
I am so sorry, and I feel so utterly helpless. Sending prayers of comfort and condolence to Ann and Jerry Moss, Team Z, Lane’s End and the staff at Rood and Riddle. My love and sympathy to Zenyatta most of all — she is such a loving and intelligent being, and I think she knows and grieves. Life is often too cruel, but be brave, sweetheart, and know how much we love you.
16Z, little one, our angel for less than three days, Heaven’s angel forever now. Z Princess and Steve welcome you. Rest in Peace, sweet baby.
Tearful Hugs and Love to all ?
Just_In
So sorry to hear this terrible news. My condolences to Zen, Mosses family, Lane’s End Team and all involved.
With love from a European horse racing fan.
Michelle Shawver
She is my favorite mare, so I must offer my condolences. Zenyatta was raised with love and it was obvious in the way she carried herself like a Princess. Let her know it was not her fault and that will make her feel better. So sorry for your loss.
Holly Schroeder
What on earth????? This is 2 in a row now???? Prayers going out to her owners and doctors…..and praying you all can figure this out quickly, so she is not subject to losing another one! And, of course, huge hugs and prayers for Zenyatta!
Diana Stuart
Such devastating news.
My heart aches for Ann and Jerry, all of Team Z, and Lane’s End.
A rotten twist of fate that the two beautiful War Front babies will race together through the heavens, and in our hearts . . . but never before our eyes.
I hope Zenny can be comforted as she looks for her missing baby.
diastu in tempe
Jody Lawrence
The tears are pouring today for Zenny and the Whole Team. He is with his big sis now, she is taking care of him. Please know how sorry I am, my deepest sympathy, prayers and condolences…we love you all and know he was in the best of care.
Ellen
Oh my goodness, no! Poor mama and all human friends involved. So very very sorry for your devastating loss.
Rose Jent
I am devastated by this 2nd baby losing his/her life at such a young age…So So sorry for Zenyatta and her team…I so hoped since they got mom and baby to hospital quickly they could heal him…..My sincerest condolences to the Moss’s and mama Zenyatta….My heart is heavy today…Such a sweet, adorable baby!!! I am sure owners will do what is best for mama Zenyatta..Yes she knows something is wrong, her baby is lost, but we humans are the ones who complicate things..Animals take nature as it comes..They grieve then they accept and move on…One day she will have another baby to love and pamper (hopefully with another stallion) not blaming War Front for an accident or an illness but I think after losing two of his babies, it is time to breed to another horse..WF is a fine animal just, perhaps, not a match for Zenyatta….May peace and comfort be with the Moss’s at this sad time……I know my heart is broken over this
Cheryl
How sad and terrible for all. I also have negative thoughts but keep them to my wondering mind! Everyone has been so kind and generous to share these private times so we should all be respectful. Ann I look at your pics and can only imagine your pain. You guys are the best always sharing and making us feel so involved. So we will take this sad news and may God bless each and everyone invovled and again my heart is so heavy with grief for Zenyatta
sremel9
“In one of those stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night. And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend…I shall not leave you.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Marshall (NC Broad)
So beautiful.
Thank you for this post.
Hugs
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Lovely.
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear sreme19:
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB
Stacey Streeter
Oh no! I am so sorry and saddened that this happened. Poor Zenyatta must be missing her baby. Geez, I am just heartbroken.
Lord, please take care of this special boy that was with us for such a short time. May he be by your side until we all meet again. Please give peace to all those that tend to Zenyatta and tried to save the baby. May God bless you all. Amen