Happy Friday!
Zenyatta’s first filly was weaned last week. Everything went well, and they are both happily adjusting to independence. Z Princess, now in a new barn and paddock, is quite at home with her familiar group of foals. We’re excited to see this little one grow up!
Meanwhile, Zenyatta has been relaxing with her fellow mares and even hosting some special guests. A crew from NBC came to visit The Queen yesterday. We don’t want to give away any secrets, but we can share this cute shot of Zenyatta giving them some help!
Enjoy!
-Team Z
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Continued prayers for Dubai,hopefully he is improving.Good news from Nissy,Anderson has finally come downstairs and is on the Chesterfield in the family room.Looks as if he’s landed on all 4 paws there!Love and hugs to you LM PC HT Dubai Frank Hercules Boo and all the Sweeties.SheenaX
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Thank you. That’s great news about Anderson. Love and Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood
Dear all: I just read what may be a rumor that Cigar died today. Does anyone have any information on this? I have checked several sites and found nothing. Hope it isn’t true. Hugs to all.
carol in arkansas
I saw this just now also….am starting to look for any information
Debbie G/Kentucky
Oh no Barbara, I pray that’s not true. I know when I went to the Horse Park two weeks ago he wasn’t doing very well.
carol in arkansas
I have checked everywhere i can think of and have found nothing….
KathyR
Have searched Downunder and found nothing.
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Barbara, Oh, no I hope he is okay.
Thanks for the info.
Hugs Ingrid.
Debbie
I was on another site and also saw this report but not verified yet. what i read was that he is having spinal problems.
SallyB.(AuntiecherishesZandheryoung)
I hope you are wrong Barbara!
Dear Sweet Zenyatta, I love you and I wish I could be with you
kisses to you and your young,
Auntie Sally B
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Z fans, this link is about,
Game on Dude and Amazombie!
http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/Bluegrass/Game_On_Dude_Amazombie_arrive_at_Old_Friends_123#
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Ingrid:
Thank you for this great article with photos. So happy for these two Beauties. They will have lots of visitors at Old Friends. Love and Hugs, JB
shirleeinindy
Ingrid,
Thanks for the article and pictures of these two grand geldings. So happy they will live out their long lives there at Old Friends where they will be loved and cared for. Hopefully, this will influence other owners to send their retired horses there.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Judy
OMG,, How did I miss this. Night Prowler, has had his first race. And, I missed it. He came in 3ld. at Belmont Park on Sept. l3th . He’s trained by Chad Brown and was ridden in that race by Javiar Costellano.. Maybe he’ll race again soon. I hope so. He’s owned by his breeder Paul Pompa, so Judy we must have been right that he didn’t sell.. Just love this boy. And, he has been Gelded. So maybe that accounts for some of the time he appeared to have gone off the radar.
We got another gorgeous Chestclub member. And he’s only 2. Just love this boy. He’s sure in my prayers to do well I want to cover my eyes, though with the two year olds.
Let’s see its Aqueduct after Belmont right.. Sure don’t want to lose track of him again.
Oops can’t forget Gulfstream. Wonder if he would go there too.
So happy I found him.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Peggy:
Congrats to Night Prowler on his third place finish first time out. Wishing him all the very best. According to his chart, he closed really well only a length and a quarter behind the winner. He’s got a good trainer in Chad Brown too. Love and Hugs, JB
Bluegrass Girl
Dubai Racing Channel on Wed. Oct.8 2014
The first ever @DWC_Meydan winner, Cigar, has died at the age of 24
after complications from surgery. #RIP
Brett Williams Wed. Oct.8 2014
Sad to hear that the 1996 (first ever) Dubai World Cup winner, Cigar has died after surgery complications. One of the better DWC winners.
Bluegrass Girl
Cigar – 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic + Post Race & Interviews
Published on Aug 31, 2012 Horse Racing
Cigar rolled majestically, historically to his 12th straight victory yesterday when he won the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in the mud at Belmont Park by two and a half lengths over L’Carriere, clinched the title of Horse of the Year and completed one of the most dominating seasons in modern racing.
“He’s done everything to rank him with the all-time greats,” said Bill Mott, who trains the 5-year-old bay for Allen Paulson. “He is a super horse.”
Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar in every race during this year, ended the season with a winning streak of his own: He has won the last three Classics and four of the last five. And he lavished praise on his horse, the grandson of the great Seattle Slew, after he rode back to the winner’s circle to lusty cheering from the crowd of 37,246.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpxswmD1LKM
Bluegrass Girl
RIP Cigar
“Incomparable, Invincible, Unbeatable”
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
Indeed! That is my favorite race call by Tom Durkin. Love and Hugs, JB
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Rest In Peace Beautiful Cigar. You are ONE OF THE BEST. Love and Hugs, JB
HeidiK, Vallejo,Ca
I have no words just, tears running down my face. He was the Zenyatta of the 90’s. Great great champion! He had a great life at KHP and was so loved and adored. We will forever miss you Cigar! RIP
Kathy
October 8 Cherokee Devotional
Mark Twain said he never let his schooling interfere with his education. Nor should we. Education is not a degree or a result of money. It comes from sifting experience for wisdom and knowledge. It shows in how we communicate it to other people. Sequoyah was an illiterate Cherokee genius. He learned the white man had way of preserving his thoughts on paper, and from the depths of his own mind and spirit, he made a whole tribe literate by perfecting a syllabary-ti ga lo qua s to di-to help the Cherokee advance quickly. One man’s love and wisdom gave him insight to open the minds of his people so they could write, read the Scriptures, and learn the marvels of Greek, Latin, and calculus. He called it the “talking leaf.” But he gave us more than that-he gave us impetus to search our own minds for gems from the Great Spirit.
It is my wish and the wishes of my people to live peaceably and quietly with you and yours.
Cornplanter
Kathy
So sad to read about Cigar’s passing. One of the GREATS. RIP.
lauraj_cincinnati
It’s certainly possible, but I’ll wait to hear an official statement from a reliable source.
carol in arkansas
RIP…..I was so afraid the reports last evening were true…but hoped against hope they were not…
report I read this morning stated he died of complications following surgery….
what surgery?
….
kisses for all the soft noses everywhere….and buckets of carrots for Zombie and mints for the Dude….read somewhere he likes those better….
sheena.davies(wales)
So sad to hear of the passing of a much-loved racehorse the incomparable Cigar.Rest in Peace beautiful boy.Hugs Sheena.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.I got to SEE you on Zoe’s page,you are a very attractive lady!!I can’t seem to access Marty’s messages today but can see his photos and he’s having a great abventure in space also saw the “blood moon”!We are having very heavy showers here today and some rumbles of thunder.Mango raised all the money for Cindy’s cart!and they hope to put videos up of her using it.I hope Mango has a walk-in wardrobe for all the clothes she’s getting,lots more onesies yesterday!She’ll be the best-dressed dog in the whole of the US.Fubu was also a lucky boy getting a toy,bed and blankie but no note to say who sent it!I loved the video of Ray and his daddy playing in the garden,it’s a joy to see him so happy.Braveheart a feral tom had the “snip” and was released back to his colony only 7 more toms to go.Lovely to see Joey in his shack again,we have so many cherished memories of him.I know he’s looking down on his beloved garden.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.
shirleeinindy
Margano, Full brother to Barbaro is running in the 7th at Keeneland tomorrow! Safe trip big Guy!
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Godspeed Margano. Love and Hugs, JB
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Well thank you for that. I’ve reached the point in my life where in most of my pictures I look pretty scary. lol Marty in space is the big news right now. He was going very fast! We’ve enjoyed more blood moons than you would normally see. I think we’ve had 4 in a relatively short period of time. Pretty cool! That is wonderful that little Mango raised all that money. Bless her! I think Mango has way more clothes than I have. She is a very dear little dog. I saw Fubu lounging on his new bed. It looks very comfy! It’s always a joy to see Ray playing. It’s amazing how well he gets around. Yes, I read about Braveheart. It’s wonderful they will be able to control the population in that colony. Joey looking down on his beloved garden…what a lovely thought. He will always live on in our memories. Have a great “hump day.” Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
So sad to hear we lost another truly great champion. RIP Cigar you will be missed at the Kentucky Horse Park where everyone adored seeing you. That pasture in heaven sure has some special guys up there! hugs
sheena.davies(wales)
Remembering the great John Henry who crossed the rainbow bridge this day in 2007 aged 32yrs.A life well-lived and a lasting legend.Hugs Sheena.
Abigail_1849
Sheena: I didn’t realize that! How “odd” that Cigar passed yesterday…..
shirleeinindy
John The Grouch, will always be missed!
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
RIP JH. Love and Hugs, JB
Abigail_1849
Such a sad morning, Z family. I needed to write this one for THE VAULT to commemorate a great, great thoroughbred:
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/say-it-isnt-so-for-cigar-with-love/
carol in arkansas
Your writing is as always eloquent and hearfelt….so sad its such a sad occasion
Max
Will miss Cigar. Really enjoyed watching him on his paddock cam. Glad now I stalked him by that cam as long as it lasted. RIP great horse.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Abigail:
Thank you so much for this piece on Cigar; just beautiful. Love and Hugs, JB
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Abigail,
Thank you for this lovely piece about Cigar. As always, you have excelled; this is beautifully written. I can’t believe that he has left us, but he will never be completely gone from our hearts and memories.
RIP Cigar, Always Remembered
Hugs
vicki
RIP Cigar. You gave all any horse could give and more. It was an honor to watch you race and we were lucky to have you. There were and are many great horses but only one Cigar.
vicki
Dear Sally I always read the posts backward and didn’t see that you dear Sir had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, too. I am so sorry for your loss. I know what it’s like to love an animal and have no say so about his future. From your posts many of us came to care for him and will miss updates. From girlhood to womanhood there is no love like the love for a wonderful horse.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Abigail. A beautiful tribute to Cigar.I’m sure John Henry and all the wonderful horses who have gone before,were there to greet him at the bridge.Hugs Sheena.
Bluegrass Girl
Racing Hall of Famer Cigar Dead at 24
(Excellent article on Cigar’s history & surgery)
By Frank Angst The Blood-Horse October 8, 2014
From article
Cigar died at age 24 Oct. 7, at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington from complications following surgery for severe osteoarthritis in his neck.
Later in article
Reed said the spinal cord compression was in the lower part of Cigar’s neck.
“The most severe compression was between cervical vertebra 6 and 7, with additional compression between cervical vertebra 5 and 6,” Reed said. This was an acquired problem related to arthritis, and bony remodeling in the neck. The severity of this spinal cord compression became so problematic that all parties were left with few options, the best one being surgery. This was a significant surgery involving a prolonged recovery. Unfortunately, during recovery Cigar suffered a vertebral fracture and passed away.”
Burial arrangements
Like the other Hall of Champions horses who died in retirement at the park, Cigar will be buried on the Memorial Walk of Champions near Thoroughbreds Alysheba, Bold Forbes, Forego, John Henry, and Kona Gold; Standardbreds Cam Fella and Rambling Willie; American Saddlebreds CH Imperator, CH Skywatch and CH Gypsy Supreme; and American Quarter Horse Sgt. Pepper Feature.
Memorial Service
A public memorial service will be held for Cigar at a future date, yet to be determined.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/87876/racing-hall-of-famer-cigar-dead-at-24
debbie s..
Such a hard week to say Goodbye to Sally’s Sir and now to Cigar.
Thank-you BGG and Abigail for these wonderful videos /articles on Cigar, a champion in racing history. I can’t thank you all Zsters for giving me the privilege of learning about these legends that capture our heart and soul. Watching the /95 Breeders Cup with Tom Durkin calling the race was a thrill. I was so awe struck with Cigar’s beauty and his “explosion” when Jerry Bailey finally gave him the green light. Jerry loved him and guided him to victory in many races, and seeing them together was magic.I loved the story of Cigar looking back at Jerry during a race when he said “GO” and Cigar’s eye looking at Jerry with a look that said,”I know”.
This is such sad news,hoped you would have a long happy retirement at Kentucky Horse Park Cigar. Run like the wind,always remembered.
Bluegrass Girl
Debbie S
Yes, it has been a week of losses.
Reports of Cigar’s death began yesterday afternoon-but were unconfirmed.
At the same time, tornadoes were touching down in northern Fayette county
and Paris area. Rumors about damage to Claiborne Farm. Quite a stressful time.
Finally confirmed Cigar’s death from Dubai.
And, Claiborne Farm reported today property damage but all folks & horses are fine.
Did not want to share until all was verified.
Hugs, BGG
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
So glad to know all horses and people at Claiborne are OK. Love and Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood
RIP, dear Cigar. You looked amazing when we ‘met’ you at KHP 5 years ago. Does anyone have details? I have been out all morning and ready to go out again. Will check back this evening.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Barb W:
Wonderful that you got to meet Cigar up close. Love and Hugs, JB
Bluegrass Girl
Matt Hegarty Daily Racing Form on Wed. Oct. 8 2014
J. Bailey, regular rider of Cigar, can remember every detail of every race
the two-time Horse of the Year ran. Excerpts to come.
Bailey, on Cigar: “He made me really like horses. It’s not like I didn’t like horses.
But I had a doctor-patient relationship with them. …
“… They were a way to make a living, a means to an end. He made me different.
I used to spend hours with him after training. ” … He was just a really, really cool horse.”
“It’s a sad, sad day for me. I did get to see him on Sunday.
I fed him some carrots, but I knew he wasn’t doing too good.”
“Horses can bring out the best or the worst in people. Cigar brought out the best. …”
“Everyone around him, Mott and his wife, Allen and Madeleine, the hot walkers, the grooms, the exercise riders, the foremen … ”
” … We all became a traveling family. We all were made better by him.”
Bluegrass Girl
Matt Hegarty Daily Racing Form on Wed. Oct. 8 2014
Bailey, on Cigar’s loss in Pacific Classic:
“That one’s on me. I put him on that pace.
I got to thinking he could do anything.”
Janet Newman
I read where Cigar passed last evening around
6:30pm. The vets were in checking on him. He
raised his head, took a deep breath, exhaled and
passed away. At least it was peaceful and he did
not suffer. I am so glad I went this past Friday and went to see him. He was standing hi his stall looking out into his paddock. It seemed to me that he was wishing he was outside and enjoying the beautiful day. The call for his final post came last night during a stormy night and he thundered away into the heavens. RIP champ
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Janet:
Great that you got to see him. Love and Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood
Thank you, Janet, for this moving report. Hugs.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
So glad that you got to see him Janet! I wish I had made myself go back in June :-(
Debbie G/Kentucky
I’m so glad you got to see him, Janet. I saw him two weeks ago and I’m so glad I did. I had no idea he was having so many problems until I saw him. One of the greatest thrills of my life was being there when he won the Classic. He’ll go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Janet,
Thank you for this post. Am very glad that you got to see him Friday; your description is lovely. Yes, Cigar thundered away leaving us with a big void.
Take care! Hugs and Love
Deb E.
I am absolutely heartbroken that we have lost the great Cigar. He was a joy to watch and so handsome. Rest in peace and run free in the fields of the Lord Beautiful Boy.
October 4th was the 25th anniversary of the passing of the legendary,incomparable, unforgettable Secretariat. I will always love you, Red.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Beautiful tribute to Cigar in today’s TDN. Love and Hugs, JB
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/intraday_single.cfm?type=news&alertID=4623&CFID=96712840&CFTOKEN=35268341
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Judy B.,
Thanks so much for the link to the TDN article on Cigar. He was a brilliant horse, talented, and his color just gorgeous. Very sad to say farewell to him.
Lots of Hugs and Love
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Marshall:
Oh yes, Cigar was a great one. Love and Hugs to You and Reilly, JB
Bluegrass Girl
A 2 year old son of Dynaformer is one to watch!
Keeneland Assn on Wed. October 8 2014
CIRCUS PERFORMER Another impressive 2yo from the Pletcher…
left in the gate, huge run in the last quarter
The Blood-Horse Race Results REPLAY
Race 3 at Keeneland on October 8, 2014
Circus Performer (Dynaformer – Rahy Rose) wins a maiden special weight at Keeneland
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/KEE/2014/10/8/3/race-3-msw-at-kee-on-10-8-14
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
Wow, impressive run by this son of Big D. Did Daddy proud. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
BGG. Thanks for this post. Circus is relentless in that run. Big and relentless, just like his daddy. Big D, you’ve got another winner.
shirleeinindy
BGG,
Thanks for the post of the video. All I can say is WOW! Of course, with that pedigree he should be a runner. Always love to see the Dynaformers do well.