Zenyatta

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Spotlight on Thoroughbred Rehab Center

Blackfoot Mystery with Leigh Gray and rider Boyd Martin
Blackfoot Mystery with Leigh Gray and rider Boyd Martin

Visit the 2016 Zenyatta Celebration
Friday, November 4 — Sunday, November 13
Each Celebration Sticker purchased is a $20 donation to Thoroughbred Rehab Center (plus automatic entry to win an invitation to meet Zenyatta!)

Donate to Thoroughbred Rehab Center with the purchase of the 2016 Celebration Sticker.
Donate to Thoroughbred Rehab Center with the purchase of the 2016 Celebration Sticker.
Dear fans,

The 2016 Zenyatta Celebration is in full swing, and we’re raising money for Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc. TBRCI is a non-profit Thoroughbred rehabilitation and adoption facility in Southern California run by founder and President Leigh Gray.

Year after year we choose to support Thoroughbred Rehab Center for their dedication to giving so many horses a chance at a second career. One of their greatest success stories, OTTB Blackfoot Mystery, represented the U.S. Eventing team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, placing 16th overall.

You, the fans who contribute each year, play a meaningful part in funding this organization. In 2014 we helped TBRCI purchase a new trailer.

Earlier this year Paulick Report profiled Leigh Gray and Thoroughbred Rehab Center. An excerpt is below. Read the full article here.

Since its inception, Gray estimates that Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc. has had 585 retired racehorses pass through its program. With Gray’s background and connections in the world of combined training, many of the program’s horses have enjoyed successful eventing careers, but Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc’s graduates have also gone on to be trail horses, hunter/jumpers, Western competitors and more.

“My role is to find the right horses for the right job,” explained Gray. “There are so many out there like [Blackfoot Mystery] that just need the right opportunity to show what they can really do. I’d love to see him make it to the World Equestrian Games or to the next Olympics.”

Before Blackfoot Mystery, Gray’s organization had transitioned another internationally recognized horse, a son of Cutlass Reality who competed in the World Cup Eventing qualifiers as Kipling with rider Lauren Whitlock.

“We transition 20 to 40 horses a year to non-racing homes. I’ve had people tell me ‘thank you for allowing me to adopt. I would never have been able to afford a horse like this.’ That’s what it’s all about – creating new value for these horses after they no longer have racing value.”

Join the Celebration! We have so much gratitude for everyone who contributes to this great cause.

Team Z

Reader Interactions

121 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Great cause and exceptional dedication in rehabbing these ? horses into a useful life. Thank you Team Z for this worthy west coast selection. Joyful ? day!

  3. / Reply

    I am going to get one, too!

    Very commendable cause and so worthy of support.
    Thanks Team Z!

    Love and Hugs

  4. / Reply

    Please go to The Paulick Report for 2 articles: (1) Keeneland bugler dies, Bucky Sallee, 87 and (2) Toowindytohaulrox, 5 years old, euthanized after serious injury working out.
    I posted this twice on the previous blog entry, but alas, they are both awaiting moderation which could take a really long time.

    Hugs

        • I give up!!
          I just added an additional reply to this post and somehow managed to misdirect it so that it appears on its own further down the page.

          @Sheena,

          I loved the photo of the baby Panda showing the beginnings of teeth, too.
          Too cute!
          Hugs and Love

  6. / Reply

    Dear Judy.I have just seen a pic of Chromie’sfull brother Faversham.He is expected to join Art Sherman soon.Freddy’s fund closed tonight at £275,000 and more is coming in should reach £330,000 next week.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and al the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  7. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Will try to find a photo of him. How wonderful that Freddy will have these funds to help him with his medical needs. God Bless him. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties

  8. / Reply

    Dear Team Z:

    God Bless you all for the work you do for our beloved TBs. They need all the help they can get. Beautiful boy, Blackfoot Mystery. Love and Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Dear Beautiful Mama Z, COZ, ZI and DC:

    Goodnight. Stay comfy and cozy in your stalls. Happy Dreams. Love you. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      What a ham! He is so cute. Hope you have a wonderful day! with love, Elizabeth
      PS RR in his usual spot in the cedar tree last night.

  12. / Reply

    Oops!
    Sorry I got out of sequence. This is a response to the photo of Faversham!
    This computer is trying to make me crazy, I think. When I closed the Faversham link, it came back to a different place in the sequence of posts. This happens sometimes, but I usually catch it before I respond.

    Hugs and Love

  13. / Reply

    Love this cause!!
    Goodnight Zenyatta, sweet dreams
    love and kisses and to all of your sons
    Zprincess and my dear Sir
    Auntie Sally B

  14. / Reply

    November 10 Cherokee Devotional

    If you are at a point where nothing comforts you, take heart-there are answers. But those answers are not in a pill or in what others say and do. The answer lies within you-or more precisely, in what you say and do. Begin now by removing everything negative from what you say and do-no matter how much you want to say or do it. Quiet yourself and avoid talking. Avoid telling others what you are doing, because many will not want you to be freed from your misery-they want you to be miserable just as they are.
    As you remove the negative from your life and as you quiet yourself, you will create a place within you where peace can dwell. Peace must have an invitation to enter your heart, otherwise it cannot come in. Your efforts to move toward quietness and away from negative are that invitation. Trust that now you will receive the peace you long for.

    I do not want war at all, but want to make friends, and am doing the best I can for that purpose.
    -Satanta, Kiowa

  16. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.Wonderful devotional.Zoe recorded a very wise message to all who are protesting.We are an United States she says.It is typical of the liberal elitist to protest when thing don’t go their way.It was same here after brexit.At my age I have lived with a few PM’s I don’t care for but do I protest? of course not it is the will of the people so grow up and accept.I was looking at the map and the middle of the US is all red I always thought CA was republican too.Mother Theresa was greeting the Hungarian PM she had red and gold kitten heels on and he kissed her on the hand.I will enjoy seeing Trump meeting world leaders especially Merkel whom he called insane!It was great to see Goldikova’s daughter win yesterday she has an unraced colt by Galileo and a weanling by his son Intello.Sam TD is gutted he is not fit to return for the meet at Cheltenham.Fibbs is finding life as President elect very tiring I bought some pink iced doughnuts to celebrate his famous bictory His mum and dad are going to Ratstock on Saturday Did Ray get a good result from the scan I wasn’t on FB much last night.Michael Bublé ‘s son faces 4months of chemo he has liver cancer.Last night I finally got round to reading the daily mail I bought last week and a dad had posted a photo of his little girl aged 4 who has only weeks to live.They have stopped all her treatments so her last days can be a bit more comfortable.She was in agony waiting for the morphine to work.Makes our problems seem so trivial.
    It’s much milder today good for shopping and it’s dry.Have a lovely Friday eve.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Angel Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO

    • / Reply

      Have to chuckle at your political remarks. California was mostly red for a long time except for FDR but has gone blue since 1992. The new president may not have to meet with Merkel. Isn’t the German federal election coming up in 2017? She might get the boot. Newly elected presidents usually go to visit Canada first as the closest ally and largest trading partner. Most of the bald eagles live there too during the summer.

      • / Reply

        I thought it used to be red.Merkel is sure to get the boot and Hollande.I’d be careful of Trump if I was a bald eagle!Justin is a liberal too,.I do think all should except the will of the people.My parents were together for 53 years my mother a church going tory voter my father was welsh Baptist and a labour voter yet they never once argued over politics or religion.

        • Two bald eagles were caught today in a storm drain in Florida. Eagles like horses always get themselves into mischief. After one flew off, the other was rescued by the Orlando animal authorities. This whole rescue was on tv. One media outlet said that the eagles might be deported wherever because Florida went red. Hard to deport a bald eagle. Let them fly free.

  17. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    Zoe is a smart little pup. We would all be well advised to follow her lead! CA is actually very liberal…all those aging Hippies, you know. Lots of conservatism in Orange County in particular. It will be enjoyable watching Trump meat all the world leaders! He has stated that he is very good getting along with everyone. We shall see! Congratulations to Goldikova’s daughter! So thrilling to see those outstanding genes being passed along! Sorry for Sam TD! Bless Fibbs…thankfully donuts help! Ray’s chemo went well but he is always so exhausted afterwards. Will keep Michael Buble’s son in my prayers. So heartbreaking hearing about that little girl. Yes, our problems are indeed trivial. Enjoy your shopping and have a nice day. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Angel Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thanks for this link! Without a doubt, Frosted is one of the most gorgeous horses ever — absolutely stunning with those exquisite dapples and the “frosting”, of course. :-)
      Love watching him enjoying the new terrain, just frolicking around. Also, I watched the previous video of him in his new stall. How totally cute to see him getting comfortable in the clean fresh straw, “a roll in the hay with Frosted”!

      Thanks for the smiles! They were needed.

      Hugs and Love

  19. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    OMG, what a great video of this magnificent boy. He hasn’t had that much area to run free in a very long time, Love this gorgeous Gray boy and wish him a long, healthy, happy life. Thank you for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Liked the article but agree with you. Big D commanded any situation. In some ways, Moosie is like him. These horses don’t take orders. As for silks, given the chance, Big D might have ripped them to pieces. Love that horse.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Ha, ha! The bit too. Just love the Independent Thinkers. Charlie is one too. Love and Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    Arrogate New World Rankings Leader
    By BloodHorse Staff November 10, 2016
    Arrogate’s victory over California Chrome in the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) has been repeated in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.
    Juddmonte Farms’ brilliant son of Unbridled’s Song stormed to the top of the ranking and ended California’s Chrome’s reign at the top for the last eight editions of the list compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/217601/arrogate-new-world-rankings-leader
    Note: WINX moved up to 3rd

  25. / Reply

    Hi everyone!

    I’ve been away on what I can only describe as a journey of the heart, to visit Maya & Tassy, two mustang mares I rescued who now run free forever at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary:

    https://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/journey-of-the-heart-a-visit-to-the-black-hills-wild-horse-sanctuary/

    My theme matches all the reasons I love coming to visit Zenny and all of you. I hope you enjoy it.
    Love and hugs to all, peppermint kisses to my Big Girl and her family. Love you forever Z Princess and Baby Boy.

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail:

      Oh my, how beautiful they are. Thank you so much for sharing this and for rescuing them. Wish we could rescue all. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail,
      What a treasure you are! Thank you so very much for this article and your adventure and call to save these beautiful horses. I know I will reread your post today many times. A few years ago, we went outside of Rock Springs and drove up on the mountain to try to locate some of the horses and only found ‘4’ on the mountain. All of the wild horses have been rounded up and are in pens that the BLM has at Rock Springs. So, so sad. I wish we could do ‘something’ to get these horses in pens released again on the mountain. I contacted the BLM folks. They can be adopted, but can’t be released back on the mountain. They do take good care of them, but the horses are so ‘confined’ there. Thank you again and God’s many blessings to you.
      with love, Elizabeth

      • / Reply

        Thank you so much Elizabeth for your fabulous response to my piece of my girls and the Sanctuary. It makes me sad that the horses you loved to visit are now as confined as my girls once were. What you can do is speak out for the horses whenever you find tweets or posts online. It was that first shot I posted of Maya that haunted me: the look in her eyes bespoke what it felt like being captured, even though the BLM in Canon City are also good to their horses, of which there are a massive number. And there was nothing “special” about Maya or Tassy … they were just 2 bay mares and as I understand it, they get 3 chances at adoption, then are offered for $25 and then……well, I don’t like to think about that.

      • / Reply

        Thank you so much Elizabeth for your fabulous response to my piece about my girls and the Sanctuary. It makes me sad that the horses you loved to visit are now as confined as my girls once were. What you can do is speak out for the horses whenever you find tweets or posts online. It was that first shot I posted of Maya that haunted me: the look in her eyes bespoke what it felt like being captured, even though the BLM in Canon City are also good to their horses, of which there are a massive number. And there was nothing “special” about Maya or Tassy … they were just 2 bay mares and as I understand it, they get 3 chances at adoption, then are offered for $25 and then……well, I don’t like to think about that.

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail,

      You have really outdone yourself this time. What a wonderful revelation! I love the beautiful landscape and of course, these lovely equine free-spirits. So happy that you were accepted by various herd members and especially by Tassy and Maya!

      I am also an aficionado of “Fury”. That was my very favorite Saturday morning program! Later around midday, the series “My Friend Flicka” came on — I enjoyed that show, also.
      It was a lovely time to be a child!

      Thank you so much for The Vault; we have missed you, but now I know what a great adventure you were having. ?

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Marshall:

        So pleased that this one was good reading. It took ages to write because it happened to me and I didn’t want it to shut out the reader by being too possessive of the story. Amazing how many Fury lovers are coming out of the woodwork! And I loved My Friend Flicka too. It was, in fact, my second favourite of the horse shows. I think many of us who were children watching these shows — not to mention Lassie & Rin Tin Tin — grew up really believing in the spirit of horses, dogs and all living creatures because all these TV characters were portrayed this way. At least, that’s my story for sure. Then add to that a grandfather who was horse-mad and you get the picture.

        Being welcomed by these wild horses is something that will live in me forever. The fact they could choose to do whatever they wanted, but chose to come so close, was beyond powerful. They gave that little girl who adored Fury back to me in every way and confirmed what, in my heart of hearts, I believed horses to be.

        Hugs & love right back at you

  26. / Reply

    Steve Haskin excels again! My eyes got very misty reading this outstanding article.

    http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2016/11/09/remembering-those-in-defeat.aspx

    My heart is still broken over the 2004 Belmont which should have been Smarty’s. The 2010 Breeders’ Cup broke it again, too. And yet a third time last Saturday, it broke for California Chrome. Ah, but that’s horse racing, and when they win, it is exhilarating and so sublime! We always love them though, no matter what.

    Hugs, Love and Cheers

    • / Reply

      P.S. I was also so sad for Funnycide in 2003 when he missed the Belmont win, too. He had a nice backstory, too — sort of an “everyman tale”.

      Hugs and Love to all of them, to all Z friends and most definitely to our Z and her family.

  27. / Reply

    Wonderful cause!

    These beautiful, talented, soulful horses deserve our love and protection.

    Indeed, ALL horses do—ALL animals do.

    It’s especially good right now to remember the truly important things in life…

  29. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties

  30. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI and DC:

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

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