Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ziconic

Catching Up with Ziconic

Ziconic and Sarah Pollock, Reaching Some Jumping Goals at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit:  Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)

Dear Fans,

Winter has been both busy and a lot of fun at the Farm.  Despite that it is February and the middle of Winter, the California Central Coast has felt more like Spring.  This has benefited our ability to train outside instead of just the covered arena every day.  So Ziconic gets to spend more time with Sarah enjoying warm up and cool down on the track that weaves through Templeton Farms and in the jumping court – his happy place.

We had some BIG FUN at the Farm earlier this month with our good friend, Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film.  Chelsea started her career as an equine photographer, and now focuses on weddings and events – BUT, she has not lost her eye or touch for horses.  We love what Chelsea does and think she has captured the essence of Ziconic during this photo shoot.  And one of several things we can confirm that Ziconic shares with his Mom, Zenyatta; They ALWAYS know where the camera is!

Ziconic Sharing Some Love with Linda at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit: Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)
Ziconic and Sarah at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit: Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)
Ziconic and Sarah – Both Smiling – at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit: Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)

We were so honored to have Jen Roytz, Executive Director, Retired Racehorse Project, visit us last month!  The love and effort this organization generates to support Thoroughbreds after their racing careers is truly AMAZING!  The next Thoroughbred Makeover will be October 7 – 10, 2020, Kentucky Horse Park, with 616 entries accepted – WOW!!  This is where brother, Cozmic One, made his debut competing for the 1st time and came in 5th!

Ziconic, Sarah, and Jen at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit:  Linda R. Moss)

As mentioned in our last post, one of our visions and dreams for Ziconic is to have a role as an Off The Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Ambassador for the West Coast and beyond.  And as he continues his OTTB transition, we truly believe he is indeed becoming a great inspiration as a Sporthorse.  Last December 2019, we sponsored a jump to support CARMA and The Thoroughbred Holiday Classic Horse Show at the LA Equestrian Center. We think this turned out GREAT!  So, we are very pleased to have our jump represented at the next Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show Spring 2020, March 21 – 22, 2020 at Galway Downs, Temecula, CA.

Thoroughbred Holiday Class Horse Show Sponsored Jump at the LA Equestrian Center
Ziconic, Sarah Pollock Sporthorses & Templeton Farms 
(Photo Credit:  Screen Shot taken from Horse Show Video)
Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors
                     (Photo Courtesy of The Thoroughbred Holiday Classic Horse Show, LA Equestrian Center) 

Please Note:  Unfortunately, Ziconic will not be attending this show at Galway Downs, but we do have plans in the future, so please stay tuned.    

If you have been following Ziconic on Facebook, you know he has become quite the Jolly Ball player.  This has become an everyday occurrence that can go on for 15 minutes at a time.  Z-Z, as everyone in the barn calls him, has learned how to “fling” his Jolly Ball, which then ends up in his neighbor’s walkout until someone retrieves it for him.  He not only has mastered his twirl; he enjoys having an audience – no surprise!

Video Credit: Sarah Pollock at Templeton Farms

Ziconic’s grandsire A.P. Indy passed away on Saturday at Lane’s End. Heart-felt condolences and R.I.P. to Lane’s End, Family, Connections.

Sending Joy & Hugs!

Reader Interactions

521 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Went out to the grocery store to get milk for my morning coffee. Not much of a problem but there were empty places in the cooler.

    It is true about the paper towels and toilet paper. Empty shelves. Also no Clorox, antibacterial wipes or antibacterial sprays.

    But they had plenty of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream so I stocked up on that. Can use that in my coffee if I need to!

    Love and luck to American Heiress.

    Stay safe everyone and Good evening to all.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the replay, Judy!
      Congrats to CeCe and connections! Also, congrats to Hard Not To Love, Mike, JS and connections for the place. Nice to see the grey, Kaydetre, come from last to finish fourth.

      Hugs and Love

  3. / Reply

    Dear Judy,

    Thank you for sharing! You have nothing to be ashamed of, Hard Not to Love. You ran your heart out! Congratulations, Ce Ce. You are a champ.

    Hugs, Kathy

  5. / Reply

    Greetings all!
    It has been a while. I hope everyone is safely doing their social distancing today. Pray that we can slow down the ramp up in illness.

    On a happier note, could someone please remind me when our Queen is due to foal?

    I have been following the Racing Museum’s Foal Patrol this year. Some very real challenges and some adorable foals. It is a miracle that Magical World and her foal have recovered from a very rough foaling, but they are both doing quite well these days. Her colt is hilarious. New Money Honey had a difficult labor as a maiden mare and had to have a caesarean. Fingers crossed for recoveries. Ashado is a pro and had a textbook and very fast foaling. Her beautiful filly sticks to her like glue. A very shy baby.

    Everyone take care, and we send lots of love to our beauty –
    Robin

  6. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Enjoying my coffee this morning with Karamel Sutra (LOL) ice cream. Yummo. Thanks for your comments.

    Read in TDN that Gary West has hired Dr. Bramlage to examine Max from “hoof to tail”. That is good. Max doesn’t have anything to prove so I think retiring him would be best. The risk of long term effects is just too great. If something happened it would be awful.

    Congrats to Nadal, Ce Ce, and Hard Not to Love, and all connections. Great racing on Saturday.

    Happy Sunday.

    • / Reply

      Dear Carolina:

      You have me smiling. Quite a flavor that!

      I’m glad Mr. West has asked Dr. B to give Maxi a thorough check up. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      I think he is doing all he can to care for his horses. Dr. B will tell it like it is not matter what the findings. Hope sweet Max is healthy and they can prove that he did not have anything illegal or performance enhancing in his system in any of his races.

  8. / Reply

    Oh my gosh; I do not believe I have ever felt the seriousness in my life of a virus as this one. It is a rude awakening when all sports are postponed and locally schools closed. I was elated to see that the horses could still run their races this Sat and Sun but so almost unreal to not see fans or hear them.
    Congrats to the winners especially Nadal.
    Praying for all of you to be some of the lucky ones remaining healthy.
    God bless.
    Sally B

    • / Reply

      Dear Sally and Z Fans:

      Praying this virus is fast moving, peaks and disintegrates. All stay safe. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy, Sally and Z Fans,

        Amen, I certainly hope and pray this corona virus moves quickly and disintegrates, too. Hoping lives are spared, also.

        Judy, thanks for posting the Bloodhorse link regarding Mr. West’s request for thorough examination of Maximum Security and his other horses who were trained by Jason Servis. I hope it will turn out well and that MS hasn’t been damaged in any way. Praying they will all be okay.

        Hugs and Love

  10. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Yes, most definitely hoping Max and all the rest will be in good health. That is an enormous worry to be carrying. They will be doing so many tests.

    Judy, thanks for the links to Bloodhorse and Z pictures. Glad you are smiling at the ice cream flavor!

    Stay safe and healthy everyone.

    • / Reply

      Hi to all and to dear Zenyatta. Be happy you are a horse and not at all concerned with TP and or Kleenex etc!
      I hope everyone stays well and out of harms way with this Corona Virus outbreak.
      It is very strange to see no crowds and to watch racing.
      Let’s try to stay positive.
      Happy to know Pollards Vision is at Old Friends.
      Enjoy! Your retirement.
      Stay happy and healthy Z.
      Prayers to New Money Honey.

    • / Reply

      Dear Delrene, Shirlee and Z Fans:

      So happy for Pollard’s Vision. I just read that he was named after Seabiscuit’s jockey, Red Pollard, who also was blind in one eye.

      Shirlee, PV and Patch should have lots to talk about. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the news, Shirlee!

      So glad Pollard’s Vision is part of Old Friends! Yes, I bet PV and Patch have a lot to talk about. ?

      Thanks for the reminder of the origin of PV’s name, Judy. I always thought the naming was such a nice tribute to Red and a fine honor to Pollard’s Vision, too. “Seabiscuit” is one of my very favorite movies. I have the book by Laura Hillenbrand, but I am embarrassed to say that I haven’t gotten around to reading it. It will be the next one on my list (if I can remember where I put it! LOL).

      Hugs and Love and Stay Well, Z’sters!

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        Seabiscuit is one of my favorites too. The book is excellent. Movie pretty much mirrors the book. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Reading “Seabiscuit” back in the early 2000s is what got me interested in horse racing… loved the book and then loved the movie.

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      I watched this morning. Really enjoyed it. We need all the fun things we can find. Thanks to Claiborne for making this video. Loved seeing War Front and Run Happy. Wish my favs Lea and Blame had been available. Brought back many memories of when I lived in Ky and visited Big Red and Easy Goer there.

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        Oh, how i loved Easy Goer. Claiborne’s a wonderfully happy place for the horses I think. You’re so right. We can use all the smiles we can get. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    The Kentucky Derby has been rescheduled to September 5, and the Kentucky Oaks on September 4. Both are waiting on the approval of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

    The Preakness and Belmont are still being reviewed.

    Stay safe and healthy.

    • / Reply

      Dear Carolina:

      Our Peggy texted me this news today. For the best I think. Thanks for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Ann,

      Thank you so much for spreading smiles and cheer with this super cute little darlin’ !
      HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY and all the Best to ye !!! ☘️ ☘️ ☘️

      Stay well, my friend.
      Hugs and Love

  21. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL and DC:

    Have a peaceful evening and Happy Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    Dear Z, Team Z, LE, Coz, Zi and Zellda, and all Z-Fans,

    Happy St. Pat’s to all! ☘️
    Enjoy the wearing o’ the green, and may you all stay in the pink (health wise).

    ? ☘️ ❤️

    Hugs and Love

  24. / Reply

    Good night and happy dreams to all the wonderful people here on the blog. Stay safe and healthy. Keep posting. We have to keep the blog going.

    Fox Sports 2 is going to be broadcasting live racing on Friday and Saturday.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee,

      Thanks for the heads-up about racing on Friday and Saturday being broadcast on Fox Sports 2. What a welcome diversion from our virus concerns. :-)

      Stay well!
      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann and Z Fans:

        Ann, yes, finally all the horses are recovered. Angela still has a way to go, but she’s a trooper and is already making daily rounds mixing and doling out grain for the horses and supervising heavier work. Thanks for your sweet concern and prayers.

        Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      They are a JOY to watch! Thank you so much for sharing…we really need this right now!

      Hugs, Kathy

  26. / Reply

    PS: The Buckskin standing near the fence at the end of the video is Bentley and the Paint is Dakota. They do not feel the “need for speed” like the TBs do. They’re content to just watch the race. ?

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      I’m afraid I identify more with Bentley and Dakota in the “speed” department! ?
      This is so much fun to watch — Charlie is his handsome self and his buddies, Simon and Goose, are lovely, too. Thanks so much for sharing with us. We need all the smiles and beautiful things we can get, especially now.

      Hugs and Love ❤️ ? ❤️

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        I’d rather watch than run too. ??

        Goose is the horse that got three of his legs stuck in the fence gate and Angela suffered a broken leg in the process of setting him free.

        The way she described it to me; she got two legs out safely when he reared. The gate broke free from the fence and he actually had one leg still stuck. He fell on Angela’s leg; then he got up, ran and the gate fell off his leg. Not a scratch on him, thank God. Could have been so much worse for him and her. Can’t make this stuff up.

        Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy,

          Oh my, did anyone see Goose do this? How on earth did he manage to get 3 legs stuck? You are right; you sure can’t make this stuff up. What a scary episode! It is quite the miracle that he wasn’t hurt, but poor Angela. Glad she is on the mend and doing some of her accustomed chores now.

          Hugs and Love

        • Dear Marshall:

          Goose was on a lead headed to the barn. When the gate to the paddock was being opened, he reared and came down forward toward the gate and three legs somehow got tangled in the gate. It happened so fast. Two people saw it happen. His owner was holding the lead and one of the regulars who works on the farm was there as well. (He suffered a broken pelvis in the chaos. He’s mended now). They were screaming for Angela. She came running and you know the rest.

          I read somewhere once that horses can find unlimited ways to get into trouble. Some truth to that I think.

          Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Finally got the computer gremlins to cooperate and loaded the video. So beautiful. Love watching them run.

      Is Dakota a medicine hat paint? It looks like he is mostly white and has a streak down the front of his neck.

      Thanks so much for the video. Happiness is watching horses play and run.

      Good evening all. Stay safe.

  27. / Reply

    Judy,
    Thanks for the video. It is wonderful to see them run with such joy. So glad this horrible virus is not affecting the animals.

    Several of the horse farms in Kentucky are making videos and posting. They are great fun and it is nice to see the inside workings of the farm.

    Take care everyone.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee and Z Fans:

      Shirlee, I love watching them running free too; magnificent beings. Will look for the videos from the farms. Thanks for the heads up.

      Please stay safe everyone. ???

      Love and Hugs, JB

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