Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Cozmic One

Coz & Isabela: An Update

Isabela and Cozmic One in the show ring this summer. Photo by Shawn McMillan.

Cozmic One retired from the track in 2017 to embark on a second career as a hunter/jumper. He is trained and managed by Isabela de Sousa and her father, Sergio, at De Sousa Stables in Lexington, Kentucky. Notably, Isabela and Coz appeared together at the 2018 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover.

Paulick Report recently published an article about their progress that can be read here, and Isabela has this exclusive update for Coz’s fans:

Coz had some time off last year, and then we turned him out for the winter, like we do with all of our Thoroughbreds. The break helped him mature mentally and physically since the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover.

Isabela and Coz. Photo by Kaitlyn Karssen.

We had our first show back together in June of this year, and I can’t say too many good things about his performance at that show. Ever since he came back into work I told my dad, “I really want to work on the basics, make him stronger, and help him be the best he can be.” By that I mean we are doing a lot of flat work to make him straight, lateral work to keep him flexible, and gymnastics and grids to help the shape of his jump so that he can use himself better.

As everyone knows, Coz has a very strong personality and can be tricky to ride—this improves as he matures mentally, and he is making a lot of progress. He’s a big horse, and he has the coordination that his size requires. We have been jumping him so small for a long time, so he doesn’t try too hard over the jumps, which is okay. At home we just work on the shape of the jump, as the height never really daunted him.

My dad has taken over the reins for now, since I am heading off to college. I’ll still ride him when I can. We aren’t worried about how far he will go in his new career, it’s his “retirement” and we want him to enjoy himself without any pressure. With all the shows being canceled I’m not sure when Coz and my dad will be making their debut, but I certainly know they enjoy each other, and he is a happy horse!

-Isabela de Sousa

Left by Shawn McMillan; Right by Kaitlyn Karssen
Photo by Kaitlyn Karssen

Reader Interactions

592 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Thinking so much about Zenny and our baby girl. Please post some updated pictures so we can see how they are doing. Appreciate so much all that you do, Team Z.

  2. / Reply

    May everyone have sweet dreams. I saw that there are a lot of excellent races tomorrow and on Sunday is the race named after our Queen. That’s all the info I could get. Let’s hope everyone both two and four legged come home safely.

  3. / Reply

    Hi Zsters ?
    Finishing treatment soon. Still having problems w/ transport but a friend is coming to get me so i wont hafta wait hrs for a ride home. Hoofray?.
    Thx for the links.?
    All my luv ? HugZ ?& prayerZ ?.
    Stay safe & healthy. ?
    Vamp?‍♀️

  4. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Congrats to Improbable. Nice win in the Awesome Again. Maxi was second and Midcourt third. Hope they all came back well. Will post the replay when it comes up. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      That was quite a race. Great job by Improbable and Drayden van Dyke! I was pulling hard for Midcourt, and he almost got 2nd — he ran well.
      Hope everyone finished hale and hearty, too.

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Congrats to Get Her Number, Flavien Prat, Peter Miller and all connections on the American Pharoah Stakes today!
        Alas, Waspirant finished fourth but ran well.

        Flavien won race 9 (the John Henry) after race 8, too. Congrats to all connections there, also.

        Hugs and Love

        • Dear Marshall:

          I’m really happy for Improbable. He’s proved he’s a Warrior.

          Yes, nice win by Get Her Number and at 8 to 1 too. Loved his Daddy, Dialed In. I think it was his first time on dirt surface. Congrats to him. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Love his stockings. So handsome.
      Hope he will enjoy the fall, crisp air.
      Mr. Asa must be on cloud 9 having him there.
      Luv ya.

      • / Reply

        Dear Kathy and Ann:

        I think you’re so right. I bet Asa was missing AP so much. Having Honor there must be a joy for him. AP’s legacy lives on. Love and Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Hi all,
    Just a quick Hovis update. We got a couple of pictures over the weekend – one of him kissing us for sending all of the good wishes (although he would have preferred food and mares with loose morals ?) and another of him in his stall where he certainly seems to be putting weight on both front legs. The medical folks were there today and decided to pack his wound with some “old fashioned” sugar and iodine. They will check again on Friday. I have to assume that they deemed him comfortable enough to continue the treatment so keep your hooves crossed!
    Sandy

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Congratulations, Harvest Moon! She hung right in there! All the best to Midnight Bisou! Such a gorgeous girl! Also Win Win Win. So upsetting when these wonderful athletes sustain injuries. Healing prayers!

      Hugs, Kathy

    • / Reply

      Dear Z Fans:

      Correction. I misstated what the above article says. Frankie will not ride this week, but will ride on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4th, the day of the Arc. Sorry about that. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Thanks for posting the replay of the Zenyatta Stakes and the BloodHorse articles.
      I do hope there isn’t anything serious wrong with Midnight Bisou. Best of Luck and good health to Win Win Win as he heals and starts a stud career.

      Wishing Frankie D. and Enable all the best in the upcoming Arc! Safe racing and Good Luck!

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Great to see bipartisan support/approval for an issue can still occur in these gridlocked times — especially good news for this very important horseracing integrity/safety act.

      Thanks, Judy B.
      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thanks for posting this update on the Saudi Cup and Maximum Security situation.
      Makes me so angry that Jason Servis and the other jerks endangered these innocent souls — total greed and cruel disregard for the horses. Shameful.
      Hope Max continues to be healthy.

      Hugs and Love

  19. / Reply

    Dear Marshall:

    Only 4 Months old and she already has a presence and poise. Reminds me of her sister, Z Princess, in that way. She’s gonna be a Stunner. Love and Hugs, JB

  20. / Reply

    Hi Zsters ?
    Currently waiting for my ride. Its raining out.
    Thx @sandy for Hovis’ update.
    Enjoyed all pics + articles.
    All my luv ? HugZ ❤ prayerZ ?,
    Vamp?‍♀️

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Thanks for sharing these two articles. Hope Frankie and Enable can do it at the Arc!
      Love that Frankie brings her Polos mints when he comes to visit.

      Best of everything to the lovely and talented Midnight Bisou! I hope she will find a soft landing where she will be revered and well cared for in her new career as a broodmare.

      Enjoyed both of these articles very much. Safe racing at Longchamps for Enable!
      Hugs and Love

  24. / Reply

    Again thanks so much, Judy. I was dying to see how she was growing. She does seem to compare with ZPrincess in size and presence.

  27. / Reply

    Hi everyone!
    Happy Friday. Much too full-like here in Ohio (brrrrr).
    Hovey was feeling well enough to crank out a few words this week. Since this was written, he has had a cast applied to his foot (with much difficulty and too much la la juice). However, once the process was finished, he seemed to be walking better, and Karen sees a small ray of hope after a couple of bad days earlier in the week. Keep your hooves crossed!❤️❤️
    https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hovis-friday-diary-if-i-have-any-more-snot-wiped-on-my-mane-im-going-to-change-my-name-to-kleenex-726506

    LOTS of racing this weekend at home and abroad. Safe trips to all of the horses!??

      • / Reply

        Dear Sandy:
        Knew what you meant. I am so enjoying the cooler temps.

        Thanks for Hovis update. Continued prayers for the beautiful boy.

        All horses and riders safe and sound. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Sandy,

        Once again, ditto what Judy said — more healing prayers for Hovis.
        It actually feels like October here. Yay!

        Hugs and Love

  29. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, CK and DC:

    Have a restful night and Happy Dreams. Stay comfy and cozy. Love and Hugs, JB??????

  30. / Reply

    Yay, Swiss Skydiver won the Preakness! What an awesome filly! Congrats to all the connections. Nose to nose with Authentic, exciting race!

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