Good Morning to all,
Yippee! As I mentioned yesterday, I had my first official veterinarian check-up here at the farm. This is done so they can get a baseline on me and get to know everything about me and how my body works. It is equivalent to you going for your regular check-up…just to be sure all is A-OK! Well, I am very happy to report that I am in FABULOUS SHAPE! Everything about me is just WONDERFUL! Great news! (I kinda’ knew this…but it is always great to have this confirmed.)
My feet were also checked…and I am doing very well BAREFOOT! Also good news! These are just the basic things that need to be done for me….just like you. The Dentist will be next…and I will keep you posted on that.
A woman working in our office, Selena, is about to have a baby. I think she is due on Friday…from what I’m hearing. Good luck, Selena! We will be thinking about you and wish you well!
Several of you had questions about ‘my having a baby’ in your comments. Hope the following information proves helpful to you. As we go along, I will explain more things to you about all of this, but for now, please consider this a starting point.
As you know, with humans, a baby is carried for approximately 9 months. For horses, the gestation period is approximately 11 months. Obviously, individual differences always do apply.
In our industry, the breeding season does not begin until mid-February ‘ish’ and lasts until late June ‘ish’. This depends on the individual farm, horse, and owner of the horse. This is a baseline.
Race horses basically have 2 birthdays. I was actually born on April 1, 2004. That is my real birthday and it is recorded on my official records. BUT…with race horses for racing purposes, ALL horses ‘celebrate’ a birthday on January 1st. This way…all 2 year olds will ‘technically be thought of as being a 3 year old’ on January 1st…no matter what date the horse was actually born. As of January 1st, I will ‘technically’ be thought of as a 7 year old…yet, I will really not be 7 until April 1st. (By the way, I just love my birthdate…April 1st. Dottie has a sister, Frannie, who is also born on this date. She calls us her April 1st Birthday EXACTA!)
So, when you go to the race track and see certain races restricted to an age group, this is how the horses fit into that category. For instance, the Kentucky Derby Trail and the Triple Crown is totally restricted to 3 year olds. The individual horses birth dates may vary from January — June, but they are all considered 3 year olds.
Same for the Kentucky Oaks for fillies…all for 3 year olds. Some may be born early in the year…others late…but they are all still considered to be 3. In the Racing Form, they give the MONTH / AGE for each horse. Perhaps when you are looking at the horse and his/her past performance charts in the FORM, this would be something to note as well. Have fun with it!
I’m off to play with Charles. (Several of you have asked, his full name. It is Charles Stewart William Campbell. He is a Broodmare Manager here at Lane’s End.)
Have a splendid day!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL!
Z
Patti and Don
YOU AND YOUR AUNT FRANNIE SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY. THAT IS TRULY SPECIAL!
AS AN APRIL FOOLS DAY BABY…YOU CERTAINLY DID NOT FOOL THE RACING WORLD. YOU WITH YOUR FABULOUS DANCING HOOVES AND GRACEFUL MOVES HAVE MADE THE INDUSTRY CELEBRATED AND EXCITING ONCE AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE THERE HAS BEEN SUCH ENTHUSIASM FOR THOROUGHBRED RACING. THANKS TO YOU, DEAR LADY Z, HORSE RACING HAS COME BACK INTO VOGUE.
IN TODAY’S RACING WORLD, YOU, PRECIOUS ZENYATTA, REIGN AS THE QUEEN!
linda
Charming! Keep ’em coming!
Mary Stanford
I learned something today from you Z…that a horse is pregnant for 11 months….and gee, I thought 9 months was bad enough when I was pregnant. I love to be able to read and write on here. I do not have anyone here in my group of friends or family …who knows all about you like me. I talk about you…they know you are a great horse….but they do not understand that you are an awesome…smart…rare …very rare horse. So it is nice I can read the posts and see other people as crazy about you as I am. My friends/family just do not get it..they just kind of stare at me …like what is all the fuss…but I get all the fuss…and I sure get you Z….love to you Z…
Robin
Thank you once again, GORGEOUS GIRL!! I sure am learning a lot about you Z!! Stay warm and safe!! MUAH!! XOXO
Theresa
Love all this information on you and on how things in the horse world work! Keep it up!
Catherine Uher
Hello beautiful girl! So great to hear that you are in tip top shape, but I knew you would be! I just love hearing from you every day! It is the one thing that brings a smile to my face and brightens my day! I wonder if Charles knows he is the envy of alot of people and I bet he is having so much fun with you learning all about your little habits and likes and dislikes! It sounds like he is doing a great job keeping you happy! Okay, sweet girl… stay warm and have fun tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear about your day tomorrow! Big hugs!
Kathryn Cogswell
Patricia: Scroll to the top /\ or bottom \/ of this page & tap ‘News,’ it flips to a set of three diary posts, & an option to visit ‘Past Posts’ under the 3 shown [ left corner]; & go all the way back. ~ While a page is read, comments are written & added; scroll up and tap to see this page again & [usually] several more messages appear! It drives you nuts — but it`s fun.
Judy Sims
Love to get these daily updates and to learn how well you are doing each day. I agree that Charles is one lucky guy. So glad you got such a good health report and your bare feet are doing fine.
Hugs & nose kisses.
Rosanne Glynn
Miss Zen: I have more pictures of you on my facebook than of me! haha…You are the most beautiful horse I’ve even seen and you are even MORE beautiful inside. Such a sweet animal for showing us how much you love your fans by dancing for them. I love you more than you’ll even know Zenny. Hugs & kisses forever! :) oxox
Stay warm my love. I saw Charles walking you in the snow. You were pushing the snow out of the way getting at the grass. It was like a grass snow cone!
Gloria Jeanne
Zenyatta- Please don’t eat too many peppermints you don’t want your teeth to be pulled out :)
I love the April 1 Exacta! too cute.
So tell us about who the Moss’s have chosen to be you first “MATE”… would love to know that- as I have said before and Mike Smith too… NO HORSE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!!!!! But, I can’t wait to see your foals What a sight that will be… Zenny and her baby pony at her side WOW goosebumps just thinking of that. HURRY and have a baby Z
Love You and all your Family!!!
G
Jan Mitchell
Great news that you’re in excellent health. I guess they are getting you ready. I learned from a friend today that the shoes are removed also as a part of getting ready. And I understand that there is no artificial insemination for thoroughbreds and that it won’t matter at all how tall you are!
Thanks for the info about Charles. I was wondering what his title is….obviously he’s a very important part of your new team. I’m so happy to be privy to the day by day unfolding of your new life. All hail the internet!
I looked up some info about your dam Vertigineux and saw that she was Broodmare of the Year in 2009! She was fairly recently privately sold and I wasn’t able to find out any more about her yet. Also your famous sire Street Cry….I LOVE that name….is also in Kentucky. There’s so much to learn. Knowing you has really sparked my interest in learning as much as I can about thoroughbreds. I was just today reading up on a very famous thoroughbred John Henry who I’m sure you’ve heard mentioned as having been extremely unlikely but thanks to a wonderful trainer (and also being gelded) he went on to become one of the top 100 racehorses of all time. You live in an incredible world. As I’ve mentioned somewhere in the past, I’ve put meeting you Zenyatta on my bucket list. Now that you’re in Kentucky I have a shot at it. Take care and all the best to the gang at Lane’s End and to all the folks on Team Zenyatta out at Hollywood Park. Thanks Dottie for making this possible.
Gloria Jeanne
Charles is now theeee most Famous Broodmare manager in the world- just like that…. :)
Hugs and Loves to you Zenyatta
RuthG
I am so enjoying these daily updates on your new life Miss Z. Please keep dancing, you bring such joy to your fans. Hope to see you in person one of these fine days. Sending you lots of love.
Sandi Good
Well Zenyatta, it sounds like they are getting you ready to be a brod mare too. So have they found a suitable stallion to be your foals daddy? As Mike Smith said, there is not a stallion out there good enough for you…. and I kinda agree. So I am sure this will be a big decision. Just remember, mares are 60% of what your foal will be like, if that helps at all.
Your fan from High River Alberta Canada…
Alene
Hi sweet Zenny. Thanks for all the info. Not only are you a gorgeous girl but smart too. Guess what. It`s snowing today where I live. Just like where you are. BURRRRR its cold. I think you`re gradually getting into a routine. This is good news…You`re a very SMART girl. You know your friends!! Ok Zenny, lots of love, hugs, and BIG kisses…Alene…Thanks to Dottie always
melanie
truly enjoying these posts, when will she be able to go out for a walk with another horse? she must be eager to do so!!!!
Melanie
Zenny,
Its great to read your posts everyday. Your soon-to-be Barefoot and Pregnant.I can’t wait to find out who the Daddy will be although I’d LOVE to see some Zenyatta-Curlin babies :) And Dottie thank you so much for keeping all of us updated, we really do appreciate you taking the time to tell us how Z is.
<3 Long Live The Queen <3
Suzanne
Charles may not ever forgive me for this…but I feel compelled to point out that his second name is spelled ‘Stuart’ and not ‘Stewart’….thought I might save some of the fans all the extra legwork it took to discover that!!
John
I would like to know about the need to excersize…so far she is pretty much walking around in the barn area and paddock. Does she not have the need to ‘stretch her legs’ and at least jog a mile every now and then to keep in shape? I know I do or I feel miserable!
Nancy
Zen..so happy to hear that your vet exams checked out…You are the picture of health (and wealth :/ ). And aren’t you the lucky one to have that cute Charles as your “man”. If I was 40 years younger, I would be chasing him all over the place. :)
Unfortunately, I have shoes in my closet older than he is.
Sandra Frey
Hey, Zenyatta! What do you think about this big honkin’ winter storm we’re having in Kentucky? I like the snow, but the ice can go away as far as I’m concerned. I know you’ve seen snow, but you were probably already in California the last time we had an ice storm. Not a fan of the ice. Take care and let your website writer know that I am so thrilled to have these updates! Awesome, baby!
Susan
Dear Zenyatta,
Charles should probably be called “Prince” Charles from now on…..since you are the “QUEEN”!!!
I can’t wait to read your posts every night…it makes my day!
Lynette Lucas
Hey Queen Z – I’m glad to hear the check up went well!!!
Keep the updates coming – I love reading what you are doing.
Barbara Wood
Hi Sweet Z–
So glad to hear all is a-ok, medically speaking, with you. Keep those reports coming. (At least all that gave you something to do today with the weather as it is). Love you always.
Linda McGill
You look wonderful! Glad to hear it confirmed. I know you love going barefoot! Stay Happy, Big Girl!!!
Nancy Freeman
Our Queen Z is clearly no April Fool.
Terri
Hey. I bet you are excited to be a mother. :) I can’t to hear about when you are expecting and all that. :) Have a great one.
Kathy B.
Wow….I feel like I am thoroughbred class! I am learning so much from these diary posts…it it great. I have thought for awhile now that someone should do a children’s book about Big Z. I did not grow up very close to either horses or racetracks, but learned to love them both thru reading books at a very early age. We have The Black Stallion….how about one on the the Queen?
Lisa in Colorado
Dearest Zen: Wha a fabulous girl you are….I just love your updates. You are everything – and Charles seems to know that…
My husband is cooking in the kitchen right now, and I am listening….he is singing “Zenyatta, whoa-a-whoa”. I can’t tell the tune cuz he doesn’t sing that well but it made me smile. You are a femme fatale with the men, big girl – and an inspiration to me. I will forever miss you on the track, but I love your updates. You have the best connections ever to share you with you. I think you might be the most loved horse ever….Count me in for those that love you truly, deeply and madly foreer.
Diana
Glad to hear you’re doing well Zenyatta! It’s also GREAT to get the inside scoop on the industry and how things work on a breeding farm!! Super interesting!!! I hope you’re able to keep it up! Have fun in the snow, Queen Zenyatta, and I hope you and all of yours (in Kentucky and California) have a very happy and fun holiday!!!
And now, I shall give you a smooch on your soft nose! *smooch*