Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #447

Here we are! Photo by Sarah Campion

Hello,

Yesterday, we had a very comfortable afternoon in Lexington and the temperatures were rather pleasant. Then last night at about 3 in the morning, a very heavy rain began. Fortunately, at that time, TASTY and I were nice and safe snuggled comfortably in our stalls in the foaling barn.

My ‘foaling status’ is progressing in a very nice and relaxed manner since the latest report. As of this morning, per Matt, TASTY, is at the ‘one marshmallow size bag’ stage. This is where I was last week. It will be fascinating to monitor the progression we each make during the next several days.

Many of you have asked if we would be together with our foals once they are born. From what we are hearing, that is the plan.

On another note, I would like to send a HIGH HOOF to a dear friend who used to visit ME all of the time when I was at BARN 55. His name is Ed Lauter. Ed would arrive at around noon, bring MY JOHN his favorite ham and cheese sandwiches, and just hang out with us for a bit in the afternoons. Ed is an actor and called MY JOHN this morning to share GREAT NEWS! He played the role of Peppy’s Butler in the movie, THE ARTIST, which recently won THE BEST PICTURE Award at the Academy Awards. (I gather this is like being named HORSE OF THE YEAR…in our industry.) Ed is now off to do another movie, this time with Clint Eastwood, and has 2 other movie offers to consider as well. He is so excited and wanted to share all of this with MY JOHN and thank him for the opportunity to spend so much time with ME and BARN 55. He said it meant a great deal to him!

Ed commented to MY JOHN about how MOMENTUM is so important in life. One thing happens and another builds upon that success helping people to achieve their goals. I appreciate and understand this concept….and am so happy for my pal, ED.

As a matter of fact, I am always so proud to share in the ‘good fortune’ of all of my friends!

With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

430 Comments

    • / Reply

      I sat next to Ed Lauter last November at a special Veterans Day “Salute to Veterans” breakfast. At our table was a special guest of honor, Elaine, a 101 year old Navy WAVE. I was amazed at the gentle and total attention Ed gave to Elaine; he even helped with cutting her food! He was so sweet to her and making sure the other celebrities at the event came up to say Hi to her. I was already impressed with him when to my surprise, out of the blue, he says “what do you think about the name Eblouissante for a horse?” Without missing a beat I said “I think she is known as Ebby to her friends”. Now it was his turn to be surprised, LOL, and he asks “you know who Eblouissante is?” Not a minute later he is pulling a photo of Zenyatta out of his wallet.

      • / Reply

        Zeny, hearing about the storm in your area I can’t help but think about the books My Friend Flicka and Thunderhead. Flicka gives birth to Thunderhead during a rain storm!

        “Ken McLaughlin’s mare Flicka, gives birth to an all-white colt that, unknown to Ken’s dad, Rob, was actually sired by a neighboring rancher’s thoroughbred racehorse, Appalachia, rather than Rob’s own stallion, Banner. Ken’s mother, Nell, names the colt, Thunderhead, after the billowing white clouds she sees overhead. Ken wants to train Thunderhead as a race horse, but the difficult colt seems unsuitable for the track.”

        • @Sue – some of my all time FAVORITE horse books! And what about Marguerite Henry’s description of U-See-It giving birth to Black Gold? Very nice post!

          I’m sure we are all holding our collective breaths!

        • Thanks for taking me down memory lane, I loved reading all these books growing up and watching the horse movies on the disney channel.

          Zenny glad you’re warm and cozy with Tasty. Just take it a day at a time:)

        • Wow, to hear that again. Marguerite Henry…..I interviewed her as a very young wanna be journalist when I was in 8th grade. She signed Santo Domingo The Medicine Hat Stallion for me. Walter Farley also understood horses and our little girl love for them. I’m not sure why we girls feel so strongly about them, but, maybe it’s the freedom in our hearts that meshs with the freedom of horses. Whatever it is, I’ve loved them all my life and adored the writers that knew how to tell the story of a young girl in love with horses.

      • / Reply

        What a great story! I am a part of Cal Poly Pomona’s Horse Show Team, and one of our judges, named Walter, and I made a connection because of Queen Z. I was wearing my Z Breeder’s Cup hat while scribing for him, and Walter apparently used to do blood work for her. It’s quite amazing the connections we make with others through our Queen!

        • Kirren: I’m a Cal Poly Pomona graduate. I’m going to give away my age now….I was there when Reign On (2/11/1980) and Bountiful Queen were foaled (two foals from the last foal crop of the great Bask++). I saw them when they were less than 24 hours old. On an earlier post from this week, someone was commenting on grey foals being born with chestnut coats. That was the case with Reign On; he was a chestnut when foaled but it was known he would be a grey as he matured. He and his dam Spring Rain weren’t turned out to pasture with the other mares and foals. I guess there was a lot of concern for his safety since there was so much pride and hope riding on what was a very special breeding for Cal Poly in 1979. I’m not sure what may have transpired because of keeping the pair separated from the herd, but I recall in a class the Director of Equine Sciences and the W.K. Arabian Horse Center saying he would never do that again. But in the end all turned out well; Reign On went on to be the 1986 Champion Park horse at Scottsdale.

          Good luck to you and the rest of the team. RIDE AT CAL POLY. Go Broncos.

      • / Reply

        Great story! He sounds like a very special man, but I could see that as he is friends with Zenny’s wonderful John!

  3. / Reply

    02/28/2012 2:10 PM
    Zenyatta: Wait for first foal combines science, art, and anticipation
    LEXINGTON, Ky. − For racing fans, the 2012 foaling season is particularly special. For the first time, two female Horses of the Year will produce their first foals. One already has − Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, foaled her Curlin colt at Stonestreet Farms in Kentucky on Jan. 22. Now the world awaits a second “royal” birth, that of Zenyatta’s Bernardini foal at Lane’s End Farm, also in Kentucky. The 2010 Horse of the Year’s estimated due date is March 9, but, as any breeder or night watcher can tell you, pinning down a first-time broodmare’s initial foaling date is not easy.
    “It’s the essence of the farm life to be there for foaling,” said Robinson, who expects about 30 foals this year. “I usually like getting up in the middle of the night and going to a foaling. It’s that first breath that really gets me. Just to see that foal come alive, from underwater to taking air is exciting and very moving. Foaling is the seed of promise, where promise becomes flesh.”
    http://www.drf.com/news/zenyatta-wait-first-foal-combines-science-art-and-anticipation?fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=home_multiline
    This edit is the first and last paragraph of story.
    Excellent read.
    Happy Leap Day!!

  5. / Reply

    Have a great day Z and TT. Take care and thinking of your family and their anticipation.By the way how is your Mom, Vertingineux, doing?

  7. / Reply

    More foal news!
    Easter Bunnette, dam of Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, with her 2012 foal. Nancy Dillman owns Easter Bunnette and the Tiznow filly which was foaled on Feb. 15, 2012, at Dr. and Mrs. John Chandler’s Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington, Ky.
    Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/EasterBunnette/easter-bunnette-and-her-2012-filly#ixzz1ncvCfBY5
    Easter Bunnette is booked to Medaglia d’Oro , whose daughter Rachel Alexandra was 2009 Horse of the Year. Easter Bunnette’s next youngest foal is a 2-year-old Bernardini colt named Brabbham.

  8. / Reply

    Come on, Junior! Good to hear all is well with Big Mama Z. XOXO to all of Team Z. I’m guessing you are all so excited for the big event! I know I am!

  9. / Reply

    It is getting so close…very, very exciting! Sending love to Z and Tasty. Love you both so much. Thank you, as always, for the wonderful and informative updates.

  10. / Reply

    Happy Leap Day beautiful girls. As you know, girls rule on this special day – you and Tasty have a great one. Congrats to Ed – you have a way of making people’s lives so much brighter. All enjoy this day as we look forward to your little ones scampering by your side in the days to come.

  11. / Reply

    I am watching The Weather Channel with great concern for you, My Queen. BAD weather is upon you that has already caused great damage in the parts of the US that it has passed through.

    I pray that the tornadoes will bypass you, Tasty and all of your friends at Lane’s End as well as the other surrounding farms there in Lexington.

    I will be watching all day for news of your safety. STAY SAFE, ZENNY! Love you!!!!!!!!

      • / Reply

        TERRIBLE tornadoes heading straight for Lexington! They have killed people in Kansas, done terrible damage in Branson, Missouri…………….

        I am worried to death about them hitting Lanes End and the other surrounding farms. Turn on The Weather Channel — it is horrifying at the speed they are moving and Lexington is directly in their path.

        • Judy,
          Here we are so focused on Lane’s End–where our beloved Z & T are.
          There are so many farms in this area–including Kentucky Horse Park.
          May all be protected & safe during these terrible storms!

        • Just received Tweet answer from:

          Kentucky Horse Park replied to you:
          @KetaHagen All is well at the Kentucky Horse Park, Keta. Thanks so much for your concern!!

          I’ll share any other news when I get it.

      • / Reply

        There are some nasty thunderstorms producing tornadoes in Kentucky right now. I have been thinking about all the people, Z, Tasty and all the beautiful horses in that part of the country this morning. Praying those storms go away fast without more harm and destruction.

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      I was getting ready to post the same thing.
      Storms have hit KY & are continuing to more through.
      Prayers for those who have been or are in harm’s way!!

    • / Reply

      We all pray and angels will gain strength against all bad weather, especially the tornadoes. I did not know about this, heard somthing about Joplin, MO early, early this morning. Be brave all of you, have these storms quite down and disappear. I am sick to my stomach about this. I am going to look at the Weather Channel.com…

    • / Reply

      I just checked Lexington weather and nothing horrid happening at the moment. Pray the storm(s) pass quickly and nobody (human or otherwise) gets hurt.

  12. / Reply

    Happy Hump Day Zenny!!!! Wow that great that your barn 55 friend was in such an acclaimed film, Congrats to him!!! BTW I absolutely love Uggie!!!!
    I am very happy that you and Tasty are doing great…. Ok I know all of us Z fans are super excited and Pacing a bit waiting for the big day the bundle of joy arrives.

    Have a great day!!!!

  13. / Reply

    Are the connections (the Mosses and Shirreffs) planning on being in KY and being there when Z foals? I can’t believe the day is drawing near. Love to and Team Z during this very special time.

    • / Reply

      You and me both! I have been sick off and on for several months. This time I’m on Amoxicillin. Try to find out if you have a viral nfection with a secondary bronchial infection. Why? That secondary infection may be bacterial which means you can go on antibiotics. Either way this stuff is horrid. I’ve had uncontrollable coughing off and on for about 24 hrs. My aching ribs.

      I feel for ya. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

      • / Reply

        Whoops this was suppose to go to the post a couple down.

        But I did want to answer you and ask that you give Team Z some privacy. They will tell us what they what they want to when the time is right.

  15. / Reply

    Checking in on my Favorite girl Queen Z.. I dont think anyone has a bigger fan base than you do Z..

    Update on myself.. I had an appointment scheduled for tomorrow with my doctor for this cough I have but on my way to work yesterday I started coughing uncontrollably.. so I decided to go into Urgent Care.. I have Viral Bronchitis.. basically was given cough supressant pills no antibiotics.. I took the day off work yesterday to rest but I am going back today.. luckily tomorrow is my normal day off so I have another day to rest..

  16. / Reply

    So glad you are doing well! Please everyone be safe with all those storms coming your way…many prayers for all those who have already been hit by these latest storms.

  20. / Reply

    I am on pins and needles waiting for the little one, I hear you are due on the 9th, that would be too cute if your little wonder came on that day my Grandpa and sister and son were all born on that day as well! But no matter what day it will be wonderful and we are all like anxious fathers waiting for the big day!!! sending love and kisses to you sweet Zenny and all of your Team as well, thanks Dottie

  21. / Reply

    Zenny you and Tasty need to be inside today, storm warnings for your area today. Just stay safe time is getting close for the arrival of the Little Prince or Princess. Zenny and Tasty hope you have a great afternoon.

  22. / Reply

    Dear Z. It’s nice that you have connections in show biz. Maybe that can be your next career. You definitely have the looks and disposition for it. You probably could have run circles around Joey in War Horse! But for now…………enjoy motherhood!

  23. / Reply

    Brabbham (Bernardini — Easter Bunnette) — we will have to watch that one as well as her Tiznow filly. Thanks for the info, Keta.

  24. / Reply

    Ms Zenyatta, how exciting for you, You and Tasty, all togehter, and your babies BFF’s as well, I am so glad to hear that. Yes, I know of Your John’s friend, “Ed” and I think your are right…those academy awards are almost as important as the Eclipse Awards, especially, Horse of the Year Award!! Check with you later, I need to read the posts of your newest Diary….Love and Hugs, Lisag.

  25. / Reply

    Thanks to you Zenny and Dottie for the informative post today. :) And what a nice photo
    of you Zen, with your BFF Tasty, that Sarah took. Too Cute! ;) The weather is kind of a bit
    crazy in your neck of the woods right now. Stay safe and warm at Lane’s End!

    A big High Hoof to your friend Ed Lauter! I saw The Artist and it is a wonderful and most
    charming movie. I recommend it to all! Sending blessings to Ed and all the connections
    of The Artist! ;)

    Peace, Love & God Bless,
    Kathy from SoCal xoxo

  26. / Reply

    So glad to hear you are doing well…Very excited for whenever that new baby arrives…Glad that you and Tasty will stay together…It seems to help when you have a friend with you…You are so loved and so beautiful….Love you Queen Z

  27. / Reply

    Glad to hear all is going so well! You and Tasty both look very relaxed out there in your paddock.
    Thanks too for your updates on Tasty – how fun it will be to see you both together with your foals – CAN’T WAIT!!

  28. / Reply

    Hi Z! So I usually link to your diary posts through Facebook, on which you can see the first couple of lines of the post in the description. This description ended right after, “Then last night at about 3 in the morning, a”. For a minute there I thought the big news was about to be told! And then I read the actual post. :) Hope you and Tasty are doing fabulously. Congrats to Ed Lauter! How exciting. :)

  30. / Reply

    Meant to also say I saw pictures on Lane’s End facebook page this morning of your foaling quarters! Quite nice to say the least – you are certainly at a top notch facility!!

    • / Reply

      Sharyn, would you be able to post the facebook pics? I am not on facebook and would love to see the pics. Thanks Raylene

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