Happy Tuesday,
This is too cute! Last night, Dottie, John, Ann and Jerry all met for dinner. They were discussing my ‘future exciting dating plans’ and the ZENYATTA SCULPTURE that was done by Nina Kaiser. The prototype of the piece is photographed above with Stella and Violet. It looks like Stella is commenting to Violet how much she loves it. I DO TOO!
Nina Kaiser is a very talented sculptor. She does beautiful work! Recently, she did the JOHN HENRY life-size statue that is at Santa Anita Park. While I was at BARN 55, Nina would set up appointments with John and Dottie to come out and STUDY ME! She spent hours upon hours at the barn just observing me while I was training and out grazing. Nina actually measured every single part of my body and then took detailed photos of ALL of me! She wanted to be sure she could reproduce MY IMAGE in PERFECT SCALE! We spent a great deal of time together. This way, Nina felt she really KNEW ME and had a feel for how my body parts all flowed together when I moved. I also found it very interesting to note the keen observations of ‘an artist at work’ while she was with me!
It looks like she GOT IT RIGHT! My TEAM absolutely loved her image of me…and I’M DANCING!! How fabulous is this! YEAH, NINA!
As for my dating plans, I think this news will be released very soon. My TEAM reviewed all of the details with me this morning…and I’M SO EXCITED! I will keep you posted!
With love,
HUGS to ALL~
Z
Rosanne Glynn
The two poodles are beautiful. I hope breeding Zenyatta is going to be a positive experience for HER. I mean, she is not going to be startled or in pain, is she? Is she going to like the experience or not? I feel bad if she doesn’t have a clue whats going to happen. Please advise.
Pamela J Hebert
Oh Zenny the statue is so you- how beautiful. Stella & Violet look like they approve. I bet they miss the real you. So who will be your consort oh Queen? What news that will be I am with Mike Smith I can’t think of any horse worthy. Peppermint kisses.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Fantastic sculpture of you Zenyatta-Nina did a fine job in capturing you exquisitely. Beautiful-you are poetry in motion and to have that in a statue of you will be magnificent.
Looking forward to hearing who the lucky man will be in your life!
My Endless Love & Blessings to you Zenyatta and all your family!
ENSIGN
@ JENNA,
.
Sorry I missed your question above.
Sure, it depends on the owners of the mare, it’s their horse, though I’m sure they’ll be ‘encouraged’ to breed her each season. With any horse, you never know which season may be your last so most choose to ‘make hay while the sun shines’.
.
Mares occassionally give themselves a year off by just not catching in foal, or catching late in the season in which case mare owners often choose to give them a season off to get them back ‘on track’ and foaling early in the season again.
.
@ Rosanne G,
No, they wouldn’t intentionally hurt Z but no one can say what a mare feels in the shed. Some mares are happy and willing participants, some are very much against the idea. For any maiden, it will be a bit bewildering as they’ve never been through it before. As far as pain goes? I honestly can’t say. Some probably do expereince some, as maiden (virgin) mares.
Judy Sims
Hi Zenny:
Boy, the Moss’s really have superb taste in their animal family. Stella and Violet are gorgeous and beautiful examples of white, standard Poodles just as you are an outstanding and gorgeous thoroughbred.
Your sculpture by Nina Kaiser really captures you and your famous “strut.” All the time she spent with you really paid off. We’re all awaiting the “Big Announcement!” You can tell that you are considered “Royalty” because of all the buzz and speculation on the lucky stallion that will be chosen for your “King!”
These daily posts are such fun and so appreciated. John’s pictures are amazing. If he ever decides to retire from his “day job” he would make a fantastic professional photographer.
Hope you are warm, happy and well “treated” (peppermints, carrots, etc.).
Hugs & nose kisses.
Judy 8-)
Deborah Lawson
Zen are there plans for the statue to be made life size? Would love to see close up details of it.
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta Stella and Violet look beautiful. I have two dogs who are my children. Miesha my Doberman and Maximus T who is a Min Pin. I also have a Bengal cat Oskar. Anyway I love the statue. I also envy the artist that got to spend hours with you. I would love to do that. I have my little Z ornament in my kitchen so I look at that plus your pictures in my house. As far as your date I feel in my heart that your family will make sure you have the best horse for you and it won’t be a bad experience. Your family loves you so much that I just know it will be alright. I feel you are at a good place too. You have a good night sweet Lady Z and I send you many hugs and kisses from Shari in Ohio and Homeroom 215. XXXOOO
Jenna
@ Ensign–thank you. I think I need to stop thinking about ‘sheds’ and ‘hobbles.’ I think I need to put it out of my mind.
This is part of a story I found online that helps me sleep better:
“It is a foregone conclusion that she will earn an untold fortune for her owners in breeding fees and the good news is that they love that horse more than they love the money she can make for them. That is a guarantee that they will not over breed her, exhausting her needlessly and diluting the blood line.”
[Link: http://www.suite101.com/content/zenyatta–the-best-thoroughbred-ever-a303593 ]
Jenna
Thank you Rosanne Glynn! My feelings exactly.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Jenna and linda b — Thank you for the information on ordering the Zenyatta sculpture. We ordered one of the limited edition 14 x 10 inch bronzes today — we are very excited. We are familiar with her work including Seabiscuit at Santa Anita and met Nina Kaiser at Barn 55 several months ago.
Kathryn Cogswell
JENNA: There is good reason to agree w/ you . .. the Mosses were apparently offered $10M for ‘Z’ but declined: he said something like, we could do that, but then we`d only have the money, but we wouldn`t have the horse.’ They are just cut from a new-caliber cloth. Thank you a lot for that Link. Khc.
Lori Stein
Stella Rose and Violet Rose are very pretty. They look like they have good bloodlines just like you Big Z. Is this a statue of you that is going up at Santa Anita? I hope so. How beautiful!!! I only have one more thing to say at this time:
AP INDY
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Ensign — Thanks so much for your insight. A few posts ago I asked your reaction to the comments of Charles Campbell (Lane’s End Broodmare Manager)in the Steve Haskin article on Bloodhorse.com regarding his concern about visitors in the tranquil life of broodmares –strangles, herpes, etc. Perhaps you responded and I missed it. Always good to hear from you on these matters.
Paula Higgins
Dottie, thanks for the picture of Stella and Violet Moss. What a hoot!!! Beautiful dogs. That bronze of Zenny is simply gorgeous and it captures her perfectly. Also, thank you ladies for posting the link for an even larger view of the sculpture. I know that what ever horse you pick for Zenyatta she will be fine and you will pick the best for her. I am very confident you will always do what is in her best interests. You all love her very much and that couldn’t be more clear.
Jeanie
Hi Girlfriend Z,
I am really excited to know who your boyfriend will be. I think I have a pretty good idea…his name begins with A.P. Now he is an older man, so you watch out for him and if he gets out of line, put him in his place. Remember, YOU are the Queen!
Jeanne
OH! I just can hardly wait to hear who the lucky stud-of-a-gun is!!!!!!
Sharon in Ohio
Hi Z, The Bronze Sculpture of you is beautiful! I viewed it after Jenn, above put a link on to the website. It is 1,200.00 and limited to 100. Everyone on here that said they want one better hurry up !! I love the fact that you are doing ” The Zenyatta”, your favorite dance. The sisters, Violet and Stella, are so darling…I am glad that we got to meet them, hope to see them on here again.
I once stopped at the Kentucky Horse Park on the way to Fla., and fell in love with it. It was Christmas time and they had colored Christmas,lights on all of the white fences and scenes throughout.It was so beautiful against the snow. The next time I stopped on another trip back from Fla. it was so magical…my Mother, was with me and we stopped and closed our eyes for a short rest,it was dark.I opened my eyes at daylight and saw one of the most fantastic sights…next to us was a pond, with geese, and in the distance a breathtaking bronze statue of Man-O-War. With the sunrise behind him. God, blessed us with a sight I will never forget. I can only imagine one of YOU there.xxoxoox Oh, your date is on the way !!
Vickie
Great sculpture! Looks great! Thank you Team Z for keeping us fans informed!
J Smith will look for the post!
Kathryn Cogswell
My mistake, if this article is correct: the offer was for $5M [which is nearly what she had won by that point], and Mr. Moss replied with a lot more candor than I`d remembered. His template began in the days w/ Herb Alpert, when they let Waylon Jennings leave a contract with two years remaining, because he had a chance of a lifetime to sign w/ Chet Atkins. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/sports/05moss.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2
Quarterhossgal
What a beautiful work of art! Great likeness Queen Z. I’m with others that think AP Indy should be tried this year if his semen count is high. If not I think his son Bernardini would be a good choice. He is a young stallion but he’s had a few years in the breeding shed and from the looks of his foals(hopefully they will run), he has the potential of becoming an outstanding stallion.
L
For anyone genuinely interested in a professional breeding of thoroughbreds, this is a video that shows the process. It’s not sensational in any way, it’s very educational (though maybe not for kids, there is animal mating like on the Discovery Channel).
It shows the ‘shed’, both the mare and the stallion are very professional about their business as are the people involved.
So if you wish to have an idea of the reality of the breeding shed, take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u4FCexxsks
EK
Dear Z, I realy like your statue and the poodles. I hope that your people do not judge by nicks. Your half sister Treasure Trail by Pulpit son of A P Indy had 4 starts and was unplaced in all 4. Medaglia D’Oro is a nice horse and has sired nice horses and was faster than A P Indy and has a higher AEI than CI. Pollard’s Vision sired Blind Luck and also has a higher AEI than CI and his dam is by Dixieland Band and so is Street Sense’s dam. Curlin was 2 times Horse Of the Year. He will be breeding Rachel Alexandra. The Bloodhorse Stallion Register web site has pictures and info on these horses and many others.
Kathryn Cogswell
Wish the people were as professional and dignified as the horses, and the concrete didn`t reverberate the human clatter of a rather idiotic female voice. Khc.
Shannon From Cool
I hope someone has explained in detail what your “date” is going to be like. Some guys are kinda pushy, ya know.
Love your little statue.
NorCalFan#1
Oh, Zenyatta, as the big news is soon upon us, I so agree with Mike that “no one’s worthy.” But, one thing we know for sure, your precious babies will carry truly ROYAL bloodlines throughout posterity. Would love to see your 17+hands bronze statue at Santa Anita “towering” over Seabiscuit and John Henry! They’d be in complete awe! If one were placed at Hollywood Park, I have a feeling it wouldn’t last long in the front paddock–we’d find it at Barn 55! And thank you for sharing John’s photo of Stella and Violet with all of us. They’re very pretty girls–it just runs in the family, of course! Goodnight, Queen Z!
Amanda Griffiths
I hope it’s Curlin <3 you two are awesome!
The Kennedys in San Diego
@L — thank you for the link to Breeding Shed video — good camera work, the process looks exactly as it is described by horsemen. The camera woman had some silly chatter but apart from that well worth watching.
Edie Dickenson
Soooo where will the wonderful statue of the Wonderful Zenyatta be displayed? Wherever will be perfect just like you! And I too love it with you dancing. Quite appropriate. Can’t wait to hear about your date. Love, Edie
M2 + Little Bit & Ready Lady (team from the Little Bit Ranch)
Very cool about the process in the creation of the beautiful statue of you. Looking forward to more news on that as well as news on the “first date”.
All the best to you dear, dear Z.
Kathryn Cogswell
Thank you to The Kennedys AND to ‘L.’ My exceptions to the video are not with the gentlemen or women assisting mare & stallion; the cleanliness and gentleness are thankfully apparent .. . filming this process added an element overlooking sensitivities both mare and stallion obviously possess, and in that nervousness came the clatter. You all graciously see the session as professional: it is in their courtesies to the camerawoman, that a patience exists which I cannot seem to muster, and forgive me, please. Khc.