Hello Everyone,
It’s so much fun visiting with you and sharing the current happenings in my life and our industry. As you know Lane’s End recently had multiple parties for me. Between the 2 parties, Mathea arrived. I was already in the paddock playing and feeling so great that I just took off and started running with my pals. It felt so good to be ‘racing again’. I even got to celebrate this day with a WIN! I suddenly realized I still have a very competitive spirit (Blush, Blush). I must say, I had my running shoes on! What a day of celebration, running, rolling in the grass and sharing the day with fans.
In reading the Bill Dwyer article we showcased last month; many fans asked about Horse Birthdays and why all thoroughbreds turn a year older on January 1st of each year. For explanation purposes, I’ll use myself as the example. Technically, I did turn 20 on January 1st. However, my actual date of birth is April 1st, 2004. Some time ago, Regulatory Agencies decided all thoroughbred equines born in the Northern Hemisphere should celebrate their birthdays yearly on January 1st.
This date was established for 2 reasons: 1) to coordinate the initial stages of both the breeding and foaling seasons, and 2) for industry standards to enable horses to race and complete against specific age groups. The Kentucky Derby is an example of this. It is a race restricted to 3-year-olds. Only a thoroughbred (colt or filly) who turns 3 as of January 1 is eligible to complete in that year’s KY Derby. The same age qualification is true for the KY OAKS except The Oaks has an additional restriction. It is just for 3-year-old fillies!
Other age classes for competition purposes vary: 2-year-olds normally compete against 2-year-olds. When the initial 2 year old racing begins, a 2-year-old horse born in January or February may have a maturation advantage over a horse born in May or June. As horses mature and time passes, this often levels out. For ages 3 and older, horses compete in ‘open’ races meaning the age groups can be blended. That said, the industry is very specific about one rule: Filly and mare races are restricted to them. Colts and Geldings cannot enter a filly/mare race; however, a filly or mare CAN run against the boys.
Hmmm~that sounds familiar. I DID THAT when I WON The Breeders’ Cup Classic. Now that was another FUN RUN!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Carol Howard
I love that you still have that competitive spirit. Just like you did when you were racing you didn’t ever want the other horses to feel too bad when you won so you would try and win just enough to be ahead, sometimes even by a nose!
Donna Heim
Love you, Zenny. Keep that competitive spirit.
Angela
Love you Z. You are the best. I know you are happy and that is what matters to me.
Darla
You go girl! Run Zenny Run!❤️🐎
Ayley L.
So glad you are blogging again. I’ve missed your communicating!
Happy 20th Birthday! I and the world are happy to celebrate you for any reason! Do you prefer pears over apples? I noted that Ziconic sends you pears on your birthday.
Any news about your daughters would be welcome, too.
Pauline Minnick
I’ll never get tired of hearing about Zenyatta. She will always be my favorite athlete, and the most good looking one too.
Catherine
So happy you are running free now with your best pals! Love you, Zenny! 💖
Marilyn
You go girl…you look marvelous at 20..Happy Birthay Beautiful Zenyatta
Erica
Always the Queen in racing and Queen in the heart of people.
Sally
Love ❤️ ya Zenyatta! I hope to see you soon!
❤️❤️❤️❤️ from your friend who watched you race in Southern California,
❤️Sally ❤️
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM and DC:
Z, what a beautiful sight; you and the “girls” running free. You’re definitely the “Alpha” mare of the group.
Still the only girl to beat the boys in the BBC. It’s just wonderful having these new posts from you.
Love and Hugs to all of you, JB❤️🏇🏻🏇🏻❤️🏇🏻🏇🏻❤️🏇🏻🏇🏻❤️
Sharon Peck
Your spirit inspires us still. Be well, gorgeous Zenny!
Julie Muzzall
Zenyatta, You inspired me and continue to inspire with your beauty, character of playfulness!💕
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Very cool that you had SO much Birthday fun, Zenny. Glad that we could share some of it with you (from afar for most of us). Thanks for sharing and to Mathea for the super picture of you and your buddies ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Patricia
Love you always, Z–and your beautiful babies here and in our hearts!
Allen
So glad you are blogging again. Of course you won the race on your birthday, did your pals really think they had a chance. Hope all your boys and girls are ok, would love to have a update on them. Saw where Zilkha worked again on 4/7/24. Maybe John is getting ready to enter her in a maiden race. As always it is good to know that you are happy and doing well.
Kathy
I’m so delighted you’re back! You have been MISSED!
Hugs, Kathy
Sally Blank
I am so happy to see you running Zenyatta with a couple of friends! You are my dancing racing forever Queen! Thank you for sharing your life with us!
I hope to see you soon!
Love you with kisses and all your foals,
Auntie Sally B
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Z,
Wonderful surprise to see this lovely photo of you racing with your buddies.
Many thanks to Mathea for capturing this for us to see.
Love that your racing spirit is still kicking, and of course, you won!
Take care beautiful girl and enjoy the springtime before it gets so hot. 🥰
Thanks to Team Z and LE for the great Z-scenes and the visits.
HugZ and Lots of Love ❤️
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM and DC:
Have a peaceful night. Love and Hugs, JB🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
War Chant. a gorgeous son of Danzig has passed away. He was 27.
Run free in God’s Heaven Champ.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/276202/breeders-cup-mile-winner-war-chant-dies-at-27
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Judy,
War Chant was indeed gorgeous. Sounds as though he had a good life.
Farewell beautiful boy. RIP War Chant. :-(
Hugs and Love
Sally Blank
Dear Z, I am so thrilled that I could reach you here as you are my forever lifetime horse. I was hacked on fb of which I looked forward to seeing photos of you etc. Now I have been suspended. Whoever the culpret is, they now have hacked my email, and Walmart.com too so it may take days to resolve.
Just wanted to let you know I love you and still do wish to visit!! Hi to Judy and Marshal and others here.
Love you Z with kisses and to your foals,
Auntie Sally B
judy berube
Dear Sally:
Sorry you’re going through this tech mess. Hope it’s all resolved soon for you.
Love and Hugs, JB
Marshall (NC Broad)
Hang in there Sally!
Tech stuff has an innate ability to make us crazy — it’s built in.
Getting hacked is just awful though so I hope things get sorted out soon.
HugZ 💖
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM and DC:
Stay comfy and cozy. Happy Dreams. Love You. Hugs, JB
Lori Stein
Look at that true champion still on the lead and looking fantastic doing it 💗
Love you Big Z 💗
Peggy
Dear Zenyatta…you are so gorgeous and nobody can come close to your spirit! My life’s dream is to meet you …I’m 80 but still hoping.Psychic Peggy
Jan S.
Happy Belated Birthday Zenyatta! looking fabulous!
Jan S.
Happy Birthday Zenyatta! Looking fabulous!
Jan S.
Happy Birthday Zenyatta! Looking Fabulous!
Deana Dameron
So happy to hear from Zenyatta again and hope that it becomes a fixture to depend on. Time passes quickly and I will be very sad when Zenyatta is no longer with us!