Zenyatta

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Getting Ready for Summer

Photo Courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Happy Wednesday!

The summer weather has been beautiful at Lane’s End. It time to break out the fly masks and watch Baby Z shed his furry coat.

Zenyatta and her colt are both happy and healthy. Baby Z will be as tall as his mom in no time!

Photo Courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Thanks to everyone who has sent in questions for the experts at the farm. We are continuing to accept submissions, so head back to the last post if you haven’t asked yours yet! Check back in the coming weeks to see answers to some great questions featured in the blog.

In the meantime, enjoy this video of Z and Baby hanging out in the paddock.

Have a great day!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

899 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Very interesting training strategy Billy Turner
    Had with Seatle Slew for the Belmont.

    They worked and galloped him at Belmont
    Upto the last half mile and stopped. They told
    The jockey that he may stop at the last half
    Mile, the jockey chirped at Seattle Slew, he
    Rebroke and pulled away to win.

    Great training strategy !!!!!

      • / Reply

        The TB horse trainers are really amazing; to connect with these
        very hot animals, get them to focus, run and win.

        Just so very amazing !!!

  2. / Reply

    Thanks Lane’s End for these wonderful updates. We do so love our Z & Zenny baby fix. He is getting huge! He is so social. Loves the camera….. Momma and son so photogenic. If I was there I swear I could just stand at the fence and watch them all day, even if all they did was eat grass. They are what is all right in this world.

    Now remember your Dad on Father’s Day!

    • / Reply

      Dear Delrene,

      I think you put into words what describes my emotion and obsession with Zenyatta and 12Z.

      THEY ARE WHAT IS ALL RIGHT IN THIS WORLD.

      Thank you Delrene, This explains why so much comfort and peace comes from their presence.

  3. / Reply

    Hi Z Family Thank you Team Z for the new video. He is growing so fast. I also think he is smart like mama. I am so glad I have his baby pictures in my house : )
    Susan I will be sending you something little. I hope it makes your day a little brighter.
    I also want to mention that today is Tim Ice ‘s Birthday. He is our Madame Mistletoe’s Trainer. Tim won the Belmont with Summer Bird. He was the youngest Trainer to do that.
    I love you all my Family. I am sending many Hugs and Kisses to Zenyatta and Baby Z. Love, Shari XXXOOO

  4. / Reply

    Thank you so much for posting this video! He is really filling out and looks so much like Zenny. Zenny looks great as well, which is so good to see.

  6. / Reply

    Am I imagining things or is WeeZee getting the Zee neck?
    What a cutie! :) Looks like both are doing swell. :) Thanks for the up-date, Alys.

  7. / Reply

    Max, thank you for the Times link. The author’s comment about time seeming to change in Zenyatta’s presence brought back the memory of her arrival at Keeneland in 2010. Mario paused just feet from where I stood and she threw her head up in a classic pose. But I didn’t get that dream photo, I was frozen in the moment. She was immense and she was electric.
    I appreciated the article’s insight into Zenyatta’s transition. Visualize her finishing any of her races. Her talent and perseverence were her power. When I need confidence I use that image. Now I’ll keep in mind her happiness and serenity in her new world, and try to have that grace in my own.

    • / Reply

      Julie,
      I have that same picture of Z stopping and standing there just gazing with that far off look of hers, at all the people as if to say, “wow, you all came out in the cold just to see me/” She was exquisitely beautiful with the lights shining down on her gleaming coat. I too was frozen in awe and will never forget that moment. Hugs

  8. / Reply

    Wednesday evening greetings to everyone. Before I forge ahead, once again THANKS and a HIGH HOOF to LE!!!! :-) Now I am forging ahead, w/o having yet read the new posts…MUST get this in NOW for our own TERRY CROW of Talking Horse Fame time so he can prepare: once again I happened on to the Dan Patrick show this morning during which the following conversation took place:
    DP to his co-host or screener /producer (I’m not sure which), name of McGloven (I think–never saw it in writing): So, McGloven, you had an exclusive interview with I’ll Have Another. MCG: yes I did. DP: what was your first question? McG: I asked him yay or neigh. DP: he was eating from a passion (anne here-I THINK that’s what was said) bucket. McG: Yes. The trainer did not like my line of questioning. DP: Doug O’Neill? McG: Yes, I did not avoid controversy. DP: did he cut the interview short? McG: yes he did.
    Then (anne speaking now) DP said this “exclusive interview” would be on Friday morning.
    My problem is the show is on from 5(or 6) to 9 and at 7:30 I am at work, so I might miss it. I might get up earlier just in case, kinda like the venus transit without having special glasses…although my eyes sure might be blurry! So, TC, you might want to listen in just to hear what a REAL talking horse sounds like. You could get valuable tips for future jokes straight from the horse’s mouth. (okay, all together now: GROAN.) 570 am on your local am dial.
    Other things in a separate post. :-)

  10. / Reply

    Awwww! Thanks for the fantastic treat of a new update with photos and a video!! Woohoo!! It is so special how you are taking care of us and well as the great care you are giving to Zenyatta and Baby Z. Hard to believe he is growing so fast!! I love how he is so interested in exploring the camera operator and learning just how all this stuff works! Thank you so much for sharing Zenyatta and her son with us!!

  11. / Reply

    Mama Z, you look beautiful, and as for the camera hog, look at the size of the joints on this boy! I’m sure we’ll be waiting until he’s 3 to see him go, but it’ll be worth the wait.

    Good luck, Team IHA! This is the year of the crowns: Her Majesty, LA Kings, and IHA. Only fitting to have the 12th triple crown winner in 2012.

  12. / Reply

    Hey Karen, thanks for providing the link to that article–high hoof to you! :-)
    Vicki near Hollywood Park: re Julie June Stewart (previous blog): she won third place in TB Times fiction contest. It is in near the end of April issue. I believe I posted a while back that I met her earlier this year at Clocker’s Corner. That’s when I learned she had sent in her entry of Moses Finds a Jockey.
    Everyone: some nice shows on HRTV earlier this evening, half hour segments for two hours. I liked them all, but enjoyed the one of Peter L. walking around a very empty Santa Anita with Doug and Mark Verge. Also liked the one with Gary Stevens, Laffit (did I get it right, I am TIRED) and our own MIKEY sitting at Gary’s home (nice spread) discussing the ins and out of How to Win the Belmont. And JAG, on one of these four shows, someone, sorry I cannot recall who now, said they LOVED your John Henry. In fact, two of them said it–maybe it was Doug and Mark. This was relative to Santa Anita.

    • / Reply

      Hello Anne – great to connect with you again… You can also find me on Facebook at Julie June Stewart or at Twitter at juliejstewart. The Zenyatta story was “retweeted” to over 54,000 people in 4 hours! How exciting… See you at The Rail and hugs!! Julie June

  13. / Reply

    WOW ! They are great looking aren’t they, Mom and son. You know I don’t think he will ever grow into his ears, after all ZENYATTA never did, unless you count her talent and her personna. I hope I am expressing that correctly.
    I wanted to say hello to all my new friends that I made throught out the fall and winter and this spring. hope all is going well for you and you are enjoying the summer. Also know I am enjoying each day and finding something special in each one. That was a lesson I RELEARNED THIS SPRING AND WILL NEVER FORGET.

    A triple crown saturday result would be stupendous, all stay safe and well

    • / Reply

      Cindy,

      Yes, you expressed it correctly. Nice post. And I too am working at finding something special in each day. More time than not Zenyatta and 12Z, and this site have something to do with something special I find. Counting your blessings regularly, even the very small things, make the problems in life seem a little smaller and smaller. And yes a triple crown Saturday will be stupendous and Superliciious!! Hope you post more often. Have a great day!

  14. / Reply

    Thank you so much, Lane’s End! The pictures are great, and the video is just wonderful! I guess that 12Z is “ready for his close-up”!! Lovely!

    @Susan in TN:
    So glad that Chopper and Annie have each other and are doing well.
    Take care! All the best!

  16. / Reply

    I clicked on the “BIO” at the top of the page and under “Honors” the last sentence is incomplete, kinda leaves you hanging. Does anyone know how to get the rest of the sentence?

  18. / Reply

    Thank you soooo much LE staff for these wonderful pics and the video of EARnie and Mama Z…….they look just marvelous. His personality reminds me so much of my horse, Chance, who was so curious all the time, and when he saw people, came right over to investigate. What an absolute beauty this baby is and is going to be. Thank God, we have the Mosses and LE to share these wonderful moments with us, just think what we would have missed…….baby pictures of the next Triple Crown winner!!

  20. / Reply

    Would have loved being a fly on the wall in the Detention Barn at Belmont. Man oh man,I bet that was a very eventful day and night. Imagine all of that horsepower in one barn.
    Wonder what the big guys were asking or saying to each other?
    Well, I have no fingernails,pacing like crazy and am ready for this race.
    GOGOGOOGOGO…..IHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. / Reply

    Hi again. The article I mentioned above was in yesterday’s NYT. I’m sure Julie June Stewart, the author would appreciate comments for her article. It’s easy to register for a free acct. at the NYT so you can post comments. Julie June conveys so much pure emotion for Zenyatta in her writing. Thank you for reading this. Mary Ann

  23. / Reply

    Dear Barbara Wood.

    Apparently I may have been dead wrong, I hope. Last night going to work I left eary to have more daylight. The horses were there in the paddock, however this morning coming home they were no where in sight. This is very perplexinging. These horses I am talking about are not really big enough to be work horses

  24. / Reply

    continueed from previous post.

    They are still not groomed from what I can tell. I will keep my eye peeled!

    Thank you for your support and caring. I hope I am dead wrong, but something here still seems amiss to me. I must trust my instincts. Please God, let me be totally wrong!

    • / Reply

      If you see that the horses are in need of intense grooming and something seems amiss,maybe contact your local animal shelter,the county animal folks. They may be able to take a look around the farm and make sure the horses are being cared for properly.
      Well,it does sound like a good grooming would be in order.

      You are their angel!!!!!

      • / Reply

        Thank you Ann, I am not going to turn a blinds eye to this. But I do hope and pray I am totally wrong and over reacting. But none the less I AM watching!

        • Dear Darlene:

          I agree with Ann. Maybe there is an equine rescue in your area or ASPCA branch that you can contact and ask to check on the horses. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Darlene.
      I don’t know about this particular group of Amish, but some of the ones I’ve had experience with have puppy mills on their farms and the dogs are in horrendous conditions, I’ve seen proof of this myself. When the females and males can’t breed or get sick they shoot them, which is probably the best thing that could happen to them after living their lives in filth. I don’t know how they treat their horses……..I’m just saying. Don’t be afraid to call your Humane Society even if its only for advice. Hugs

    • / Reply

      I read this and another article earlier and posted a comment on forum side…
      the inmates are in charge of the asylum at the Belmont Detention Center…
      Maybe the horses will take a stand and all 12 will refuse to leave the gate as a protest over their cruel and unusual treatment…these guys thrive on routine..in one way or another they have all been messed with…then they are put in a place….freshly cleaned diinfected and painted …imagine the smell…geezzz
      I know he was not going to run in the Belmont but kudo’s to Dr Hansen for getting his horse out of that place ..

      • / Reply

        I would not even place a token bet on the Belmont, even in a hope for ‘history’.

        Right now none of these horses can be expected to run to form because of this complete chaos.

        I vote that everyone within earshot and reason boycott betting the Belmont Stakes.

  26. / Reply

    Thanks so much to Lane’s End and Team Z once again for keeping us updated on Zenyatta and 12Z. Love the pictures and the video, what a character he is.

    Thanks, too for all the great links everyone provides and the insights “those in the know” share. I believe one of Dottie’s reasons for starting the Diary was to educate, and that is still carrying forward.

    Well, we got pummeled with hail during the night and all our “crops”, both vegetable and floral looked like tossed salad when we got up this morning. We have to mainly grow in containers due to limited space at our townhouse, but they are either buried in the ground or way too big and heavy to move. One is an old dryer drum. My husband was so dejected because he is the vegetable tender. I was trying to point out our blessings, while standing in the debris, and he has calmed down a little. The cukes are gone, but we’re going to give the green peppers and tomatoes a chance. Right now my big tomato plant in the front of the house, that I was calling Goliath, looks like Cletus had done one too many bump and grind routines. I have faith that everyting will come back….except the cukes. The really good news is we should have only one more day of this stormy weather and everything will straighten out.

    I hope all involved can hold the lid on things in NY and the Belmont race is run successfully. The horses just want to do what they do…run…but the people are sure making it hard on them. That’s my take, in a very small nut shell.

  27. / Reply

    @Julie June Stewart– Beautiful article on Zenny! Thank you so much.

    @Anne from Paramount–thanks for telling us about the above.

    @Darlene Daniels–I got lots of answers for you. You can e-mail me at moo@grandecom.net, and I will forward them. Bottom line: trust your gut feeling.

  28. / Reply

    Hi Z Family.

    I would like to take this time to express my disappointment in the people who made the call to put 12 three year old COLTS right next to each other all in one barn. This is a disaster waiting to happen! Surprise me it would not if half the field is SO rank on Saturday that they will be close to impossible to manage. I don’t understand why IHA’s connections are made to jump through so many hoops. They wouldn’t let Doug boil the oats?!?!?!?! What the heck???? How disrespectful to the TC contender and his connections to have to be dogged and stared at like children. I understand that they want to maintain the integrity of the sport, but horses are checked after every race. If they have not found anything in IHA then, they won’t find anything now. It certainly won’t make any sense to drug such a clearly talented horse. It should never be an option on any horse, regardless of the ranking. Now they aren’t allowed outside the barn unless they are going to the track??? What about being a horse? What about letting them roll and enjoy a snip of grass before the big day?? This has ruined the routine for all of the contenders. At this point, the race may just become “The one who wins is the one who survived this rediculous week and took to it the best.” not the Test of the Champion.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        It’s sad that Lava Man couldn’t be in the same barn as IHA. Hope they don’t miss each other too much. He will lead IHA to post in the Belmont though. What do you think of the Belmont contenders having to be confined for the next two days until the race? Love and Hugs, JB

        • Judy. I see that the decision to keep Lava Man apart appears to have been made by his team. LM apparently can be temperamental, and they need to keep IHA calm for the lead up to the race. Changing routines is not always a good idea with horses as it can take some time for them to adjust. They like schedules and surroundings to be the same. I recall that LE said that Zenyatta especially really prefers a set routine. When you are the Queen, you like your entourage to maintain your agenda as is. LOL. At least we have learned from this episode at Belmont that IHA likes to have his oats cooked. He is sounding more and more like a real character horse along with LM. Good luck, you guys.

        • Max,

          Not to say that IHA doesn’t like his oats cooked but more importantly and why O’Neill threw such a fit, is cooking the oats helps reduce the risk of colic.

          We forget that racehorses are NOT doing what nature intended the horse to do. They are not walking around, foraging for grass both acts help keep their delicate digestive tracts working.

          Zenyatta’s beloved Guinness routine is an old horseman’s trick for helping keep equine stomach’s calm and functioning when in an unnatural state.

          Not cooking the oats, feeding them cold and dry could have easily wrecked IHA digestive tract. I may not be completely in O’Neill’s corner over all but if NYRA had not relented on the oats I would have fully supported his packing his horse up and walking away from the Belmont. Colic can kill.

        • Zenyen. Totally agree with you. There is already more than enough pressure on these horses than to disrupt their eating habits even for a few days. All of these new rules are upsetting for all of them.

        • Dear Max and Zenyan:

          Yes, it’s so true, horses like routine. We know Z does and that’s why I was concerned about Lava Man and IHA being separated. Also, if IHA is used to having his oats served cooked for him, then I’m glad the powers that be relented. That kind of change could have made him really ill or worse. Hugs, JB

  30. / Reply

    i have never seen a coat like that on any horse…how unique, I guess that comes with stardom a differnce

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