Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Happy Birthday, Zenyatta!

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Zenyatta
Happy Birthday to You!

Scroll down for photos of Zenyatta’s birthday party at Lane’s End.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farm
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End Farm

Reader Interactions

1,047 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, BBG and DC:

    Z, you look Marvelous and content. Goodnight and Happy Dreams all. Love and Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Roberta:

      Z’s not due until late May – early June. She’s looked a little bit heavier with this baby right along to me, than she has with her past pregnancies.

      Safe and easy foaling for our Queen and healthy babe. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Our Royal baby will arrive long before Zenyatta’s foal.
        Castellano and Espinoza were fined AED 10,000 each for overuse of the whip in the UAE derby and Dubai world cup over the weekend.
        The Irish Grand National was a difficult race to watch exhausted horses getting hit so I put in a comment you can imagine the reaction of hardened punters who wants silly whip rules.Well I do,The horse’s welfare always comes first with me

      • / Reply

        Zenyatta is so smart. She has been through a number of these birthday celebrations, and knows what to expect. I think the change of routine and extra attention does her good. Not to worry!

  3. / Reply

    Please don’t feed her anything different than what a pregnant mom should have. Keep her quiet and introspective. All the attention is freaking me out.

    • / Reply

      Carrots are within the healthy diet of mares. She sees those caretakers everyday so it would not excite her to see them in this context. She also looks pretty serene. If you read the post by 13, the foaling due date is still a long way off.

    • / Reply

      The professionals at Lane’s End know exactly what she can and cannot have. Even though those pretty decorated cupcakes look decadent, they contain nothing that would be harmful. These highly bred thoroughbreds are handled from the day they are born and throughout their career and continue to be handled and monitored even in retirement. She’s not disabled or handicapped, she’s in foal and not participating in anything harmful to her.

  4. / Reply

    Thanks a million to Team Z and Lane’s End (especially photographer, Alys) for this wonderful entry! Great photos! This blog means SO much to us.

    Z, don’t listen to those critics who don’t understand the importance of mud! ?
    You look “MAH-velous”.
    Hope Ziconic got some extra special treats, too.

    Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the sweetest girl in the world and to her gorgeous chestnut son, Ziconic! ❤️

    Big Hugs and Lots of Love❣️

    • / Reply

      Did you notice that the horse who last fell on the short guy and sent him back on the disabled list just won the Ryanair for Willie Mullins? Nephew David Mullins was riding. Racing life is full of irony.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Racing can be ironic indeed.

        Made me think of Johnny V’s first Kentucky Derby win on Animal Kingdom. JV’s mount, Uncle Mo, was scratched due to mystery stomach problems; so JV was out of a Derby ride. Then Albarado, AK’s rider was injured and JV got the mount and he and Animal Kingdom went on to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. Unpredictable game in many ways. Love and Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Makes me very happy to see her so well cared for and loved. She still loves her treats. She deserves each and every one. Thank you for the pictures.

  7. / Reply

    Man, it looks like she is carrying a big foal. Two full months to her due date and she is really showing! But after 5 pregnancies, things may be progressing faster.

    This happens to human Moms too, after 2-3 babies you usually “show” sooner than with your first pregnancy.

    Zenyatta is a very fertile mare and a great Mom.. Everything should go fine. Please God!

  9. / Reply

    Love her much, Praying all will go well for her and Her baby. Miss seeing Ann. Hope she is well and Happy. Blessings to all.

  10. / Reply

    Happy Birthday dear darling Zenyatta. Your photos still adorn my walls and I still live you to pieces.

  11. / Reply

    Zenyatta was bred to Into Mischief on June 3, 2017. According to the Mare Stare calculator, based on a 342 day gestation period, she should deliver around May 11th.

    Zenyatta’s previous pregnancies took:
    Cozmic One 341 days
    Ziconic – 344 days
    Z Princess – 347 days
    War Front Colt – 355 days
    Medaglia D’Oro filly – The date Zenny was bred not known, but in a post, the Mosses indicated she arrived a litte early.

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbie:

      Thanks. That due date does make more sense judging from Z’s size right now. Safe foaling; healthy babe. Love and Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Dear Barbie, thank you for the gestation dates of Z’s previous foals and her “around May 11th.” foaling date. It’s all very exciting an only 5 weeks away. She is huge and this time table makes more sense. Wish we could see an ultrasound. Get some rest sweet Zenyatta. Love you. Donna

  13. / Reply

    I love Zenyatta and all her babies I only pray these last 2 babies will show the racing world something special on the track and show all she is an exceptional brood mare with quality and class!!

  14. / Reply

    Queen Zenyatta, you look marvelous and healthy. I know from my visit with you that you are very happy & loved and that Lane’s End excels in their care for you. You always wear your mud very regally!!!!!!!! I look forward to seeing this baby. The Father is making quite a reputation! Thank you, Barbie, for the gestation dates! Thank you, Alys, for the wonderful photos of Our Lovely Queen!
    xoxo to ALL,
    Mary in Boone

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thanks for the reminder about Doris Day’s birthday.
      Happy Birthday, Doris Day! I have enjoyed your singing, movies and TV shows. Hope you had a lovely day. Thank you for all you do for animal welfare, too. You’re the Best!

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Sheena,
      Thanks for the reminder of the birthday of Doris Day. Hope it is a happy healthy on that finds her surrounded by her fur babies.

  17. / Reply

    Heureux anniversaire belle et adorable Zenyatta, longue vie à toi et tout plein de carottes et de bonnes choses.
    Je suis bien mais je t’aime tellement .

  18. / Reply

    I certainly enjoyed seeing all the pictures: I watched a Happy Birthday video posted from
    FB yesterday that showed her career highlights. I wound up watching it 6 times I miss her so!! I am grateful for this website so I can always check on her and see how she’s doing! The only request I have would be to ask if y’all could please properly clean her up for her pictures! Zenyatta is a national treasure and should be taken care of accordingly. I don’t think giving her a good brushing is too much to ask!! Please and Thank You!

  19. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to you, Zenyatta !!! Enjoy your treats…hope someone baked you a “Carrot Cake”…Yummy !!!!

  20. / Reply

    I’m hoping that one of you lovely ladies could answer a question for me. This concerns Barbaro’s last sibling Pennmarydel. I know that after he bled very badly after his last race and was retired. Does anyone know anything about him now? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Before I forget again, I wanted to extend my very best Birthday Wishes to Queen Zenyatta and to Ziconic as well. Also, its about time Victor got busted for using too much whip. IT’S ABOUT TIME!

  21. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Always loved Doris Day. Wishing her a very Happy Birthday. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  22. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI, BBG and DC:

    Wishing all of you Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love you. Hugs, JB

    Z Princess, Dubai, Baby Z, will always love you.

  23. / Reply

    @Sheena. I was just looking up info on some of my old favorites, only to discover that The Tullow Tank passed away last May at only age 9. Very upsetting that I missed this news? I really liked that fellow. He was also a favorite of Danny Mullins. Sad. RIP Tank.

  24. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Who knows Zenyatta may really foal on my birthday this year the 10th.3 eggs at Manton Bay 3rd arrived 1.46am today.33 arrived at the nest about 12.30am and stayed over an hour with Maya.They really are a devoted couple.Hopefully Monty and Glesni soon.Rain is causing havoc with our turf races this week.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Hope so; that would be a great birthday present for you. Wow, eggs already. Hope they stay safe and hatch. Osprey are noble birds. Love and Hugs, JB

  25. / Reply

    I would love to see if and how Ziconic’s birthday was celebrated. Sometimes it seems like they don’t give much attention to Ziconic.

  28. / Reply

    Does anyone know what has happened to Far From Over. Very talented horse but seem to be plagued with injury. Last I can fine is a race last summer.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      I can’t find anything on him either. I don’t think he was ever the same after the fracture he sustained in 2015. I hope he’s safe and living a happy life. Love and Hugs, JB

  30. / Reply

    I so appreciate the pictures and updates on Zenyatta and her babies. She is so well cared for at Lane’s End. I am also grateful for the updates and videos from the DeSousa Facebook page for Coz. (He has a wonderful life) So excited for the arrival of Z18.

    Zenyatta’s half sister Ebby is in foal (Dubaui) Thank you Jane for bringing her back home and breeding her to such an amazing horse.

    Would also love to see DC find his way home.

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