Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Hi, From Z and Friends!

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Happy Wednesday!

We thought we’d share this video of Baby Z relaxing in the paddock with Mom and friends. 12Z and his buddies certainly enjoy growing up in their beautiful home.

Don’t forget to check our Watch Baby Z Grow photo gallery. We update it regularly!

We also made a small change to the website that some of you may have already noticed. Comments on the blog are now split into multiple pages. This will make posts load faster for everyone.

Have a great week!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

696 Comments

  1. / Reply

    @Karen, Thank you for posting the video on the other page about Lava Man. I needed to smile after hearing about Giant Ryan. Lava Man makes me smile too as someone else on here said also. I have Lava Mans eating routine saved to my favorites. He is just so kool.

    • / Reply

      When I visited him (LM) for the first time, alas! he never took his head out of his feed bucket! Never came up for air! His groom told me that once he has his head in there, no telling when he’d come up to say hello. He suggested I go on the other side to see (guess who?) yes, he said I’ll Have Another was over the other side. (At that time he was not next to LM) He was very excited about him. I thought, “Who?” I had never heard of him, except for a race he had back East which he did not win. I went around and said hello to him while LM ate. I said hello, but he didn’t seemed interested and I went on to see the others in Doug’s stable. Then I went back to see Lava Man – he still had his snootie in his food! And no, I did not take a photo or video of I’ll Have Another that day! I wish now that I had – WHO KNEW!!?? But the guys in the barn sure knew what a treasure he was! BTW – I got LM on video in his feed bucket though!

      • / Reply

        Karen, Too Cute with WHO KNEW.

        When I was the coat check girl, returning coats and hats to George Cloony, I didnt know then EITHER!

        Cute story about your visit with LM and IHA.

        • Darlene, I can not remember the name of the race nor the track, NOR that Doug O’Neill was the trainer, but I remember seeing the name I’ll Have Another in the DRF for a race, and I liked the name – so I did look up where he finished. I did not pay attention to place him in my virtual stable back then. I mean, yes, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? *** My sister always ask me WHY I like to see the races at Santa Anita where the 3 year olds are in contention for possible nomination to the Kentucky Derby (beside their name in the program is a crown) I always tell her – YOU NEVER KNOW! Now she understands.

      • / Reply

        I am surprised they are not concerned about LM foundering or getting laminitis
        eating so much out of the feed bucket. Hope they are monitoring him.

        Getting loose into the feed bucket is the first cause of foundering.

  3. / Reply

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the connections of lovely Giant Ryan and Lillie Star.
    I was so hoping that they could save GR. The fact that they cared enough to try is very commendable. RIP Giant Ryan and Lillie Star.

    Goodnight to Zenny and 12Z, sweet dreams, too!
    All the best to our Z’sters, as well.

  4. / Reply

    So sorry. Apologies for getting Star Lillie’s name backwards. It is Star Lillie, not Lillie Star.
    Mea culpa. RIP beautiful girl.

  5. / Reply

    Peggy, You mentioned something about a video of Lava Man on “the other page”… I looked around but couldn’t find it. I’d love to see it if you could leave directions to where it is that would be fab! Thanks so much, Bonnie

      • / Reply

        LOL! Thank you! I wish I could say I had that experience with him! My friend Robyn’s main squeeze got to get on his back while on a visit! They have seen him several times. It has been years, but I would have no problem asking if I could have a leg up! er, well, more like a lift up!

    • / Reply

      Hey Bonnie, I was speaking about that picture of Lava Man visiting with the young girl . I misspoke and said video. That was such a nice picture of him with his head out of his stall visiting with her. Those video’s Judy posted were great too.

  6. / Reply

    Dear Marshall:

    Didn’t know about Giant Ryan and Star Lillie. So sad.

    RIP Giant Ryan and Star Lillie. Hugs, JB

  7. / Reply

    Oh, thanks Judy! I had seen the one where he’s foraging in the grain bin but not the one where he’s groovin’ to the tunes, what a character! He is a real gift to whoever he is around and I hope he will continue to be a pony at the track. He seems to thrive on the atmosphere. He can be both a clown and also very serious when he’s “working”.
    Have a good night!
    Bonnie

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy B,

        They sent Lava Man to a farm and he hated it. It was only for a few weeks
        and he was sent back to Doug O’Neill. He has so much personality and has
        always been such a character/clown. He must be lonely without his humans
        to play with.

      • / Reply

        Karen that was horrible that he didn’t visit with you. I think I probably would have been heartbroken. That would have probably have been my luck too though. I must admit though one fellow that I have been very fortunate enough to have wonderful visits with is A P Indy. Its like he’s saying Yeah It’s Me Indy. He definately knows who he is. I found him just so easy to get close too. Love horses like that. I know he’s getting on up there in age and I can’t bearly bear the thought of his not being around. OMG don’t even want to hear about that. If he goes before me I’m going to be a basket case. I believe we’ll see them all again, but Oh golly its just missing them untll we do.
        Only One horse I have found so far that he just didn’t act like that day he liked visitors and that was Invasor.. Maybe he’s not always Arogant but he sure was that day.They were very nice at Shadwell,. But Invasor only acted like he would have liked to have taken a huge bite out of someone. He actually did lunge at me. I asked if he liked peppermints and they said no He Spits them Out… Bad Boy

        • Oh what a great post! Thanks for that on A P Indy too – love him. Aren’t most horses less than friendly at the barns and farms? A lot do bite. After all they are horses!
          Yes, Lava Man disappointed me that day, but I got to see him today and he took his head out of the feed bucket when I called out to him. I thought I read somewhere that IHA was next to him in the barn now, but they aren’t.

        • Sound like Invasor is very stallion like !!!!

          “I am the man, and remember it, or I will bite you”

        • Peggy N,
          Loved your Indy remarks, I so enjoyed my visit with him. Put a lipstick kiss on his nose, was so funny when others came up to his stall and said, “Oh my God he’s got lipstick on his nose.” I also paid for a special visit ( if you give his groom an extra $20.00, he brings him out and lets you get a special pic with him) and I got to hug him around his neck. He is so sweet for a stallion, and you and I both will be basket cases when he goes, I just love him to death. One of his Keeneland fillies just won big time today her name is Love and Pride…..pretty mare. Hugs

        • Not sure IHA is much of a peoples horse, I mean interaction wise.
          Maybe more of a buisiness guy than fun or curious about humans.

          Some horses are friendly in the barns, but maybe TB in racing barns are more hardwired and cranked up to run, they don’t much care about humans.

          Did you see in the article about Frankel’s trainer, Everyone come to see
          him and he says he dosen’t want to see you. He must really be cranked
          and ready to go. Needs an experienced horse person to read and interact with him.

  9. / Reply

    Zenny and little Z, hope you have a great weekend and enjoy every moment at that gorgeous home you call LE. Zenny, we heard your Mario recently had surgery.
    We pray he is ok and will be back in Barn 55 soon.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue and Tony:

      Thanks for the info on Z’s Mario. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Hugs, JB

  10. / Reply

    Looked up Star Lillie’s pedigree. I am glad the connections are updating reflecting when they die. Here’s the link:
    http://www.pedigreequery.com/star+lillie
    RIP dear girl. So sad also.
    Just love watching LM videos. Reminds me of our boy who never takes a step without a bite for the road–just in case the food disappears. When Sherry Beth was little, there was a song on Sesame Street called “Mr. M with the Munching Mouth.” Little did we know she would have a Mr. Money with the munching mouth!
    Happy Friday to all!

  12. / Reply

    So so sadden to hear of Giant Ryan’s passing. RIP good boy, now you can run tell you hearts content without pain.
    Love hugs and kisses

  13. / Reply

    Babies grow up too fast and our boy is growing up. Soon be weaning time for him.

    Most farms wean between 5-6 months so Rachel A’s foal will be weaned soon. He’ll be 5 months next week. Time flies!

    • / Reply

      Sounds like he’ll be ready. Stonestreet, on their FB page, says he spends more time playing with his buddy Chili than he spends with his mom these days.

      • / Reply

        I guess that is how the foals wean themselves from mom.
        Less time with her and more time playing with their young
        counterparts.

        12 Z is not playing much or at least we have not seen him, still
        a mama’s boy soon to grow up to be a boy.

      • / Reply

        Taco and Chili crack me up. Together their antics must keep that farm entertained to the max. I would love to see them in action,in person.
        I bet Rachel and Dixie will gladly let these boys move on to pursue their careers.
        They have been great Moms too,just like you Zenny!!

        • I love the comment one of the videos of RA and her colt.

          The farm manager says “he likes to play with his friends, and
          when they are not around, he plays with us, but he is getting
          so big, it is becoming dangerous”. Poor little boy needs his
          colty boy friends to roughouse with. We humans are too delicate
          now.

    • / Reply

      Good article. Thanks, Judy.

      I’m glad they mentioned the numerous OTTBs at this year’s Rolex. It’s interesting that many of these horses, who are among the elite sport horses in the world, were not good racers. I checked their records on Equibase. Some never broke their maidens. It’s nice to know that success on the track isn’t a prerequisite for success off the track.

      • / Reply

        Wow can you imagine showing Kelso in a hunter/jumper show.
        That would be a real thrill !!!!

    • / Reply

      Great link Judy B.

      Every horse needs to have great gound work and dressage helps build strength,
      and stability. That is why all of the eventing horses are so very supple and
      able to do both cross country and show jumping.

      Dressage is the foundation and should be taught to all horses in their young
      lives.

  15. / Reply

    CALLING ALL Z’ISTERS
    I imagine you are used to seeing this from me when there is an urgent rescue in progress at the Nevada feedlot. That’s not why I am hoping to get your attention. It is a little different this time.

    HORSES NEED TO EAT! Marlene Dodge of Valley View Ranch Equine Rescue has more than 50 head of horses at the ranch, many of whom we’ve helped to rescue. She needs our help to buy hay to feed those horses.

    RIGHT NOW SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE 17 BLOCKS OF HAY AT $840 EACH. This is locally grown forage hay. For every $840 raised, she will buy one block of hay. For all 17 blocks, the cost is $14,280. She has raised 7.35 percent of that goal since she started this Call to Action yesterday.

    LET’S SEE IF WE CAN HELP HER OUT! Please go to http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com to make a donation.

    Thanks Z’isters for all that you do to love horses.

    Your humble J

    • / Reply

      Jeanie,
      Just made a donation for the hay fund through PayPal.
      All the best to Marlene, you and all who do so much for these wonderful horses!
      Thanks!

  16. / Reply

    If anyone’s interested, the OBS under tack show (2 year olds) is streaming live on Blood Horse (and probably elsewhere).

    • / Reply

      Laura, thanks love those Undertack shows. Wish I was going down but have to work next week. I am hopefully going down in August to see the yearlings.

  17. / Reply

    Eblouissante (3-Year-Old Filly)

    Date: June 15, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 47:80 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 2/26

        • Eby is hopefully getting better or the rest of them are turtles.

          Awesome Gem (KY) Gelding 9 49.00 h 11/26

          Blingo (KY) Gelding 3 47.80 h 2/26

          Boat Trip (KY) Colt 3 48.00 h 5/26

          Ciao Valentina (CA) Filly 2 50.20 hg 19/26

          Cold Bay (CA) Colt 4 49.20 h 13/26

          Eblouissante (KY) Filly 3 47.80 h 2/26

          Fearsome Charisma (TX) Colt 3 50.20 hg 19/26

          Fifth Dimension (IRE) Gelding 4 51.00 h 24/26

          Gotham Knights (CA) Colt 3 50.40 h 23/26

          Heza Fox (LA) Gelding 3 47.80 h 2/26

          Home Sweet Aspen (KY) Filly 4 48.20 h 6/26

          Lady Delaney (CA) Filly 2 49.20 h 13/26

          Level Headed (FL) Filly 3 50.00 hg 17/26

          Magic Beam (KY) Horse 5 48.80 h 9/26

          Majestic City (KY) Colt 3 45.60 h 1/26

          Miss Luna (KY) Filly 2 50.20 hg 19/26

          Mr. Cappuccino (CA) Gelding 3 48.80 h 9/26

          Power Ped (KY) Colt 2 50.20 h 19/26

          Ridiculo (KY) Colt 2 51.00 h 24/26

          Roman Angel (CA) Filly 2 49.20 h 13/26

          Sabor Amargo (CHI) Horse 5 49.00 h 11/26

          Shame On Alex (KY) Colt 3 50.00 h 17/26

          Streets of Heaven (KY) Gelding 7 48.40 h 7/26

          Tiz Gianni (FL) Colt 4 49.40 h 16/26

          Toto Cor (KY) Filly 3 52.20 h 26/26

        • HA!! I thought sure it was some sort of “horse speak”!! (like being in a certain “class” or something). Wrong again! Thanks Trina.

          Thanks to Sue as well. So . . . it seems like 26 horses “worked out” at some given event or point in time, and the “rank” is how well any one of them did in comparison to the rest???

  18. / Reply

    Judy B – Thanks for the article on OTTBs. We are going to have some horses looking for a home and a new career when our Fort Erie track closes. One of the competitors in the dressage show that Vic entered last Saturday was riding a TB and they took all the first place ribbons in their class.
    ‘Happy Friday everyone.

    • / Reply

      TB are great dressage and hunter jumpers.
      They bring their heart courage and boldness to
      anything they do.

  19. / Reply

    @Darlene Daniels–love you back!

    @Judy Berube–thanks for the article. I didn’t know that about Kelso either.

    @Jeanie–just keep asking. I would do almost anything to help her. She once told me that her hay bill was $40,000 per year. Living in Texas through the drought last summer, I believe it! If you can spare even a little, please help. Hugs.

        • I will – right now I have a rescue with Diana’s and Barbara’s help. I really, really hate when one feels so helpless. But I know it will get done. Once I can breath a little easier, I will get the video posted. Thank you for your nice comments – as usual!

        • Oh yes, KG.

          Your work with rescue is number one.
          Hope all goes well.
          Keep us posted.

    • / Reply

      Karen its ironic too what you said about not knowing who I’ll Have Another was when you saw him earlier .I was at the sales in Ocala the week I’ll Have Another sold last year to Dennis O’Neal purchasing him for his Brother Doug’s Clients (The Redhams) I am assuming that’s how it went because I know he did sell that week there. I believe he sold as a yearling at Keeneland and then in Ocala as a 2 year old. Hey none of us knew who he was then. A Big (Who Knew)

  22. / Reply

    Hi everybody,

    It is going to be a hot and dry weekend. Stay cool and well hydrated, and remember some water for our liitle featherd friends. It is so dry here the birds are coming right to my fountain in front. They are so thirsty and wanting a bath so bad they jump right in even with my cat Baby lying right beside the fountain.

    Happy, safe and healthy racing to all TB’s this weekend.

    Dawn Conrad and Terry Crow, and Ingrid, hope you are back with us soon.

    Have a great weekend everybody. Love to all and my angels, Zenyatta and 12Z.

  23. / Reply

    Wow, just read on drf that not only did we loose Giant Ryan but, we lost Yawanna Twist today. He was coming out of anesthesia from ankle surgery and broke his hind leg. Such a very, very, very sad last couple of weeks and mainly this week with the three “Known” losses of our beautiful Thoroughbred Athletes. RIP Twister! :(

  24. / Reply

    EMERGENCY NOTICE–IMMEDIATE RESCUE MAY BE NEEDED!!!!!
    A friend of Charlotte Farmer’s passed away two days ago and she was the custodian of five of Seabiscuit’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband does not want the horses. We think they are in Oregon. Charlotte is very upset and called Diana Stuart and gave her more details and Diana called me on her way home from work a few minutes ago. She will contact us with more details.

    Meanwhile, until we get those details—please alert all your contacts that this emergency rescue touches significant racing history. ALL horses are precious, but knowing that there are horses who have him in their bloodline makes these horses exceptional. They are old. One seems to be blind. More details on the way. EQUI-ARMY-NDO is mobilizing to assist in this rescue, so please stay tuned and get ready to act.
    Skip/Barbara Grimaldi/www.equi-army-ndo.com

    • / Reply

      Thank you Skip! And thank you Diana … I told Charlotte to call Diana right away . Char’s friend’s husband didn’t know what to do other than send the horses to slaughter! Thank goodness he is not going to do that now, at least until Charlotte or Diana get back to him with what to do!

      • / Reply

        KAREN!!!! DO YOU THINK OLD FRIENDS WOULD TAKE THEM IF WE ALL CHIP IN TO HELP????????????? WE CANNOT LET THEM GO TO SLAUGHTER!!!!!! THEY ARE HISTORY!!!!!!!!!

        • Barb, I think it is better now – George, Helen’s husband is calmer now and will wait to hear from Charlotte with the groups help! Thank you!

  25. / Reply

    Today, I had the worst headache I’ve ever had in my entire life. I couldn’t see straight and I could barely stay awake. I took some Advil and laid down to take a nap…… And woke up four hours later. I didn’t have my throbbing headache, but I was disoriented.

    I am riding Red tomorrow. Going to get some flat work in. Then I’m going to the shelter I volunteer at to help a horse called Gus (not my Gussy). He’s so thin, you can count all his ribs and he could barely stand last night. He has severe sunburn on his nose, rainrot all over his coat, and problems with his feet and vision. The owner saw nothing wrong with that. I am going to go visit and help out. They have a website, it’s SHERRNC.com. They are also on FB. I am on there working with a horse named Jaz. Like them, and if you can, any donation goes to very good use. Thanks Z family. Have a good night.

  26. / Reply

    The video of our little “I am another” is cute, thanks! It is so good to see owners so excited about the real life of their investments.

    • / Reply

      Sign, Thank you so much for that video. Just love her. I am looking so forward to the Euro races. I think Frankel is racing soon too. I am so looking forward to the fall races too. I just love,love, love Ofevre and I believe he is racing in the Arc. Max so kindly told me that it was the first of October. And then back to the states in Nov. OMG the Breeders Cup. Looking forward to it.

    • / Reply

      Peggy N,
      I love all three that you mentioned as well.
      Wish our American TB had the Euro stamina.
      Just listening to some of the English trainers
      talking about the 2.5 mile race at Royal Ascot.

      So many people in US say Belmont is soooo
      long and after they run they say they will
      never do it again.

      I think we need to add length to our US races.

      I sure hope Black Cavier does well. Love her
      “wet suit” look. Guess it was used to keep her
      from swelling with the plane ride.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Thank you for this. BC looks great in that suit. She has the right curves for it and knows how to model. Hoping that she wins her race. She looks well after her long flight.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max,
        Love your comment about BC curves and she knows how to wear it.
        Very cute, and it is so true.

        Talking heads are saying she really does not have much to prove,
        but if she wins it will be a big feather in her “hat”. Concern over
        the deep turf in Europe though.

        • Sign. It would be a shock if BC does not win despite the condition of the turf. I watched some videos of her races. She is incredible as a racehorse. She has quiet determination like the Queen. She can also pose well. However, in my opinion, no horse has the posing ability of Zenyatta.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the artical Sign on Black Caviar. She is another special TB, and gorgeous too. Wishing her all the best at Royal Ascot. I believe she is going to meet the Queen.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Very very interesting. Maybe TT should head back to the track? You always said that she is more interested in her career than motherhood.

      • / Reply

        Maybe if TT goes back to the track, she will appreciate retirement and LE
        and realize being a Broodmare is very easy work, other than having the
        little one suckle, but she can get used to that, if she only knew.

      • / Reply

        Yes, it is indeed a scourge — I agree with you, Karen G. Sincerely hope that someday soon a cure can be achieved.

        Thanks for the information, Sign.

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