Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Looking Ahead For 2014

Zenyatta greets a fan. Photo by Alys Emson.
Z greets a fan. Photo by Alys Emson.
Happy New Year Zenyatta Fans!

We hope everyone had a joyous holiday season filled with friends and family. As you may have noticed, Team Z took some time off to celebrate and to make plans for the coming year. We’ve been dreaming up blog features, new Zenyatta products, and eagerly anticipating the birth of Zenyatta’s third foal.

In the meantime, Zenyatta and 13Z have been greeting the winners of our Zenyatta.com Celebration drawing with enthusiasm. We’ll share Alys’ photos from these visits in a future blog post.

Before the holidays we asked you to show us how you’re using your Celebration Stickers. A few of our favorite submissions are below. Thanks Susan, Mary Ellen, Pam, and Cathleen for your photos!

We always welcome feedback from the fans. Send photos of your Zenyatta products in use or suggestions for the future to fans@zenyatta.com. We can’t reply to every email, but we do read everything!

We approach the new year with a sense of gratitude for this loving community. We’re excited to see what this year will bring, and we hope you are too!

-Team Z

Celebration Stickers in action!
Celebration Stickers in action!

P.S. Check out this article about Coz in the LA Times!

Reader Interactions

633 Comments

  4. / Reply

    January 15 Cherokee Devotional

    Feeling drained and weak in the knees is not so much a physical problem as an emotional one. Too much pressure drains away strength and we feel we are going to pieces. Inertia and lightheadedness may be the result of having to face something that seems beyond any power to overcome.But these will dissolve when met with strong words of strength and faith. As soon as strength takes hold and begins to flow again, we know we have struck down something so wily and subtle that it was both real and imaginary. But nothing has power against strong words, “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” And then we can ride the waves of our emotions like a canoe and not get upset among the waves.

    Black Hawk is a true Indian, and disdains to cry like a woman.
    Black Hawk

  5. / Reply

    Congratulations to Frankel and Chrysanthemum on the foaling of your beautiful bay colt! Such welcome good news after all the recent tragic losses.

  7. / Reply

    Dear KathyThe last couple of days have certainly been emotional.Birth and Death walk hand-in-hand. Yesterday we were mourning St Nick’s passing and today we celebrate Frankel’s first-born a handsome bay colt.Life goes on.So glad Steve had good news with the doctor and I will pray for good results in a week,our health is our wealth. Ray is patiently waiting a cookie,I did’nt know Joey is on twitter I just love to see him curled up sleeping!Have a good day Hugs to you,Kisses for the Puppy Pack. Sheena

  8. / Reply

    to anyone who loves some of the old ones…
    the paulick report is got a series going of videos … two …so far
    the first Native Dancer…
    just up this week …one on Kelso….5 time HOTY…that one is unbreakable ..IMO
    worth a look..
    they are short….about 3 minutes or so

    • / Reply

      You are right about Kelso. It is unlikely that any horse in the “modern” era will be racing 7 or 8 years, much less at a high level. When he raced out here, he got dusted.

      • / Reply

        Tidal Bay is 13 and he’s jump racing in England. He came 2 a few weeks ago after a year’s lay off. No sign of retirement.
        Mort Fink says that Dan will race for as long as he is able. Go Danny!

      • / Reply

        Kelso was a biter, like our friend Fly!
        Glad that Kelso finally won the DC International. he was lucky to have raced and trained when he did. Patience and love poured into him. He is buried on the Eastern Shore of MD. I believe the same area where Giacomo will stand.

    • / Reply

      Don’t forget–the main reason Kelso raced so long was that he was a gelding. Had he been intact his racing career would have been much shorter.

        • There are always exceptions. Musketier raced until he was 10. Then he went to stud at Adena in 2012. He had 50 starts. The horse loved to race and his owner knew this. He also loved teddy bears. Uncle Johnny was his jockey.

        • @Max,
          About the wonderful Musketier, what a great horse to race at 10 and do it well, PLUS you gotta love a horse who loves teddy bears!! What a stud he should be!
          Hugs

  9. / Reply

    morn Zsters :)

    Who Is Like Our God?

    I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me…Isaiah 45:5
    You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? Psalm 71:19
    There is no God like our God!

    We don’t need to help Him out for He is all-powerful;
    We don’t need to give Him solutions for He is all-wise;
    We don’t need to give Him explanations
    for He is all-knowing;
    We don’t need to wake Him up
    for He never slumbers or sleeps;
    We don’t need to hope that He will show up for He is always present;
    We don’t need to try to figure Him out for His ways are past finding out;
    We don’t need to make Him weapons of warfare for He knows no defeat;
    We don’t need to try and get His attention for His ears are open to our cry;
    We don’t need to be concerned about how He will take care of us for He is in control.

    -Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow.

    @pati – the poem u shared made me cry but it was nice

    @karen gogue – happy happy bday :)
    may god bless u richly today & for yrs to come.
    hope u hVE A GREAT DAY. ♥
    hugs,vamp

    @trina – lovely poem ♥

    may god watch over yyou all & keep u in his care today
    hugs/prayers, vamp

  12. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Karen Gogue! May it be special and be all that such a special day could bring!

    I know my personal FB is private for everyone except my friends, so I might follow the footsteps of everyone else, and make a public page. I can post my various pictures, albums, I can post about my blog, and keep all of my nonsense together that way. Though, I still have to stamp a copyright on my pictures; I already caught three people trying to pass of my pictures as their own. I was not a happy camper with them.

    SHERR has been doing great! They were fortunate enough to get enough donations and funds to expand the barn area so that they could take in more horses! Gus is doing great and so many horses have found forever homes. It’s been a good last few weeks at SHERR.

    I’m ready for my second semester to start. It’s going to be a hectic and crazy few days with the moving out of Caz, traveling to KY and then moving into Midway. I have a feeling I’ll be napping a lot. I also wonder who my roommate is…I’m curious.

    I hope you guys have been doing well; I wish I could post more but I’m on the go so often, I don’t have the time I wish I could spend to post more here. Stay warm and happy Year of the Horse. May it be better as we go along; it’s been a toughy so far.

    • / Reply

      Dear Pati:

      Good luck with your move. Get some rest when you can. Hope you love Midway. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet:

      Thank you. Great slideshow. As you said, Animal Kingdom is stunning looking. They’re all so uniquely beautiful, but It was great to see the Grays, General Quarters and Graydar, the beautifully dappled Bullet Train and the almost true Black, Denman. Also, wonderful shots of some of my favorites: Point of Entry, Take Charge Indy, Oxbow, Paynter and Fort Larned. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the link to the wonderful pictures Janet. I can’t believe how many there were of horses that I didn’t even know had retired. Denman is spectacular, and the grays are awesome. Hard to believe that none of these guys will be racing again.

  15. / Reply

    Champions Series ‏tweet
    Rather appropriately Frankel’s first foal was born on the late Sir Henry Cecil’s birthday (Jan 11th)
    Happy BIrthday Sir Henry!

  17. / Reply

    Dear BGG I had forgotten it was the Great Sir Henry’s birthday,am annoyed with myself. Frankel paid him the ultimate compliment with his first-born son. Henry must be looking down with a smile on his face.Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. His favorite horse was actually Twice Over. He loved him best and called Twice Over his best friend. Z beat him in the 2009 BCC. TO went to stud in South Africa.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Cecil once said that he doubted that Frankel even knew him. Frankel the horse seemed to belong to his namesake, Bobby Frankel. Therefore, the reason for his barn name.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting Janet. So sad about Mentor Cane but a loving story of Tall Glass O Water. I too encourage all of you all to read Barbara’s books Old Friends and More Old Friends. Of course have a box of tissues close at hand.

      • / Reply

        shirlee,

        I have More Old Friends and love that book. Wish I could find a copy of Old Friends ( at least one I can afford anyway ) and you are right about the box of Kleenex on hand.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting this Janet – the pictures are wonderful if heart-breaking. Does anyone know if Barbara Livingston ever sells any of her pictures? The one of John, with a grin from ear to ear, grasping the jockey’s hand after Mentor Cane won is just priceless!

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet:

      Thank you so much for this link. I hadn’t seen it. Another wonderful commentary and gorgeous photos of MC. Gone too soon. Love and Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    I’m heartbroken about St Nicholas Abbey. He gave such a valiant fight. I really thought he would make it. I just read on the Paulick Report that Laughing died Monday during colic surgery. This has been such a sad couple of weeks. Thank God Frankel’s first foal arrived safely. It’s good to hear some good news for a change.

    Happy Birthday, Karen Gogue! I loved hanging out with you at the BC and Hollywood Park. You’re sorely missed here on the blog. And thank you, Trina, for another classic poem. You’re the best!!

  23. / Reply

    OH NO!! Not St. Nicholas Abbey!! The O’Briens must be just heartbroken,not to mention all of his other connections. Joseph always looked so very proud to be up on him! RIP poor boy!! Such a shame,seemed like his was going to make it,after a long,tough fight.

    So sorry to have this happen on your birthday,dear Karen. I do hope you have had a good day anyway,with lots of friends checking in! It was SO wonderful seeing you on BC weekend and so kind of you to organize our visit to HP!! That was one of the high points of the entire vacation!!! Getting to meet Steve was just incredible,I loved standing under Zenny’s tree and watching her sweet kitty sleep. And–getting to see,feed and love on Lava Man—–Wow!!!!!!! About a month after I got back home,Karen Taylor came into the store (the owner of the great Seattle Slew)–I told her ” you’ll never guess who I met–your Grandson,Lava Man!!!” She was so tickled to hear all about it and to hear how great he looks and how much fun we all had with him!!

    I did post a New Years message late on New Years Day that I don’t think anyone saw,so,I DO want to wish all Zsters,and all Zenny’s team,and,of course, Zenny,”the boys” and Baby on Board all the best for a wonderful 2014!!!

    I mentioned in the earlier post that the lovely lady who owns River Sage Stables,where Barnaby and Traveller are spending the winter,had decorated the arena. It really was beautiful,with the seven foot decorated and lighted tree and all of the other things she added. I’m quite sure that neither Barnaby nor Traveller had seen a Christmas tree before. I showed it to him several times and explained all about what it was and he was quite interested. What he REALLY has been interested in is the mirror that fills the end wall of the arena,behind the little grandstand and the tree and the pretty carousel horse she has down there! He is just hilarious about it. When he first saw it,I’m sure that he thought it was another horse!! Then,I started standing next to him and showing him the mirror with both of us in it. For the past few weeks I’ve been doing that every Saturday–he can see himself with me on his back,and with me standing next to him and petting him so he can see me petting him as he is feeling it. I think he is finally realizing just who that handsome boy is!! One thing that he does is really funny. when he is running around loose in there,he will go to the end with the mirror and kind of duck his head down past the level of the top of the little grandstand,or the railing around the arena and kind of look away. Then,he’ll peek his head up to see if the horse will show up! It is really SO cute!!!!

    He is going so well in his new “bridle”–which is,of course,his new riding halter. It is so pretty on him–it almost looks like Zenny’s racing bridle with the fleece nose roll. It is a lovely nylon,in a sort of plummy light maroon. I had reins made for it out of a neat lead rope that is braided with three colors together,the “plummy” color,hunter green and navy blue. I had another clip but on the plain end ,so each end just clips on the brass halter fittings nearest his mouth. I got a set of fleeces for it that are velcroed around the head strap,the nose band and both long sides of the halter,so that everything that touches his face is well padded. It’s all so gentle that he just loves it and responds perfectly to just the gentle pressure I use to turn or stop him. Of course,when you tell my boy “whoa”,he is so well trained that he “stops on a dime,with a nickel change!”

    He and TRaveller both seem to be really happy at the farm. She is being quite good for Sue–still trying to be a good girl as she told the psychic that she would!! Did I tell you that a mini (and it’s quarter horse friend) moved into the pen next to them. Sue was there the day they came and she said Barnaby and Traveller were just floored,trying to figure out just what that little thing was!!!! They kept putting their heads between the fence rails trying to sniff!! They are used to him now,but he sure is a cute little thing in his little blanket!

    Hope all have a peaceful and lovely night—much love to you all!!!!!

    • / Reply

      So nice to see you here Sue – loved hearing about Barnaby and the mirror (I’m not sure I will ever understand the technicalities of tack though). So glad that he and Traveller are in such a great place and now with an entertaining new neighbor :-) Hope you finally got some snow out there where it’s actually wanted :-) Check in again soon!
      Hugs,
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue:

      Happy New Year to all of you.

      Love your description of Barnaby and the mirror. So glad they’re both settled and happy in their new digs.

      Funny, the Mini’s are a mystery to my Charlie too. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Good to see you posting, Sue. It was a pleasure to talk to you during the BC. I hope to meet you in person next time. The Taylors have been very good for racing.

    • / Reply

      Sue. Always love these stories. I think of your Barnaby each day at lunch when I eat my Fuji apple. That horse has good taste.

      • / Reply

        Me, too!
        Fuji apples are the best! Papa Charlie has impeccable taste.
        They are my favorites, too.
        Hugs

  24. / Reply

    Dear Max Congratulations to Wise Dan on his 134 ranking. Yes I know Sir Henry adored TO but I like to think Frankel had a special place in his heart too. Have you heard how TO is getting on in South Africa?Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Nothing new on Twice Over. It must have been tough on Cecil when he left. You could seen the bond between them. I think that he also had a special connection to Midday. Midday was a great racing mare.

  25. / Reply

    Hi Sandy!! Will try to call you when I get home from work tonight!! The main thing Barnaby about the new tack is–“no stinkin’ bit!!!!”

  28. / Reply

    DEL MAR PREPARING FOR DUAL RACING SEASONS IN 2014
    With all approvals ensured and long-range projections starting to come into clear focus, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has begun to move forward toward a two-meet racing season in 2014 – the initial session being its usual summer stand, the second a shorter run covering the month of November.
    Near the conclusion of 2013, Del Mar received the green light for its dual meets from both the California Horse Racing Board and the California Coastal Commission. In addition, it also worked through date and grounds issues with its landlord – the 22nd District Agricultural Association, the state body that oversees the multi-purpose, 350-acre Del Mar Fairgrounds that is home to the seaside racing oval.
    With all parties in agreement, DMTC officials now are preparing to put on their usual special summer show followed by a unique fall session that will help patch one of the holes in the Southern California racing calendar caused by the closing of Betfair Hollywood Park in December.
    The track’s summer season – which will be its 75th going back to 1937 – will open on Thursday, July 17 and go forward to Wednesday, September 3. Over the past several decades Del Mar usually has started its regular meet on a Wednesday, but with the San Diego County Fair running until Sunday, July 6 in 2014, the extra day to prepare the grounds and the racing surface – and to allow horses to adapt to it – was considered a safety priority. Del Mar last opened on a Thursday in 1999, and also opened on that day in 1969 and 1956.
    Del Mar’s fall meeting will have 15 racing days, opening on Friday, November 7 and concluding on Sunday, November 30. It will race Friday-Saturday-Sunday on its first weekend, then settle into a four-days-per-week (Thursday through Sunday) schedule for the balance of the session. In conjunction with the singular nature of the second season, track officials are planning a totally different theme to the session, one that calls on the track’s Hollywood roots harkening back to its founder, Bing Crosby, and his show business connections.
    First post during the summer will be the usual 2 p.m. with the adjustment to 4 p.m. for all “Four O’Clock Friday” cards. The fall stand, however, will see first post at 12 noon throughout to allow for the earlier sunsets. The lone exception to the noon start will be Thanksgiving Day, November 27, when the starting time will be 11 a.m. to allow fans time for a day at the races as well as the opportunity to be home in time for a turkey dinner.
    Both sessions this year will showcase the debut of Del Mar’s new seven-furlong inner turf course, a wider, safer racing surface that is replacing the track’s original greensward installed in 1960.
    Online ticket and seat sales for the summer meet is schedule to start on Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m. Tickets and seats will be available for the fall session during the summer meeting beginning on a date yet to be determined.
    http://www.dmtc.com/racinginfo/news.php#item121

    Sorry that this is so long. But, lots of good info. Go to article to read
    more on 2015 which is also a Dual Meet. BGG

    • / Reply

      Thanks, BGG. Lot of good information here. Now that I know more about the new racing schedule, I have come to some conclusions. I would expect that Del Mar will do its usual good business during its regular meet. However, most things that are unique for those racing dates will be absent for the fall meet. Therefore, I would expect its business to fall off drastically. A 15 day race meet? Hardly enough time for stables to move in and out. Eastern trainers will be much less likely to ship their horses in and a horse shortage will probably be the result, unless Del Mar cards races for cheaper horses. This schedule is a recipe for disaster. What was the CHRB thinking?

    • / Reply

      ♥ Hi Judy!
      Timing couldn’t have been better LOL I just logged on and came back here to see if you shared the video!
      I’ve watched it numerous times today just for a good laugh :-)
      Have a great night!
      {{HUGS}} Judy aka jag

    • / Reply

      Thank you, JB and JAG.
      So funny! Better hide my car keys from the pups.
      JB- Lola Mae would be the little cutie at the airport with her pink luggage set!

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann:

        I knew you would enjoy these. I would have to get LM a pink outfit with a pillbox hat to match. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Perfect for Miss LM.
          I want snow so we can do wheelies in the parking lot!
          Have laughed all day, thanks!
          Love and hugs.

        • Love these ads! Thanks, Judy B. Hugs

          @Ann in NC
          I want snow, too, and so do my canines!! Hugs

        • Dear Marshall:

          Glad you enjoyed the videos. I love them too; couldn’t stop laughing. Love and Hugs, JB

Leave a Reply to Janet Newman Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.