Zenyatta

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Zenyatta News

Trevor Denman “One We Will Never Forget!”

Photo by Benoit Photography

Dear Friends,

Earlier this month, an ICON in our Industry, Trevor Denman, announced his retirement. For decades, his was the VOICE of thoroughbred racing in Southern California and countless Classic Races in our sport. Signature phrases defined his race calls. He’d begin a race saying, “The field is sent on their way” or “away they go.” As horses were running down the stretch, he’d add expressions as ?” Looks like she jumped in at the quarter pole”…” They would need to sprout wings to catch (horse’s name)”…” He’s out there moving like a winner” or “is coming like an express train” to name a few. Trevor’s ability to craft each race as an intriguing story sharing his knowledge of racing strategies, a jockey’s style, and his love for the thoroughbred became treasured by all.

On March 9th, Trevor did a wonderful interview with Mike Willman on KLAA830 Radio. He recounted the many spectacular races he called and the magnificence of the horses he watched race and thrill the fans. When Mike asked him which race call was his favorite, Trevor responded…” for years, it was the 1989 Preakness with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer going stride to stride, head-to-head, nose to nose as they came down the stretch.”

Then on November 7, 2009, the day Zenyatta won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, this changed. Her Classic WIN became his #1. Trevor commented he had called so many of her races and knew her running style so well. In preparing for the race, he tried to keep an open mind, not plan on any script, just let the race and the way it unfolded create the emotion for him to share with the fans. Going into the Classic, in his mind, she was the horse in the turquoise silks. Throughout the body of the race, he kept the fans aware of her position as she was such a fan favorite. “Zenyatta has a lot, a lot of ground to make up”…. was his one statement. As the race progressed, she was still far back, and he added…” If she wins this, she will be a super horse.” Once in the stretch, Zenyatta moved to the outside making up ground. He announced this to the crowd, and added…” Zenyatta is coming, flying on the grandstand side.” In this interview with Mike, Trevor explained he was watching her making this move and wanted his call to be in cadence with her strides. At that moment, his race call became one which echoed through the entire grandstand at Santa Anita: “THIS IS UN-BELIEVABLE! WHAT A PERFORMANCE, ONE WE WILL NEVER FORGET. ONE OF THE MOST SENSATIONAL EVER!”

Photo by Benoit Photography

Dear Trevor, Happy Retirement! We want you to know…YOU ARE ONE WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

With Love,
Hugs to all
Zenyatta, Her Fans and Family

Reader Interactions

519 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Happy retirement to Trevor, of course. I will miss him. Bet he’s the only race caller with his epic call of Zenyatta winning the BC Classic written on the back of a shirt! Would also love to say a great big Happy Birthday to Zenyatta and Ziconic. Love to them always.

  3. / Reply

    Enjoy your retirement, Trevor, and thank you so much for giving us such wonderful memories that will last forever! Your calls were always impeccable, but the 2009 BC call was a work of art. You made an already exciting race absolutely thrilling with your timing and turn of phrase. We’ll miss you! 😘

  4. / Reply

    I hear every one of Trevor’s words in my mind right now. Happy retirement, sir. You definitely added to the excitement we felt!

  5. / Reply

    All the very Best Wishes for a wonderful retirement to Trevor Denman! We have thrilled to your calls and never more so than that 2009 BC! Indeed, you are definitely unforgettable. Beautiful memories! Heartfelt thanks, Trevor!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Unbelievable Zenyatta
    AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her Red Prince, Ziconic❣️
    🎉 💕 🎉 💕 🎉 💕 🎉 💕 🎉 💕 🎉
    Hugs and Love forever

  7. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS, JUSTY and TEAM Z:

    Happy retirement Mr. Denman. One of the greatest race callers and two of the best calls of Breeders Cup Classics, 2009 and 2010, in my opinion.

    Happy 21st Birthday Z and Happy 12th Birthday ZICONIC. Hope you both enjoy your Birthday treats today. Love and Hugs to all of you, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Z Fans:

        Oh Boy, I really mixed that post up. Wishing ZI a Happy 12th and having COZZIE on my mind. 🤪🤪🤪 Sorry!!!

        Love and Hugs, JB

  8. / Reply

    Thanks for the great recap re Trevor’s famous lines. How I wish I had heard him live even once. Of course we’ve all heard the replays and especially that epic call of Zenny’s stretch run in the BC Classic. Congratulations on your retirement Mr Denman and thanks for all of the wonderful memories. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
    Also, Happy Birthday to our Queen and her Red Prince! ❤️❤️

  9. / Reply

    Wishing all wonderful things for Zenyatta on her 21st Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZENYATTA !!! And Happy Birthday to Ziconic a beautiful boy of yours Z .
    Love forever, kisses to you and your foals
    Auntie Sally B

  10. / Reply

    April 1st marked Zenyatta’s 21st birthday – wow! I hope you had a fun and happy day darlin’ girl! And happy birthday to your baby boy Ziconic too! Congrats to Trevor Dunman on his retirement and thanks for the memories!

  11. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS and JUSTY:

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love You, Hugs, JB❤️🦋🌼🌺❤️🦋🌼🌺❤️

  12. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta and Pasture-mates (and all at Lane’s End),
    Hope you are safe and dry, dear ones. I know the LE team will
    take excellent care and exercise every precaution.
    God bless you all❣️
    🙏 💕 🙏
    Hugs and Love Always

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca:

      Thank you for the lovely article on SHUGGY and for the video of his work. He looks great out there. Handsome boy. Love and Hugs, JB

  15. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS and JUSTY:

    Have missed you. Been in hospital with BP issues. Fine now.

    Hope you’re all having a lovely day. Love and Hugs, JB

  16. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS and JUSTY:

    Goodnight Sweeties. Happy Dreams. Love and Hugs, JB

  17. / Reply

    While we wait for SHUGGY to go through the ring tomorrow, here’s news on offspring of another 2004 mare – Rags to Riches.
    Her 2021 Justify son Richly Deserved – an intact 4yo colt (born June 2) – is Hip 8 in the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age sale on April 25. He has run twice, placing seventh on debut on the grass on February 23 and winning a nine-furlong all-weather MSW on April 6.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfKDb55Hsms

    Rags to Riches has a 2023 Munnings filly, a 2024 Uncle Mo colt, and was bred to Tiz the Law for 2025. Richly Deserved is her first named foal/starter since 2016 (Stratification); she had four colts from 2017-2020, none of whom were named and therefore never raced. Coolmore doesn’t seem to register names with horses until they are ready to run.

  19. / Reply

    Dear Rebecca:

    Thanks for the news on Rags to Riches.

    Very surprised Shuggy did not sell. Perhaps Ann H. will decide to race the beautiful boy.

    Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Because he was a scratch, my guess is EITHER he got hurt OR he did not have very much interest from buyers between his work and sale date so they withdrew him. They might re-enter him in a later sale or race him. I’m hoping he and Nymue get wins on the board for Zenyatta’s family line.

        • Hi Judy. I do miss the Forum side of this Site. There was a lot of fun and interesting comments and it’s sad that there is no more contact with the regular posters on the Forum. I would have liked to have shared with that group that I did take the brave step in buying a broodmare and breeding her in 2023. Last year she foaled a beautiful Girvin filly for me…January 26, 2024 to be precise. I can’t believe that she goes into training at the end of this year! Looking forward to the Oaks this Friday and of course the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
          Best to you.

      • / Reply

        I read a comment from Mayberry that Ann decided to keep him. So it appears he is not an “out” because of an injury or little interest.

        • Dear Especially Horses:

          Thanks for this info. Looking forward to seeing Shuggy race.

          Nice to have a post from you.

          Love and Hugs, JB

        • Hello Especially Horses,
          How exciting that you have a broodmare and now a yearling filly by Girvin. You have a lot to look forward to this year!!
          Best Wishes to you in your endeavors AND lots of good luck and fun with your Girvin girl!

          Hugs and Cheers 🥰

        • Dear Especially Horses:

          So sorry it took me so long to answer your post. I didn’t see it until today. Wow, how exciting that you own a TB mare and her Girvin filly. She’s a yearling now. What did you name her? I will look forward to following her progress. Who will she train with?

          I know you were a regular poster on The Forum. Maybe some of the regulars will come over to the Blog. I hope so. I used to check The Forum all the time for information on Z and her babies. Very informative and interesting conversations there.

          Plese let us know how your sweet mare and filly are doing. Is your mare in foal again this year?

          Glad Shuggy is not injured. We have to follow him if and when Ann decides to race him.

          Love and Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    Hi!

    So sad that Trevor is retiring.

    I love his voice. It was so pleasing to hear.

    Love Zenyatta, and her babies!

    Thank you!

    Lise from Maine (former licensed clinician)

  22. / Reply

    Happy Easter to you Zenyatta!! I bet you got some carrots! I love you and think of you so often and I think of all your foals that have grown up!! Nymue is the youngest and looks so much like you. She could be you all over again! But, sometimes a horse like you does not come so quickly, as you were a once in a lifetime dream!! I wish her the best and the chosen one. I love all of them and what they have done. You gave me the greatest moments in my life and I am so grateful!!! My heart sung!!
    Happy Easter to all your connections too!
    Love you and all your foals,
    Auntie Sally Blank

  23. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS and JUSTY:

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB🏇🏻💐🏇🏻💐🏇🏻💐🏇🏻💐🏇🏻

  24. / Reply

    Rags to Riches son by Justify, Richly Deserved, sold for $100,000 to Doug O’Neill, Agent for Ty Leatherman & Todd Cady. He was their only buy of the night. They raced 2024 Godolphin Mile winner Two Rivers Over.

  25. / Reply

    ZELLDA produced a Practical Joke colt on April 19 – her second colt’s birthday!! The breeder of record is AHHA Stables, LLC. Interesting change.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Rebecca,
    Thanks for this happy news about Zellda’s new colt! Congratulations to Zellda (and Practical Joke) on the arrival of this baby! Wow, he and Just Sayin’ share the same birthday just a year apart — how about that? Cool!!
    Looking forward to a photo or two. I hope Mama and baby are thriving❣️
    Z, congrats on your newest grandson!!
    Hugs and Love 💕

    • / Reply

      Dear Marshall,
      Thanks for your comment and well wishes for my Girvin girl. Sorry I’m responding on this thread, but there was no “reply” function next to your comment. I wish there was a way to post a photo my Girvin filly.

      I didn’t breed her dam last year, but last month she was bred to Sir Prancealot for a 2026 foal. We are waiting for the 30 day mark to see if she is in foal.

      Thanks again.

      • / Reply

        Dear Especially Horses:

        You answered some of my questions in your reply to Marshall about your mare. Love Sir Prancelot. Hope all goes well for this mating.

        So good to have posts from you.

        Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Especially Horses,
        Thank you for your response! I wish we could see a photo of your filly, too.
        I am sure she is gorgeous!
        Hope your mare’s breeding to Sir Prancealot was successful. Please keep us posted on this and the filly’s progress (also the names of Mama and filly).
        Best Wishes always❣️
        Hugs and Love

  27. / Reply

    Happy Birthday (April 19th) to Just Sayin’! Hope you had a fun 1st birthday!!

    Happy Birthday (April 27th) to handsome Shuggy on your 2nd birthday. Hope you have a perfectly lovely day!

    Take care, stay safe and well Z & all your family❣️
    Hugs and Love

  28. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS, JUSTY and New Baby Boy:

    Love and Big Hugs to all of you, JB❤️🦋🌺❤️🦋🌺❤️🦋🌺❤️

  29. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, and Grandsons:

    Have a peaceful evening. Love and Big Hugs, JB

  30. / Reply

    Judy, Marshall & Rebecca:
    It has been an exciting journey becoming a Thoroughbred breeder. My mare is Not A Kitten. She is by Munnings and out of a full sister to Tiznow. She is the sweetest mare! I bought her in LA, sent her to KY to be bred to Girvin and when confirmed 60 days in foal I sent her to CA to foal out. I think my filly is one of two Girvin’s foaled in CA last year. I just registered her name. I’ve been calling her “little girl” since she was foaled. I named her Talitha which in Aramaic means Little Girl, Little Lamb, Young Maiden. I haven’t selected a training facility yet, but the farm owner has made some suggestions. We should hear soon if Not A Kitten is in foal to Sir Prancealot. He is drop dead gorgeous. His stallion page doesn’t do him justice.
    Thank you for your interest, it’s fun to share.

    Not sure if the link below will work or not.

    https://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?query_type=horse&search_bar=horse&h=NOT+A+KITTEN&g=5&p=0&f=1&l=

    • / Reply

      Dear Especially Horses:

      Great Pedigree; Speightstown, Holy Bull, Slew and Big Red too. Will be looking forward to hearing from you on Kitten’s mating with Prancealot. If you find a way to post photos of Not a Kitten and Talitha, would love to see them. Pretty name. Is she a Bay like Mama and Daddy.

      Little Talitha has quite a wonderful pedigree too with Big Red on both sides. Godspeed to her in her training. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      I love Sir Prancealot as a sire! Looking forward to hearing more news; I am always looking at broodmares wishing I could buy one. Right now I’m just involved in MyRacehorse’s Simply Enchanting (3/4 to Envoutante by Nyquist) who will be checked for pregnancy to Curlin soon.

      • / Reply

        Dear Rebecca:

        That’s wonderful. Please let us know if Simply Enchanting is in foal. Wow, great pedigree for the future little one.

        Love and Hugs, JB

        • She did not check in foal today. She is scheduled to be re-bred May 13; the plan is to sell her at Keeneland Nov or Fasig-Tipton November in foal.

        • Dear Rebecca:

          I wish Simply Enchanting a happy life as a broodmare with a caring owner. Hope the mating on the 13th is successful.

          Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Rebecca,
        I hope to hear sometime next week if Nak is in foal to Sir P. As you probably know he is mostly a turf sire. Nak’s sire Munnings has sired nice turf horses so I’m crossing my fingers for a nice turf runner.

        I think My Racehorse is an excellent way to be connected to a Runner or Broodmare. Did you consider buying into Mage and Dornoch’s brother? I think his nickname is Preaky.

        Hope to share good news next week.

        • I have gotten into “Preaky”, yes. Currently I have no runners as all four of the ones I have been involved in are retired or claimed. I nearly got involved in the broodmare band they got for sending to Seize the Grey but it was a little out of budget. I am hoping Simply Enchanting gets in foal this time; she’s been at Taylor Made since early March and cycled well enough to be covered for the first time on April 24. The deal with Curlin is to pay the stud fee (at full price from the sound of it) out of her sale proceeds instead of paying it before she sells.

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