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

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

    Sending Love and Hugs to all of you, JB❤️🐎❤️🐎❤️🐎❤️🐎❤️

  3. / Reply

    Dear Rebecca, Marshall and Z Fans:

    Just read that SHUGGY was scratched from his race today at Fair Grounds. He was an Also Eligible. Will be watching for his next start. Hopefully, he will draw a post other than AE. Love and Hugs, JB

  4. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, Grandsons, Ann, Team Z, Lanes End and Z Fans:

    Wising all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Blessed New Year

    • / Reply

      Dear Z, Z family and Z-Friends,

      Echoing Judy B.’s lovely post above!

      Best Wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas filled with love and warm memories!
      And some yummy treats, also! 🦌 🎄 🦌
      Season’s Greetings to one and all!
      Hugs and Much Love ❤️

      • / Reply

        BTW, I saw a short video of Zenyatta enjoying one of her Christmas Day pears which she received from Ziconic. Sweet!!
        He always comes through at Christmas with pears for Mama Z. ❤️
        This was on Lane’s End FB page (short videos).
        Sorry I don’t have the link (I’m not on FB), but it should be easy to find.
        Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Moshok:

      Saw this video couple days ago. Thank you so much for posting it here. Z looks so happy.

      Love and Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Shuggy breezed a half in 49.40 on a fast main track at Fair Grounds to cap his 2yo year. Again, his workmate is unknown as there were several stablemates who did the same. Nymue ends the year with no recent works, but hopefully we see her on the worktab soon!

  7. / Reply

    SHUGGY is back in the entries!
    Thursday, Jan 8, Fair Grounds, Race 9 (4:45pm Central), 1 1/16 miles turf. Maiden Special Weight. Post 8 (of 11, including 1 MTO), adds Lasix, carries 120 pounds with Jose Ortiz aboard. Unless rain shows up (currently 35%), he should finally be able to make his second career start.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the Shuggy race news, Rebecca!
      Hope he and Jose O. get to run their race this time. 🤞
      Safe and sound always!
      Hugs and Love

  9. / Reply

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

    Love and Big Hugs to all of you, JB🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

  10. / Reply

    Shuggy finished sixth of nine today at Fair Grounds, parked three wide in the middle of the pack and then weakening in the stretch. The winner drew off to win by seven lengths, after stalking the pacesetter, who was a clear second. The third and fifth-place finishers were the only ones to rally late. Probably having so many missed races was not to his benefit and hopefully his third start comes soon.

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca,

      Thanks so much for the “ride on Nymue”! She is a beauty.
      Hope Shuggy got something positive from the race and will do
      better next time. Maybe the third time is the charm!

      Hugs and Love

  14. / Reply

    Wow, I have a racehorse in training! My two year-old filly by Girvin x Not A Kitten left for her initial training this morning. She was sent to a training facilty in the San Diego County area. I plan to keep her in California for racing (Lord-willing she will be good enough to race in the California Circuit.) Next up, researching a trainer to send her to in the April/May timeframe. You can see her on X:
    https://x.com/NOT_AKITTEN

    In other news, her dam Not A Kitten is doing great and is due to foal in April to Sir Prancealot.

    • / Reply

      Especially Horses,
      Congrats on the Girvin x Not A Kitten filly. Good luck to her in her training and in finding the right trainer for her. She’s a beauty!! Safe and sound always!
      Very exciting!!
      Hugs and Love 🐎 🐎 🐎

  15. / Reply

    Foaling season is in full swing, so here are some broodmares to watch:
    OBVIOUSLY…
    Zilkha – the red daughter of Zenyatta was bred to McKinzie and we have no clue when she is due. Yay. It is her first foal and hopefully we get pictures!!!
    Zellda – expecting her fourth foal (how has it been long enough for that??); bred to Nyquist for 2026, she is due April or May; her last two were both born April 19. Her 2025 Practical Joke colt is still unnamed.
    —
    Rags to Riches was in foal to Golden Pal when she passed. Unfortunately, we won’t see the result of that cross. However, she has many daughters, and they now have daughters who are retired.
    —
    First daughter – Opulence (by Giant’s Causeway), in Japan. In foal to Admire Mars, due likely in February. HER daughter Tiffany Donna (a black daughter of Duramente), carrying her first foal, by Danon Kingly.
    —
    Second daughter – Rather Special (by Galileo), still stateside. In foal to Munnings for the third time. The first is a now 3yo filly, at Tampa Bay Downs; the second mating slipped. Her 2021 Justify daughter, Gilded Edge, is due April 27 by Domestic Product.
    —
    Third daughter – Stratification (by Australia), also in Japan. In foal to Saturnalia, due April-May. Both her foals of racing age are winners and still active.
    —
    Rachel Alexandra’s daughter Rachel’s Valentina is in foal to Nyquist and likely due in February. Her daughter Ambassador Kelly (Pioneerof the Nile) is carrying a Constitution baby (unknown time frame, slipped last year), and a second daughter, Mija (Curlin) was bred to Practical Joke (likely Feb-Mar).

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca:

      Thanks for these breeding updates. Lots of beautiful babies to look forward to.

      How’s your Jane doing?

      Love and Hugs, JB

  17. / Reply

    Dear Especially Horses:

    Adding my well wishes to Marshall’s and Rebecca’s on your Girvin filly. Godspeed baby girl.

    All the best to Not A Kitten; safe foaling and healthy baby.

    Love and Hugs, JB

  18. / Reply

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

    Have a peaceful night and Happy Dreams. Love and Hugs, JB💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛

  19. / Reply

    Thanks everyone for your well wishes for Talitha (Girvin x Not A Kitten, 24 filly). She was shipped to the Paul Jones Racing Farm in Temecula, CA and was introduced to a bit just a day or so after arriving at the training facility. She is working in the round pen doing ground work with long reins. The trainer told me she has been very frisky. I’m hoping to post new photos soon. I’ll let you all know when new photos are available on X for viewing.

    FYI: The training facility is owned by Paul Jones. He is the all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer by earnings and a 10-time national champion. He has won the All American Futurity three times. In addition to racing Quarter Horses he has raced Thoroughbreds as well.

  20. / Reply

    Shuggy posted his first work since his last race today. 4 furlongs in 49.60 with the Irish-bred Boost Me Baby, ranked 23/27.
    Nymue worked three furlongs on the 24th, 38.20, likely with Iconoclast again. Ranked 11/17.

  21. / Reply

    Jane update:
    She is doing very well. I am looking forward to getting her back in shape once the weather warms back up. She has been getting spoiled with lots of alfalfa and dry hay in the hay barn with this winter storm, and she’s smart enough to do her own ice-breaking apparently, so she’s staying hydrated. She’s also been wearing two blankets since Saturday; it’s only now getting warm enough to take one off.
    The point of frustration is that I can’t turn her out in any pasture other than the paddock she is in because she goes straight for the acorns (we have way too many oak trees on fence lines). Sure, the grass is a good distraction, but the acorns apparently taste better. Ah well.
    Our power was out from Saturday morning until yesterday morning, but we have a good size generator, a wood stove, and a propane cook stove, so we got through it pretty well. Now to catch up on laundry!
    How have y’all made it through this week?

  22. / Reply

    And in Puca ’24 news, I just learned that we are doing a naming contest for him, starting today!
    As of two weeks ago, he was galloping nine furlongs and should be two-minute licking very soon, so hopefully he is breezing in March? Wow.

    • / Reply

      Wow is right! He is already galloping. I hope you enter a name. You came up with some good ones for the Ramsey two year-olds. Jane is so lucky to have ended up in your hands. I’m sure she feels safe. I’m glad you were able to stay warm during the power outage. Keep us updated on Puca ’24.

      I posted two training videos on X
      https://x.com/NOT_AKITTEN

      • / Reply

        I submitted Culross; it is a village in Scotland and is along the lines of Dornoch (a town in the Scottish Highlands) and Puca (which is Irish or Old English). I thought about doing something with magic and ghosts in it, but the best options I could come up with are already taken.

  23. / Reply

    Dear Rebecca:

    Glad to hear Jane is doing well and that you are managing to keep comfortably warm when power is out.

    We have had 19 inches of snow over the weekend and snow mounds at intersections are making driving very tricky. We have forecast for single digit temps overnight and on Friday night and below 0 on Saturday night. Never Ending Winter and we still have February to deal with.

    Sure they’ll come up with a clever name for Puca ’24. He’s off to a great start.

    Love and Hugs, JB

  25. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    I think you’ll remember me posting many times about my Heart Horse, Papa Charlie. He was a gorgeous Chestnut and a great grandson of Secretariat. I followed him from his birth (at McMahon Farm in Saratoga, NY on March 19, 2006) after reading an article about him in the Union Times and seeing a photo of he and his Mom the night he was born.

    With the help of my Z’ster friends, I was able to rescue him from Suffolk Downs when the track was preparing to close down. He raced last on 9/17/2012. A few days later I went to Suffolk Downs in Boston, purchased Charlie from his trainer and he boarded the van to be transported to a farm in Cranston, RI, about 15 minutes from where I live. He was 6 years old. He was adopted by the owner of the farm and over the years he had a very happy life. He enjoyed a successful career in show jumping and equitation until he was 18 and then just enjoyed being a horse. He loved to run free in the paddock.

    Charlie was a people horse; loved attention and he was a character. He would pull hats off of your head, nibble on your hair and let you pet him and give him a hug and a kiss on his nose. He loved his treats, especially Stud Muffins, Mrs. Pasture’s cookies and carrots; lots of carrots.

    He would have been 20 years old this year. Sadly, on December 3, 2025, he had to be euthanized after breaking the cannon bone in a rear leg. It was a sudden, brutal and catastrophic break and he couldn’t be saved. Angela, his owner, gave him what she could for pain and the vet arrived within 25 minutes. He didn’t panic; he was brave and rested his head on her shoulder until the vet came. She was devastated and I was not able to post what happened until now. I am still in shock over how quickly a healthy, beautiful being who loved life and was just happy running in the paddock with his buddies, is no more. I visited him about every two weeks and even now when I’m in the market, I think about buying carrots for him.

    I miss him. I always will.

    Love and Hugs to all of You, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      This is a lovely tribute to wonderful Papa Charlie. I had to wait to respond until my vision cleared. Your friends share your loss with broken hearts, too. I never saw Charlie in person, but I came to know him through your sweet updates and photos. Yes indeed, you were his guardian angel and made it possible for him to have a happy life in a loving place where he was treasured. Sincere condolences to all who mourn.

      Thank you for sharing this here, my friend. RIP dear Charlie. You made many friends and gave so much pleasure. 💔
      Hugs and Love, MP

      • / Reply

        My Dear Marshall:

        Thank you for your comforting and caring words. So lucky to have friends like you.

        Love and Hugs to You and Fenn, JB

    • / Reply

      Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful “love” story about you and your Papa Charlie. Unlike so many other horses he had his human guardian angel, from day one, watching out for him and making sure he was safe and enjoyed life after his racing days. The photos are beautiful, what a gorgeous horse. I’m sorry for your loss.

  27. / Reply

    Puca ’24’s name submissions closed last night; they are going to sort through them and pre-submit names to the Jockey Club to make sure they will be approved, before we get to vote on their top four picks on Feb 9-10 (potentially delayed, depending on how long it takes to get four approved names through the JC). Then we get to vote on the top 2 after that to get a winner. He should have a name on Feb 13.

  29. / Reply

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

    Stay comfy and cozy and Happy Dreams. Love and Big Hugs, JB🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤

  30. / Reply

    Representing, Beholder’s $4 million Curlin colt, is now FOUR years old and still unraced. He does have his digital tattoo (microchip) but has not worked since December 19; he had been on a string of weekly works since early August and that final work was 6 furlongs in 1:11.60 from the gate. Like he was getting ready to debut but got hurt.

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca:

      Hope if Representing has been injured , it’s nothing serious and that he will heal completely and be able to resume training. That last work was a very competitive time at 6F.

      Love and Hugs, JB

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