Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Weaned, and All Is Well!

12Z grazing with fellow weanlings. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

As you know, 12 Zenyatta was successfully weaned on August 14.

Three days before, he and mom, along with their paddock mates, moved to the barn and paddock where they had lived when he was a foal. The mares spent three nights there with their colts—familiar surroundings for all!

On the third morning, after breakfast, Charles calmly explained what was to happen while 12Z listened attentively. Zenyatta continued to eat. All understood and were completely relaxed. Then, Mom and the two other mares were led back to the barn and paddock they know as home.

Shortly thereafter, 12Z and pals were turned out and were soon grazing and playing together. Back in their paddock, Zenyatta and her friends were happily grazing as well.

Their human friends, the amazing Lane’s End staff, continue to monitor them, and all reports are good! Yay!

We’ll keep you informed and updated.
-Team Z

Z and friend relax after weaning. Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Reader Interactions

802 Comments

    • / Reply

      Delrene. Mario G is in that race on Taylor Said. It should be interesting. Good luck to Awesome. He’s a great one.

    • / Reply

      Awesome Gem is the type of horse anybody would love to own. Always tries hard and wins his share, including the Hollywood Gold Cup. Ran third in the BCC won by Curlin at Monmouth in the slop. Here’s wishing he can run one more good one. I will miss him when he retires.

  2. / Reply

    @keta….originally the owners had planned to name the R2R/GC filly….riches causeway…then something happened and she went un-named….she might have been sold or something….today was the first day i thought of using the “progeny” drop down on the TBonline registery site to check for a name….thats when i found “Opulance”…i like it….however, it shows her as unraced and i tried to add her to my virtual stable…to see if i could get any more info…. and equibase does not recognize a horse of this name….so its a mystery!!!

    • / Reply

      Carol:

      The article I read on throughbredtimes.com said that RTR filly was injured with a sesamoid injury and was at Jake Pletcher’s barn (Father of Todd Pletcher). This article was date June 9, 2011, and she had not been named yet, but it sounds like she has a name now.! The last paragraph of the article says that RTR foaled 2 colts in Ireland in 2010 and 2011.

      Max from this site left me a post saying that RTR was an Irish bred horse and she just came here to race, that’s why she is back at Coolmore!

      Apparently from what this article said the a similar thing happened with RTR, and I guess she has picked up some of her “bad habits” of nipping at people!

      Check out the article it was very interesting!
      GirllSaratoga

      • / Reply

        GirlSaratoga. Rags is actually Kentucky bred and has rich US and Canadian bloodlines. She was purchased and raced in the US by Coolmore. They took her to Ireland since her retirement to be bred to Galileo.

        • RTR was first bred to Giant’s Causeway and had a filly who is here with some kind of injury, so she has not raced yet, the she was bred to Henry the Navigator twice and had two colts. Then she was sent to Ireland to be bred to Galileo.

    • / Reply

      She’s listed in Equineline:
      http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=8578778&registry=T&horse_name=Opulence&dam_name=Rags to Riches&foaling_year=2009&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

      She is not in Equibase because she has not started, nor has she recorded any official works. AFAIK, Coolmore still owns her. She was hurt during training:
      http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2011/06/09/rags-to-riches-first-foal-nursing-sesamoid-industry.aspx

      I don’t think the owners ever actually planned to name her Riches Causeway: it was just a rumor. They could have if they had wanted to.

    • / Reply

      Oh yes, injured during training as a 2 year old, trainer TP son. RTR had bad feet and ankles, too. Not sure this lovely, precious, treasure will every run.

  3. / Reply

    Sweet kisses for zenyatta and the little prince. May his greatness shine through to all who know and love him. God Bless Zenyatta and her family and her staff at Lane’s End.

  4. / Reply

    Dear All Z fans and Zentastic Handicappers,

    Major brain INFART a couple of pages ago, I put up the 2011 line up for the Alabama,
    please excuse this misinformation.

    2012 Alabama Stakes,

    Headliner the talented Grace Hall
    Lots of talk about In Lingerie and Villa Villago.

    GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND DON’T GLIDE YOUR MOUSE OVER THE SELECTION BOX
    LIKE I DID !!!!!

  5. / Reply

    TC,

    Question about track bias???

    They do not control the way the track in “groomed” in the morning do they??? to favor speed or closer??? It is just what happens, at least at our barn it was groomed and
    that was that.

    It just happens and then as the day goes on it changes from race to race ???

    • / Reply

      It is groomed the way the track superintendent wants it to be, with the “advice” of track management. If too many speed horses are winning, all of a sudden that trend is reversed and vice versa. My objection is that the general public is never notified of a change. If you want an example, check the early times of winning horses at the beginning of the Hollywood Park meet that just ended with the times being ran at the end of the meet.

      • / Reply

        I thought they might control it in some way.

        Do they groom in between races or just when they see the winning becoming too many speed horses or too many closers???

        It is true, if the betting public is not made aware of how the “bias” is changed
        it may skew the money flow trend.

        Do the talking heads analyze the speed figures you are talking about as the races unfold during the day to let the public know? On HRTV they always talk about this issue during the various track races as they unfold ????

        • About the only thing that is done betwen races is to water the track. It takes a lot of time to plow the track deeper and create a bias. The commentators rarely say anything about this. As close as they ever come was during the last few days of the Hollywood Park meet. Six furlong races were bring run in 1:13 and some of the “experts” commentated on how slow that was.

      • / Reply

        Not quite at the level to analyze times, very complicated.

        Hope you are having fun and HWP or watching !!!!

      • / Reply

        Whopps, just re-read you post. My apologizes, you are correct about it being the 2011 race. I read it something along the line of “quite the battle in BCC 2011”. My dyslexia does weird things. Again. I apologize.

        • So does mine unofficially,
          Remember a few pages back I posted the
          2011 lineup for the Alabama and it is 2012!!!!

  8. / Reply

    Pink and Rose day at Saratoga, only “girls” raced on that day and Rosie N got dumped 3 times by a filly before getting in the starting gate and winning the race by a narrow margins. She is one tough rider. If you can’t get dumped you don’t belong on a horse,
    HA HA !!!! Actually, the more you get dumped the better you are as a rider !!! especially by a TB.

    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/72095/sutherland-can-ride-game-on-dude-despite-ban

    • / Reply

      i like that sign. lol i got dumped by numerous times while galloping….ow
      they say pride goes before a fall – thats literally true in horse racing

  9. / Reply

    Looks like Little z and Momma Z are doing just fine. Life is so much easier for mom and foal when the handlers know what they are doing and foals and moms are kept in a safe envirement. Hats off to the staff at Lane’s End for keeping everyone happy.

  10. / Reply

    Dear Max,
    Point of Entry is quite the talk today regarding
    His race today.

    GOOD LUCK TO YOU, BIG D’s son.

  11. / Reply

    Thank you for the beautiful pictures and the update. Is it true that Zenyatta and 12Z will not be seeing each other again ? Jean

    • / Reply

      I am still curious as to whether they called for each other or just accepted the situation. I hate to think of it but I still think there must ha e been some upset. I hope they are good now.

      • / Reply

        Jean and Eileen,

        Lanes End posted these pictures to show what you are talking about is
        NOT going on NOR DID HAPPEN. No one is calling or pacing or upset about anything. (THAT IS NONE OF THE MARES OR COLTS WEANED THAT DAY AS A GROUP).

        Lanes End controlled that by what they described;

        “They took all mares and foals together back to where they were all together
        when they were young. Charles talked to 12 Z and told him what was going to happened and he listened. It happened and there is peace FOREVER !!!!!!”

        • Sign. So right. Z is very calm and intelligent. She knows the score. She also has passed on her calm temperament and intelligence to 12Z. We will hope that he has also inherited her will and talent to win. So far it is looking good.

        • Totally agree Max.

          She is such a very smart race horse and bred with a perfect temperment
          that she did pass on. Every skill he learned she nurtured him through
          and then let him take off on his own with her guidance.

          Her skills at what she has accomplished are just very amazing !!!

          Zenny is really one of a kind and the “family” she will create is going to be really something.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Many thanks. That filly has good ears. She is the image of mom. Apparently she also likes to take a bite if anyone gets too close. I hope that she makes it to the track.

      • / Reply

        Oh yes, Max.
        She has her MAMA’s personality, too.
        Rags was a little tempermental from what I have read.

  14. / Reply

    Pati,
    You may be right about Questing. TT is talking a lot about her and she came had the Coaching club win. We will see, do I trust Jon White HRTV or ……..

      • / Reply

        Just read the article and wow, it’s amazing that he was able to get up. They said that they gave him fluids for shock and is doing ok now. Thank goodness!! What a scary thing to happen.

      • / Reply

        Sign. 18 litres is nothing at Big Ass Beer Tuesday. Maybe JB should mark it on his calendar when he is ready for a night out. LOL!

        • TOOO FUNNY MAX !!!!

          He would be a great addition to BA Tuesday since he does have to
          “clear” his head before starting back training. A little Guiness should
          help him do that.

          Did you see Larry Jones put his filly out for a 30 day pasture rest,
          guess she needed to clear her head, too. Getting time to be a horse
          is very important.

    • / Reply

      Oh, yes.

      Read that, too.

      JB was in shock, so glad he recovered, so far.
      May not be ready to train for awhile.

      Great vet care !!!

      • / Reply

        Sign. Just bizarre. According to Bloodhorse, he was lying down on the track for 5 minutes, a long time. However, after he returned to his stall and had his electrolytes, he was ready to eat. Let us hope that nothing shows up later. He is a great little guy.

        • Yes, when I read he was down laying on the track
          I was very concerned also. He must have been very
          Shocked psycologically and physically. Not sure how hard
          He was hit.

          So glad he is OK.

        • Sign. I was relieved to read that he was calling for his food. That is always a good indication that a horse is okay. To have to wait for 5 minutes for him to get up must have been extremely stressful for his people.

  16. / Reply

    Good luck to all the Zentastic Cappers!!! Yeah, we get to watch the Alabama live on tv. Right now, my pick is Questing but, I’ll beable to see the PP and might change it at the last moment. For some reason, I can’t get In lingerie out of my head. Hmmmmm….
    On my fb wall, there was a new video from Zenyatta HOY 2010… If you have a chance, check it out.
    JAG, it has your beloved John Henry in it too as well as the Heros from the past and present. Very very good video!

    • / Reply

      Heidi K:

      Thanks for the link to the video, it made me cry! To see all those past and present horses bring us racing fans such joy and happiness, was just too much to handle.

      Much appreciation
      GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      Another magnificent video from the Bussell family–Ashton is carrying on the tradition established by her dear departed mother Kari. High hoof!

    • / Reply

      Heidi,

      Thanks for posting this link, it is such a beautiful tribute to the horse of racing who
      give themselves to their humans.

      I just watched that awful Ladies Classic where GO FOR WAND and BARBACOA were
      locked in a duel and GFW broke down. It was such a tragedy and the trainer for BARBACOA who won said ” they give their lives for our entertainment”. GFW broke down and got up on three legs and tried to get to the wire. She fell at the across from the winner’s circle. She had such a will to win !!!!

      They are the most beautiful creatures, and John Sherriffs is right; they take us where they want to go.

      • / Reply

        Bayakoa sorry for the misspell.

        Trying to make her a relative of Barbaro ???

    • / Reply

      Questing is HOT !!!!
      And in line for Eclispe award.

      I was going to change bet, but nothing jumped out
      And not sure who to bet singly.

      Before race, not much good said about IL, flat last
      Race in better shape for this one

      Grace Hall threw a clunker, hope she is OK

  23. / Reply

    Wooot Wooot!!!! You go Questing!!! Even if you were all over the lane.. LOL My first win of the challenge! :)

        • So the system gliched you in a good way this week, Heidi.

          Did you try to change your bet???

    • / Reply

      Way to go, Heidi. I had Questing and Grace in an exacta. Broke my pledge of not doing that and just sticking with one horse. if I had kept my pledge, I would have lost anyway as Grace was my choice.

  26. / Reply

    Barbara W (Texas):

    I agree…..GET THE HINT she doesn’t like the whip! I watched her previous 2 races before today’s and she did the exact same thing, in her last race she was so far over you could barely see her on the T.V.

    This is just an observation from watching the race today, she looked pretty straight to me heading for home, I’m sorry but I don’t think she needed the whip! She looked straight and she was the clear winner! Her jockey is young and inexperienced, which is great for him, but maybe he needs a veteran’s point of view.. I think the young jockey was a little over zealous turning for home!

    I know how everyone feels about the “whip”, I just don’t think Questing needed it today!

    Please don’t be mad at me!!!!!!
    GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      GirlSaratoga, This makes me smile! I don’t think anyone will be mad at you! We all pretty much agree sometimes the whip may be necessary, but we don’t like it much. I didn’t see this race, so can’t comment, but I’m sure you’re right. You keep standing up for your beliefs, it’s great!

    • / Reply

      Actually GS,

      Jeff Siegel HRTV commentator, who has been an owner, involved in racing since he was
      about 5 years old, with family deeply involved in racing was commenting on how “green”
      Questing was – looking around, turning her head and veering out. When a horse is green and not giving their full attentions to their work. The whip is used to remind them
      they are working and racing otherwise they will lose the race.

      Do you have HRTV ??? The commentators are very familiar with horses and their behavior and whether they are a mature, well developed acting race horse or are
      “green”. When they are green they need a lot of reminders so they can stay focused on the task.

    • / Reply

      GS… I agree, she does not like the whip. What was kinda funny besides her weaving back and forth (dancing across the finish line) was her tail!! Everytime, he hit her, she threw her tail in the air and went to the other side.
      With that said… Keep the whip away from her only, flag her if you must. Heck, she didn’t need the whip!! She was gone!

      • / Reply

        Actually,

        She was lugging out and turning her head to the right and getting off balance
        by veering out to the right. Had he not used the whip to straighten her
        she could have hit someone in one of the right lanes, lost her balance and
        injured or fallen. The whip in this case straightened her out and she was
        able to finish straight.

        Risking injury to other riders and horses when the horse is luggin out and turning their head and getting off balance is an appropriate use of the whip.

        Please watch the end of the race and you will see. Her tail swishing is a minor irritation and accident with another horse or rider or a career ending injury would have been much worse for her and her jockey had she not straightened out.

        • Definition of Lugging-out:

          Deviation from a straight course. Maybe due to weariness, infirmity or INEXPERIENCE (green horse is one with little experience).

          Usually the HRTV commentators can tell whether the horse is green, weary or infirm, coming down the stretch especially the ones who have been exercise riders or jockeys or trainers.

        • Questing may have been instead of lugging out, drifting but the gist
          is the same with her and without straigtening her out using the whip
          could have resulted in collision with another horse, fall, bad step which could have injured her or the rider and resulted in a career or life
          ending injury.

    • / Reply

      I find nothing wrong with your post. Questing was so far in front, a hand ride would have been sufficient. It appeared to me that the use of the whip caused Questing to bear out.

  28. / Reply

    Lady of Shamrock comes from last eight wide to win the Del Mar Oaks under Mike Smith! High hoof and shades of Z!

    • / Reply

      WHOOOOO !!!!! HOOOOO !!!!!!!

      Lady of Shamrock and MIKEY !!!!

      She is a real talent.

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