VERSAILLES, KY — (April 13, 2016) It is with heavy hearts that Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End Farm must announce the passing of Zenyatta’s 2016 foal by War Front. His death occurred at approximately 9:00 am this morning due to complications of meconium aspiration syndrome. We express our deep gratitude to Dr. Peter Morresey and the professionals at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital who worked tirelessly to support the mare and foal. Zenyatta is in good health and back home at Lane’s End Farm.
Update — 5:30 pm
Zenyatta has returned to the field that is her original home at Lane’s End. She has been paired with the mare Vixana, who is also owned by Jerry and Ann Moss. Zenyatta and Vixana are the same age, and they trained together under John Shirreffs at Barn 55. The two are becoming reacquainted and have already shared a drink at the water bowl.
Liz Carlin
I’m so sorry for your loss. This is just heartbreaking.
Joy Wilkins
Zenyatta gives us such happiness but today there is nothing but sadness and pain in our hearts. Z16 we loved you before you were born and now you join Z Princess in eternity. The two of you intertwined forever in our hearts. Ann, please stay with your big girl as you are soulmates and will heal each other. Our prayers are for you and our precious Zenyatta and all that assisted his brief life.
Glenda
Simply heartbreaking. Z seems to be such a loving mother and the baby was adorable. I think he deserves to be called more than Z16; he should be Z Angel. Deepest sympathy to all the wonderful people who care for Zenyatta.
Mary Margaret in Central Georgia
Condolences to all of the Z-team. My heart aches for your loss. Ten Thousand Prayers for all the connections. Ten Thousand Angels with our Angel ZPrincess are taking care of our Angel Prince. It is very hard to wrap my mind around this devastating event on this very dark day, it is all I can think of. May Peace be with Zenyatta and Mr.&Mrs. Moss, as well as, all of the Z-team and connections, and the entire Z-family.
Patti Dohm
I just Leander the sad news. We are so very sad. Poor dear Zenyatta I know she will call out for days for her foal. God please help all to get through this sorrow. I wish her and her devoted team the best. I know you will.all help her.
Deb E.
Little One, I know that all you knew was love in your short time here on Earth. Here’s a lullaby to you from your beautiful Mommy who loved you so much::
Deep in the meadow, under the willow,
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow,
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes,
And when again they open, the sun will rise.
Here it’s safe, here it’s warm,
Here the daisies guard you from every harm,
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true,
Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away,
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray,
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay,
And when it’s morning, they’ll wash away.
Here it’s safe and here it’s warm,
And here the daisies guard you from every harm,
And here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true,
Here is the place where I love you.
My sincerest condolences to the Mosses, Team Z, and everyone at Lane’s End, but most especially to Zenyatta and War Front on the passing of their baby. He was a beauty.
I’m going to go cry…
Lori Stein
That was very beautiful, we are all crying…………
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Deb E:
Beautiful. Crying too. Love and Hugs, JB
LoGeana Anderson
So sorry to heard this so very sad news. Everyone of Team Z, the Mosses, Lane’s End and Zenyatta are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jeanie
I am so very sad to hear of this. I will always remember his sweet, sweet face and Zenyatta’s look of concern and motherly love. I can’t help but wonder if they let her go too far beyond her due date…I hope he and Big Sis are running together in heavenly bluegrass. RIP Baby Z 16. So many you never knew loved you so true.
Cheryl in Bellflower, CA
Hi Jeanie~As I learned on this website awhile back, mares do not have an exact due date. There is what seems like quite a wide range with horses, so humans just have to wait for the mommas to finish growing their foals. Unless something was noticeably wrong, I would guess there wouldn’t be any way of saying when humans might want to intervene within the date range?
Lane’s End is a wonderful place, with lots of caring, experienced people watching over their charges. It’s us fans that are devastated and feeling helpless that wonder if maybe something more could have been done.
I feel very sad for everyone who knew him, Zenny and Ann most of all :-(
Patricia White
So sad for the loss. Good luck to mamma and all.
Beatrice Gobee
I am so very very sorry for your loss which is all of our loss. I can’t stop crying. That beautiful little Prince has taken what little is left of my heart to heaven with him.
Nina Ledkovsky
My deepest condolences to all. Oh how very heart breaking this is… My prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Nina Ledkovsky
Salt Point, NY
Jan / S.
Please accept my sincerest sympathy for your loss of dear little 16Z. It is devastating.
We share your pain and sadness. I know he sensed your care and great love for him.
I wish I knew some additional words that would ease the pain you are feeling – but they don’t exist. Prayers and love coming your way. I’ll look for another bright star in the sky tonight.
ronni
My heart aches for Zenyatta, the Mosses, Team Z and everyone at Lanes End Farm. Sending warm thoughts to all as you grieve the loss of that sweet little man.
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
in tears – just so sorry. Sending prayers and sympathy.
Patricia Diers
I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful baby boy…..heartbreaking….I have not words of comfort to give you other than I am sure all that could be done, was done, and that the little guy is in heaven with his sister…..
Kathy
I am just devastated. My condolences to the Mosses, and ALL of their connections. Condolences to all the veterinary staff who worked so hard to save this little angel. Zenyatta is so intelligent and I know she has awareness. Condolences to everyone here, hurting so badly.
Hugs to everyone.
Christine
Rest well little prince. I’m sure ur Momma is missing u & looking for u. I am sure she will always remember u & keep u in her heart sweet, innocent one.
Janet Jenkins
So very sorry for this loss. All the anticipation may feel all for not but I hope Zenyatta is faring well today. I hope she is not seeming lost or grieving but as with all animals I am sure she feels this loss and is saddened and grieving.
In case no one understands as much as the caretakers and owners I would like to share that I am learning this as we go. I met Zenyatta in her racing days and she stopped and stared at me and seemed to have a good sense of me and what I was feeling at the time.
I also met her jockey and he is awesome. Have not had the pleasure of meeting you all as I feel the horse, any horse is the most majestic animal that God has ever created.
I am NOT a horse owner but know many people who are including family. I want a horse but I do not have enough money to care for it so I will just say the truth, HOW WOULD THAT BE FAIR ?? To the horse that is !! God bless Team Z and the Moss’ family for letting us see thru our side of the world and your braveness in having to tell the world of this saddening news. Truth be told, I miss Zenyatta’s spendor days of her career. I always bet on her and she always won us something. Nothing big but true to her own nature it was big to me. I love you Zenyatta and always will honey. I promise God will bring you and your staff and owners thru this. God Bless !! North Carolina Girl, Janet Jenkins. So sorry about your baby boy. (((Hugs)))
I would love to visit her on my next KY trip. I have 2 siblings who live there.
Elena Erdman
I just found out about Queen Z’s colt. I feel physically sick. I can’t imagine the sorrow Jerry and Ann must feel, team Zenyatta and the wonderful doctors who worked so very hard to save him.
Zenyatta is well and that is a blessing but oh how she must feel!
I never heard of a complication like her little foal had.
May God bless you all. You know how much we love all of you. You are our extended family.
We know you are staying close to Zenyatta please hug her for us all you can. My deepest sympathy. We love you so much.
Sophia Gates
Dear Zen, Moss family and everybody else who cares for this gorgeous and beloved mare –
We’re all just devastated and heartbroken for your loss.
With love, tears and hugs.
And, thank you for keeping us posted. We’re a real little community out here, united by our love for horses and this lovely one in particular, and so touched by the love between Zenyatta and her people.
Laurel
Oh, what terrible news. My thoughts to everyone involved. This is so sad.
Shirley and Dennis Dougherty
We are so sad. Please givee the Mosses and all involved a big hug . And kiss poor Z for us
Lisa Kirby
So very sad, especially for Zenyatta.
Dee in the Hudson Valley
Such terribly sad news… Our deepest condolences to everyone on Team Z and at Lane’s End, but most especially to Ann Moss whose profound love for Zenyatta simply glowed on her face in every photo. We too send our thanks Dr Peter Morresey and everyone at Rood & Riddle for their valiant and strenuous efforts. We’re so grateful and relieved that Zenny is healthy and back home. Who knows? Perhaps she senses that her two beautiful babies are frolicking together in that sunny green meadow we believe is Horse Heaven…
Amy Latka
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of this gorgeous colt. My condolences.
Stephanie Quilichini
I know we as Fans are beyond devastated. I can’t imagine Team Zenyatta right now. This is so heartbreaking.
Terry Crow
Happiness has turned to sorrow so quickly. Since I am somewhat closer to the end than most of you I will reassure him when I see him that everyone loves him.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear TC GP:
Love and Hugs, JB
Deb E.
Awwww, bless your heart. Hugs.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Terry Crow,
Bless you, dear friend. You hang in there — we need you always, but especially when things go wrong.
Hugs and Love
Shema Satya
Oh heart breaking news. I so hope Zenyatta understands her foal has died. I’m so sad for Queen Z, the Mosses, and this baby
AzCav
I am heartbroken to hear of this loss. So so sad. Just not fair at all. I feel sick and gutted, I can only imagine Team Z’s pain. My sincere condolences to Zenyatta, the Mosses, and all of Team Z on this awful loss of a prince. He is with his sister now.
Sue pevo
So sad to hear this. My heartfelt condolences to all of Zenyatta’s family! ❤️?