Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

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2020 Zenyatta Celebration Results

No visit was complete without packing the Guinness Extra Stout. -Cynthia Holt, winner of the 2020 Zenyatta Celebration fan photo contest.

The results are in!

We’re so grateful to each and every participant. We sold a record number of stickers, and with Zenyatta’s owner Ann Holbrook matching every donation, we raised over $30,000 for Hope for Horses.

Zenyatta’s halter, auctioned by Thoroughbred Charities of America, brought in $4,000 for California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, Inc.

Grand Prize: An Invitation to Meet Zenyatta

Gina Danna, TX
Wesley Schroeder, KY
Karen Halvey, NY
Cyndi Hendrix, GA
Judith Berube, RI

Zenyatta Shop gift certificate: Our favorite fan photo

Cynthia Holt, CA

Daily Giveaways

Details about each giveaway can be found here.

November 6
Diana Hanson, OH

November 7
Tom Norris, CO

November 8
Theresa Powers, OH

November 9
Diane Burge, MI

November 10
Diane Lee, TN

November 11
Linda Davis, TX

November 12
Angela Wolenski, FL

November 13
Tina Farrell, UT

November 14-15
Michele Kafka, Canada
Elizabeth Erwin, NE
Kurt Gravenhorst, CA

Reader Interactions

570 Comments

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thanks for the Sham Stakes replay. Life is Good and Mike had a fairly easy race — Congrats to them and all connections!
      Glad Parnelli and Waspirant got a slice of the pie and finished safely.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      Thanks for the replay of the race. I loved Mike’s comments about the other horse almost catching them. He said Life is Good was busy watching himself on the big screen and not minding his business. A couple of shakes of the whip and he was off again.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy;
      Truly is a wonderful story. It moved Kristin to tears when she talked about it and how proud of him when he won that race.
      Always nice to read of a positive story and a happy outcome.

  3. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Auntie Judy sent me this article with a story of a very special boy named Catemaco and a very special girl, Kristin Mulhall. Below the link of the article, I’ve posted his Maiden win replay at SA on January 1, 2021. Kristin worked with John S. early in her training career. Love and Hugs, JB

    https://www.paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/after-near-fatal-experience-with-black-widow-mulhalls-miracle-horse-catemaco-wins-racing-debut/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v03nqRG6Mx4

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Wow! That is an amazing story — so glad it turned out happily.
      Kudos to Kristin Mulhall and Beto for saving little Catamaco!

      Outstanding racing effort by Catamaco and B. Hernandez, too. Congrats to them, Ms. Mulhall and all connections!!

      Thanks for sharing!
      Hugs and Love

  4. / Reply

    What a touching story and very inspirational! Kristin deserves a lot of credit for her bravery and persistence. Catemaco is remarkable. So glad he won.

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna:

      What Kristin did to save Catemaco was heroic; takes great courage and strength to perform a medical procedure you’ve never trained for. Just amazing. God Bless both of them.Love and Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Oh my gosh.
    Thanks Auntie Judy and JB for sharing this incredible story.
    Yikes, a spider. Was just talking with someone about horses and how everyday is always a new adventure. Some we like, others just plain hard. This story wrapped up all of those elements and put a bow on it. Horses, imagine…..
    So glad it worked out for brave Kristen, Beto and Catemaco. The stars aligned just right that day.
    Carry On, Catemaco!!!!!Congrats to them.
    Stay well, stay safe.

  7. / Reply

    Elmhurst died at Our Mims. He was a BC winner and a gelding (the only male at the rescue) He lived to a ripe old age and was loved and well cared for. Also, from their posted videos, spoiled rottten.

    Our Mims does not get the publicity or have the facilities that Old Friends does but it is a good place filled with fat happy mares.

    • / Reply

      Shirleeinindy;

      You are right, Our Mims does not get much publicity. They do a wonderful job caring for the ladies. It is wonderful to see they have continued on since losing the founder Jean Mirabito this past August.
      I love how they pay tribute to those that have passed. They hang baskets that will have flowers that are colored to indicate the age of the mare when they left this world. A beautiful place for sure.
      RIP Elmhurst

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet, Shirlee and Z Fans:

      Rest In Peace Elmhurst and Beautiful Goldikova. Run free in God’s Heaven.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Wishing Mucho Gusto all the very best in his retirement with good health and much love.

      RIP Elmhurst, condolences to Our Mims and all who loved him.
      RIP Goldikova — much too young to leave us, beautiful girl. I wonder if we will hear what happened to her.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      I hope Mucho Gusto stays here in the US for his retirement. Glad they found the problem before he could be seriously injured in a race.

      Goldikova was a special mare and she will be missed. Her BC races were quite remarkable.

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        Hope Mucho stays stateside too.

        Yes, Goldikova was a very special, talented girl. Hope we can keep track of her 2020 filly. RIP Love and Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    To Goldikova Fans;

    From other sources I have checked, Goldikova may have suffered a heart failure or ruptured artery, but nothing confirmed. She was bred to Galileo, and either failed to get in foal or aborted, no confirmation on either of those.
    It was the golden days I will remember in racing when Goldikova, Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra graced us with their talent on the track.

    Janet N.

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet,
      Thanks for this information regarding Goldikova — she was such a wonderful treasure. Thankfully, it sounds as though it was very sudden so probably no suffering at the end. Still, so heartbreaking. :-(

      Hugs and Love

  13. / Reply

    Dear Janet:

    That makes sense because apparently she wasn’t ill or symptomatic and it was sudden.

    The article I posted stated she was not in foal, so maybe the mating didn’t take or she lost the foal. Thanks for the info on the cause of her passing. RIP. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Oh my, Judy!
      I’m disappointed about this. I always liked Dortmund — he is “drop-dead” gorgeous, isn’t he? I hope he finds success and happiness in S. Korea as Sunday Silence did in Japan. It is reassuring that Mr. Shah says he will come back here if it doesn’t work out well. He really had a very good record — sorry the Americans weren’t more interested. If I had a mare, I think he would be a great choice for “daddy”!

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      Thanks for the info. I was shocked to see that he had been sold to South Korea after the recent news about them. I hope Mr. Shah will keep his word and bring him back home if things don’t work out. We have too many horses here in the US who go to stud to young and I read there is a shortage of mares!

      Be safe everyone.

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        I was shocked and disappointed too after reading that our Private Vow was sent to slaughter in Korea in July. Praying for all horses there. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee, Judy and Ann,
        I did not know about Private Vow being sent to slaughter last July.? This is all the more upsetting — I certainly hope he stands by Dortmund and will insure his safe return.
        We must all watch out for him. ?

        Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      “None of us have a crystal ball, but I don’t think (the Korean farm) is likely to sell him for slaughter because they paid too much money for him. It would not make sense for them as business people,” he said. Mr. Shah (owner)

      Why make that statement if he has a guarantee, in contract for Dortman’s safe return?
      That ain’t passing the sniff test!
      Dortman, we watchin’ out over you!

  16. / Reply

    Hi Zsters ?
    I got good news!
    IM NEGATIVE for covid. HOOFRAY!?!
    Thx for all ur prayerZ. Robbie still needs them tho.
    I enjoyed the links.? Catemaco is truly a miracle horse ?.
    RIP over the rainbow ? bridge ? for those who passed away.
    All my luv ? HugZ ? prayerZ ?.
    Stay healthy & safe!
    Vamp?‍♀️

    • / Reply

      Dear Vamp Sue:

      So glad to hear that you are negative. Continued prayers for Robbie. Stay safe. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Vamp Sue,
      That is great news — glad you tested negative.
      Continued thoughts and prayers for Robbie (and you, too).

      Hugs and Love

  18. / Reply

    Hard Not To Love, the one eyed mare trained by John Shirreffs is running tomorrow in the La Canada. Good luck and safe trip to her. She will not have Mike on board as he has another mount in the race.

    • / Reply

      I was so happy when she was taken out of the Keeneland November sale, and it’s good to see her racing again. Hope she can rebound in this race, but I’m sorry that she won’t have her Mikey aboard!

  19. / Reply

    Happy Friday everyone! We have some semblance of a return to normal as Hovey is BACK! He is feeling quite pleased with himself, but of course has many interesting things to say about his mum.
    https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hovis-friday-diary-i-have-never-been-so-happy-734428
    Hope everyone here has come through the holidays safe and well (many have not, of course). Hang in there as we await the vaccine roll outs. There may be a glimmer at the end of the tunnel.
    Love and hugs to all,
    Sandy

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy:

      Thanks for our Friday Hovis update. Sounds like his old self. Power Up beautiful boy; stay well. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy,
      Great to hear from Hovis as always — seems he is starting 2021 in “high” spirits! Thanks for posting this for us.
      Hope he continues to improve and completely recover!

      Hugs and Love

  20. / Reply

    Hello All,

    Happy New Year!! I was so sad to hear about the passing of Goldikova. Does anyone know what the circumstances were? Did she have a paddock accident or a medical issue? I am hoping she did not suffer at all. She was not in foal this year, so there would be no complications from pregnancy.

  21. / Reply

    Hello again!! I should have read the previous comments before I asked my question… I guess Goldikova passed from heart failure or a ruptured artery. RIP Goldikova

    • / Reply

      Dear Cleste:

      Our Janet posted above that there are some reports that she may have suffered heart failure or a ruptured artery. May be, because apparently her passing was sudden. So very sad.

      Hope you are well. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Hi Judy,

        Thank you so much for your reply. I am well, but the virus is so scary. Hope you are well too. I live in Western Massachusetts. For some reason , I think you mentioned a while back that you are from Massachusetts also. Am I correct?

        • Dear Celeste:

          I’m right next door in Rhode Island. Yes, thank Heaven there are vaccines now and things will get better. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbara:

      Thank for this info. Always loved Lemon Drop Kid. Wishing him a happy, healthy retirement. He’s 25 now. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbara and Judy,
      All the very best to Lemon Drop Kid in his retirement! He will certainly be happy and loved at Lane’s End.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy, Shirlee and Zfans,
      Congrats to Vino Rosso and Shine Time on their filly! She is a chestnut, like Daddy (I don’t know what color Mama is), and he is a looker.

      Thanks for posting the link, JB!

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thanks for posting this “hat trick” with the amazing Z!
      Love it. ❤️

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        Z is such a joy.

        Isn’t that little one amazing. Marches right up and plants a kiss. Too cute. Love and Hugs, JB

        • I saw a picture of Zenny playing catch the hat, but I didn’t see any video of the baby. Did I miss something???

        • Dear Sandy:

          If you scroll up the page, I posted a video of an adorable toddler running up to the horses in their stalls and giving them kisses and petting them. No fear at all! Their heads are bigger than she is. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Oh! Yes, I did see the baby running up to the horses (with my heart in my mouth!!). I thought you were talking about Zenny’s baby :-)

  27. / Reply

    Rest in Peace Zoffany
    This talented son of Dansili was to begin his 2021 stud season at Coolmore.
    Liver failure took him at 13. Too young, very sad.
    Condolences to all connections.

    Hugs and Love

  28. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, CK and DC:

    Goodnight, Happy Dreams and stay comfy and cozy in your stalls. Love and Hugs, JB

  29. / Reply

    If you haven’t heard yet, Hard Not To Love came in third. A horse named Saneus that I had yet to hear of won. Include me with those who are very sad to see Dortmund going to South Korea. Keep your fingers crossed for him. I also mourn the loss of Goldikova. If heart failure was the cause it makes me doubly sad as that’s what killed my little white furball (Floof).

  30. / Reply

    Oops the winner of the La Canada was Sanenus I hope that’s spelled right this time. Also, while its a bit sad that Lemon Drop Kid was pensioned, I’m glad to hear that because now he can just enjoy being a horse. Also, has anybody heard anything more about Zellda, Z20(Zandy) or thought of a name for Z21.

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