Fairy tales often begin when a seemingly ordinary life takes a magical twist and ventures toward a fabled outcome.
Cinderella would have never met a prince without a fairy godmother to guide her toward the royal ball. In the case of Snow White, it took a magic mirror and seven dwarfs to transform an ordinary maid into the princess of a kingdom. And, before Peter Pan realized he could fly, he had to take his first step into the gates of Neverland. Yet, once he entered the gates, “The Boy Who Never Grew Old” found immortality.
C.S. Lewis once said, “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”
He was right.
On April 1, 2004, a female foal was born at Winter Quarter Farm in Kentucky. The farm owner, Don Robinson, cared for the mother and raised the little foal. When she grew older, the girl journeyed from the stable and took flight in the royal world of racing. She passed the princes that laid in wait and fixed her eyes on the kingdom itself. And, in the end, the girl found herself standing alone in the royal court. She proclaimed herself queen.
The queen was named “Zenyatta.”
And, like Peter Pan, she never seems to grow old.
Yet, in many fairy tales, there is a force in the beginning that guides the heroin toward her magical journey. Cinderella had a fairy godmother. Snow White had seven dwarfs. And, as a little girl, Zenyatta had a man that cared for her before she began her racing career.
At Winter Quarter Farm, Don Robinson was present in Zenyatta’s life from conception to the moment she stood auction at Keeneland. During a recent interview, Robinson answered my questions about his first-hand experience with Zenyatta.
JW: What is the historical connection of Zenyatta’s family to your farm?
DR: Zenyatta’s grandmother is buried at Winter Quarter Farm. It is particularly rewarding because I’ve worked with this family for a long time and I know them very well.
It’s not like Zenyatta just showed up. We have raised and developed more than Zenyatta in this particular family. It’s extremely rewarding. It’s like talking about one of my kids when I talk about Zenyatta and her family.
The mother was sold privately a couple of years ago. Winter Quarter Farm still has a female out of that family. We have a yearling sister of Zenyatta – she is a half-sister by a different sire.
JW: Can you share a personal account of Zenyatta’s birth at your farm?
DR: Zenyatta was foaled on April Fool’s Day – April 1, 2004. People ask me, “What did you think?” when she was born. The only the mild concern that I had when she was born was that Vertigineux, her mother, gives birth to very big foals. I was worried about a big, difficult foaling.
When Vertigineux delivered fine, with just minor assistance, my whole feeling was just relief that I had a big, leggy live foal on the ground. She got up and nursed very quickly. It is the biggest thrill that a farm manager can have when a foal is born.
Believe me, you’re not looking past those things at that moment. You look at the plain stuff. It’s just like when parents are having a baby. You’re looking to see if the baby has all its’ fingers and toes. That is what a farm manager is looking at during a birth.
I was delighted to see her when she was born. And, she was a big, leggy foal. Everything came out just right.
JW: Did you have a nickname for Zenyatta while she lived on your farm?
DR: We had nicknamed Veritigeneux, Zenyatta’s mother, “Tige.” Zenyatta was sometimes referred to as “Little Tige” when she was a foal.
JW: Can you describe what Zenyatta looked like as a young horse?
DR: As a young horse, she was big and gangly. She looked like a pre-adolescent girl that stood six-feet tall.
She was well-made, but ‘unmade’ at the moment. She hadn’t filled out yet. Only certain people could appreciate what she was as a young horse. She was very big and didn’t instantly appear athletic.
JW: How would you describe Zenyatta’s personality as a young girl?
DR: As a young girl, Zenyatta was very personable.
Zenyatta was full of spirit, but she was reasonable. She had a sister before her, a really good filly, named Balance. Balance was very flighty. She was a great race horse, not as good as Zenyatta of course, but Balance was hard to handle. You always had to be thinking ahead of her.
Zenyatta had that sort of energy, but was much more reasonable. You could sort of talk to her and she understood you. Thoroughbreds can be very spirited and fiery, but the good ones tend to have a good mind.
JW: Has Zenyatta’s personality developed since she left your farm?
DR: Zenyatta has developed in training. I have never seen a horse relish in training as much as Zenyatta. Most horses, to some degree, get tired of it. Zenyatta loves it.
She has wonderful handlers and loving care, which makes her friendly. She likes where she is and has great people looking after her. It is a relationship that has mutually developed. When you see her being friendly, it’s a product of a great relationship between her handlers and Zenyatta. It is just gorgeous to see that in their relationship.
I’d like to say that we gave her a start at our farm. I think kindness and caring are the most important things that you can give to a horse. I hope we got her off to a good start.
Yet, the wonderful personality that you see in Zenyatta today has been developed over time. She’s always been very happy in training. Zenyatta is loved and appreciated by the people who look after her at her stable. And, she loves them back. It really is extraordinary.
Some horses get high-strung or nasty in training. When they are fit and ‘racing-ready,’ the horses aren’t always very friendly. It is not for lack of attention. When they get competitive, they’re really not thinking about eating sugar cubes and being gentle.
But, Zenyatta is the most remarkable horse in that sense that I have ever seen. She is just so kind. You can see it. John Shirreffs can bring mothers and babies to have a picture with Zenyatta. She just puts her head near them. It is truly remarkable.
JW: A lot of people enjoy watching Zenyatta perform her “dance routine.” Did she “dance” as a young horse on your farm?
DR: You know, I always say, ‘She didn’t learn that dancing out here in the country in Fayette, Kentucky. She picked that up in Hollywood.’
I can tell you what I think about her dancing. This mare is really smart. The dancing is a way of channeling her tension before a race.
You know how people do yoga or basketball players do mind exercises to prepare themselves for competition? I am convinced that Zenyatta’s dance has that aspect. It is not taught. Dancing is how she’s learned to deal with her pre-race tension.
But, she didn’t dance on the farm. She picked that up in Hollywood.
JW: Do you think that luck comes into play when breeding a horse or can we “Breed More Zenyattas?”
DR: Zenyatta is simply one-of-a-kind. I don’t think we can replicate Zenyatta.
I call her the ‘One-in-Four Lifetimes’ kind of horse. Given the generations of my grandmother, father, myself and my son on this farm, Zenyatta is like hitting the lucky number. I hope my Grandmother and Father know about Zenyatta. She is that unique.
My family had good horses and I was raised around them. My grandmother had a great horse in the 1933 Kentucky Derby called “Head Play.” My family goes way back in horse racing and we’ve never seen anything like Zenyatta.
JW: How did it make you feel to watch Zenyatta during her races after raising her as a young horse?
DR: It makes me feel very proud.
It is unimaginable to me that I was associated with this mare and was able to have a little part in her life.
I am absolutely humbled.
JW: What is the most memorable moment that you have had in your experience with Zenyatta?
DR: The most moving experience that I have ever had with Zenyatta was before she raced in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic in 2008. I went down to the track really early because I hadn’t seen Zenyatta since she had left the farm. I was just so excited that day. I couldn’t believe it.
I was able to get into the paddock very early before she raced the Ladies’ Classic. Nobody else was around. Zenyatta was in the inner-walking ring and her groom was walking her around. I was amazed by her size and magnificence.
I stood in the middle and the groom brought her near me as she was walking in a circle. She walked past me. Then, she stopped.
When she is walking, she has a way of standing and stopping. She likes to take a look, and, does it at random on the track. They just let her stand and do what she wants to do.
Zenyatta turned her head 180 degrees around and looked right at me for 20 or 30 seconds. I was just shaking. I knew that she recognized me and I couldn’t believe it. It was one of the most moving experiences I’ve had with a horse.
It almost made me cry to receive that kind of recognition. And then, she went out there and won the Ladies Classic a few moments later. It was incredible.
I was really struck. There was no question that she recognized me.
JW: What do you think Zenyatta has brought to the sport of racing?
DR: First of all, she’s a female. It is extraordinary in any era for a female horse to compete with male horses in North America.
She’s also brought stardom. Most of the horses retire quickly and go to stud for the breeding value. With Zenyatta, her owners just love her and love the sport of racing. The decision to race her as a six-year-old was the best thing that could’ve happened to the whole Thoroughbred racing world. It allowed Zenyatta to showcase her elegance.
Finally, they have shared Zenyatta with people. They really provide access. It is very special.
JW: Do you think Zenyatta found the perfect match at auction when she was ultimately teamed with the Moss family, John and Dottie Shirreffs, and Mike Smith?
DR: I think it is the grandest and greatest thing that ever happened.
They are the most perfect team that I have even seen. Between Mike Smith, John and Dottie Shirreffs, and Ann and Jerry Moss, it is a very special association. It is the most superb, kind, and careful management of a racehorse that I have seen in my life. Ever. I think most horse people would agree with that.
They were a gift to one another.
JW: How do you think Zenyatta will be remembered in the coming years?
DR: I think she will be one of the greatest filly/mares of all time. She has won 19 out of 20 races, 19 straight races and 13 Grade I races. You will not see that ever again.
I think it is amazing. Absolutely amazing. That record speaks for itself. You will not see that again. You will not. She is a historical horse without question.
Such an excellent read. I have been involved in racing in the U.K for many years and I am so in awe of this wonderful mare. They come along only maybe once in a lifetime if we are lucky.
Thanks, Yvonne. I loved hearing his stories as well. She is my “once-in-a-lifetime” horse!
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What a great read!
Thanks for sharing. I always wondered what she was like as a foal and this certainly gives us some insight! We have been SO fortunate to have gone along for this ride!
Agreed, Susan. I feel so lucky that Zenyatta raced in my lifetime. Thanks for the nice feedback!
I really, really enjoyed this.
When Don talks about her recognizing him, I was covered with goosebumps and, of course, got tears in my eyes.
I’m glad he got that recognition.
What an emotional tale - certainly leaves a lump in your throat.
If this doesn’t provide more proof of Zenyatta as Horse of the Year, I don’t know what will.
That was an exceptional interview, just like our Zenyatta. I loved reading about her history as a baby. I can’t wait to get the Blood Horse magazine on Zenyatta. It’s supposed to have pictures of her when she was a baby. I’ve only seen one picture of her as a youngster. I’m glad he spoke highly of Team Zenyatta. It says a lot about them that they’ve treated her so well. I really appreciate John Shirreffs taking his time with her as a 3 year old by letting her grow into herself instead of rushing her into racing. Look what we all got from that.
I do have one question though. How exactly, do you pronounce Zenyatta’s dam’s name, Veritigeneux? I’ve heard it said several different ways (and have my own way of how I thought it was pronounced) and would love to know its real pronunciation and the meaning of it. Thanks for a great article, Jennifer. Keep them coming!
Hi Gloria - Thanks for the wonderful comment! I’m not exactly sure how to say “Vertigineux” either. I think that it sounds like “Ver-TIGE-en-O,” but I could be wrong.
You are a wonderful interviewer Jennifer! The dam’s name is pronounced ver-tij-in-o. I know this b/c I went out to WQ this past Saturday and met Zenyatta’s 1/2 sister and specifically asked how to pronounce the dam’s name too!
From what I can tell Don Robinson and the people at WQ are as open and generous in sharing their beautiful farm as are the Mosses & Shirreffs in sharing Zenyatta.
I have been involved w/racing for over 30 years. It amazes me that some horse people, and supposedly very knowledgeable horse people, have failed to comprehend the magnificence of this horse. I suppose it is something akin to the artist not being fully appreciated, comprehended, or understood until long after he or she is gone. This gives me solace when I think back to the loss by 1/2 of a head and the possibility she might not be HOY. I think of it as a kind of destiny; it puts her in very good company with other beings whose superiority was not recognized until long after their time had passed.
That was a beautiful article. I wonder who will play Don in the movie
. This past Saturday I was the mother who brought her baby to have her photo taken with Zenyatta. She was all they describe and more. She sniffed my little 4 month old daughter all over and nuzzled her arm…It was such an amazing experience! I didn’t realize I could love Zenyatta more than I already had, but I do.
Thank you to all of you for the wonderful comments!
Ruffianruns ~ I also thought it was beautiful when Don shared his experience of how Zenyatta recognized him before the Ladies Classic. It was such a touching story to hear.
Peg ~ I hope she gets HOY. I agree with you completely. She is simply the horse that seems to know how to do everything.
Amfcf ~ Thank you for helping me learn to say “Vertigeneux.” It’s a tongue-twister! It’s wonderful to hear that you were at Winter Quarter last weekend. It sounds like a beautiful place to visit!
And, Jennifer - I thought it was so touching that you brought your baby to meet Zenyatta. (I’m hope some of Zenyatta’s “magic” rubbed off onto your baby when she nuzzled her! Very sweet story.)
Thanks for the pronunciations! I thought it was ver tig in o. Then I heard Trevor Denman pronounce it Vert in new. Then, when I saw the video of Zenyatta at the yearling sale, I think it was pronounced Vert in o. Last weekend I heard Carolyn Conley pronouce it Ver tij in o. Yay, we have a winnah! Thanks again for the help. Oh, and, one more thought…Zenyatta - 2010 HORSE OF THE YEAR! Love her!
She’s so much more than Horse of the Year. She really is the Horse of a Lifetime.
“And, like Peter Pan, she never seems to grow old.”
And neither do we with her around!!
I cried all the way through this article! Tears of joy and happiness to have this wonderful creature in the world. And to know that all along her path, she has been treated with kindness, care, and has received the best training possible. It’s just incredible to see how touched Mr. Robinson was when he visited Z in 2008. He said he was shaking! And he was so touched that she recognized him! Here’s someone who has seen it all in his years around the sport. He’s no doubt seen the bad as well as the good, and yet, he is totally in awe of the wonder Queen and is so proud to have been part of her start in her remarkable career. Thanks so much for sharing this interview.
I’ve said this at other venues, but there must be a wonderful movie that has to happen. There are so many beautiful moments, and her loss on Nov. 6 will only be recognized in the future as a testament to her spirit and astonishing talent and ability….just like Seattle Slew’s loss in 1978 provided his detractors with what turned out to be his defining moment in his career….even above his Triple Crown the year before! Tears and laughter. Only Zenyatta must play herself! There’s no way there is another horse out there who could do her justice. Maybe use a couple of stunt doubles, but Queen Z has to play herself! Would love for Gary Ross to direct….he wrote and directed “Seabiscuit”, based on Laura Hillenbrand’s book. He’s the only one who would have the sensitivity to capture all that is the story of our Dancing Queen!
Thanks again, Jennifer!
All her life she has been surrounded by love and understanding. I pray that she only experiences these things the rest of her life.
Everything about Zenyatta is magical. Thank you for this memorable article. I have always been curious as to Zenyatta’s early years and this just adds to the fact that loving care has made her the greatest horse for decades to come. Perhaps forever. Aren’t we the lucky ones to have experienced her fabulous career and charisma. Thank you again for another beautiful part of our Queen’s story.
Wonderful article, Ms. Wirth. Like Ann Maree, I have posted about Zenyatta on a lot of sites as well. I have called her our generation’s greatest horse - and I believe it. We will never see one like her again in our lifetimes. Her personality, kindness, intelligence and raw talent are just so obvious. She’s the People’s Champion, no matter what happens with the Eclipse vote. I also believe she has become even greater since her loss at the BCC. No other horse could have delivered the performance she gave us.
Part of the reason she is so special is the “Perfect Storm” of wonderful caregivers who, obviously from birth, have put her well-being first. Thanks for adding this to her legacy.
Thank you for the beautiful comment, Donna. I agree with you completely.
Absolutely beautiful — both the interview and the comments. I have been so fortunate to have been able to visit Zenyatta regularly in the past three years and see her run most of her races. She has led a charmed life and I am certain the Mosses and her handlers will do all they can to make sure that continues. She is truly a gift to all of us.
Beautiful story documenting perfection.
The Robinson family and their beautiful farm are lovely and impeccable - Zenyatta choose them.
My father J P Conway was Donny’s biggest fan, and I join him in this.
Helene Conway
Thank you for the wonderful comment, Helene. I appreciated hearing your kind words about the Robinson family as well. Mr. Robinson was a very nice man to interview. )
WHERES THE AWARD???…SHE SURE WON IT HEAR…LONG LIVE “THE QUEEN”!!!…ty…
It is the eve of the Eclipes Awards for HOY Oiand I feel like it is aPresidential electtion. The party in power will continue with their gender bias. If Blame wins, everyone will know why. Hopefully the judging criteria will be finally examined.
But she won. A very genuine nation of those who love her, and counterparts the world over, come to her sites just to bask in the ‘four-lifetime gift.’ Of all her exceptional clan, Mr. Robinson and his gentle recounts of Little Tige,` are most touching to me, because my father`s friend, Mr. Virgil Cress, was such a gentle horseman to me as a girl. They, too, are four-lifetime folk. Barry Abrams was quoted, ‘Can`t teach it; born with it.’ Horses and men; well, women, too . .. just recount Marylou Whitney`s Eclipse Award of Merit Speech, and Penny Chenery creating Secretariat Vox Populi Award, naming ‘Z’ her chosen first recipient. Your stories are wonderful, Jennifer.
It continues to amaze me how Zenyatta has touched and graced everyone who has been involved with her and come in contact with her. The fact that she recognized Mr. Robinson just blows me away. I so enjoyed hearing about her early life, Jennifer. I enjoy all your articles.
Anita in Ca ~ I loved that part of his interview where she turned around and looked at him too. Thanks for the nice comment.
I am a HUGE fan of Z. And having bred, raised & trained horses of my own, I can say that they NEVER forget. I bought a mare from a ranch and several years later, married and bought its stable mate for my husband. The JOYOUS cries that were heard in that new barn when the two old mares were reunited was an experience that I will never forget. It started as soon as the trailer pulled into the new barnyard. The new mare called out and the old mare responded. They called back and forth to one another throughout the unloading and stabling period. All the other horses in the barnyard were silent but watching this incredible reunion. They lived out their lives together bearing foals into retirement and are buried near one another in California.
Jennifer and Don,
Thank you so much for writing and sharing more of Zenyatta’s early life with us! It was very moving to read how she recognized you in the paddock. It is another tribute to her intelligence. She is just the most outstanding horse. Hopefully all her foals will stay in the Mosses care, and if they are runners to be sent to Dottie and John.
I LOVED READING THE INTERVIEW AND HOW HEARTTOUCHING IT IS…TO HEAR ABOUT ”ZENYATTA” AS A BABY AND HOW SHE GREW TO BE THE WONDERFUL HORSE SHE IS TODAY ..I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE A FAN PART OF HER LIFE AND TO LOVE HER FROM AFAR WITH THE HOPE OF MEETING MY QUEEN SOMEDAY.. I HAVE 6 HORSES OF MY OWN AND THEY ARE IN THEMSELFS PEOPLE SO DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER BUT THEY ARE ALL LOVIN WONDERFUL HORSES. I BRED 2 OF THEM AND THE OTHERS I GOT WHEN THEY WERE BABIES ..THEY KNOW ME AS MOMMY AND I LOVE THEM WITH ALL MY HEART AND I CONSIDER ”ZENYATTA” NUMBER 7 IF ONLY IN MY HEART…I AM GLAD THE WORLD HAS ”ZENYATTA” SHE IS A ONCE IN A LIFETME HORSE TO BE LOVED FOREVER…LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU ”ZENYATTA”
Gae Seal ~ Thank you for the telling such a beautiful story in your comment. How touching.
Nancy ~ Thank you for the wonderful comment. I agree with you. She is simply an amazing horse.
Shirley ~ I am glad that you enjoyed the interview. I appreciate your comment, especially about your six horses!
What a unique piece. I really enjoyed reading about Zenyatta’s roots. She is so fortunate in that she had kindness and care and meticulous handling all through her life and it certainly shows in her personality and demeanor. From what I can see she’s really happy in her retirement. She gave us such thrills on the track and we all wish her well in her retirement. She is so special and loved by so many.
A beautiful article, Jennifer. It brought tears to my eyes.
I remember Don Robinson on tne stage when Zenyatta won HOY, and what a charming, lovely, very gentle man he was. Yes, Zanatta has been lucky with all her connections, they are all lovely,lovely people. Living near Hollywood Park I was lucky to have spent a morning with Zenyatta, watching her bath and being groomed. And then watching her make her appearance to all of us (her admirers) after her toilette. She is so regal and self-assured and yet so friendly and accessable, it is a wonderful combination. I will never forget her going over to a woman in a wheelchair that opened into a bed on the ground. The woman ws obviously very ill, and wanted her picture with Zenyatta. Steve Willard,Zenyattas walker,placed Zenyatta very carefully behind the woman for the picture but Zenyatta insisted on reaching her head down to the womans face and nuzzling her for a good 5 minutes. The woman loved it and Zenyatta loved it too. Steve Willard said it made his day, and it did the same for all us teary eyed people watching.
Thank you for the wonderful comments on this article! I truly appreciate it.
A good friend of mine, Shelley Abrams,flew out to LA to see Zenyatta run her last race in California. Because of her long friendship with the Hall of Fame Trainer Jack Van Berg (Alysheba), she got the treat of a lifetime by meeting Zenyatta horse to human. I still remember her hushed voice coming clearly through her cell phone. “Guess where I am?” I chuckled, “I can just imagine!”
She continued,” I am in the barn with Zenyatta. They are walking her around, and I can’t believe that everytime she walks past me SHE STOPS AND STARES AT ME!”
I was flabbergasted, “She what?”
“Pam, she is so gentle that…HERE SHE IS AGAIN.”
Needlesstosay it was a real highlight for me, one I will never forget. I asked her what the first thing she thought of when she saw Zenyatta.
Shelley’s answer came quickly, “Magnificent. She is simply Magnificent.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.