GOOD MORNING TO ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS!
HAPPY DIARY #100! WOW! It has been an amazing time!
In thinking about this DIARY ENTRY, I really wanted to tie in so many of the past experiences we’ve shared and open the door for all of us to enjoy other unique moments together. I am one very, very fortunate HORSE! I’ve had an amazing racing career. I’ve received so many incredible acknowledgements and prestigious awards. Yet, most importantly, I have been completely BLESSED to be loved by so many wonderful people.
I’m now living in Kentucky. Hopefully I’ll find out soon about my IN FOAL status. I promise, I will definitely let YOU know the results as soon as possible!
To honor #100, I have one very ‘PRECIOUS’ experience of mine to share with you! My adorable JOHN helped ME put this together for YOU! Even though I was officially retired last November, I was still at BARN 55 for over a month before going to Lane’s End. During that time, it was necessary for me to exercise each day and stay in ‘somewhat’ my normal routine. I was a very fit athlete getting ready to ‘change my focus to farm life’…so John wanted to help ME with this transition and keep ME relaxed, fit and HAPPY!
On my last day of exercise while in California, John had a great idea. He had Steve wear the helmet cam while riding ME. MY ADORABLE JOHN thought it would be very special for ALL OF YOU to go on my LAST GALLOP WITH ME!
The next day, I moved to Kentucky and my daily routine changed to that of becoming a BROODMARE. In modern day terms, Dottie tells me that I am in the process of RESTRUCTURING MY CAREER! TOO CUTE! I think I’m doing quite well at this!
I truly can’t THANK ALL OF YOU enough for the continued LOVE, SUPPORT and ENCOURAGEMENT you have given ME! As I have stated many times before, I really could never have done it without MY TEAM and ALL OF YOU!
Again, HAPPY DIARY ENTRY #100! Please enjoy joining me at the racetrack for MY LAST GALLOP!
Check out the video HERE!
With LOVE,
HUGS to ALL~(and I truly mean this)
Z
P.S. Dottie wanted me to let you know that we will take a few days and get ‘some business things organized’ and work on some future projects. Between all of this and counting the days on my ‘in foal status’, please keep thinking HOOVES CROSSED!
Christine in VA
ok troops give the girl a break she might want to wait a bit before taking on responsibility of a little ZENAGAIN.
J Smith
Curlinsbiggestfan – nice post. As Lizzy said above, it’s good to know we are not crazy!
What a race that will be, Curlin & Rachels foal, with Z & B’s foal. Wishing them all happy healthy days.
Signofthetimes & Sunny B. I was at that race at S.A., all I can say is, thank goodness none of them went down, there were 8 other horses behind them, I don’t even want to think about that nightmare. They showed the replay over and over and from the S.A. replay it didn’t look like Candy was at fault, he got bounced around like a ping pong ball though. It really looked as though Setsuko (xcuse spelling if not correct) initiated the bumping & that Chantal kept hitting 1st Dude and sent him into Candy. So when they let the result stand (1st Dude won, Setsuko 2nd, Twirling Candy out of the $)the crowd went nuts, yelling, booing, went on for a while. Of the 3 stewards reviewing, 1 disagreed and thought 1st Dude & Candy should have been disqualified. So obviously they saw Candy do something that the untrained eye did not. The other 2 stewards did not disqualify Candy as he finished out of the money. Later, Nancy told me that on the replays she has watched online, you do see Candy bump 1st Dude and that was the initiation. I’m glad she saw that and let me know. None the less it was scary to watch, I’m just thankful they are all safe.
Twirling Candy does have a FB page, he could use some words of cheer. BTW, he belongs to Jenny Craig!
J Smith
Sorry that was Game on Dude that won, not First Dude. Too many Dude’s in that race!
J Smith
WOW this will keep us busy while awaiting news… Check out Bernardini’s offspring, he sure has been a busy boy!
http://www.pedigreequery.com/progeny/bernardini
shemas
Especially Horses said:
March 9, 2011
My first love was and is Man O’ War also! We have the same birth day (not year!) March 29 … that endeared him even more to me. I’ve felt close to him ever since I was a little girl. Then came along Secretariat, with the same red color, and called Big Red also, and a similar white blaze … if horses reincarnate then I’m voting that Secretariat was Man O’ War come again to visit! At least, in my mind I feel happy with these thoughts!
And these last few years with Rachael A and Zen, something big opened for me with having deep love for the filly/mares too! John and Dottie are so perceptive to tap into this social media so we all can keep the love for Zen so alive and vibrant. I am so thrilled and grateful, really beyond words!
JUDY
hI Zen! i love you so much , you are the greatest and most beautiful horse in the world! Good luck on your in foal status.
Especially Horses
@ shemas and @Lizzy
The following is something I posted at a different Blog site, but I think you will understand where I am coming from (for those who may have seen it at the other Blog, sorry for the repeat):
I’ve been trying to figure out why Zenyatta has touched my heart like no other Thoroughbred. For well over 40 years I’ve been following horseracing and I’ve been mesmerized by the beauty and majesty of many a champion and even the lesser known Allowance or Claimer. If you love horseracing you will shed tears over career ending injuries and, worse yet, life ending breakdowns, but Zenyatta is the only one who made me cry myself to sleep from sheer mental exhaustion of replaying in my mind, over and over, her last race. I’ve berated myself, saying many a time “get over this, this is ridiculous, you are too old for this”. But recently I thought back to my childhood and remembered how I discovered the world of horseracing, “The Sport of Kings”, when from the school library I checked-out C.W. Anderson’s books on Thoroughbreds and read for the first time about a horse named Man O’ War. I guess you could say Man O’ War was my first Thoroughbred heartthrob. I read everything about him; who bred him, how he came to be named, who his owner, trainer, jockey and groom were. I analyzed his pedigree, and studied his stud career. He died before I was born so I never saw him race, but he stirred my love for the equine like no other, and then came Zenyatta. And now I think I understand – she is my Man O’ War in the flesh, she has allowed me to witness and experience firsthand “de mostest hoss that ever was”.
Barbara Wood
Hi Zenny–waiting on pins and needles to hear some news. You probably aren’t nearly as up in the air about it as those of us who love you! LOL! Love you always.
Pattie
OHHHHHHH, I’m waiting for Zenny’s foal status….I’m keeping this page up on my computer so I will know as soon as the news breaks.
I received my Zenyatta print yesterday from Santa Anita. It is BEAUTIFUL :) I can’t wait to have it framed!! Now, I need to get a Bernandini print to hang beside Zenny!! I think this is called “nesting” !! LOL
Marcie
Love this blog and all the comments! I have been following ever since seeing beautiful amazing Zenyatta on 60 Minutes. Seeing her woke up in me a forgotten deep love of horses — as a child I used to draw pictures of horses constantly. Buck Brannaman in his book “The Far Away Horses” refers to an ancient bond between horses and humans — maybe this is my experience of that… Can’t wait to hear news of Zen’s “in-foal” status! Also since that wonderful 60 Minutes episode, I’ve started following the plight of our beautiful, majestic, wild mustangs.
@Margaret-Rose I’m listening! and writing letters and e-mails wherever I can to help,
adding one more voice to the choir. Two more really good sites http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/, and http://www.wildhorsepreservation.org/index.html
Jenna
Happy Wednesday.
I hope our Zen is doing well and is enjoying her day. Waiting for word…but waiting patiently. Never rush ;)
Have a great day everyone!!!!
Signofthetimes
@J Smith
Thanks for the in person account. It must have
Been horrible to witness this live. I actually saw it
Live on HRTV. Before the race TC really acting
up. They said he was not hot but muscled. When you
Look at the head on video you can see him move and
Hit Dude and then bounce back. I am not sure why
Chantal was using the left whip so much. Awesome
Riding on every ones part.
TC is awesome. I hope he is able to come back quickly.
Has anyone heard. Will sign in on his Facebook page
And give him some kind words.
@Lizzy
I really enjoy your posts as well. You are great at
Finding some really good links to articles I don’t
Have acess to or see. Thanks sooo much. Not sure
About disqualification rules. But I am sure a stallion
Could initiate bumping on his own. I had a mare that
Was vicious. Any time I rode by any other horses
She would kick or lurch out to bite. It was very
Difficult to deal with other than keep her away from
Other horses which is no fun.
Christine in VA
For those who are interested in Nature going forward
http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html
Christine in VA
PS can not rush Mother Nature lol
Snoprinz
Zenny, I enjoyed watching the video. However, it made me teary-eyed. I miss the daily posts and I’m so looking forward to post #101 and beyond. Take care and lots of love.
HappyHarriet
Dear Zenyatta, Our Horse of a Lifetime –
.
I hope you are marveling at the onset of Spring in Kentucky and having fun with your four buddies. We miss seeing Pirate Queen, Alyss and Sea Gull and wonder if they have “Mommie News” themselves.
.
While your human family paces the floor and waits for breaking news from our Divine Dottie, I’m going to post two links that have touched me lately. The first post is profound, from Barbara Livingston on DRF, about Man o’ War recently discovered photos and his funeral. I hope I’m not posting something a second time. A bit of caution to readers as it is very moving: http://www.drf.com/blogs/man-o-wars-funeral-remarkable-final-tribute-majestic-champion
.
…and the second link is so precious and tastefully done, about foaling. This lady is so loving towards her horse, and handles the birthing process with such respect and honor and joy, that if I had little ones in the house I think I’d use this as a teaching tool. I hope Zenyatta has the same uncomplicated birthing process next January. This link is the first of FIVE – you can view the other videos if you like this first one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qig-Mm3vEfA&playnext=1&list=PL551870B6CDECB048
.
Hugs and Horse Kisses – HH
Cheryl
Missing the new posts. Hope we hear soon about your possible impending motherhood. Praying for you daily. All my love to you!
Doreen
According to the Thoroughbred Times, Dottie doesn’t think they’ll check until this weekend to see if Zenyatta is in foal: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2011/03/09/zenyatta-not-yet-confirmed-in-foal.aspx
J Smith
Check out these adorable photos of foals, kindly posted by Curlin, they are his newest. Rachel A will have a beautiful foal for sure.
A Z Warrior, one of Bernardini’s fillys, is a beauty, I saw her on Saturday, but it goes without saying, Zenyatta will have stunning offspring, no matter the sire.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=172270012820118&set=a.165770996803353.32971.153604761353310&theater&pid=356077&id=
judy berube
Dear John and Z Fans:
Just watched John’s latest training video on You Tube. (Sorry, I don’t know how to set up the link. Google John Shirreffs’ training video You Tube.) Thank you John for letting us share in the babies’ training. It’s great to be able to watch them as they learn and grow into beautiful racers. Can’t wait to see Eblouissante’s training videos when she joins your barn. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
J Smith
Signofthetimes, funny u should mention TC was acting up. He was one of the main reasons I went to S.A., so got to the paddock area early to have a good look at him up close. I was suprized that he did not seem like the powerful imposing horse I had seen in photos. Sure, he was good looking, but didn’t have presence. So perhaps he just wasn’t having a good day. Happens to the best of us. I’m sure he’ll be O.K. with a bit of tlc and some good workouts. BTW EVERYONE, it is Uncle Mo’s birthday tomorrow (10th). Since he is a Zenyatta fan himself, I shall make a little donation on his behalf to a horse rescue. He has a FB page if you want to wish him happy bday.
Cindy
We have to wait for 2-3 more days????? I CAN’T WAIT ANY LONGER!!!!!!
;)
Signofthetimes
@JSmith
Interesting comments about TC from someone there. Yes, maybe
It was an off day for him. Too bad really like him. Excited about
Uncle Mo race this weekend. Hope all goes well for him. This Derby
Trail is treacherous for all involved. Keep us posted on things at
SA. How lucky you are to live so close and have seen Z race so much.
lizzy
@ Judy B:
Here you go. :) Linky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiK7UwPuxp0
Hernan Tovar
Dear Zenyatta,when I saw your video my tears star running,your ears moving back
and forth,you are so cute, you are a very
special lady, you are a very special horse
you are you!!! I love you and I miss you so much…
Ingrid from SoBe.
debi Tuccio
Good luck to you baby girl. Love you lots!!!!
shemas
dear @Especially Horses …. “she is my Man O’ War in the flesh, she has allowed me to witness and experience firsthand “de mostest hoss that ever was” ..”
Oh yes! I’m with you on that! I did similar things as you (when I was a child) .. about Man O’ War, and now as an adult I read all the books I can that are written about him (and Secretariat … the movie helped too).
Yes, Zenyatta! You are my queen and the tears I shed I feel are part of all the childhood dreams of connection I had desires for with the great thoroughbreds … and indeed … the connection with Man O’ War was like none other. And now I’m fully in the heart of Zen.
Thanks again for your follow up post. Love it!
judy berube
Dear Izzy:
Thank you. Judy B.
Linda
@Christine in VA-it’s funny that you also have called Zenyatta’s foal Zenagain. Quite a few diary posts back, my brother suggested the name to me & I posted it as a possibility. Both of you think the same. He likes the way the name Zen Again sounds & how simply it rolls off the tongue. I also like so many other names suggested on previous posts. A little longer name as a suggestion would be Once Upon A Time…all great stories start with these words & we have all lived the fairy tale with Zenyatta. I am so excited for the possibilities of a Zenyatta/Bernardini foal.
Janet Cutting
Hello all: While we wait– lets count the moments that took our breath away— yeah Zenyatta!!!!!!!!