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!
Signofthetimes
@Gary Moulton
Love that neck also. My 17 hand TB gelding had a
Wonderful long neck. When I rode horses with shorter
Necks I was afraid I would fall over their head. Great
Security blanket. He was close to Z size, very long
Body with an awesome long stride. He offense did 5 stride
jumps in 3 and covered sooo much ground very easily.
Not as much like a Porsche as Z though.
NIK
Hi Z – Even though it’s been 100 postings I still can’t get enough. Please thank John for all the great pictures and videos and of course Dottie for helping with all your postings and little Sophie for just being there looking happy. Love to all at Backsde 55 and to your friends at Lane’s End.
Jo
How wistful and wonderful to watch the last gallop! Many, many thanks to Team Z for the generosity and kind spirit in sharing all of these amazing Z moments with us. It is truly appreciated. Look forward to continued updates. Thank you so much! Love and hugs to Z ~
suew
Zenny…loved the video! I’m counting the days, too to hear if you will be a mommy.
Thanks to Team Z for keeping us intouch with the beautiful YOU!
Peppermint
What a brilliant idea John had ! Loved the video and enjoy reading all the posts too. Thanks to all who are involved in this website which brings such joy to so many people. Zenny, you are so special!!
Barb G
WHAT A SENSATIONAL RIDE WITH THE GREATEST FILLY ON EARTH–EVER!!!! I was with you all the way, Zenny! It’s the closest I’ve been to you and with you, and I loved every minute! What a great film! Only going from Queen Zenyatta and the Greatest Mare in History down to broodmare–I don’t like it. Too cold, too clinical, too business-centered. I know it’s correct lingo in racing, but you are so much more than that!!!! I love you more than ever, Z!!!!
Linda M
Thank you so much! I ‘watch’ the older cam video with Mike Smith now and then when I want a lift and a reminder of how much fun that was in my younger days. I say “watch” because I feel like I’m riding too.
Kathryn Cogswell
‘Ping-Check’
sandra gomez
THANKS FOR THE RIDE Z!!! I MISS YOU AT THE TRACK, BUT AS DOTTIE SAID, ‘ THIS IS JUST ANOTHER CHAPTER IN YOUR AMAZING LIFE”! GOOD LUCK TO YOU ZENNY. THANK JOHN AND DOTTIE FOR KEEPING US UP TO DATE!!
Shannon J.
Zen,
THANKS SO MUCH for the video…I was thrilled and elated to have been a part of that day with you and even more thrilled and leated to see myself on your final gallop video. Of course I was happily snapping pictures like a mad woman!! LOL! I feel honored and privileged to have made the journey to SoCal from Seattle to see you…John and his crew were so wonderful! I will always cherish meeting you and my favorite memory will forever be when John let my friend and I quietly some visit you and Life Is Sweet (how IS she doing by the way??) the day after your ’09 Breeder’s Cup CLassic win! THANK YOU for being such a precious girl and THANK YOU to JOHN for letting us come for a visit! THANKS for some of the most AMAZING memories in racing and beyind! Here’s to you have great “in foal” news and to starting the next stage of your life! We are blessed indeed to have you!
Hoof Hoof Hooray!
Diana
What a special 100th post, and what a special day to share with all of us! Yes, you are truly loved and a treasure.
Dottie, thanks! We look forward to the FOAL announcement with hooves crossed!
Hugs and Kisses!
z4ever
Ditto on what a terrific ride, what a terrific site and what a terrific horse, team and fans.It’s been such a treat and inspiration. I don’t post often but I’ve read every post and most replies. I had to sell my horse when I went to university; this site has brought back wonderful memories.I wish we had head-cams back then. Looking forward to foal news. High hooves to all!
Marilyn
Watched the gallop video again, and for me, it was an exciting and joyful reminder of thrilling rides and beloved horses throughout my life. I was even leaning forward as you picked up speed, Zenny!! I am no longer able to ride, but I can be part of your life vicariously, thanks to your generous team. I appreciate this web community of horse lovers. A shout-out to Margaret-Rose for reminding us of the plight of the wild mustangs, some of them here in Wyoming.
Mary Margaret from Georgia
Thanks again for my Zenyatta fix for today. You are absolutely amazing. Luv ya Zenyatta.
Anna Wiley
Wow, you’ve been writing your diary for a long time! I will check the video ASAP, Zenny.
Hugs n kisses, :D
Luv,
Anna <3
Valerie
Thanks Zenyatta for the smooth ride that was Awesome. Looking forward to foal news. Hooves crossed!!!
Judy Sims
Hi Zenny:
Well, the tears are flowing again! What a great 100th post. “The Zenyatta Centenial!”
I couldn’t help but watch and be captivated by your fantastic ears during the video. We will all be on pins and needles waiting for the news of your in foal status blessed one. However, there will never be another YOU only hopefully a carbon copy!
Hugs & nose kisses.
Judy 8-)
Librarian
Yes, indeed, what a fabulous ride ! Thanks to everyone who made it possible, Stevie, for wearing the helmetcam, John for the idea, and of course, you Zenyatta, for that final gallop around the track, putting up with and maybe even enjoying our human love and adoration for you.
Now , I have a question for Robin, what do the letters MUAH stand for in your notes to Zenny ? I don’t do much texting, so I don’t know what some of these letter combinations mean.
Dottie, let me add my thanks for all of the time, energy and creativity you put into this site. It really needs to be published for future generations of horse lovers.
Hugs to all in Lexington
KIMBERLY
WOW!! WHAT A RIDE ZENNY!!!
Phyllis James
Great video. I loved the way you were checking out other horses.
Barbara Wood
@Valeria Cannon–prayers for your full recovery so you can monitor Z from home, not a hospital bed!
Sweet Z—it looks like you’ve had some weather there. We had a beautiful day here in Texas. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear your “foal report”. Love you always.
Mariel
THIS is truly a gift, Zenyatta! Thank you so much for sharing this moment with all of us. Such a beautiful day with your friends… lovely!
AJ from CA
Z – I am so glad you are enjoying your retirement and new career with racing behind you. Bill Dwyre sports writer for LA Times sports had article on the troubled state of horseracing at Santa Anita after you left saying that you kept So Calif. racing in bloom for 2 years but now due to lack of horses, SA reduced their schedule to 4 days. He also mentioned 2 more horses had to be euthanized on the track yesterday which brings a total of 16 so far this racing season there. I know I only went to the track just to see you but now I have no reason to. You were a “gift” to racing and will always be loved. Now I always look forward to this site to hear how you’re doing.
Leslie
you guys are the coolest bunch of people who belong to this horse!! lol You are so kind to the fans to think of taking a video like this for us!
It’s still hard to think of this as her last gallop…. doesn’t she EVER get ridden again, ever in her life?
Anyway, I know you are very good to Z and so kind to her fans.
Thank you so much for these diary posts. I think I’d be so really really sad if I couldn’t read up on Z and know how she’s doing so again… thank you very much! Dottie, John, the Mosses and everyone.
Rosemarie Cola
Zennie, I showed your website to my cousin who I hadn’t seen in in twenty years.I told her all about your exploits and how endearing you are. She loved you and the website and even though she isn’t a big racing fan, her dad was and in his honor she is now going to follow you too. We are planning on always keeping in touch for now on and your daily comings and goings will be part of our conversation as well. EVEN IN RETIREMENT, ZENYATTA BRINGS IN NEW FANS AND PEOPLE TOGETHER, ALL IN THE NAME OF LOVE FOR A BEAUTIFUL AND GREAT MARE. Happy 100th post and thank you Dottie for taking the time to keep us up with the big girl!
Jane D
WOW, what a ride…so smooth. Thanks for sharing that amazing video. Z you are the best!
Kathryn Cogswell
“What was designed to be a feather in the cap of horse racing turned out to be a bobby pin.” Bill Dwyre, LA TIMES, March 5, 2011 http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-santa-anita-20110306,0,7833289.column ~ There IS a sea change to trust . .. too much good history [*see ‘The Vault: horse racing past and present’ by Abigail Anderson] and the honest horses themselves, along with extended human families of support. But the broken places point to too much haste, waste of focus, or emphasis, and the lack of the quiet, observant, mulling hours John Shirreffs spent just watching Zenyatta, figuring her out; Nina Kaiser uses that kind of time on her bronzes. AJ from CA, above, pointed out Bill Dwyre`s column.
Pamela J Hebert
Thank you, thank you dear John & Dottie. What anaforanle picture of your sweet little Sophie. Aren’t animals wonderful beings? They bring so much joy to your heart & world if we’re so fortunate to be there while they are here. The same with you sweet Zenyatta. What a wonderful video & THOSE EARS!!!! So expressive!!! How I do miss seeing you run. Again thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart to all you wonderful people who continue to make this all possible. The video reminds me of Alex, on The Black- one of my favorite movies. You have made me cry again- HAPPY 100 POST, to ALL OF TEAM Z !!!!!!!!!!
margie
Zenny, there’s no other like you. You’re simply the best and I love you.
Z’s Connections, I think it’s safe to say the same applies to all of you. Thank you for being so generous in sharing your Magnificent Girl with all of us, and Dottie – thanks for all the time you spend keeping us happy in Zenny Land.
Pamela J Hebert
Correction : What an adorable picture of your sweet little Sophie. P.S. I don’t know if you read everything but I just wanted to say thank you for all the time & with great love of the horse, sport, husband – your Dear John, & with what feeling & wit that you write. HUGS TO YOU GREAT LADY!!!!!!