Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #112


Well, it has rained off and on here in Inglewood for the last 2 days. I did get to paint my Moneighs yesterday late in the morning. I had to stay in the barn as it was too wet and cold outside. Julio Sarno and her crew helped me. Hope you enjoy the photos. The paintings will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to help retrain horses from off the track. RERUN is the organization.

I am so happy to be able to help! And, if I say so myself, I did a terrific job! I would imagine they would call my style…CONTEMPORARY / MODERN ART!

Hope you enjoy the photos. John sent them in for you to see.

Also, a woman from Washington made me a great cookie container….and some homemade cookies. They are delicious! (Direct quote from JOHN! ) Thanks so much for the yummy treats! The cookie jar is a keepsake!

If it stops raining, I get to go out and graze. Otherwise, I’m cozy and warm in my stall in Barn 55. I go out walking several times each day…but that is in my covered barn area.

Hugs to you all~
Love,
Z

Reader Interactions

108 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Weather is worse in Kentucky. I hope you get bred and get to return home to a farm in California! Thanks for all the posts.

  3. / Reply

    The Moneighs are sooo cool! What an ingenious idea from ReRun. I think it is fabulous that Zenyatta is doing these paintings, to help other racehorses less fortunate. I noted the impressive breeding barns, from whom notable horses(great- such as Curlin, and Smarty Jones), are also involved in this most worthwhile venture. Thank you, Zenyatta. Your paintings, due to who you are, will bring in a VERY sizeable sum to help those less fortunate. I volunteer at a horse sanctuary, and among the backyard breds, the quarter horses, paints – all kinds that fell upon bad times, – we have one former race mare, “Streakin Kitty”, minor stakes winner – sold to someone (Mexican) who brought her into underground racing,(not legal) for hefty bets. When she failed to maintain her win streak (I am sure, due to horrendous mishandling), she was dropped off in the desert to die. The sanctuary rescued her, and tracked her racing background through her tattoo. Thankfully, Kitty is doing well, has gained weight, and is a sweet mare. She is now looking for a second chance, and a forever home. Thank you, Dottie, for keeping Z’s diary up….she has done so much for racing, as have all of Z’s team. Thank you for your kindness…not every horse bred for racing, can be of Zenyatta’s caliber, blessed with her connections. I hope her retirement really is good for her, and that she is content.

  4. / Reply

    Thank you Z for all of the joy you bring. My OTTB Robin informed me the other day that you are just the best and if he were not a gelding the two of you would make very pretty babies :) :). He is a Nureyev / Bold Forbes grandson and Z’s dark bay with white. In all seriousness, thank you for taking the time to write and to keep us in the loop as to what is happening. I can’t imagine how hard it will be to not have her in your day to day lives. You have been blessed and double so for sharing her in the way you have. God bless you all.

    Roseann in Missouri

  5. / Reply

    Hi Zen!! Been watching footage of you on YouTube! You wouldn’t believe the balmy weather we are having in Ky tonight. Breeze has picked up a lot and it’s a full moon…really nice! We do have some pretty nasty winters..but they sure do melt in to the sweetest Springs..you’ll see. Hope your day went well…around those you love! I can’t wait to see footage of your big Appreciation Day! Sure do love CA..been there years ago…you have been so fortunate to be there where the fans are the best..hopefully we can measure up here in the Bluegrass!! God bless and sleep tight!!

  6. / Reply

    I agree Z would be a great dressage horse, she has the perfect build for it. Or a 3 day eventer. Zen is going to be busy for a few years meeting all the stallions that want to be her future mate.
    She is going to be busy especially if she runs for president in 2012. I would definitely cast my vote for her.
    Hope the weather has improved in California so Z can stretch her legs.

  7. / Reply

    One of my dreams, other than actually touching you is to own one of your Moneighs. I have a small collection of Moneighs and I hope someday to have the privilege to add yours to my collection. If possible I would have an entire house full of them but unfortunately my finaces will not allow it. The paintings are great but it’s the hoof print on them that really stirs my emotions. I guess it’s because I think of all the tracks that hoof has stepped upon and all the races that hoof has carried them through. I don’t know, there’s just something about that hoof print. I am so happy your family allows you to do them because it’s for great cause and they are such a joy to look at. And a little side note to Al Blackler, it’s never easy saying goodbye to a friend, my sympathies to you.

  8. / Reply

    While Zenyatta has the natural movement of a dressage horse, I’m not sure how much she would truly enjoy it. She would either be bored because it doesn’t involve running, or she would be nervous because she would be expecting to run. You have to remember, that “dancing” she does is created from her being nervous/excited; while she can do the movements NATURALLY it would still take a long time to teach her the cues to do it on command. It takes a really long time to retrain an OTTB; they hardly ever are asked to move off leg pressure the same way a regular riding horse is and they are taught to run through the bit, not give to it. Taking on an OTTB is basically like training a horse from scratch. And dressage is still a difficult sport; I don’t think it’d be fair to ask a successful racehorse that raced for 3 years to have TWO careers in her lifetime. Most horses that come off the track that go on to become 3-day eventers or dressage horses do so because they weren’t successful on the track and NEEDED a new job – Zenyatta has already accomplished more than most owners/trainers could ever dream of, and so of course that means people will want HER bloodlines when looking for future prospects. It’s not very often that you get a great horse that STAYS great – her babies will be more sought after than any recent day Kentucky Derby winner.

  9. / Reply

    Hellooooo Zenyatta!! Sorry your in today but the sun will shine again for you soon. It’s a liitle cooler in Kentucky so be sure to take your blankets. How will Mario survive without you? His heart is going to hurt for sometime after you are gone. I know you will miss him too!!!!

  11. / Reply

    Ms. Zenyatta, good morning. Hope you have a wonderful Holiday. Will John, Dottie and Mario be there with you? Talk with you later, the most beautiful girl in the world. Hugs and Love, Lisa g

  12. / Reply

    Good morning, Zenyatta!
    I just wanted to wish you a Beautiful Day & to thank you for doing so much for less fortunate horses who need help in restoring the joy to their lives! You & your family are quite an inspiration. Did you see that Uncle Mo’s connections are actively supporting the cause too? I think it’s wonderful!
    Much love, Sweetie!

  13. / Reply

    Good Morning Beautiful Lady!! Not a bad day for you in socal today; a bit of fall in the air..a lovely day to do a jig..if you get out.
    As always, you are the first on my agenda in the morning, after pouring a cup of yummy coffee, to set my day off in a positive direction …then off to work & into reality.
    Oh Zen, other than your pure perfection, it’s the LOVE that you
    represent that means sooo much to so many… “LOVE IS ALL WE NEED” truer words have never been sung!
    You’d love my neighbors’ golden retriever ” Hurly.” He is a people dog, oozing love to everyone he encounters. On days when my neighbor must go to the office I take him with me to my store where he GREETS every person that enters.. making each one feel so special & LOVED… while snuggling up to them for pats, & even a good doggie massage at times. He knows all about you & ,when I can sneak him off the leash, he runs like the wind..tho nothing compared to your qualities. But he loves to run, loves people & WE ALL LOVE YOU!!!

    Have a wonderful day XXOOXXOO sue

  16. / Reply

    Just curious, when’s is your movie coming out Zenyatta? I think the best part will be the ending, that you don’t win that last race, but still are the winner in our hearts. What a great lesson to teach our kids. Winning a race isn’t everything, but a winning spirit is the most beautiful thing of all. You’ll always be a winner to us, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, to all that took such good care of you. Your team rocked the horseracing world. Thank you!

    Drinking a Guiness for ya right now, Zen.

    Love forever,
    Llorien and friends.

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