HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISABELLE!
What a fun day! Today is Isabelle’s birthday. She is one of the exercise riders at our barn. I was fortunate to have her ride me for 3-4 months last year when Steve was out nursing his sore back.
Isabelle and I get along just great! You may have seen her photo in the Daily Racing Form when they included some pictures of me. Anyhow, today is her SPECIAL DAY…and the gift she asked John for was…TO RIDE ME ONE MORE TIME. So today, Isabelle will be on me when I go out for my daily exercise.
How special is this! We’ll have some fun together, for sure! What a great memory for both of us!
I told you in an earlier diary that this is a terrific week. I am having such a wonderful time with all of my friends here. I am also trying to share some words of wisdom with my barn friends…hopefully sharing some RACING ADVICE with them.
I’d like to think I have been a good role model for all of the other horses in the Shirreffs’ Barn. I have tried hard, worked hard, and been one very cooperative horse. My message to them is always try to do your best…and don’t give up! Keep trying! Keep being positive…and keep putting your best ‘feet’ forward. It will be fun to watch the progress of my friends. I will be cheering them on each and every day…and each and every race!
I will ALWAYS be a part of this BARN! My footprints, John tells me, will ALWAYS BE HERE with all of them! That means a great deal to ME!
Yeah…here comes the Birthday Girl to see me! I’m off to PLAY with Isabelle and help to celebrate her special day!
Hugs to all~
Z
Robin
Have a great day Z!! See you on Sunday!! MUAH!!! XOXO
cheryl
so special!!!!
Theresa
Oh dearest Zenyatta – TVG just replayed your 2009 Breeder’s Cup race. It just reminded me of how beautiful, strong, and special you are.
I feel a little down today that you are leaving So. California. It’s been nice knowing you were just 45 minutes away and still in the vicinity!
Ruffian
Great!
Happy birthday Isabelle!!
You’re so cool Zenyatta!!! <3<3
To bad that you are retired :(
Hug,
R uffian
Paul Soto
Horse of a Lifetime!
Vivian
Happy Birthday Isabelle,
Have fun with Queen Z.
Alysse
My birthday is on Friday, but I know I won’t be getting a present even remotely as good as Isabelle’s!
Kayla
That’s so awesome! Happy Birthday Isabelle and have a great ride!!
Zen-Fan
Zenyatta! I love both horses & dogs, but after reading this, there now is a challenge to “dogs being man’s best friend!” As always, your devotion to others, on & off the track continues to shine! Did you know there is a New Moon on Dec. 5th…and with the change in the tides, your new journey begins. I am sure your advice is well-taken & your friends at the barn will be watching your next steps too. I am so glad for the new post today…thanks Dottie! With love
Leslie Bonnette
I am going to be there for your arrival in Kentucky on Monday. I saw you at the Breeders Cup, but still need to see you one time before you go to Lanes End and hopefully a meeting with A.P. Indy!
Patricia
What a GREAT GIFT! Once in a lifetime forever to be remembered. Can John take some photos or video to share with us of your fun? Hugs & Kisses
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta, what wisdom you have. You have, indeed, been a role model. But, not just to your friends at your barn but to horses all over the world. You have gone out and done your job without saying bad things, trying to head butt, rip off someones helmet, go on tv and talk about how great you are and how much money you make and that you should be making more. You are a quality athlete that has thrilled us beyond belief. All sports figures should take a lesson from you. You, my dear lady, ARE A STAR FOR ALL TIMES!!! Have a fun day. I will be thinking about you.
rosemarie bandura
Awwww….I love these posts! I hope they continue when you move to Kentucky next week Zenyatta :-)
Stephanie Quilichini
What a great Birthday for Isabelle-video would be great!!! I hoep they leave her footprints next to her stall!!!
Ann Maree
What a terrific birthday present for Isabelle and for you! And, as far as your advice to your barn mates, that goes double for all of us! It’s certainly a good prescription for living. One of the most melancholy of our early presidents was Abraham Lincoln, who said, paraphrasing, we are all about as happy as we decide to be! Deciding to do our best and be happy releases all those good endorphins and makes the job easier! So, you are a “prophet and a poet”, to borrow from Kris Kristofferson. Hope someone takes some video of Isabelle’s and your ride! Stay cool! Hugs, pretty lady!
Valerie Chase
Please tell Isabelle Happy Happy Birthday from all of us! Thanks so much for posting this morning Zen as always we are so grateful for each and every one! Now go out there and have some fun girl you so deserve it! See you Sunday!!! xxoo
AdmiringFan
Happy birthday, Isabella! Enjoy dancing the last dance with a Legend.
Sophie L
They should freshly pave something out there and have you walk across it so that your hoof prints are forever there. :-)
Vicki
Zennie, You make me cry!! I know has Isabelle feels!!! Have fun and play safe, give her a ride to remember(maybe give a feel good BUCK!)
Cathy P
Wow how special is that to have Isabelle ride you one more time for her Birthday. You are one very lucky lady Zenyatta. Have a happy Wednesday, With BIG BIG HUGS and lots of love.
Roxanne Cook
Happy Birthday, Isabelle! What a fabulous gift (of a lifetime)!! Would it be possible to have Steve or Isabelle wear the helmet-cam so that we can all go for one last ride this week? I know I’ll be looking at the race cards for now on with an eye out for a John Shirreffs-trained horse to cheer for.
Rosanne Glynn
Zenyatta, Isabelle couldn’t have gotten a better birthday gift riding you. I would give anything to see you in person and just touch your pretty little face. Love you so much girl…you are number one in my eyes forever and always! xooxxo Have fun getting your exercise and stretching your legs:)
Rosanne
Sara
Happy Birthday Isabelle! You are one lucky girl! :)
Bailey G.
I’m with Vickie, I got tears in my eyes reading about Isabelle’s birthday wish! I’m sure the moment will be very special for her, a great memory to have! You and John are so sweet <3
And I love what John said about your hoof prints always being there :) I think they should put a little plaque in the middle of your grazing ring with impressions of your racing plates in the ground :) Love you Zen!
Kari
I wish I could be there Sunday, but I live five hours away and I have to work that night. I would give almost anything to be there, but I just can’t call in sick, and I couldn’t get the night off. Well, maybe some day I can visit at your new home. I hope you like it there Zenyatta.
Cathleen
Hi Zenyatta, tomorrow is my birthday. I wish I could come see you Sunday at Hollywood Park or Monday at Keeneland. That would be a great gift since I’m one of your biggest fans! But I live in Florida. :( Have fun with Isabelle!
Samantha Martel
Happy Birthday, Isabelle. I hope you have a very special day and save a very special memory of riding the greatest racehorse in the world.
Who ever writes these posts for Zenyatta – thank you for being such a great person and keeping her story all about Her – she really is such a positive and wonderful role model for anyone – horse or human.
All the Best Always!
Alexandra Bowdoin
Dear Zenyatta,
I cried reading this one!! Happy Birthday
Isabelle…Hope you had a blast riding her one more time. I would have cried for sure taking her back to the barn. Z is retiring Safe and Sound, that is what is most important for all of us who love her.
jahlgren
Zenyatta, it’d be kind of cool if they really did take a cement inmpression of your hooves and had them displayed somewhere at the track with your “signature”, sort of your own Hollywood Star or “Grauman’s Walk of Fame”. I’m guessing you have to have been one of Hollywood Park’s most well known “girls” in the last couple of decades. Would be worth seeing. Have so much fun this week! Lotsa love,
Maggie
Happy Birthday Isabelle!!! xo