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
RuKi
Your messages touch me deeply; it’s that strong caring manner. Z, who is your admin assistant doing your typing?
Maureen Feely
Another super day for you Zenyatta. You’re making somebody else happy – you do it all the time. Love you lots.
Penny
Dear Z,
Your postings put a smile on my face; couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate a birthday.
linda
There is something so incredibly moving about that birthday request.
I think it speaks to what all of us, in our heart of hearts, wish we could have from Zenyatta: just one more trip around the oval.
LaurieK
Am happy you have retired healthy and happy, big girl. But I wish you weren’t leaving. You belong to California.
Misty
Isabelle is soooo incredibly lucky!! Wouldn’t we all just want to see you run a track one more time, except this time, you are just out to run. No race, just the sheer glory of seeing the great Zenyatta run – no not run…FLY one more time!!
Marilyn Hill-Russell
Happy Birthday to Isabelle, enjoy your day with her and have a fun day on the 6th. You are the Greatest ever. Thanks for the Memories.
jo
as a retired exercise rider I can know the feeling, Isabelle, What a wonderful bittersweet thing. And as an old owner of mine used to say as we would start to jog away, “dont fall off!!”
Linda Deutsch
Dear Z’s ghost writer – I wonder if you know how happy you make us feel with these posts! Heartwarming, to say the least! And Z’s message today should be one that we all follow – there is so much divisiveness in the world today – we could all take a lesson from Z! Good luck to John’s other horses – we will be following them. A HUGE void will be left when Z goes to Ky. What a role model she is!!! Love & Hugs to you all.
Jan Doyle
Happy birthday Isabelle!! Zenyatta, you just keep giving and loving every moment of it. Love you, Zenny
MaryAnn Donahue
Dear Zenyatta,
You have touched my heart more than I thought a racehorse ever could. Your brilliant racing record and breathtaking style are part of it. But what touches most deeply is your kindness, how gentle you are toward your admiring public. And this kind and generous spirit is manifested through the humans who have been blessed with your presence. I truly understand why Isabelle wanted to ride you again–what a wonderful birthday gift from you to her. Thank you to your “journaler” for this moving post. Happy birthday Isabelle. And thank you for the memories Zenyatta, you have left indelible “hoofprints” of love on my heart. I am so happy I traveled to KY to see you at the BC; you ran the best race!! Stay well and be happy. with love, MaryAnn
Andrea
Happy Isabelle.
Rosemary McCauley
Zenyatta, your footprints will be a part of all of us who love you. See you on Sunday!!!
Gerrie P.
Isabelle will always remember this special birthday because of you, Zenyatta.
I so hope you will like your new home and the new friends who will help to care for you.
Good luck Zenyatta. I can only imagine how difficult it will be for your barn family to part with you.
Sheri
Happy birthday Isabelle! And I love your words of wisdon Zenyatta! You really are the Zen master! haha! lOve you! :D
Elaine
That’s great advise for everyone! You are a wise horse. Have a good day with Isabelle…..she’s lucky to have been so close to you!
Lynette Lucas
Happy Birthday Isabelle!! I think you did pick the right birthday present from John!! Zenyatta you are the greatest! Love you very much!! You will always have a special place my heart for being a great horse! As you fly over NM on Monday just know you have a fan waving at you here in Roswell.
Elena Erdman
Hi my friend Zenyatta… I was so glad to see your message today.. I had a bad night and early morning and when I saw your message it gave me strenght to do my best and not to give up… I am also learning from you my beauty.. I shed a few tears and now I feel a whole lot better, you hold us up also Zenyatta.. have fun with Isabel, what a treat for both of you.. I love you
sherry drish
Zenyatta you are very lucky to have so many people taking care of you. By the way your birthday of April 1, was my mothers birthday. two very special souls with the same birthday. take care team Zenyatta, love you SHERRY DRISH.
Mary Kellogg
Zenyatta…you are a joy and will be missed by so many. Love the daily posts and would like nothing more than to have them continue from Kentucky. I am hoping that some of your “family” might be staying with you at Lanes End but have no idea if that is even an option. We are hoping to see you sometime in the Spring if it is possible to visit Lanes End. Thanks to all for the wonderful inspiration you are!
dunewood o'neil
You are a gift to every one of us-every day!
Gloria Jeanne
We need Zenyatta hoof prints for sure.
Marie
Zenyatta, you continue to give of yourself even when you’re getting ready for your retirement party.
What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday — time alone with you!!!! I hope Isabelle, loved your gift cause I’m pretty sure there are a large number of your fans would have loved a birthday gift like that
Lori Koellner
ZENYATTA, You have given me HOPE, COURAGE,and STRENGTH. You have kept me going when times were difficult. You are an EXCEPTIONAL ROLE MODEL FOR EVERYONE. Happy Birthday Isabelle. What an AWESOME GIFT. Dottie THANK YOU for the posts. Please keep them coming. PLEASE let ZENYATTA’S FANS come to see her at lanes end. I LOVE YOU Z Love Lori XOXO….
Ella Emery
Awe…Zenyatta…My mom just read me your post. That was SO kind spirited of you & John to give Isabelle one last ride on her birthday. I hope your ride was lots of fun…did you go a little extra fast to add some extra fun! WOW! Thanks Dottie for the post!
Oh! Did you talk to Ann about some warm PINK Girly blankets for your trip? I just got off the school bus & it is chilly here on the east coast. Stay warm.
Love, Ella
maggie
Zenyatta and team Z-you are in a class by yourselves…and have given us so much joy and inspiration….look forward to seeing you on Sunday and hope after you have your babies you will come home to California
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenyatta aka Zenny
Zenny, I’ve visited you 5 times this year. Those visits have been the memorable moments of my life! I’m going to miss you, sweetie! {{hugs}} XO
Sharon
I’m not even at Hollywood Park yet and I already have tears in my eyes!! Thanks to Queen Z and Team Zenyatta for everything! See you on Sunday!! with our best feet forward!
Judy Sims
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.
Zenyatta, you and your team have left really big footprints on my heart and in my memories.
Happy Birthday, Isabelle. A big hug for you and Zennie. Have a great ride.
Patricia
To comment on Judy Gadwood’s post…what a wonderful experience you must have had to visit Zenyatta 5 times. I hope all of those that can attend her fairwell party Sunday will go…unbelievable outpouring of affection for such a wonderful horse & all of those on Team Z! With only a few more days to go, the tears are coming stronger & stronger. We will miss you Zenyatta, John, Dottie, Mike, The Mosses, Mario, Carmen and all others!