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
Gail Human
You certainly are one special horse. Love ya!!
Leslie
Zenny, I hope you and Isabelle enjoyed your last ride together today. What a wonderful gift!
Not only have you been a good role model for the other horses in Shirreffs’ Barn, but you’ve been one for everyone, everywhere. You are an inspiration, dear Zenyatta. You never give up! Thanks for all that you’ve done. You are very special and I hope to see you on the 5th!
Thanks also for staying in touch with everyone.
Love,
Les
Kim F.
With tears in my eyes, I will try to write this…Even though I was never fortunate enough to meet you, I am really going to miss seeing you race and being able to just watch you (through John’s videos). You are such an inspiration, I don’t know that I will ever feel this way about another race horse, you are so very special. I hope you enjoy your new life in Kentucky you deserve it. I really wish I could be there Sunday to see you off, but unfortunately I cannot. Take care of yourself beautiful girl. I miss you already!
Fran
Well, Happy Birthday to Isabelle! Hope that they took pictures of you today-with Isabelle in the saddle. How grand is that to have someone close to you ask to ride you as their birthday gift-says a lot about you Z. We are sure going to miss you! Love to you and Isabelle!
DJ
Dearest sweet Z,
Your “hoofprints” should be on the Hollywood Walk of fame. They will be in our hearts forever. You have always shown the heart of a true Champion. One who serves others. We are so blessed to see you this Sunday for our 23rd wedding anniversary. I hope we can have a picture with you, as we have seen your last five races, and especially your best race at the Kentucky Derby. You truly are a spirit to be contended with, and that is why we are so happy that you will have an even higher calling, that of a mother. God bless you Z, and all of your family. You have shown us without words, how to do our best, and even in marriage, we do not always win, place or show, but we dance!
Nancy Love
Well said Zenyatta, you are wise beyond your years. Cheers to you gal pal.
Jennifer Adelman
Happy Birthday Isabelle, You have that queen to ride on your birthday what a treat! Enjoy Zenny!! Life is Sweet will need your mentoring in Ky to get up in the morning. Love that video!!
Maria
Lucky Isabelle. She sure picked a great birthday gift. I am sure you had a great time outside with her. I will see you this Sunday. Boy! you’re gonna be very busy Sunday and Monday. I love you!!!
Amanda Gilliland
Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I am so proud of you! What a wonderful birthday present for Isabelle! Happy Birthday Isabelle! Zenyatta, you will always be part of the barn there. I’m glad you are talking to the other horses and if they had watched you work and race they have seen what you work ethics are. I love all your wins but your last race demonstrates what an amazing spectacular horse you are. When you came from last to nose to nose shows what you are made of. You were born with DESIRE, A BIG HEART and DETERMINATION TO NEVER GIVE UP. You have been trained well but you have God given talent to begin with. The talent you have with all the training and Team Z, you turned into the complete package as a tremendous racehorse you are. I pray that your babies inhereit all of your qualities. Oh how I wish I was going to be there to see you dance one last time in front of all the fans that love you so much. Zenyatta, you have stolen our hearts. Your hoofprints will forever be at the barn and they will always be on the tracks you have raced. You rest up big girl for your day Sun. I love you, Zenyatta.
Love, Amanda
Nancy
I’m going to cry.
Georgia Harper
what a fun day and what a fabulous birthday present for Isabelle she is a very lucky gal. I was wondering when you get to your new home do you think you will be able to be close to your old buddy Life is Sweet??
Love and hugs
KIM SWILLING
I enjoy these posts also…I hope they do continue down the road in Kentucky. You have fun Miss Z.
Janet Cutting
Hi Zenny and everyone: I am with the great idea of having your hoof prints in cement at the barn. You are really retiring in “style” Zenny –I look forward to seeing pics of your new home and your new barn buddies. Make sure John gives them complete instructions and how to make you happy and cozy. Fun to all, Janet Cutting
Kathy Kimber
That is the birthday present of alifetime how wonderful. There will never be a better one.
Lady Z what a role model you are. Love and kisses
William
I think it is soo cool that Isabelle gets to ride you one last time! I’m sure both of you will have an excellent time!! Thank you soo much for sharing your life with all of us and hope we can always read about you as much as possable!! We also thank your owners for allowing all of this to happen!
We love you Z!
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, Such a poignant post today. Isabelle will never forget this birthday and I know you must have felt so good taking her on the ride of her life. What a gift you are to the world. Much love to you, Dottie, John, Mario, Carmen, Mr.& Mrs. Moss and all of your barn mates.
Ira Kargel
Zenyatta, Can you tell me when details of the 5th will be available… I am thinking of coming from Toronto and would like to know a little bit of what to expect and where to be when…
ivk@idirect.ca
Thank-you!!
Ann M
Wonderful Zenyatta, have a wonderful time with Isabelle – and a wonderful day on Dec 5. You are so very dearly loved and a gift in our lives! Love you!!! Have a safe trip to Kentucky!!
Linda Craig
Happy birthday Isabelle, hopefully Zenyatta didn’t have too much fun with you.
Sounds like it’s getting a bit rough there & hearts are in your families’ throats.
I am coming to see you Saturday Zenyatta.
Jackie
Queen Z, I am so………jealous. I wish I was Isabelle. Just kidding. Happy Birthday Isabelle. I hope you enjoyed the ride! Work hard, be the best you can and stay positive. Great words of wisdom. Tell your mom and dad, (Jerry and Ann) good luck with Makoma on Friday. She might be 1 for 1 but there will never be another Zenyatta.
You are in a class by yourself!
Hugs and Kisses!
Guido
Zen – Know you both had a great day! And know that you are such a role model! They’ll never been another role model like you! So looking forward to your Kentucky updates. Hugs to you!
Quarterhossgal
Happy Birthday Isabelle!! My birthday is Dec.15, I will be 77 and would love to climb aboard Big Z. My biggest horse is 16’1″ but I would gladly get a leg up to ride Z. What a thrill, I still watch Mike on Z on Youtube and enjoy watching the ride!! I was able to get the DVD last year from Hollywood Park for Z’s 15 wins are their any plans to make another DVD of this year’s races? Have a great ride Queen Z.
Linda Edwards
Hey Zenyatta: It is very special that your footprints are forever at John’s barn. You know home is where your heart is. And that is the place you grew up, John’s barn, your home. But wait, are you kidding me–you’re a Hollywood Star, young lady! You should have your own star and footprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!! Sure hope you and Isabelle had lots of fun today. With love, Linda
Susie Cartwright
Z I wish you didn’t have to leave those great people! I live in Ky. and can’t wait to see you again. You are the greatest and the most loved horse I have ever known or heard of!!
Delrene
What a precious birthday gift. A last ride on the Queen of the racetrack. I like the idea of your footprints by your stall, I hope something can be worked out. I will be there Sunday to see you and wish only the best for you in Ky. You have given all of us the ride of a lifetime!!!! We loved every minute.
Robyn Mullhausen
What a lucky lady Isabelle is! Zenyatta you’ve not only been a good role model for the other horses in John’s barn, but for all horses and for all humans too. We can all take a lesson from you, John and The Mosses. Thanks so much for another post.
Carol Porter
I stopped by the barn one more time this morning. What fun to see 30 people still there watching you get a bath and taking pictures. What a work of art!
Robin
Tears of joy are being shed every day by thousands of people. We LOVE these posts. Please keep them coming. We will want to hear how Queen Z does on her special day at Hollywood Park, her plane trip, her parade at Keeneland, and her ride to Lane’s End. We will be sending love to Zenny and to Team Z for a happy and uplifting last few days in CA.
Deneen
Happy Birthday Isabelle!! Hope you and Z enjoyed your time together — what a special gift . . . one I am sure you will never forget!! Beautiful Zenny, we all love you so very much!! You and your family members have brought hope, love, and inspiration to this world!! You are a breath of fresh air and will always be my hero!!!!!!!!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLE . . .THE “PONY RIDE” OF A LIFETIME!!! Living every little girl’s horse lover dream, to be sitting on a “magickal horse”. Zenny is a lucky girl too, part of so much LOVE. Hope you two get to share some carrot cake.(maybe just a little) Oh Happy Day. . .