Good Morning Everyone!
Wow! What a day I had yesterday! IT WAS A GIRLS’ DAY with my California friends coming to Kentucky to celebrate my birthday! The pictures are getting downloaded and I will share them with you next week!
We had a great, great time! And YES…my cake had some fabulous frosting!
On another note, I was honored for getting the WILLIAM H. MAY AWARD recently. A horse has NEVER received this honor before…I am the first! I AM REALLY SO PROUD!
Read about it by clicking HERE!
I truly want to THANK EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD to HELP ME be acknowledged for this AWARD!
Happy Saturday!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
karen g.
Awww, I luv ya J Smith!!! Go to Santa Anita whenever I can too! My favorite track!!! And what you said is true!! I, too, will be there for Derby Day! LOVE IT!!!!
Trina Nagele
@Barbara Wood–Missing you and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Nancy L
Zowee!!! Birthday cake AND an award!
sherry drish
HI YA QUEEN Z, WHAT AVERY NICE BLESSING FOR YOU. THE W. H. MAY AWARD AND THE GIRLS COMING TO VISIT YOU, PLUS A READERS DIGEST ARTICLE. WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH. SHERRY D. WV.
Shema
Zen! Dialed In just won the Florida Derby! With an exciting powerful come from behind win by a nose or more. I was thinking of you …. he ran your type of race! It was very exciting! I hope you hear about it around the barn. hugs to you
J Smith
@ Katen g, if u want to say hi, post on Friday and give me a spot to meet, i.e. one end of paddock. I’ll check on Friday evening.
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
I bet you saw the Fla derby today. To Honor and
Serve (one of Bernies boys) did much better. Came in third
And was much stronger. Dialed in son of Mineshaft (LE) came in
As the closer “in Zenyatta fashion” on a fast track favoring
The speed horses. What a great horse. KY Derby should
Be really fun. One of the Vets that sees some horses at our
Barn has a Derby Party every year. Don’t forget your hat and
Get a mint julip !!!! Hope you have had a great Sunday.
XXXOOO
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta I hope you are having such a good time with your family. I know they must miss you so much. I just came from a baby shower. It was really nice. I never was able to have children so some of the items were foreign to me. I know dog or cat things but not baby. It used to be hard for me to attend these but I look at it this way. God gave me my school children who I love a lot so I don’t have to go without. I think that is why when I found out you lost the baby I cried I mean I really cried hard. That is ok you are so worth it. I also wanted to tell you I joined Old Friends email. I am going to make a donation in your name for Easter. The area I live in is more about dogs and cats. I give to a couple of places in the name of my little dog Titus who passed away. He was like a child to my husband and I. I am going to tell the children about Old Friends. They always want to send you something but I am going to explain to them this will help horses who don’t have a family like you do. Well sweet girl thank you for listening. I needed to write some of this down. I love you and enjoy your birthday goodies. Hugs and kisses from Shari in Ohio XXXOOO
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I watched the Flordia Derby. Great race!!! Dial In won!!! Nick Zito was very emotional. To Honor and Serve ran a very strong 3rd. It was great. Then I watched videos of your races and I tell you Zenny, even today, you are a tough act to follow!
Sally (B)
Hi adorable Z; I thought what the heck, since I miss you I would just check for a new post on Sun. WOW! I thought Dottie would take a week-end off. The news is spectacular for you and your very special owners,trainer and Mike Smith. (Mike and you were awesome together). All are No. 1 in my book and of memories!! You all have been recognized around the world and given this award. Congrats!! I bet your nose was into a lot of things at your birthday party. ha ha I am so happy you have such a good life. Lookin’ forward to b-day pictures! Z, I sent in a few cards for your bronze; I am excited for the results. I know I won’t.
Just to let you know if I were to be so fortunate to win it, I could never part with it!!!! But, you do mean so much I guess I would donate for charity to Old Friends or horse rescue, if I and my dear friend could drive down, see you, and each give you a kiss, and we could tell you what you have mean’t to us and personally how much we love you, how great you are. You are my racing horse of my lifetime sweetie. hugs to all
love with a kiss on your soft nose
Suzanne
I hope you had a wonderful time with your dear friends from California Zenny. And I hope you enjoyed your cake and the yummy frosting. I am looking forward to seeing the pictures too!
I was reading last week’s Blood Horse magazine, and they asked people in the business how racing could be improved. Several people mentioned the name “Zenyatta,” so your influence will be felt for years and years to come. Congratulations on your receiving the William H. May award too! You and your team have done so much for racing and to help people realize that loving horses is a wonderful, wonderful thing. I agree with another poster that Dottie should receive some award or recognition for her work on your blog Zenny. She is breaking new ground when it comes to keeping fans updated on their favorite horse. Mike Repole and Uncle Mo are following in your footsteps and this is so great to see. God bless you all!
Patricia
Hi, lovely Zenny – thanks for the link, that was such a nice article. You know we love to read everything about you! Much love, sweetie – stay safe and happy – have a wonderful week –
Gloria Jeanne
I love going to the races, we go at least once a month, more when Hollywood Park is ‘ON’ the other tracks are a fap away.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To all of you wonderful posters, those I’ve “talked” with and those I haven’t—your tributes to Zenyatta, posts to each other, and fascinating information about the horseracing industry among MANY other subjects have me captivated each day. I haven’t been social lately on the site because I am overwhelmed with end of semester work (and retirement after that—whatever that new time might lead to). If you read them, my recent posts may seem a bit obscure and I’m sorry for that. Below I have revised my post from #217, to comment again on Zenyatta’s William H. May Award in today’s #218. I think it makes more sense this time.
Zenyatta lovely one: Your hoofprints criss-cross the human/animal boundary so frequently that to me you’ve created a perceptible path. You are a “deep closer” of separations between two species. For example, you are not an ironic horse; you are sincere. You invite us to leave behind the atmospheres of irony we breathe daily. Look how someone from the racing industry speaks in all sincerity about how “no horse [before you] has ever received . . .” the William H. May Award. How remarkable. Thank you, Zenyatta, for bringing sincerity back as an acceptable emotion. No wonder your Facebook page grows exponentially daily.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
So glad you had your California friends with you on your birthday along with your cake and frosting, yeah baby! Am looking forward to seeing the pics next week, I bet you they are fabulous. And a big Congratulations on being the first horse to ever receive the William H.May Award-that is fantastic. But heck Zenyatta, you are one very special unbelieveable horse and you have brought about many firsts in lots of things. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that you get all these special awards and honors, you are a very different and one of a kind horse.
Take care sweetie and enjoy yourself.
My Love & Blessings to you!
Joyce
Zenny, hope your birthday was everything you wanted, with all the goodies you deserve.
@Jan – Yes, it is Sam Houston Race Park. At first Mac was trying to get Zenyatta and RJ, but then said the added money would be for one of them, hopefully Zenyatta, to come. Had my fingers crossed, but it didn’t happen.
Darby
I’m new to this site and not too familiar with horseracing procedures. I noticed that American horses run clockwise around the track and other countries run counterclockwise..is there a reason for this? Happy belated B-day Zenyatta!!
Mary Margaret from Georgia
Zenyatta you are absolutely the Greatest. Glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday. Love you so much Zenyatta.
Charlotte Sveen
Congratulations on another award! Still winning hearts and minds the world over!
Snoprinz
Congratulations Zen for your recent William H. Mays award, the first ever to be received by a horse. You have done so much for your sport based on your personality, talent and victories on the racetrack. You are simply the best representative of your species. My hats off to you and Team Z in CA and KY.
J Smith
Thought you guys might like this, while Zenny was busy winning the 2009 Breeders Cup, her brother (by Street Cry) was busy in Australia winning the Melbourne Cup (their equivalent of the KY Derby). His name is Shocking, and of course, I found this on his fb page! I must say I was shocked at how many horses were in the race. Melbourne Cup 2009 – High Quality
http://www.youtube.com Hmmm, if this link doesn’t work, just go to Shocking’s fb page.
Jane in Seattle
Zenny,
I just watched HRTV’s Barbaro Special, and I wanted to thank you for healing some of the pain I felt after he died. After a lifetime of being passionate about thoroughbred racing, I couldn’t bear to even hear about it for three whole years. And then sometime started telling me about this dancing queen down in California, and – one look was all it took. You really are special in so many ways. XXXOOOOXXX
Isabelle
J.Smith thanks for pointing this out to us. I just watched it. They looked like they were all packed up till the end. It’s scary when there’s so many horses in a race. I worry about them getting hurt.
relientkislove
Congrats on being the first horse to receive it! You especially deserve it Zenny. I hope you’re birthday was wonderful, and I wish I could’ve personally told you happy birthday and congratulated you. Love you lots (:
margie
Zenny, congratulations on being the recipient of this most prestigious award, and may I add, well deserved! Maybe you’re what the poet Maya Angelou meant by “Phenomenal Woman.” :-) You certainly are to all of us. And, belated birthday greetings – of course I knew it was your birthday 4/1, I thougth about you all day. But I had to help my sister home from a 6 week hospital stay, and get her all set up. Today is my first chance since last week to check in with you. Can’t wait to see your b-day photos and I’m so happy for you that you had your California company to share the day with you. Sweet dreams, Sweet Z. Love you.
Kay
Hey Zenny, I’m with Jane (above), Barbaro and Eight Belles took it out of me. But YOU were the one to bring me back. I know that no one can predict these things, but the sheer beauty of watching you run AND DANCE, and feeling that you actually enjoyed running AND WINNING, made me want to again be a part of racing. Thank you. Happy Birthday (plus 2 days).
myrna miller
Zenyatta Sweetheart, Congratulations on another very impressive award, and another one (like the associated press award) that has never gone to an animal before. So lots of people see you as almost human too.
Valeria Cannon
@ Trina and JS, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
FYI, Boys of Tosconova has an awesome facebook page, and even tho he’s not racing at this time, he’s very interactive and knowledgeable about his fellow horsemates. I’m quite to sure everyone who visits him will definitely enjoy talking to him. He’s very impressionable and a gracious host.
Congrats to Mikey and Amazombie, you guys ran an awesome race (and beat the Big Boys)!!!! Wilburn, you will get them the next time.
See, Lady Z, the young ones Are following in your footsteps, even if they have to drag the old timers along with them! :) :)
@ Racey, thanks for the connection to PP’s facebook page, I had a nice visit with her and the ‘Princess’, she’s a gracious hostess and so in love with her precious filly. :) :) I was most impressed by the fact that she kept up with and supported Zenyatta wholeheartedly throughout her career, to include displaying Z’s profile pic on her webpage throughout the Breeder’s Cup week. I really loved the tee-shirt! :) :) ;)
Joan Dobbie
Congratulations Zenyatta! Congratulations Team Zenyatta!!!! I feel like I’m almost beginning to know all of you too. For this award to go to Zenyatta is still another victory. Her coming in a nose from 1st at the Breeder’s Cup was, as my friend, Michael likes to say, “the exception that proves the rule.” You are a true winner Zennyatta!!! So much love…
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. Wow, Zenny. I really enjoyed all of the posts today. They were so varied and totally amazing. Hope you had a great day in the sunshine. Looking forward to the birthday pics and news of the contest. How exciting!! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Kari Bussell and Valeria Cannon – Wanted to let you both know how beautiful your posts in celebration of Zenyatta and what she has meant to you were.
@Karey R – Anytime I am facing a challenge or feeling down, I will just think “EARS FORWARD”! Thanks. :)
@Margie – Hope your sister heals quickly.
@Barbara Wood – Missing you!!
@JSmith – Isn’t Uncle Mo fun. I love his website and how great is it that so many owners are getting their horses involved with the fans. Watched the Florida Derby today, the 1st Saturday in May is going to be very interesting. Love it!!
@Dani – Here’s to girl power, with Awesome Maria and R Heat Lighting. Yea!
@Laura J – Your remarks were right on.
@Shari Voltz – My dear friend. I myself have never been married and never had children. It was not meant to be. Like you, I have had my wonderful dog and cat kids also; as well as my marvelous human family and friends of course. Life is certainly a path of twists and turns, with many ups and down taking and giving so much. Seldom has it matched my expectations, yet I am extremely happy and loving it. You my friend are a gift to your students, just as they are a gift to you. That was meant to be, now you touch the lives of hundreds making a difference everyday. How special is that!