Hello Everyone,
It is cool and a bit overcast here this Saturday morning at Hollywood Park. I am in the midst of such a great deal of fun!
Earlier in the week, Isabelle got to ride me for her birthday present from John.
Then Michelle, my masseuse, wanted to get a chance to ride me around the walking ring at the barn. Michelle is an extremely experienced horse woman. She has been riding for 25 years…and was the regular exercise rider for horses like Starrer and Hollywood Story whom John trained. She absolutely had a BLAST! Too cute!
The visitors are still coming in groves. John said the barn crew will have to go on ‘mini-diets’ after I leave because so many people have been so generous about bringing LOTS of TREATS for my friends at the barn: cookies, candy, cakes (carrot, of course) and danish. They LOVE IT ALL…and wanted me to THANK YOU personally!
Also, I am hearing LOTS of people are reading the Diary each day. This is great news. Last night, Margaret, Tom Halpenny’s wife, (Tom is my wonderful blacksmith)…said they heard from a friend in Australia who was able to locate them via reading my Diary. Now this is GREAT NEWS!
Tomorrow is my HOLLYWOOD PARK FAN APPRECIATION DAY! It is getting exciting. Then on Monday, I will be honored at KEENELAND. I am really getting excited.
Dottie was talking with my new Lane’s End friends about things I will be doing when I get there. As I have mentioned before, David, Dottie’s son, lives in Lexington and will be there with me. I hear Lane’s End is getting MY NEW BARN organized…and they will have SEVERAL NEW GIRLFRIENDS for me to meet upon my arrival. They are also having Sarah, David’s assistant, work with Dottie on all of my updates. So, we will able to keep ALL of YOU posted on what I am doing! Sounds exciting!
YEAH…time to go get a bit of exercise…and then meet more FANS! WOW…I just took a peek outside the barn. There are LOTS of PEOPLE OUTSIDE AGAIN TO SEE ME. LOTS!!!!! I’ll smile…PRETTY… in all the photos!
With love,
Hugs~
Z
Tammie
My dear Lady Z
You are an amazing horse! I cry everytime I read your posts! I will never get used to the fact that you will not race anymore!!
sue
Hi Zennie…I just returned from visiting my mother who has been very ill recently. When I saw her she wanted to know about my trip to see YOU in Ky. at the BC and said how much she enjoyed watching you race. You just put smiles on everyone’s faces! I know Lane’s End will treat you like the Queen you are…no worries there at all. And, you will be an excellent mother. After 3 years of racing you should surely enjoy some rest and relaxation …but we both know you won’t be still for long. You’ll be running all over those lush fields and spreading your unique joy throughout. Keep the news coming. Just hearing from you brightens up my day. Huggs…
Nancy McNaul Applegate
You’re going to leave a bunch of broken hearts behind when you go, Zenny.
Linda Bulger
Hi Zen, Sounds like you are one busy Queen. Just be sure you rest and eat well. I am sure Team Z is on you about those things. Have you been in snow before?? Walk slow and be careful ok …Harley
Irene Caty
Wow, people are going crazy to see you and who can blame them. It is not every day you can visit a Queen. You are really being kept busy Zenny girl. By the time you arrive at Lanes End, you will need a rest. I hope and pray that all goes well for you Zenyatta. The tears are still flowing as they have been since your retirement. To loose a Queen like you is a hurt that cant stop. If only you could be in California it would’t be so bad. The fact that most of us will probably never see you makes it so hard after we followed your carear all this time. You are the light of my life. I wish you well with whatever you do. Everyone here will always love you and never forget the Great Zenyatta, Queen of them all. God Bless you on your new lourney in life and hope the babies you have are so much like you with your sweet personality and gift to dance and of course your great raceing ability. I will see you for the last time tomorrow. I am excited and happy to have that oppertunity. I will love you forever, Zenny, Good Luck Always.
Victoria
Hope you like a lot of snow ’cause Kentucky and Virginia and maybe some other states out this way are getting hit big time. Southwestern Va’s a ready has 3 or 4 inches. Be safe on Monday.
Love you very much, Z.
Rita Stack
I will miss you so much Queen Z, but I will follow all your posts. I know you will be happy there. You have a great family who have given us this wonderful opportunity to visit you. You are a spiritual being, so amazing in every way. A big hug to you, you are so loveable.
Chris Hausman
I dreamed of you last night. I was so excited to see you, I was sure that I was never going to be able to see you in person. You were sad that you only had 1 more day in KY, but you were excited for the next adventure in your life. You have done so much for horse racing, and you should feel so blessed that John & his crew so generously shared you with your fans!
Christine Coleman
Zenny…the reality is beginning to hit me in the heart. Though you will be closer to me in Kentucky, (I’m in SC), I know all the people you are familiar with from day to day are at Hollywood Park. Adjust well my beautiful mare…may you live a blessed life in Kentucky. If all goes well, I will get to see you in person in Kentucky.
Marlene Donner
Zenny, your the best! You have a following like no other horse! Thanks Team Zenyatta for sharing her with us, I can’t tell you how much it means to all of us! We are going to miss her like she was our own. You did such an amazing job with her, I just can’t thank you enough.
Sue Fredrick
Oh Zenny, all these people worried about a little snow……little do they know how much you will like the cooler weather and a good roll in the snow. My only regret is that I’m sure you will have a blanket on Monday at Keeneland and I won’t get to see that exquisite Zen body one last time. But I certainly will settle for that exquisite Zen face. I’ll be waiting along the fence with a real cool sign. Safe trip. Luv
Judy
Dear Zenyatta, You have brought us such joy and as I read everyone’s emails to you, I can only say that each and everyone of us has the same feelings for you. All of your fans will never forget your charisma.
You have brought back so many memories of my horse that I loved when I was in high school. He was very kind and gentle also.
Good luck in your new life and remember your old friends and make new. Take good care of your health and hopefully your foals will be as sound as you are.
We will be anxiously awaiting your posts from Lane’s End. I have enjoyed every one of them and read them several times.
Thanks to all of your owners, trainers, jockyes, and other kind people that have had the privilege to work closely with you. You are a fine example of the loving care they have given you.
Zenyatta I’m planning a trip to Kentucky to see you in person…the lovely Zenyatta!!!
Joan
Hello gorgeous.
well, I’m here in Texas and my flight to see you tomorrow leaves at 6:30, I have to get some shut eye. I have a much better feeling now after reading some of the specifics about you barn area and that the Diary will LIVE ON. Zen, I have agood friend who lives in Md and has written a beautiful poem for you. I am bringing it to you for my visit in the morning. I have a copy for MArio/Carmen, John and Dottie and of course your wonderful owners and Mike. It is really beautiful, I cried when I read it. Maybe someone will read it to you. You know it is hard to decide who was the luckiest, Jerry and Ann to have you in their lives or you to have been so lucky that they found you. It was a perfect match.
Get plenty of rest for your big day. Tomorrow.
Henrietta Wolfe
It’s all just too SPLENDID! You are,A STAR FOR ALL TIME AND THEN SOME!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Elena Erdman
Hi Zenyatta.. I will be there tomorrow to see you.. I did not get to see you closer up because I don’t have a pass to the barns and I don’t know anyone that can get me in… it that the pitts? I am so happy they area making arranagements for your arrival at Lane’s End and that you get to meet some of the girls .. what fun.. I won’t even say how much I will miss seeing you race.. I am glad Sarah will keep us up to date on what you are doing… God bless all the wonderful people around you for sharing you with us.. I love you.
Karen Schmiede
Have a great day tomorrow. Wish I could be there, but maybe I can see you in Ky. some day. Love you
Paula Higgins
I am so glad David will be looking in on her along with his assistant, Sara. He is family and the man that found her. It doesn’t get better than that. Tell Sara her updates will be greatly appreciated. I can’t believe I am sitting here choking back tears. I am a tough old bird and it takes alot. Just hard to believe she is leaving the people who love her so much. Once we know she is doing o.k., I think we will all feel better. I know Ann and Jerry Moss will, as will the entire barn staff. To all her connections: have a wonderful day tomorrow. I will be wacthing on TVG.
jeanie langford
Love you Queen Z. You are the best. I do so hope you will be happy on the farm. You are the best that I have ever seen. I wish Mario could stay with you like Man O War’s groom did. I hope they will let people see you. I live in VA so I could come to Kentucky. I know that they have to keep you and your foals safe as well as the other mares, but the public should not be locked away from you. Is is true you will have your own barn and people? Be happy Z, if you are not you could come and stay in VA and be loved to pieces.
Edie Dickenson
Guess what, Zenny! I just got 25 Christmas cards from The Second Race and YOU are on them! So I write, “Here’s Zenyatta! Isn’t she magnificent?!” I have my TV recorded to see you tomorrow at HP. Have fun; you sure deserve it!
Lise
Thank you for the updates..I look so forward to reading them! With love from BC, Canada
Alyssa
I got my Zenyatta Commemorative issue of Blood Horse today, and I’m very excited to read it! It looks great, with lots of beautiful pictures. I also cannot WAIT to come to Kentucky and hopefully visit you! Even though I live closer to CA, I figured I could convince my parents to turn it into a family vacation if we went to Kentucky…I know you’re going to love Lane’s End, it’s a beautiful farm. I’ve been watching you since 2008 and nothing makes me happier than seeing you retired from the track safe and sound. I’ll be looking forward to your babies, and I’l follow every single one of them! Thank you so much to the ENTIRE Zenyatta Team for all that you’ve done for the past few years.
Quarterhossgal
Queen Z…do you know David? Has he spent time with you in California? I know with my horses when ever they went out for training or showing I also sent a familar face with them as they settled in. You’ll love the cooler weather after the first few weeks in Kentucky. Some of those mare barns are just 3 sided loafing sheds, hopefully you have a warm bedded stall at night and a large paddock for turn out during the warmer days. I’m sure if you get turned out with any other mares you will be the Alpha mare!! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at Hollywood. You’ll have a great big crowd of fans waiting for you.
BarbB
Z – Wish I still lived there so I could come visit you. Love you!
Deborah Lawson
Oh Zen, you are a national treasure! Thank for sharing about your approaching new life at Lane’s End. I have been concerned about your transition from life in the fast lane.
Debi Hamari
So glad that you will be able to keep us all updated when you move. So many people love you, including me!
Love and hugs to you, sweet girl!
Heather Myers
Zenyatta, you just tickle me to death. What a positive and charming girl you are. I am looking forward to seeing you in Kentucky. It is my fondest wish. Maybe next year for my 75th birthday Lanes End will grant that wish for me. Love to you pretty girl. I read your diary every day.
Karen
Thank you for the blog and thank you that we can keep up when you get to Lane’s End. You are so special that we want to keep track of how you’re doing. Thank you for the love! Tell God hi because I know he sent you especially for us!
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta my sweet love. I am excited for your big day. I wish I could be there. Thank you Team Z and John for all you do for this sweet Angel Girl. Today my husband bought me an early Christmas gift. An autographed picture of you at the Breeders Cup. It has Mario and Mike Smith’s signatures along with a BEAUTIFUL picture of you standing with your blanket on. I cried. I have wanted so much to see you in person. My husband tried to give me the next best thing. I will cherish this picture. It will be framed after I show my 5th graders at school. I will then hang it in my home. I love you sweet girl. Have fun tomorrow and God Bless you on your trip to Kentucky. Love, Shari
Chris
Oh Z, I am truly going to miss you. Thank you for so many happy and thrilling memories. There will never be another like you…
cheryl
It will be sad to see you go but time for you to take off your running shoes and be a real horse now. Just think about all that grass! God bless and keep you wonderful girl.