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
Julie DuVall
I can’t wait to see you one last time tomorrow at the BIG PARTY! I plan on sending your friends at the barn some photos of you for Christmas … I want to wait and see if I get a good one tomorrow before I decide which ones to print! So practice your best poses, beautiful girl. I am also working on a photo book all about YOU; I will send one to you at Lane’s End to all your new friends can see the fun you had in California! You are simply the BEST horse I have ever seen or known … practically perfect in every way. :)
cheryl
oh queen,princess,lady zzzz pack your snowshoes and you heavy winter blanket ita a bit cold here in the mid-south west i wish i could see your party i dont get that station. hope i get to see you again,i saw you in the 2010 bc you were wonderful ill see you,hopefully in ky love you from ohio
Anita Carville
Zenny, it was so wonderful to meet you yesterday. I got to touch you and have my picture taken with you. It was truly a dream come true. You are so beautiful and just a joy to behold. I was so impressed with your calm Zen-like spirit. And you were so patient with all of us fans wanting pictures with you. Thank you Zenny. Please thank all of your friends, too. Steve, John, Mario, Carmen & Frank — they were all so gracious to us, and they are wonderful, too. I know they are having a bit of a hard time thinking of you leaving. I’m so glad you will be able to keep in touch with us through your website. I’m very grateful that I had this chance to meet you and look in your eyes. I love you, Zenny. You are my inspiration.
Carrie
I so can’t wait to see you on TV tomorrow. Im so excited that this website will be kept up. I need my daily Zenyatta fix! Love to all of you!
Cheryl Hurley
Wonderful Zenyatta! You deserve every bit of the attention you are getting – now and forever! I am really hoping that I can find the television coverage tomorrow – if there is a way to post the information or an approximate time to start watching that would be great!
Mary Alice Kier
Zenyatta…like the blazing star you are – you came, you saw, you conquered. We’ve never been the same and never will be again!! I loved being able to participate in these wonderful posts that you and Dottie have teamed up to do for us all, and look forward to being pen pals once you are settled in Lane’s End. I’ll be there tomorrow to say goodbye and plan to visit you in Kentucky. Thanks to all your wonderful Team Zenyatta and to you. You are my horse of a lifetime and I love you!!
Carolyn
See you tomorrow!
Grandma Bea Gobee
Oh Zenyatta-we are so happy & excited for you here in Bushkill, PA, home of the pocono mts….we only wish we could be there either in CA or KY to see you on your special day(s). Mom is headed to the Mohegan Sun OTB in E. Stroudsburg tomorrow around 5:30 hoping they will show your festivities. If not, smile pretty & good luck. We wish you well & will keep on checking here every day for more updates. Hugs the Gobèe family. Mom & 3 kitties
KEN JOHNSON
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT PERSONALITY ZENYATTA !!! WE ALL LOVE YOU VERY MUCH !!! aND THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM mARIO,sTEVE AN jOHN SHERRIFS FOR THE WONDERFUL DAY TODAY AT YOUR BARN…. LOVE YOUR #1 FAN KENYATTA !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-FdqerYy_o
Debbi Martin
In honor of your Appreciation day tomorrow, my husband and I played Scrabble tonight with new rules: ZENYATTA is the only proper name allowed and under no circumstances if you have the tiles, even as verb, can you spell the word ‘blame’. LOL!!!!!!
MJ ABBY
sweet dear zenyatta, thank you for being such a constant giver of ‘happy’ – you and your people have been everything that is good in life… love, joy, fun – you brought it all and we can never thank you enough – our hearts go with you to kentucky, zenyatta – we will love you forever!!
Stephanie Quilichini
Thanks Dottie for all you do with this diary-I really hope you guys keep it up!! Would love to see a picture of Zenny and Life is Sweet together when she gets to her new Home! Also quick question-how often will you and John see her!!! Thanks Again!!
Jackie
Queen “Z” the time is nearing for your departure. How sad! When I think of you I think of the song “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
You have given so much to those in your daily life while always having time for your fans. You are truly special and will certainly be missed. A very special thank you to Mr. & Mrs Moss for sharing this spectacular creature with all of us! We have enjoyed the ride! John you have done an incredible job never pushing her too fast. Your expertise and efforts will not be forgotten as you have carved a place in the history books. Dottie, thank you for all you do in keeping us up to speed on the Queen. I am not sure what I would do without the dairy posts. It has been a hoot and I am so glad they will continue. (I was beginning to have withdrwals, as I need my daily Zenyatta fix!) Mike Smith, what can say, you are the best jockey in the world!, Steve thank you for keeping her focused and in good form, Mario and Carmen thanks for keeping her in tip top shape, always looking her finest! And a Very Very special thank you to David for finding this truly incredible creature. Without you we would not have her! Thank you.
Again, thanks you for all the hard work along with the countless hours in making the Queen the Champion she is.
Hugs and Kisses!
Jess
Hay Zenny! I’m really, really glad, that David will be with you, you’ll have part of the family there with you in Kentucky. Can’t wait to come and see you, lots of a love! You are the best ever, A regular Man’O’War Mare!
Gail Ulmer
So glad the diary will continue! Thank you so much for caring about all of us who care so much about Zenyatta. It is appreciated!! What wonderful people you are to share your treasure!
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, I was so delighted to find a new post from you today. What do you mean you “hear” alot of fans are reading your diary each day, I know you know how to read so don’t be coy about this. Also comforting to hear that we won’t be out of touch once you arrive at Lane’s End and you will have some family with you daily. I know Mr. & Mrs. Moss will have your barn as comfortable as a throne room should be. Will watch you tomorrow afternoon giving all of us the show of shows. SUCH A DIVA! lOVE YOU MUCH.
Cate
Zen, I would love to see your face when you get to see snow ! You will be able to run and play and make new friends. We would love to see you for another year but this is the right decision for YOU ! You gave us everything, heart, soul, mind & body along with all your love ! We will miss you greatly …Be happy. Thank you for the B-day present of meeting you 2 weeks ago. I fed you a peppermint !
Gail Human
You are beautiful, Zenyatta, there will never be another like you. You are in our hearts and we love you!
Bonnie MacRaith
Keep warm in Kentucky Zenyatta, it’s freezing there! A bit of a shock for a southern California girl. Blessings to you sweet mare, I’ll be thinking about you! And many thanks to your family, they’ve been the best!
Emily Shields
Zenyatta, when I said goodbye to you on Friday, I burst into tears. I wasn’t expecting that, but the idea of going up to you for the last time after 3 years of visits broke my heart. Thank you for being patient with me while I wept! Thank you for everything, always.
Shirley Donoho
Dearest Zenyatta: I love you so much, I could hardly watch the end of that last race. I kept praying out loud: I don’t care if she wins or not, I just don’t want her to get hurt. Please take care of yourself, sweetheart. Our whole household just loves you to pieces. You are the BEST.
Lanie Johnson
THAT’S GREAT NEWS!! Thanks so much for letting us know that the Diary will continue!! I’d have a broken heart if it weren’t!!
I’m so excited for you about tom! Your fans out there are the “best”..we can only try here in Ky to live up to them..it will be one hard task!!
Have a wonderful and exciting day sweet girl! I hope you get to run the course one last time…just run your heart out!!
I can’t be there Monday as duty calls and it breaks my heart, but, Ky fans are unbelievable!! Just ask the Wildcats!!
I love you, I will forever miss seeing you run…have a safe trip here Lady..I will say a prayer for you and all those with you. I’m so Glad that David will be in Lex..you have a great life ahead! Will be watching you tom..tears will ever be present. So glad that I have lived in a time that I could share in this unbeatable career of yours…thank you so much for the memories..the thrills..the dance…love to all of those there who have taken such great care of you..we won’t let them down!! God bless all of you…goodnight sweet princess…from your devoted friend..under the moon..over Kentucky! I love you.
Sharon Doherty
Thank you for the ride Lady Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
Lauren Ann Lough
Do you know if any network or cable stations will be covering “Z Day”?
Can’t be in CA at the time and I am dying to see the festivities!!!!!
Lauren
Kate
Scottish snow and ice didn’t stop me, Zeny. I will see you tomorrow! I’ll have a Breyer model of you, a huge smile, and tears in my eyes. I meant to bring the “Fly Zeny Fly!” poster I made and held up at the Breeders’ Cup this year, but I forgot it.
You are my favorite racehorse, and I’m so happy that I get to be at your retirement party. It will be sad to see you go, but as long as these blog updates continue, you’ll always be close by.
Michelle
I was one of the droves of people visiting Zenyatta today. I heard there were anywhere from 125 to 160 of us. Thank you so much to John and Steve and Mario for their generosity and patience with all of us. Everyone who wanted a photo with Zenyatta was accommodated. It was a wonderful and inspiring day.
Vickie
Queen Zenyatta – I will be there tomorrow…I only wish I had been able to get to the barn! I wish you a good trip and a safe and happy transition – give Ann and Jerry a hug for me! Team Zenyatta has given me am experience I will never forget.
Melissa
I can’t imagine how all your team feels about saying goodbye to Zenyatta tomorrow. Racing will not be the same without her. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful horse with her fans. She will be sorely missed!!
Diane
Zenyatta, you are truly the queen of our hearts and
our soul dancer! All my love and best
wishes to you in your new Kentucky home!
I will miss you dearly, you California cutie:)
Fran
Hi Z! I am so glad that you are so happy. How neat is that to be able to have your fans visit you. Tomorrow is going to be so much fun for you and so sad for team Z because John’s barn will never be the same. Jerry and Ann, especially Ann, are probably having a very difficult time because they won’t be able to visit you as often. Thank goodness that Dottie’s son is going to be very near to you in Kentucky. I wish you the very very best and lots of happiness. Sweet girl don’t forget to give all of your team some hugs and kisses – especially Ann and John. Have fun tomorrow Z and enjoy the cheers and tears. You will always be Horse of the Ages to me!
Love you Z