Well…my Zenyatta Appreciation Day at Hollywood Park is here!
I am very excited…and yet in so many ways reflective. It was supposed to rain a bit today…but now they are saying the rain will be later tonight and into tomorrow morning. I hope it holds off until evening.
Yesterday, I hosted a barn party for all of my friends at the Shirreffs’ Barn. They were able to bring all of their family members. Dottie made big Z’s to hang from the trees outside like large ornaments with each of the employees names listed on them. It looked so pretty and festive. Everyone ate and relaxed and had a wonderful time. Debby, our caterer, did an amazing job! (She always does.)
Then the Moss’ helped me provide gifts for each person who had worked with me at the barn. They felt it would be a special way for me to say THANK YOU. Ann, Lara and Claudia helped me to pass everything out to all my friends. It was great fun!
Later, I was out grazing…in the back grass area….and people were coming over to see me, get photos, hug me…and thank me for their presents. I think I was a really good hostess. I know I tried to be, for sure.
Right now there are tons of fans here to see me again this morning. Yesterday, Steve counted over 162. Cody ushered groups of 10 back and forth to the barn. Michelle, Isabelle, Steve, and Gary helped to organize the people so they could get their pictures taken with me. Mario helped me poise beautifully for the cameras. It was amazing. Everyone has been so kind.
Later today, it is ZENYATTA APPRECIATION DAY! I’m going to relax a bit after the fans leave this morning…and then get ready for this event. I know Mario, Carmen, and my crew will have me LOOKING GREAT! I hope everyone has a great time.
Last night, before John and Dottie left the barn…John looked and me and gave me a big hug and the greatest compliment of all. He said that people really do love me…and they are really so appreciative of all I have tried to do. In his mind, he said, I am SPECTACULAR in so many ways. As a matter of fact, he hugged me again and said…’There is not one thing about me that is not exceptional…not one!
I guess I am one very lucky horse to have people around me who give me so much love, confidence and respect! Yes, one very, very lucky girl!
With love…and hope to see you at Hollywood Park this afternoon!
Hugs~
Z
PS…Kelley Rose…the barn went crazy over your Marble Cake. They are still raving about it! Thank you for making all of them so happy!
Gail Human
I love you Zenyatta!
Debbi Martin
This made me cry. You really do a very good job communicating to the hearts of your fans, Lady Z. God Bless you always and all of Team Z. Wish I could be there today but I am there in love and spirit. THANK YOU for being you and so special that mere words fail. With love from Virginia…… PS: Hope they make a new DVD of you. Your story didn’t end with the last one…. :)
Andrea
Zenny have a happy farewell today. Great Z´s hanging from the trees – what a awesome idea. Would have loved to be at THIS party.Could Kelley Rose let us have her recipe for the Marble Cake?
Love you Zenny.
Lise
This also made me cry! Wish I could meet you Z. We all love you very,very much XOXO
Jon Chafen
I have followed Zenyatta for a longtime I would love for her to make an appearance in Laughlin Nevada, just to say I know you have a lot of fans out here.!!! Look forward to seeing you!!
Morgan Goble
Zenyatta i wish i could be there at your Appreciation Day.But i cant because it my sister bithday.So i wish you all the luck with it.
your number 1 fan
morgan
Candace
I was so excited to see your Diary post on Facebook. I hope the news in San Francisco covers your special day. You are so loved by many and honestly, I have never followed a horse like you before! Sure, I saw Phar Lap and SeaBiscuit but you are just one special LADY~ I wish you safe travels and I hope you enjoy your new home. Please keep us update!
Stephanie Quilichini
Dottie you got my tears flowing with John’s goodbye to Zenyatta-Wow!!
Alysse
I can’t be there, but I will be in spirit.
Tammie
Zenyatta,
As the time nears I cry more! I will miss you dearly you became a part of my life,
I love you Zenyatta……
Gloria
If I can stop crying I’ll tell you like all the others you are loved beyond expression.
Don’t stop writing – we are looking forward
to it. May St. Francis keep you in his arms.
Via con Dios Zenyatta.
Shelley Abrams
Made me cry also. I live in PA and flew out just for your race in CA on October 2. Got a chance to meet you and it was one of the great joys of my life.
Does anyone know where we can see her farewell party?
Laura Olsen
Dear Z. I tried to get there today to say good luck but the snow in Chicago prevented my trip. I sure am glad I was at Breeders Cup-you looked so beautiful. Hoping Lanes End will let us visit in the future.
Thank you for the memories!
Susie Bloom
THANK YOU!!
you are SPECTACULAR and thank you for bringing magic back to horseracing!
happy retirement and lots of luck and love on this next chapter in your life, can’t wait to watch it all unfold!
Helen
Zenyatta,
You are the Queen who ruled in the sport of Kings. Thank you for making your “world weary” fans so happy for so long. May your journey back to the rolling Kentucky hills of your birth be peaceful and productive. You will be a spectacular Queen Mother!
Now, if the TV Gods will give us a last glimpse of you today we will all cheer you on long distance.
Team Zenyatta,
You did that magnificent creature and yourselves proud.
Thank you.
Pam Graham
Best of luck and much emotional strength to all the human members of the team. The Queen, herself, will of course be fine.
Kate Tait
A great day of celebration with your family and friends so wish I could have been part of it. Wishing you all the best in your new life knowing that you are just going to be a wonderful Mother some day. Can’t wait to hear of your little one. You gave us all wonderful memories, and heart felt love. You will always be remembered. xoxo
Lynda Pellitteri
I am going to come see you tomorrow, it will be 24 degrees, so be very careful on your landing in Lexington! Wear a very heavy blanket! There is snow on the ground that will not melt by then…
Jennifer
After reading your post today, Zen, the tears are starting to fall. I hope Lanes End will be as generous with the public seeing you as your owners, trainer, and handlers have been. I dreaming of the day I can see you there. You are “glorious” for sure! I’m very worried that you will miss your California family though….you are very, very smart and so loving. I hope John and Dottie, Jerry and Ann, and Mike can visit you often in Kentucky. I know that you will remember them and enjoy seeing them so much!
HOPE TODAY IS WONDERFUL AND TOMORROW’S TRIP IS NOT TOO STRESSFUL FOR YOU.
DeeAnn B
This is not good-bye…simply “until we meet again”!
Gloria Jeanne
Zenyatta- there are so many people here at Hollywood Park already! Your party sounds like it was wonderful! And John is 100% correct about you! You have brought him and all of joy and happyness. You are PERFECT in every way possible! Love and Hugs – Gloria :-) Enjoy this day my Love
Chris
I have never, in all my years of following the racing, felt as emotionally attached as I do with you Z. Here I am a 51 year old woman, and I read all the posts daily and end up crying like a baby. It is so hard to express what you brought to the race these past years. Words like thrilling, exciting, heart stopping, personality; are a few, but they just don’t seem large enough to sum it up. You are larger than life Z. You have not only danced your way right into the history books, but also into the hearts of the most seasoned race enthusiasts. What a pleasure it has been to watch you do it. Heart felt thanks go out to the Mosses for sharing you with us; and to all your special people who take such good care of you. You are loved Z; and won’t be forgotten.
Linda
Thank you for the past four years and the contant reminder of why I love this sport. Your feats were inspiring and joyous to watch. You took me back to my childhood when I was glued to the TV, cheering on Secretariat! I will follow your career as a “mom”, and look forward to watching your babies run. My husband cannot believe that I write to you! But he loves that you make me, and others, happy!
Warm nickers from New Mexico!
Diana Nix
Zenyatta you are such a sweetheart! My husband & I have been watching all your races for the last 3 years and had the opportunity to see you in person at the 2010 Oaklawn Apple Blossom. I took as many pictures as I could. What you have done for thoroughbred horse racing will never be repeated at least in our life time and might never be repeated at all. We will be glued to TVG this afternoon for your final performance as a race horse. Oh so wish we could be there! Please thank all of your family members for us for letting us have you for 3 years. Huggs and Kisses back to you our Queen Z. You are one PHENOMENAL GIRL!! LOVE YOU!
Jill Mabry
Zenyatta, I wish I could be there with you on your Special Day. I will be with you in spirit and hopefully watching you on TVG. Thanks to you and Dottie for the wonderful posts, I just love reading them and keeping up with your daily activities. I hope they will continue once have moved and gotten settled in to your new home. Have a wonderful day today, and a safe trip tomorrow. You and your team will be in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs & Kisses to you – XOXOXOXOXOXOXO.
We love you,
Jill
Jan
If only I could come and see you Zenyatta! I’m putting that on my “bucket” list. You’ve given me a great spurt of happiness. Thanks so much for being able to tag along on this thrilling adventure. Without the Moss family it wouldn’t have been possible to know you so well. Have a safe trip to KY.
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta, I LOVE YOU NOW AND FOREVER!!!! YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE!!!! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Sissy
It is such a special day, but it is hard to know that you won’t race again. But it means so much to know that you and your team care so much. It is wonderful of ya’ll to do all that you have to keep Zeny GREAT and keep her fans connected. It is great to know that you will now be closer to me in FL.
Elliot
Anyone know if her Appretiation day is being brodcast? I’d really love to watch.
Quarterhossgal
Today is a special day, Queen Z enjoy all the fans that will be there to wish you safe trip. Remember there are thousands of people that will be watching your every move on TVG. My guess if there was an Eclipse award for the People’s Horse they wouldn’t be able to count all the votes for you. Stay warm in Kentucky with all the loving thoughts coming your way. John and Dottie if I leave quarter horses and become a race horse owner you would be the only trainer I would consider. You are the best!