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!
Linda (Canada)
I’m leaving now to watch you……do your dance for us one more time gil! Love u Z!
Sandy
We will miss you Zenyatta. It was a fantastic ride all the way. Wish you the very best in your new career. Please do not forget us your loyal fans and always have that smile and all the pretty dancing and prancing that you do so well. Please keep us posted on your new life and how everything is going. We will always love you.
viki
thank you for showing the world how a horse can LOVE to race and for giving us an amazing show doing it. i am proud to have loved you from afar.
Toi
Dear Zenyatta,
Thank you so much for sharing that special moment between you and John. I am so grateful, blessed, and lucky to have seen all that you have done for your fans and for your sport. I’m a person who didn’t know anything about horses a few years ago. I saw you on the Jockeys TV show and started following you. I am now taking riding lessons and am getting involved in helping horse rescue groups trying to help raise money for them. Have a wonderful day and get ready to pose and prance. I love you and wish you all the best. I will visit you in Kentucky, once you are settled.
Christine
You are so very much loved. I will miss you to pieces. Kentucky is so blessed to have you. I will be watching your farewell parade today with tears flowing.
Peyton
Dear Zenyatta, i was wondering is there anything else we as your committed fans can do for you to help you win horse of the year? I was reading some articles on the daily racing form website and some of the idiots still think blame should win even though they have tons of articles about you and how and extremely great you are. you are a much better horse and your accomplishments are outstanding. you have done so much for the sport you deserve to win. i hope you win. i love you!
TZ
Dear Zenyatta,
I wish I could be there for your special day, but I’m sure I wouldn’t even be able to get close to you because of all your other fans. I’d like to give you a big hug and bring you peppermints for all you’ve done. I especially hope you will be happy at your new home, and hopefully I can see you there.
Please always remember John and how well he has cared for you. He knows how special you are and has taken care of you like his own child. If I had a horse I would want him taking care of my horse in the same manner. Also remember the other members of your team, Carmen and Mario. They love you very much and will miss you like a member of their family. Write to them in your blog and keep them in your thoughts.
Hopefully you will meet many more nice people at your new home, who will take care of you like these people have.
Have a great day! It’s all for you and never forget all your adoring fans.
TomZ
Sue Ann Wilson
Again tears…
Darla
Zenyatta….you truly are God given!!!
jena hobert
Zenyatta I am glad everybody had fun. Its been quite a ride. I have followed you for 2 1/2 years and plan to keep doing so. I am going to watch you on TVG. I have to get my horses taken care of then will be in the front of the tv waiting to see you. Have a safe trip to Kentucky. We love you Zenyatta. Thank you Team Z for everything. God Bless the Queen. Secsea Dance, Salawgi, Simon and Picasso.
Joni
Dear Zenyatta,
You are truly a healer in horse form. Thank you for letting me come visit you and get my picture taken with you. A truly spiritual experience.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, wish I could be there to see you, I will be watching on TVG and I know as written above me and now…again and again with the tears. Keep us posted on the airing of 60 Minutes. Please know that you are a California Girl and will always be more than welcome back home. I love you, thanks for all the wonderful times. Have fun today, do your thing, I love you, LIsa g
Gerrie P.
Good luck Zenyatta in your new home. Just remember if your not happy there to let the Mosses’ and the Sheriffs’ know how you feel. Whatever you future holds, I am positive you have the best family who will make sure you can still be the happy wonderful Zenyatta Queen.
Godspeed Zenyatta.
Cheryl Manista
Dear Zenyatta,
I wish I could be there today at Hollywood Park, however I will be at Keeneland on Monday to see you. My mother and I had the chance to spend time with you on Sunday at Churchill and the experience was just magical!! Mrs. Moss gave me a peppermint to give you when I had my picture taken with you. I gave you a kiss right on the side of your muzzle where your lips meet. It was the spot that I always kissed my Datum every night. I lost him in August and being able to kiss you in that special spot was so emotional for me, that I was crying as I hugged and thanked Mrs. Moss. You have the most AMAZING SPIRIT and HEART I have ever witnessed. You have given so much JOY and HAPPINESS to so many people, that we cannot THANK YOU enough!! Please be SAFE and HAPPY in your new career. Thank you so much TEAM Z for taking such wonderful care of ZENYATTA!! I know I will never see another like you ZENYATTA! I plan on visiting you at Lane’s End.
Lynette Lucas
LOVE YOU ZENYATTA!!!!!
susan Eckard
I Love You Zenyatta!!!!! I hope to come visit you in Kentucky if they allow visitors as I am only an 8 hour drive from there…Good Luck as a Broodmare..I hope they pick AP Indy or Bernadini as the sire of your future champion…
Diana
wow what more can you say about you. you are the best ever and we all love you. I hope to see you in Kentucky when I go there this spring. love you Zenny
Samantha Peck
I Love you Zenyatta! I hope someday I can meet you at Lanes End!
Kathy S.
Long live our Queen…ZENYATTA!
Catherine Uher
Dear Zenyatta, YOU are simply the BEST! Thank you doesn’t even begin to describe how happy you have made me since my beloved Barbaro passed away. I have not felt anything like I did for him until you. You have given me hope when I didn’t have any and have helped me face my own trials and challenges head on. You are an amazing and majestic, beautiful beyond words gift to all of us and you deserve nothing less than the best! In my heart and all of your other fans’ hearts, YOU are HORSE of the CENTURY! We all love you so much beautiful girl! Have a wonderful time this afternoon at your Appreciation Party and more importantly, have a very safe trip to your new home tomorrow. I can’t wait to come visit you for the first time when you get more settled in at your new home! I love you so much Zenyatta!
Bridget
Yes Z, you are very BLESSED indeed and are a gift from God! Hope to see you at Lane’s End someday too!
Janet
We love u Zen. Many Blessings to ya.
Michele
I’ve been going around getting video messages from the fans for you, Zenyatta. Everyone loves you Zenyatta! We will put together a video and post it on the Hollywood Park Facebook page sometime next week.
Deb Morris
I love you and will miss you, Queen Z. Sending love and best wishes to you and all of your human family. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I can’t wait to see your foals.
Alex Bowdoin
Dear Zenyatta,
Tears again…Yes, you are loved! You have something very special that is not easily explained. Have fun dancing for your fans today at this farewell party and
take your nice warm blankets to Kentucky!
Safe trip and you get to see Life is Sweet tomorrow….XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Fran
Brought tears to my eyes today Z. I am going to watch on TVG. There are already signs and lots of people to see you Z. Much love and many blessings to you. John is right you are just wonderful! You are on my BUCKET LIST!!!!! Have a safe journey tomorrow. Love ya Z!
Judy Sims
Dearest Zenyatta:
It is hard to type and see through the tears after reading your post. Enjoy your day and have a safe trip tomorrow to Kentucky. I hope your tribute will be televised or for sure be on YouTube. So many lives have been blessed and touched by you and your team. There will never be another you. You are the GREATEST and I thank God for creating you. Go with God, dear one.
Love you so much.
linda dunn
Racing will never be as exciting for me. I am totally spoiled by you, your kind spirit, your beauty, and your lovely prancing and dancing. You are the total package and in 63 years of following racing and seeing many of the top 100 thoroughbreds, may I say that I have never seen your equal. You will be missed by all true racing fans, even those who just recently discovered the sport because of you.
Susanne
Zenny – you’re the best!!!
Love from Germany!!!
Carol Dean-Porter
I flew out of LAX this morning at 11 am and the Hollywood Park lot was already filling up!
Sorry to miss your appreciation day but so glad to have had the opportunity to see you, touch you and watch you run.
Truly you are the horse of a lifetime AND single handedly have done more for horse racing than anyone in the last 40 years!