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!
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, Those sweet kisses will be remembered eternally by John, Dottie, Mario, Carman, Steve and Frank and others who care for you daily. The Mosses have to be beside themselves on this new phase of your wonderful journey.
I just hope you adjust to others from Lane’s End speedily. You are going to be the most awesome mother with your own little baby to play with.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you on this new adjustment darling!! We Love You Dearly!!!
LaurieK
What a beautiful afternoon at Hollywood Park! It was an honor to be there. What a beautiful and great lady you are. Have a wonderful, long life, sweetheart. You have earned it 1,000 times over.
Linda (Canada)
Zennie – I just saw you on TV at Hollywood – you ‘danced’ for the people and I saw Mario wipe a tear from his eye.
Thanks for everything you have done for racing – I hope I can come to Lane’s End and see see in person – I went to Kentucky years ago and saw John Henry and Seattle Slew and Affirmed, but seeing you would be the most special of all! Please ask Sarah to keep your diary posts up-to-date and please ask this site totell us when the 60 minutes special is on so we can watch.
I loved watching you run!!!
Hugs to Queen Z
Susan
I wish I could meet you Zenyatta. I watched all of your races and I too think you ARE SPECTACULAR!!! I have your dvd, will watch it all the time when I want to see you in action, and I’ll wear my Zenyatta hat and shirt PROUDLY. You are the Best Zenyatta and you are loved by me and my husband even if we have never met you. You will always be in spot in our hearts with our race horses. Big hugs Queen Z !!!!!! :):):)
Sue
OH, we DO LOVE YOU!! Thank you for giving us YOU. You have made so many people’ HAPPY’; a PRICELESS GIFT!! and gave them LOVE, that they so rarely feel! Thank you, beautiful girl!!!!
XXXXOOOOXXXXXOOOO Sue
Susan from Fl
Safe journey to your new home! Peace & Happiness to you Z.
Cecile
Hope your special day went great – please post some photos. I know your barn appreciation party was really a special event for all your work family and friends. Have a safe trip to Kentucky and please keep all your fans posted on how things go. I hope that you will be very happy in your new home.
Love,
Cecile
naomi
FYI – KCAL TV (local LA) was at Hollywood Park today and they will air a story on her farewell tonight at 8pm and 9pm on channel 9.
Tobie
THANK YOU FOR THE GRACE AND LOVE YOU HAVE SHOWN TO ALL OF US WHOSE LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED. YOU ARE TRULY AN EXCEPTIONAL BEING LADY ZENYATTA! I AM HONORED TO HAVE MET YOU. XO 4EVER
cheryl
Watched the farewell at HP, amazing how much people love you. PLEASE have someone make a DVD of Zenyatta, all her races, and her life story. WE WILL BUY IT!
cheryl
ZENYATTA—–HORSE OF THE YEAR. EVERYONE WRITE, EVERYONE SIGN PETITIONS, EVERYONE GET BEHIND THIS. MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Bob Rose
Today was as emotional as all 20 of your starts were. I am so happy that all this happened in my lifetime! Of course it all starts with you Zenyatta, but the miracle doesn’t stop there…the Mosses, John & Dottie Shirreffs, Mike Smith, Steve Willard, Mario and his wonderful wife & every single member of Z Team have all shown me something I’d never seen in my 50+ years on the race track. They all ‘get it’…and sadly that has become a rarity. Between your farewell appearance I thought my daughter Kelley was all cried out, especially as Liza G. Fly sang her wonderful tribute to you. But lo and behold, as we were reading this, and you thanked my Angel daughter Kelley for her marble cake, she must’ve tapped into the reserve tank, cuz tears flowed again. God Bless Zenyatta and the Z Team for the amazing experience I never envisioned living through. At least on Earth…kinda was hoping for all this in Heaven:)
Jackie
Queen “Z” I just got home from Hollyood Park. What a day it was. You looked so beautiful. If you happened to have looked in the crowd I was the one crying my eyes out! Why, because you are such a gift. And everytime I see you, read about you I am overcome with such emotion. That’s what you do to people!
Mario, I want to give you a very special thanks for taking the time to share her with her fans today. You were so patient with us all.
Mike, when I saw the line at 11:00 I thought there is no way I will ever get the opportunity to meet you, but I did. You autographed my special Zenyatta Book and a couple of other things. You were quite impressed with my book so as my gift for all one will be sent to you, John and Mr. & Mrs. Moss. May you all enjoy it as you have all brought such joy to so many. As the final song played today, “Thanks for the Memories”
Zenny, have a safe flight and stay warm and healthy. Here’s to lot’s of little Zenyatta’s.
Love and Kisses
Jane C
Dear sweet Zenyatta. Just got home from seeing you at your Appreciation Day. What a wonderful girl you are. I was crying and smiling and clapping and meeting lots of other people doing the same thing. Watched you walk all the way down the long, long way back. Last July my friend and I got to meet you, and it was just us three gals, along with your friend Bob. Zardana was there too. What a quiet wonderful time we had with you. My friend and I will remember it for the rest of our time on this earth. Our pictures with you are priceless to us. I have a special “all things Zenyatta” box that I will put all my mementos from my special time loving you. Someday, maybe my grandchildren will find the box and all those wonderful pictures and stories and treasures. I want to say something special to John about the terrific and special way he has treated you. But what can one say to a guy like him. Just “well done you”! Give Mario one big kiss – he is so special. I wish all good things for you, from now until forever.
Lori Koellner
ZENYATTA, I watched your APPRECIATION DAY and YOU looked ABSOLUTLEY BEAUTIFUL! MARIO & MIKE SMITH looked so GREAT with you. I WISH you a SAFE flight. Make sure you are dressed warm it will be very cold in kentucky. P.S. Tell John to give you a great big hug and kiss from me. I LOVE YOU ZENNY. Love Lori
Z-ZEAL
E-EXCELLENCE
N-NOBLE
Y-YOUTHFUL
A-AMBITION
T-TALENT
T-THRILL
A-ASPIRE
Sara Rhudy
Oh Z, I’ll love you forever!!! I have my Breyer model of you up on my shelf in the bedroom so I can look at it & think of you everyday! You’re simply amazing & perfect in every single way & you’ll always own a big piece of my heart!! Tight hugs & tons of peppermint kisses from me! Nickers & neighs from Lady, Honey & Mysti!!xoxoxoxo
Cynthia
Thank you, Dottie, for your graciousness to all of the fans who attended Zenyatta Appreciation Day at Hollywood Park. You stayed in the Winners’ Circle area until every person who wished to have their photograph taken with you went away happy, and everyone who wanted an autograph got one. You are a very special lady.
Mary
Your next post may very well be from your new home in Kentucky, Queen Zenyatta. Just know that I love you wherever you go, always. Hugs to everyone who cares for you every day and must adjust to the change. I know it won’t be easy but if they think of you in a big green pasture surrounded by friends, old and new, I’m sure they will smile. Plus all their special memories will help comfort them. Thank you again for the blessing you are to so many who adore you.
JUNE
thank you for all the wonderful moments you have given to all of us….You will live in our hearts forever
Love you and hope to visit you in Kentucky in 2011
Windy City
I follow every post and cry every time I read it……Good Luck Zenny, I hope you;ll have a wonderful time during your second career and you’ll have many wonderful kids! And I hope that one day, one of your sons will bring home the special prize, the one that no one was able to get in since Affirmed….Good Luck sweet Girl and I’ll see you around next year (for the first time!) Love~Olimpia
Paula Higgins
A beautiful day and tribute to you Zenny. Saw it on t.v. Dottie, you are the best and so is John. He will be in my thoughts tomorrow along with Mario and Carmen. Ann and Jerry Moss were as gracious as ever. I think Ann is going to have a tough time. I know I would.
Jeeanne
Still crying. Love you Big Z.
Dawn Conrad
I too am writing this with tears in my eyes. The joy you have brought to each and everyone of us who adore you knows no bounds. The words “thank you” often do not seem enough. But rest assured that behind this simple phrase lies undying love and gratitude. So, thank you, Zennie and the Mosses and John and Dottie and Mike and Mario and the whole Queen Z team for all that you have allowed the rest of us to experience. It has been a once in a life time journey. The party was great today and I know how bitter sweet each moment must be now. When I was young girl my wonderful older brother bought me a horse. Something I had always dreamed of. He was leaving for Vietnam, John, and wanted to give me something to hold on to while he was away. We even had to keep it in our yard for awhile, Ann. I lost that brother only a few years ago, too young, but I remember everyday how remarkable he was and the special dream of a horse he made come true. It was very hard to hand her lead rope over after 6 wonderful years. But I was leaving for college and she was going to a great family. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you tomorrow . Blessed Zenyatta, I wish for you everything good and kind. You are not only Horse of the Year, but of a lifetime. I try to visit Kentucky at least once a year, the farms are wonderful and I have gotten to see many champions up close, camera clicking. Having grown up in the 70’s, some of racings golden years, I have loved the historic and emotional story lines of racing and the outstanding thoroughbred horse. I have shed a tear or two at Secretariat’s and Barbaro’s gravesites and I am sure that a few may be forthcoming when I finally get to meet you in person. I am contacting Lanes End immediately. I hope they continue to support visits for all who love you, it would be some of the best medicine for the thoroughbred industry. Ann says you touch hearts and is that not the most important thing we can all do in life. Please keep in touch. We open Zenyatta.com first thing each morning,it is always a wonderful way to start the day. May you and yours have a very special holiday season. We have all received a wonderful gift already Zenyatta, all the moments you have given us and will continue to give us in the coming years, that we will cherish and remember forever. May you reign forever, Queen Z. Thank you and love to you all. XXXXXOOOOOO
Julie DuVall
Just got home from Hollywood Park. I always say that you can control the weather (once it was cloudy and I joked that when you came on the track the sun would come out … and it did!)and you held the rain back until we got home. :) Today was bittersweet but beautiful. I hope you enjoyed all the attention and Liza’s wonderful song about you! Everyone in your barn deserves kudos for making it possible for you to be YOU and do your best. I’m glad they enjoyed the big party! I’m sure there were tears as well as laughs; I cried a little myself when you were walking away while they played “Thanks For the Memories” … the perfect song to say goodbye to a mare who has given us so many amazing memories. Goodbye, big mama, there will never be another one like you …
madison
i love you zenyatta hope you have a great time in kentuky. i hope you have lots of babies and show them off at hollywood park you are horse of the year you deserve it. still crying about you. in my world your the horse of the centruy.your not horse of the year you are horse of the year. the Queen z has arived.WE LOVE YOU.no one will ever be like you your one of the unique horse i ever seen. horse of the year horse of the year. zenyatta you have the best owners, trainers, and the most magnifusit jokey MIKE SMITH. AND OWNERS TRAINERS MIKE SMITH you have the most unique horse ZENYATTA. SEE YOU LATER.
madison
YOUR TALENTED YOUR MY HERO YOUR THE ONE THAT MADE ME BELIVE
QUEEN Z HORSE OF THE YEAR.
I MADE STORYS ABOUT YOU THERE UNIQUE JUST LIKE YOU YOU SHOULD BE BREEDED TO APANDD
Lanie Johnson
I’ve cried tonight..bittersweet memories of these past years. Thank you from my heart Dottie, for all you have done.It just all comes full circle now..the reality of the excellence of Zen. I will never forget watching you out there girl…never..it was “magic”.
So proud of you tonight…we have truly seen greatness that old folks like me most likely will never see again..most likely no one will see again. Because there has been no gentler a champion.
Kentucky now awaits..the fields..the fans..a long a healthy happy life for you that is all we want.
You know Zen, there isn’t a lot that people agree upon any more..nations against each other..families torn apart..children unloved, unwanted. For this brief moment,from the first time you set foot in to our world..we came together..to root for something..to transcend ourselves..to wait for the moment when from behind you soared on winged feet to victory. It is what we wish for ourselves… in those moments we reached down deep and let our “wonder’ emerge as it did when we were children…living in the moment..soaring..with you.
I will always remember where I was when JFK was shot..when the Shuttle disaster occurred..9/11…and I will always remember those moments when..together..we soared..we loved…for no other reason than it was deserved.Who could ever forget the massive beauty who won it all…AND won our hearts. Thank you sweet girl for taking us back..back to places we had forgotten existed within ourselves.
This country was born on the back of a horse…you are more than credit to your ancestors…you are a credit to God’s work.
I love you..I will miss the way my heart beat..the sound of the hoofs…the tenderness of the mount..the sun shining and you…outshining..it.
Goodnight from your friend here under the moon over Kentucky…you honor us with your presence.
Gail
You were beautiful today. You own my heart forever. Love You my Birthday Sister. Give extra kisses to Mario – He loves you lots!
William
I feel truely thankful to have found a way to watch you on my computer! I found twinspires had all the races and even had you shown for us to see! We are all so lucky that we can be apart of you and your greatness! I can’t wait to meet you some day soon! And I’m greatful that lanes end is going to allow visitors day! I’m also greatful to hear that your posts will still go on! I know it’s not easy to do all the time but we are all soo greatful! I also admit I even get tearie eyed when I read some of the responses to your posts. I never knew that so many people could love someone so much as people love you! Thank you for a great ride!!!
With love always!! William
Monica Canosa
Daniela Dear
Zenyatta, do you know of anyone that might remotely want to buy my
thoroughbred mare? My dog has gotten very sick and I can’t afford her
(horse) anymore. I would write more, but I know I might sound like a
scam. I am sincere, Thank you, Monica and Kross