Good Morning Everyone!
I’M BACK!
It is a wonderful Wednesday morning in Kentucky! All is terrific…but a bit wet. We have had a substantial amount of rain lately in Lexington and I understand Louisville has had their share as well. With all of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks preparations going on in that city now, the rain has even caused some changes in the training schedules for several of the horses. It is supposed to lighten up soon….so HOOVES CROSSED. Dottie did tease me and say that it is sunny and pretty in California right now.
I truly want to thank ALL OF YOU who participated in the contest by either mailing in an entry and / or voting for one of the four contestants. All of the cards were beautifully done and very sweet and emotional to read. As stated in an earlier Diary, right before leaving for the barn this morning, John was going to check his computer at 5 a.m. CA TIME and finalize the WINNER. He did just that!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ZENYATTA BRONZE WINNER…..DAWN CONRAD!
Wow, Dawn! You really recapped so much of my life. Thank you for all of your thoughtfulness and kind words. I AM SO HAPPY for you! I can’t wait to hear where you place ‘ME’…once I’m settled in at your home in Cedaredge, Colorado.
This contest has been so MUCH FUN! What has been especially meaningful to me is how much I have meant to so many of you. I did realize people really enjoyed watching me DANCE, RACE and TRAIN, however, I did not get the full impact of what my efforts and achievements symbolized to so many of my friends until this contest. I am deeply, deeply touched.
May all of you have a very special day! I know you have really made mine a day to remember.
Again…YEAH, DAWN!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Shari Voltz
Dear Queen Zenyatta so glad your back. I hope you stay safe and dry. We are going to get hit with a lot of bad weather soon so I have to post quick. I just wanted to say that I am so happy for Dawn she is a really special person. I have had the privilege of talking to her on the phone. Way to go Dawn !!!
I also want to thank Darla for my picture of “Racing Royalty”. It came today. I never expected it to be a signed picture. Mike Smith and Ron Turcotte both signed it. Darla again THANK YOU :)
Good night sweet Zenyatta I love you and send you many Hugs and Kisses from Shari XXXOOO
Lover of Horses
It is pretty sunny here in Cally right now. Congratulations, Dawn! Love you, Lady Z!!!
Kathy Kimber
Congrats to Dawn good job and congrats to the other three ladies your words were very special
Deborah Richman
Trina Nagele…well said. This was a grade 1 stakes race with really top entrants.
Susan from Fl
Congrats to Dawn! Peace & Happiness to you Z!
Vicki
Thank you to all that voted for me. No I didn’t win the bronze, but just being a fan of Zenyatta’s made all of us winners! Love you Zenyatta forever and ever!
LauraJ
@Amanda G. I did not think up Better Step Aside, but I like the name. I see no one has yet answered your question about names, so I will try.
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First, names of U.S. Thoroughbreds have to conform to the rules of the Jockey Club. They are limited to 18 characters including spaces, which is why one sees so many run-on names. They can’t include numerals unless spelled out. They can’t be offensive or suggestive. They can’t be in use by racing or actively reproducing horses. Names become available a few years after a horse has been retired from racing or breeding. Names of horses who have achieved certain honors or who are historically significant are permanently retired. For example, “Zenyatta” was retired after she won her first Eclipse award. There are additional rules, but these are the major ones. www (dot) jockeyclub (dot) com/registry.asp?section=3#six
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Names come from a variety of sources. It’s very common to incorporate elements from the name of one or both parents—thus the oft-suggested “Zendini.” It can be more subtle than that. Native Dancer, for instance, was the offspring of Polynesian and Geisha. Triple Crown winner Secretariat and Filly Triple Crown Winner Chris Evert produced Six Crowns. Other sources are jobs, hobbies, and personal connections. Zenyatta is related to Jerry Moss’s job as founder of A&M records and thus his connection to The Police. Rachel Alexandra was named after the granddaughter of her first owner. Many names refer to popular culture, literature, history, etc. And sometimes they are inspired by the horse itself—Silver Charm is a grey; Hearted has a heart-shaped star on her forehead.
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Names are also chosen simply because the owners like them. Nobility and beauty are prized, but so are cleverness and humor. Thus we get names like “Better Than Honour” but also names like “Mywifenosevrything.” A few owners like to push the bounds of what is acceptable. Owners have gotten away with “Honor and Offer,” “Peony’s Envy,” and “Hoof Hearted.” Of course, some names are just plain lame. (I hate the name Mine That Bird, even though I love the horse.)
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BTW, I love senior dogs too! I have an 11-year-old Doberman.
Kathy B.
Way to go Dawn!!! I loved your comments, but it must have been the biggest postcard in history!
Snoprinz
Congrats Dawn. You have really put into words what and how much Zenny means to all of us.
Linda in NJ
@Vicki–Very nicely said!!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Congratulations, Dawn! We know you will treasure your #19 bronze. We chose #20 to honor the great Zenyatta’s 20 races. To us, her last race was so courageous and by any other measure (than a nose) she was a winner. We have it displayed on our family room mantel where we and all visitors can give tribute to this once in a lifetime horse.
Cathleen
Zenyatta, I hear you are going to be refeatured on 60 minutes this Sunday. Is it true?? I hope so! XOXOX
Jenna
Congratulations, Dawn!!!!!
Lynn ..... (nearby Hwd Park) California
….
Congrats Dawn! Enjoy.
Hi Z….
I’ll bet you are having a secret rendezvous with Bernardini. You can tell us … when you’re ready to.
I sure miss seeing you run this year. I’m ever so grateful though to visit with you here. You are the sweetest, Z.
Cindy from LA
@Vicki
Cudos !!!!!
@Anna Wiley
I am an Uncle Mo fan, tooo. Everything is wide open
Midnight Interlude a “baby” who just won a Grade one is
A good closer like Zenyatta (but of course not the same).
Dialed In is also very talented. Stay Thirsty is one
Of Bernies sons and perhaps matured with a pedigree
To go the distance. Maybe Mr Commons will make it
In !!!!! A great longshot.
Love R heat lightening for the oaks. She is sooo talented
And temperamental. Go Zazu!!!!!
Linda in NJ
@Cathleen–Wow thanks for sharing. I keep my eyes posted. Hopefully this is true.
Linda in NJ
@The Kennedys in San Diego said:
I recently ordered a Zenyatta Bronze. I cannot wait to receive it. It appears that you folks requested #20. I asked if I could request a certain number and Nina said it really doesn’t work that way. I understood her to say that she assigns numbers as the orders come in. I am just wondering if you folks luck out with getting #20 or just how that worked for you. Thanks.
Stephanie
Zenny, your life touched all of ours, in ways that are unseen, only felt in our hearts, your life saved mine and set it on the road to recovery, be sure to tell David that and that you are in my heart ,as well as him and his family …forever…xoxoxo
Patti
Congratulations Dawn…! What a treasure to own. Thank you Team Zenyatta for the contest. Sweet dreams baby girl.
Elizabeth
Congrats to Dawn! Enjoy that beautiful Zen bronze! :)
Char
Congrats Dawn, I hope you love the bronze, and thanks to all of Zenny’s human connections for such a fun contest :)
Quarterhossgal
Queen Z….so glad you are back, you have been in my thoughts with all the bad weather that has been in your area. We miss hearing about your daily activities.
I’m sure with all the rain your pasture is looking great! Zenny….which horses are the oness to watch in the upcoming Triple Crown races? I’m sure you and your gal pals must talk about the front runners! Have a great day Queen Z.
Rosemarie Cola
Congratulations Dawn!
And Zenyatta, glad to know you and your friends at Lands End are doing well. Hope to hear more from you in the coming days and weeks.
Linda Henderson
Congratulations Dawn in Colorado! You are one lucky ducky. What a treasure you are receiving. p.s. Zenyatta, send some Kentucky rain to Texas. We are literally on fire.
Denise
Congrats Dawn…your words were perfect!
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
goodness, I saw a tornado touch down down south, Alabama, even though you’re no where near there, hope you & everybody at Lane’s End is doing okay.
@ Barbara Wood
glad your recovery is coming along, I meant to ask sooner, but I had comp trouble, myself. I know exactly what you mean by ‘getting fried’. Happened to my modem, it was lightening struck the phone thing outside, not even my line, but my line was connected to this thing, and everything that was connected to my line got fried. I always unplug everything now, better safe than sorry.
Catherine Uher, that is her name.
Well, Zetty, hope you have a quiet night, and dreams of all your favs. :) :) :)
Sue M
Congrats to Dawn…. Miss you Z. I watched your 2010 BC yesterday. You are MARVELOUS, and it will be a long time before we see another horse the likes of you. I’m sure of that. I just (still) feel blessed to have been there to see and meet you in the flesh. We hope to visit you at Lane’s End some day. Take care!(hoping for a baby announcement soon:)
Deneen
My dear sweet Zenyatta, so nice to hear from you!! I think of you every day but today was extra special. It rained cats and dogs (Midwest farm term) late this afternoon in Eastern Nebraska and continued to pour down for several minutes. When the rain had stopped, I looked outside and saw the most beautifully colored rainbow in the sky and immediately thought of you!! The rainbow was so close . . . I felt like I could have reached out and touched it (never saw a rainbow like this one before). I prayed that you and your family would be kept safe, healthy and happy. The colors in the rainbow were so vivid — absolutely breathtaking!!!!! Congratulations Dawn on winning the Bronze #19!!! All the entries touched me so — thank you!! I truly have so much appreciation, respect and admiration for Dottie, John, Ann and Jerry for all they do!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
Marshall (girl's name)
Many sincere congratulations to Dawn Conrad and to the other three contestants, too! Also, heartfelt thanks to Dottie and all of the Team for this contest and for keeping us connected.
Zenyatta, much love and sweet dreams!
All the very Best, always!!
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. What an amazing day this has been. In the course of our existence, there are truly life changing moments. They often occur when we least expect them. Today, because of you and Team Z, I have lived one of those moments. The heartfelt congratulations posted are overwhelming in their kindness. So many amazing Z friends expressing good wishes and comments on what my words meant to them. The greatest joy came from reading what you and Dottie felt, Zenny. You have touched my heart and soul. I am so looking forward to receiving my #19 and will certainly share photos. Never doubt that it will be a treasured remembrance of you, for the rest of my life. I dream that someday we will meet and I can give you a hug and kiss to thank you for this remarkable experience. I love you very much and feel wonderfully blessed. Thank you again to all of Team Z for your remarkable generosity. Sweet dreams, Zenny. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO