Good Morning All,
I am just getting ready to leave Barn 55 at Hollywood Park and go to the plane. I can’t thank everyone enough for the kindness, generosity and love you have all shown me during my racing career.
We have had a terrific ride together…20 fabulous races over a 3 1/2 year span. I have been able to travel and visit with so many wonderful people. I have made so many wonderful friends.
Last night I spent some time just thinking about how GREAT it has been. I looked outside and saw the wonderful area I have grazed on for years. I have shared it with so many loving friends: After Market, Life is Sweet, Tiago, Giacomo, Zardana and Harmonious to name a few. It has been a blast!
Yesterday’s ceremony at Hollywood Park was so special. So many of my dear fans came to greet me. I had fun looking at everyone in the paddock, up on the stairs, and in the balcony. Then walking to the track for the last time…was a bit emotional…for me. I knew I wasn’t running…as all of my normal pre-race stuff was not happening…and my dear Mario…was not wearing a NUMBER. (That was a big clue.) I paraded and went to the Winners’ Circle…even did an encore for my 2 presentations from the Dodgers and the San Pedro Winners’ League. It was special!
John is looking at me now. It is time to bundle up (I’m going to heavy coat weather….good thing I have a great wardrobe)…and get on the van.
My 2 dear friends are in the picture in this post…Dottie and Sophie enjoying the night on my ‘grazing grass’.
I will miss everyone…HUGS, HUGS, HUGS!
Again…THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…for EVERYTHING!
I will keep in touch! I would not miss visiting with all of you for anything.
Blessings to all!
With love,
Hugs~
Z
Marybeth MacKay
Thank you for sharing Zenyatta with us! So many people appreciate all you have done including myself. Thank you for touching our lives and creating a diversion in the stressful times in which we live. See you all down the road!
DONNA CHASEN
Have a safe trip beautiful girl! Your entry made me tear up. It’s been a beautiful ride and you are really something special… Take care and keep your millions of fans informed as you enter this new phrase of your life. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories great lady!
Bailey G.
Safe travels, say hi to Life Is Sweet for me when you see the pretty gal!
Cathleen
Tears! :(( Have a safe trip Z. Please let us know as soon as possible when we can visit you at Lane’s End. I have a place to stay and I will book my ticket to KY as soon as you let us know when we can visit. Racing will miss you Zenyatta more than you know. Hugs and peppermint kisses.
Becka Petersen
Dear Zenyatta,
It was such a thrill to meet you and have you eat the apple I brought you out of my hand. You are a treasure and I hope you’ll be happy in Kentucky. I know you’ll be well taken care of.
You’ll always remain QUEEN ZENYATTA to me!
With much love and prayers for safe travels to you.
Rhonda Clements
there are no words that can even express how much you are loved and will be missed, please keep us in your heart, we love you and it was a great ride. Thanks to team Z for being great owners and taking such good care of this wonderful gift. Stay safe and warm Zenny
Linda Ertmann
Dear Zenyatta, Not since Smarty Jones have I been absolutely in love with a thoroughbred until you. I saw both Smarty and you win at Oaklawn. I then was at Churchill Downs for the Breeder’s Cup Classic last month to watch you end your career. Thank you for thrills I will never forget. I will keep track of your babies and root for them just as I do Smarty’s. LOVE you and will miss you.
Marty
Tears as I read of your farewell to your beautiful California , but memories are forever in a heart and all of you have so many.
Sorry it is so cold for your arrival in Kentucky. I am glad that you have a warm coat and so glad that your meet and greet will be inside . Your loving fans will be waiting for you and those of us here who can’t make it today send love and welcome! We will see you as soon as we can! Safe journey to you all!
Love you
Stacy Jett
Looking forward to seeing your prodigy, Happy motherhood sweet Zenyatta! Take care of your humans. :~}
Sara Rhudy
Have a safe trip Beautiful Z!! Please keep in touch…I LOVE reading your Diary Posts & keeping up with you! Love, love, love you!!!
Roseann King
Oh Zenyatta, how I wish I could have seen you race in person. I’m in Missouri and wasn’t able to get to Oaklawn :(! As much as I hoped to see you race, maybe I will be able to make the trip to Kentucky and Lane’s End. I have an OTTB named Robin who is a very dark brown bay with dapples (like you) with a white blaze (like you) only his goes down onto his muzzle, and two white hind feet, shorter at 16.2 1/2, but handsome just the same! He thinks you are gorgeous (told me so :) )! He raced as a closer too. I’m so glad you are safe and will continue to be safe! All the best dearest girl, the joy you’ve brought is indescribable. Should I ever win the lottery, I know exactly what babies I will be purchasing!
Much love to you and your team! Thank you for taking the time to share all of the specialness that is ZENYATTA!
Roseann in Missouri
Jen
Safe travels beautiful girl! Thank you for all the memories, you truly are a gift from God. We thank him every day for you and all you have done for your fans and for the sport of horse racing! Hope to visit you in Kentucky. Enjoy your new life and your new home. Please keep us posted:)
Cynthia
Dear Zenyatta, last night when I went to bed, I thought about how this will be the last time that I will go to sleep, knowing that you are only a short 45-minute drive away. It was always such a comfort, knowing that you were so close. Your presence here will be greatly missed. You were a gift in all of our lives, the value of which will only grow during the years. You no sooner vanished from the track yesterday, then the dark clouds which had been gathering finally opened and a gentle rain began to fall. It did not matter,for most of our faces were already wet. This morning, the dawn brought a spectacularly gorgeous day—a fitting goodbye to you. Life will go on as normal, but there will always be an ache in our hearts, because you are no longer here. Godspeed, Zenyatta.
Diana Nix
Once more you made me cry!! The thought of not seeing you on tv any more is almost unbearable. It’s like there is an empty place inside and there is nothing to fill it. I can imagine what your family is feeling right now. I know you deserve your retirement and I also know you will be one exceptional mama. Please continue to send us posts after you arrive in Kentucky. Love you our big, beautiful, kind and overall fantastic girl – our QUEEN Z!!!
Alexandra Bowdoin
HAVE A SAFE TRIP….YOU WILL BE PARADING UNDER THE LIGHTS AT KEENELAND NOW. YOU WERE THERE AS A YEARLING, WILL YOU REMEMBER? WE LOVE YOU AND STAY WARM…
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, yes, you do look so beautiful in pink, saw you on TVG, wish I was there yesterday and today. A prayer again for you as I did before all your races…God, make her safe. I miss you and thank you for wonderful ride, prance and dance. I love you so much. Let us now when you arrive at your new home. I love you, I love you. Lisa g.
sue
Zennie…safe travels today. You will love Kentucky and make new friends and finally be able to enjoy being the grand horse you certainly are! Run like the wind, roll in the bluegrass and know that our hearts follow you …always. My husband and I plan on visiting you in in 2011. I love that you will be keeping in touch with us …Dottie has been a great “secretary”. ;-) Huggs lots of kisses to you, special girl.
Cathy P
ZENYATTA, have a safe trip it KY. and I can’t wait to see you there. Thank you for everything you have done for horse racing, and all your charities you have come in worked with. I have to remember that this is not goodbye for ever just for now, till I get to come see you at your new home. LOVE YOU SWEET GIRL AND LOTS OF HUGS.
Sue
God Bless You Zenyatta…
Gloria
I was at Hollywood Park yesterday. Got to go back to the barn and see Zenyatta. Thank you to all of the wonderful people at the Shirreffs barn. I was worried I would lose it during the ceremony yesterday after the 6th race but I did pretty good. Just got a bit teary-eyed. Now that I read this last (California) post and knowing Zenyatta is on a plane to Kentucky as I write this, here come the tears. There will never be another like her. Love to all of Team Zenyatta. Long may she reign.
Candace
We will take care of her Dottie!! I promise–we will visit and remind her constantly that you are sending all of your love from home. She will feel it always x
Dyan Grealish
Godspeed Dear Zenny!
Christine
You stole our heart,
we love you so
But now its time
to let you go.
May God wrap you
in His loving Grace,
As you begin your new life
Post race.
You will be very dearly missed. Chris.
Karen
We’ll miss you Z! The racing world will not be the same without you ;( It sure won’t be as fun ;) Safe travels and enjoy your well-deserved retirement! Much Love <3
Melissa
There’s a beautiful blanket of snow on the ground, but not to worry, the roads in Lexington (especially by the airport and Keeneland) are clear. Have a good flight, Queen Z! See you tonight!
cheryl
Dear Zenny, travel safe, stay warm, fit in fast, enjoy your retirement,and somehow know how much you are loved by so many across the land. You are truly a one-and-only horse, and once-in-a-liftime ride for us all.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
Becky F in MD
Wishing you safe travels, Ms Z. I know Mario will not let you out of his sight and he will teach everyone at Lane’s End how you are to be cared for. I will be watching your flight across the country (http://www.suttonforwarding.com/FlightTracker.aspx) and can’t help but wonder what your expression will be when you stick your nose out in KY and a snowflake lands on it! Glad to hear you have plenty of warm winter clothing and I guess you will look like a woolly bear before long. Tell your folks to keep reading Barbara Livingston’s beautiful words, over and over — as we FOB’s are fond of saying, “She GETS it!” And I dare say that aren’t many FOB’s that are not also FOZ’s!! As always, I love you and look forward to hearing from you again soon!
Cheryl Smith
I wish for you all the happiness that you have shown your fans! You have been blessed with not only talent but such a big heart. We will all LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robin
Bye Queen Z, I love you. Be safe and stay warm! Muah!!! XOXO
Melody
Zenyatta, you are absolutely fabulous. You’ll love your new home and your many fans will visit you there. I know I will.