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
Richard
Zenyatta, please never stop with the diary postings, it is so nice to hear about what is going on with you. It has been said by many a million times over that you will be missed and strange as this may sound, even though I have never met you I feel as though I am saying goodbye to a dear friend. Somehow I think all of us feel that you love us back which is not a feeling one gets very often from our idols. As much as the fans have shown you love in your way you have given it back to us in spades. It is a sad reality that horses like you are once in a lifetime (if we are lucky). There will be other great racehorses but none that will ever give back as much to the fans as you have. I hope I can visit you in your new Kentucky home, but if not, thank you for memories that will never go away.
Lynette Lucas
Queen Z you sure know how to get me in tears!! I bawled yesterday as I watched on TVG and again reading this.
You will be my favorite forever and I look forward to reading your daily posts from your new home!! I hope you have a safe travel to your new home!!
Hugs and Kisses to you beautiful!!!
Jess
SO LONG ZENNY, HAVE A SAFE TRIP TO KENTUCKY,
AND GOD BLESS!! LOVE, JESS.
Fran
MY FRIENDS Z, JERRY, ANN, JOHN, DOTTIE, MARIO, CARMEN, AND THE ENTIRE Z TEAM, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, TANK YOU, FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE THOUSANDS OF FANS WHO LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU. IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL RIDE FOR US, THE PUBLIC! WE FEEL AS THOUGH WE KNOW ALL OF YOU AND CONSIDER ALL OF YOU FRIENDS. Z, YOU ARE AN AMAZING HORSE, BUT YOU SEEM TO BE ALMOST HUMAN TO US-THANKS TO DOTTIE’S POSTS. AND, YOU HAVE THE KINDEST EYE, YOU ARE GENEROUS, AND YOU HAVE HEART-THE BIGGEST! THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS TO US. HAVE A SAFE TRIP, ENJOY THE WEATHER; THE SNOW, THE BIG GREEN PASTURES, AND ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND THE NEW FRIENDS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO MEET. OUR HORSE, DOOZIE, IS IN TRAINING-ONLY 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM US,AND I MISS HER BECAUSE SHE IS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS AND I DON’T GET TO SEE HER EVERY DAY SO I KNOW EXACTLY (OR ALMOST EXACTLY) HOW ANN FEELS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW IT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE. LOVE TO YOU Z FOREVER, AND YOU ARE ON MY BUCKET LIST GIRLFRIEND!
AudreyC
Oh, the picture of Dottie, holding Sophie under the tree brought tears…a bit forlorn, as one can feel the emptiness left in Zenyatta’s wake. Parting really is sweet sorrow….The end of an era, and a new chapter in Z’s life. Wishing her easy foalings, and a happy life with her equine friends, running in pastures, rolling cotentedly, and grazing under the shade of the trees.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
I was fortunate to see your ceremony on TVG Sunday. Of course I cried! Had never heard the Zenyatta song before. Loved it. “Then the ground shook & then you’re behind her.” We’ve all been “behind you” for quite some time now. I know you knew this was not a race day, something different, no big dance steps, just a little teaser for your admiring fans. Wherever you are positive energy flows. Have a safe flight. I hope you enjoy flying more than I do. Be HAPPY!!!! STAY YOU! ! ! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Sharon
Safe travels, Zenyatta! And much happiness in your new Kentucky home!!!
Vicki
Safe travels and be prepared for the white stuff (Snow). Careful of the pasture fences and we will look forward to hearing from you just like an old friend…LOVE TO YOU!!!
Sissy
Be safe and warm! Love you Z
Stacy
We can’t wait to welcome you back to your birthplace – Kentucky!
Monica Condie
Thank you Zenyatta….you are what the sport is all about. A huge thank you to Team Zenyatta!! John, Dottie, Ann & Jerry you bring so much dignity to the horse racing industry…Thank You!! Mike, thank you for your patience & graciousness with the fans!! Mario, Steve & Carmen…your work has not gone unnoticed!! I have been involved with horse racing all my life & I’ve never experience anything like this…I fell in love with her too…Thank you for sharing her with me!! Best Wishes to you all.
Diane Robinson
Thank you Zenyatta for making us fall in love with racing all over again. You are the greatest. A nice sweet girl and a superstar horse. Doesn’t get any better. We will miss you. Enjoy your retirement and raising wonderful babies.
Victoria
Z– we are already at Keeneland, awaiting your arrival –it means so much to us just to see you in person,tone part of your wonderful presence. Drove from VA to see you at Breeder’s and again today. Safe landing and see you soon. The magic and beauty of you are immeasureable.
Linda Bulger
Safe trip Zenyatta and an easy settle in at KY. I hope your posts will continue as they have become a part of my day. Love you Queen, Linda & Harley
Kim Curtsinger
Zenyatta-So sorry it’s so cold here, but your arrival will warm things up. See you in a few hours hopefully. It is very cold so please tell your team to wear their warmest coats.
Astrid
Thank you so much for this update!
Zenny, I hope you and Team Z arrived safely by now… I am so glad you have a great wardrobe so you can enjoy the snowflakes!
Wishing you and Team Z lots of happiness!
Keep dancing, sweet girl and have a great time in KY! Love y’a Zenny, always. Hugs and kisses!
Sue Ferguson
Z – if you get bored, please ask your family to give you your earbuds and ipod and listen to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra !
Carol (U.S. Virgin Islands)
we will miss you Queen Zenyatta like you cannot even imagine!!!! We love you and will have you in our hearts forever!!
susan
Have a safe trip and keep us posted on any baby news…..we love you!!!
Melissa
Be safe, live long and enjoy your retirement!!!
Kathryn Cogswell
To all who send her off, to all who convey her and to all who receive her: Thank You for every kindness you give This Girl. She represents something sacred and the best life can be. It is a great comfort to read notes from the Kentucky Branch of Zenyatta’s Fan & Family Tree. Not being there, it is wonderful to hear YOU ALL ARE and WILL BE. Thank you for her safety net . .. Thanks, too, to Becky F. in MD., for the tracking link. Khc.
ZenyattaFanForever
Love you hun! ♥ Safe travels, and I hope to visit you sometime soon! Thank YOU for everything that you gave us. We’ll miss you! *Cry*
Linda
Dear Z:
Now I am going to cry. Good-Byes are always so sad. You will be so very missed. I feel especially sad for all your friends at the barn. I’m sure it was just too much for them to take with you leaving! You have really stolen all of our hearts. Love, Linda
Maureen Feely
Safe trip and happy landings. Hope to hear from you soon. I’m going on vacation but will check on you every day.
Adrianne
Have a safe and pleasant trip! Love you Z!
Adrianne
Have a safe and pleasant trip! Love you Z!
Elaine
We’ll miss you, Queen Z. You are such a lady! If you don’t like the cold weather in Kentucky, come back to California where we can continue to spoil you! We will miss you!
Vicki
Came up with a name for the baby – ATTENZEN – cause it surely will get it!!
Gary Moulton
ZENYATTA
The last day at Hollywood.
The speed they never learn.
And it’s many a day since Zenyatta
Has looped the upper turn.
The grooms stopped their rubbing,
The rider’s dropped their tack
When word went round that Zenyatta
Was coming on the track.
The crowd was hoarse with cheering
At old Santa Anita Park
The day she won the Cup
When she set the mark.
The scar is deep at Churchill,
The good old days are gone.
And many a horse is forgotten,
But they still remember one.
For she was a fiery phantom
To that multitudinous throng-
Would you wait for another one like her?
Be patient: years are long.
For here was a horse among horses,
Cast in a Titan’s mold,
And the slant November sunlight
Gilded the living gold.
She was marked with God’s own giving
And winged in every part;
The look of eagles was in her eye
And Hastings’ wrath in her heart.
Young Citation had power
To rouse the crowded stand,
And there was magic in the name
Of Greentree’s Twenty Grand.
And Dr. Fager has sprinted,
And Gallant Fox has stayed,
And Secretariat has glittered
In the wake others have made.
We watch the Mare parading,
We wait, our eyes a blur,
But we never discover another
One quite the likes of her.
Becky
Love the picture. It looks like hallowed ground.