Happy Monday to ALL!
The 137th Kentucky Derby is now history! Congratulations to all of the connections of Animal Kingdom on his victory. This is such an amazing race and so historical to win. It is a victory to cherish forever!
When my dear friend, GIACOMO, won in 2005, the entire barn got to celebrate the victory. Frank Leal, in the above photo, was Giacomo’s traveling partner on the road. They really got to know each other very well. When John’s Kentucky Derby Trophy arrived, he brought it out to the barn and took pictures of everyone holding it. He thought this would be a wonderful keepsake for each person to have forever!
Frank looks great here…and so very happy! He is holding the TROPHY in one hand and cuddling Giacomo with his other hand. What an absolutely amazing time!
MY JOHN has always believed that it is very important to share the horses with the fans. When we went to Del Mar that year, John put Giacomo in the front stall so everyone could get a chance to see him. Then after training hours, he would allow fans the opportunity to have their photos taken with the 2005 KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER! This is in the same manner in which he shared ME with the fans! Groups of people showed up every single day! Giacomo was a great sport…as well as all of my Barn 55 Family!
Thank you for all of the kind words and thoughts you are writing in the responses. I’m really doing GREAT! I am hoping to be a MOM by next Mother’s Day…and I loved every single moment I shared with Ann, Jerry and Dottie last week.
Alyse and Sea Gull are now in another paddock as their schedule is a bit different than mine. They are right across the path…so I see them all of the time. We can chat across the fences to each other and keep in touch.
I am still with Pirate’s Queen (PQ for short) and now have Mona de Momma and Tasty Temptation here with ME! There’s just 4 of us in our big paddock. It makes it so at ease, cozy, and nice. We all get along beautifully and have become wonderful friends. I’m having SO MUCH FUN!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Laura Rutkowski
Thanks for the memories w/ Giacomo. People asked me who would win, I said,”Giacomo”. They thought I was nuts. Guess we proved them wrong (even though I’m still “nuts”) Big Hug Sweet Z. Love Laura & JP
Shari Voltz
Good Morning Zenyatta from sunny East Liverpool. It is going to be a fabulous day. I love the picture of Giacomo. He is beautiful. I remember when he won. I am glad that your family got to experience winning the Kentucky Derby. I just want you to know that the children think you could have won the Derby too. They think you can do anything. We all hope that your with foal. The children cheered when I told them. Your baby will ROCK according to 5th grade. Well sweet girl time to start. We love you so much. Oh the children are making cards and art gifts to send to Mo since he has been sick. I love that they are into horses for their role models. What healthy role models. Have a beautiful day with PQ. Hugs and Kisses Shari and Homeroom 215 XXXOOO
Anne-Marie Power
Love reading your updates Zenyatta…they are always filled with such admiration and love for your family, friends, fans and always so positive…as always, wishing you much happiness and contentment :) xoxoxo
Barbara Wood
Dottie and Z–thank you so much for the updates on the girlfirends. We want to keep tabs on everyone connected with Z.
A while back, there was a great video on Bloodhorse’s website about Giacomo. Maybe anyone who didn’t see it could pull it up in the archives.
If I remember correctly, Michael Blowen told us that right after helping start Old Friends with Ruhlmann, the Mosses won the Derby with Giacomo. What goes around comes around in the good we do–not always immediately, but sooner or later.
Barbara Wood
@Shari Voltz–I forgot to mention that it’s a very kind thing you are doing in having you students write notes to Uncle Mo. I’m sure the nice folks at WinStar will appreciate them. It also helps to instill kindness and thoughtfulness in the children. This world can certainly use more of that.
Annie
Thanks for sharing all the pictures and stories! I’m glad you’re enjoying your pasturemates, new and old. And finally getting some nicer weather. You deserve all the best.
GloriaK
What a wonderful 2012 Mother’s Day it will be if you are a mama Z!
Shari Voltz
@ Sue Noel thank you for the kind remarks. I really appreciate them.
@Barbara thank you too. It was their idea. If they could Zenyatta would get things daily from them. How cute is that :)
Shari Voltz
@Dawn The children said HI and they want to see you holding the Bronze Zenyatta :)
Margaret Murphy
Hi Zenny: I’m concerned about you!! I hope your working on being happy and healthy, I’m praying for you Zenny. Just be yourself and love all of your stable mates. KEEP DANCING!!! Love & Kisses!!!!
Ally Beteridge..!
Hey Zenyatta,
Happy Mothers Day!
have a good day!!! bye byee !!! XOXOX
Lisa g
@Terry Crow, he was great and underrated, The Shoe and JO made a statement…loved him before the Seattle Slew upset..He was so beautiful, I can still see his big brown eyes looking into mine..Wow, what a feeling…I will never forget him. Lisa g.
Judy Maass Gadwood Adores Zenny ~ CA
@ Sue Noel KENTUCKY HORSE PARK WEB CAM ~ the link facing CIGAR’s paddock is as follows.
http://www.kyhometown.com/kyhorsepark/
However, it tends to malfunction; I email them frequently ;-) to have it fixed because a day without seeing Cigar (and the other horses in the near paddock) is not a good day :-)
NOTE: The picture will NOT change automatically. You have to “refresh” about every 60 seconds or so.
HINT: To enlarge the view, LEFT CLICK on the “picture”!
I’ve shared this link on facebook and it’s a real enjoyment for everyone ~ we’ve seen the brown trees and grass turn greener with each day! :-)
p.s. Cigar is free to go into his paddock after the last show in the pavilion (approx. 3:15 EDT). Then he will gradually walk through his paddock grazing :-) Can’t miss him!!
I hope my explanation was helpful! Have a great day!
LOVE YOU ZENNY!! XOXOXO
Bernie
With all the injuries happening to these wonderful horses at the Derby and other events that no one ever hears about, I think all the owners and trainers could take a tip from the Moss/Sherriffs’ rule book – patience, don’t start them so young, wait until they are ready to prove their greatness. It’s very sad to see how many great horses careers and lives have been shortened because of lack of patience. Zenyatta is an excellent example of just how great they could have, should have become. How many other “Z’s” are out there that never bloomed. Zenyatta is a true champion, one of a kind, and this world is a better place for me and thousands of others because of her.
Thank you Zenyatta, the Moss’s and Sherriff’s for sharing her with all of us.
Sharon Call
@Sue Noel. I didn’t read the Island Stallion. I don’t think it was in our local library. Sorry I missed that one.
I can so relate with your story about Blue Duchess. I had to sell Jess in 1979 after a rather bitter divorce. I just didn’t have the money to keep her. I lost my Mom, my husband and my horse in a 3 year period. I look back on it now and wonder how I kept what little sanity I have left (LOL). I did know the guy that bought her and told him pretty directly that if I ever heard that he mistreated her in any way, he would be very aware of my presence. I think he took me seriously. Life goes on and you pick up the pieces and proceed living as well as you can. Amazing how much easier it is to do this now that I know about Z and have this web site for moral support.
Kylie (=
I love you BIG Z!!!!!
mars
wonder if Z’s lil sis is going in her old stall?!
She is sure a beauty too.
J Smith
AnneMarie thanks for link to Giacomo video. Is it my imagination, or does every horse that come into contact with Mr & Mrs Moss & your John have a wonderful disposition? It surely can’t be the water! Love the name Tasty Temptation, too cute.
Joyce
Zenny, thanks so much for sharing the beautiful pictures of Giacomo. He is a beautiful horse and I remember watching the Derby when he won.
A TV channel has been showing the Kentucky Derby over the years and I made sure to DVR all of them, so I know I will be able to watch Giacomo in his big win. Haven’t had time to see many of the replays, but I’m so looking forward to the memories of seeing the Derby over the years, with each one at a different time of my life. One I just happened to see was of Ferdinand and his courageous win. That was fun, celebrating the oldest jockey and the oldest trainer (Ferdinand, however, was still 3). That one brought back some happy memories but then made me cry, and I very loudly gave his connections “what for” because they didn’t make sure he was cared for in his later years. But, I’m glad I watched, and I know I will have some special moments with the other segments.
@Judy Maass, thanks for the link to Cigar, he was a favorite of mine and I remember watching many of his races. He was amazing, and it will be great to catch up with him.
@Judy Berube, thanks so much for the information on the Zenyatta postage picture (and for remembering my interest). I think that picture is so amazing, and will check the link you provided.
Miss Z, it sounds as though you are doing well and are happy with your new and old friends nearby. Oh, the fun of running and playing as you wish. I hope you are still dancing, as I think that would be a very good exercise to help you keep fit with your future happy event in mind.
Love and kisses, sweet one, you are by far the most special of all.
judy berube
Dear Joyce:
The link is his e-mail address. If you let him know which print you want, he’ll e-mail you with the price and his mailing address. I mailed my check today. The photo I chose is the one in Diary 216. It is an 8.5×11 and was $28.00 including shipping. Hope this helps. Hugs, Judy B.
Hernan Tovar
@ Ann Maree, thanks for Giacomo’s video.
@ Abigail, thanks for the news about Giacomo. Zenyatta,I miis you… Ingrid
Quarterhossgal
Judy…thanks for the link to the horse Park, I watched Cigar’s last race in Toronto. I’ve visited him twice at the horse park. Had a chance to visit with John Henry a couple of times, he was a hoot! Another favorite of mine at the horse park is DaHoss, he just loves people! He’ll follow you from one end of his paddock to the other. And then there is Queen Z, she just loves everyone!
Madison
Dear:_Z_e_n_y_a_t_t_a
I am i huge fan of you and i think your are one beutiful horse ohh i spelt that rong lol but i ride horses and i wish someday i can ride a horse as pretty as you well i do right now and his name is blaze and we have a great bond but i have to say if you get out if retirment you might be the next secretariat:)love Madison:)
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. I remember it well when Giacomo won – it was so great seeing Mike so happy riding the son of one of his favorites, Holy Bull, to the finish line in the Derby. How awesome was that. I wore his t-shirt to the Belmont and was rooting for him to win. He is such a handsome fella! Brings back so many great memories. I am so glad you are still able to see Alyse and Sea Gull in the next paddock. I am sure you have a lot to discuss. Have a great time with your new friends Mona de Momma and Tasty Temptation. Stay comfy, eat well and have loads of fun, especially rolling in the mud. Love you so, Angel in Disguise.
Cynthia H.
Thank you for sharing the sweet photo of Giacomo and his best bud. What a thrilling Kentucky Derby win! It was super to see one of Giacomo’s little daughters win at Belmont a few weeks ago. Like all of the Barn 55 family, Mr. Leal is a very kind and gracious man.
Robyn Mullhausen
God Bless you Zenny and especially John, Ann and Jerry for sharing their wonderful horses with the fans. This is truly unselfish and should send a message to others in racing. Their example has done an awful lot to improve the image and excitement at the tracks.
Marilu V
@Ann Maree – thanks for the Giacomo video.
Dear Zeny: Thank you for the cute picture of Frank and Giacomo. What beautiful memories! Another moment in time.
How is he doing? How often does your family get to see him? Hugs, Marilu
Elizabeth G.
So happy you are enjoying your friends…..