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
Sasha
glad your doin good z congrats to A.K!!!!!!!!! :)
Eveline
Hi Zenny, it’s great to have so many good friends. You sound very happy. I can’t wait to see Animal Kingdom in Pimlico, it’ll be so cool to pet a Derbywinner.
Judy Maass Gadwood Adores Zenny ~ CA
TOO CUTE! Zenny! You’re diary today is TOO CUTE! You have new girl friends ~ I love it!
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I was at Keeneland in 2005 (Kentucky for the first time in my life!) and we watched the Preakness from there on the big screen. Of course we were hoping GIACOMO would get the win!
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BTW ~ “Your John” is adored by so many of us! He’s a special man and a special trainer… you were so lucky to be in his barn :-)
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HUGS & KISSES MY QUEEN XOXOXOXOXO
Carolyn
a huge “thank you” to John and his barn for sharing his horses with us!
Teresa
Love reading all the back stories. It’s so much more than just the RACE! It’s everything and everyone that goes before and after. Giacomo is a beauty, all your friends are. :)))) Which is good news for me, since I count myself as a friend of Queen Z. <3
Samantha
Our Giacomo gelding has the same face! We are looking forward to him running soon!!
Alex
As I was watching the Derby this year (my favorite day of every year), I was thinking that I’ve been spoiled forever by watching you run- no one can compare! :)
Miss you, Queen Z!
Patti in Carlsbad
I LOVED GIACOMO. I, TOO, HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE 2005 DERBY WINNER AND HIS TRAINER. JOHN WAS NICE ENOUGH TO AUTOGRAPH IT FOR ME. I TREASURE IT.
I SEE GIACOMO HAS SOME VERY NICE OFFSPRING. GOOD RACING LUCK TO THEM.
I AM HAPPY YOU HAD A FANTASTIC VISIT WITH DOTTIE AND THE MOSSES. YUR NEW GAL PALS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE FUN TO BE AROUND.
HAVE A GREAT DAY…HUGS
Ann Maree
http://youtu.be/IitGgReMnb0
Hi, Z, this is the Bloodhorse video of Giacomo…just love this biography of him by his stallion manager, Bill Drury, at Adena Springs. I know you and your family have seen this many times, but maybe visitors here might have missed it. Hugs, Your friend, Ann Maree
Fran
Morning Z! I love how you always tell us what is going on in your life. So glad you have more new friends. You seem to just get along with everyone. And, I am glad you still have PQ with you. She seems to be your very best friend. It is cool here in CA and it looks as though it might rain. Love to you and have a great day! xxoo
Kirren Dolan
Giacomo is quite a looker! I remember seeing him race before the Derby. He won that day, as well!
Glad to hear you and all your girlfriends are doing well! Happy Monday, Z!
Love and miss you!
Rebecca (Guelph, ON)
Say hi to Tasty Temptation for me! I enjoyed watching her run at Woodbine. She ran an amazing race in the Queen’s Plate last year. You gals can swap stories about fillies beating the colts.
Sharman
Watching the Derby Sat was pretty exciting, but like so many of your fans – I Miss You Too!!! :) But I do wish Animal Kingdom he very best for the Preakness!! I also want to thank You an Dottie and Team Z for sharing you with us, it means so very much. Love You Forever Zenny!!! Hugs and Kisses Sweet Girl !!!! :)
Neva Rae Powers
Another happy update!
Kari Bussell
Zenyatta- I am so glad to know you are happy and having such a great time. I am full of joy that you shared a picture of Giacomo with Frank Leal. He is the wonderful, kind man who made it possible for me to touch you the day after your amazing 2010 Breeder’s Cup. I have followed your “Dear John” since his win with the Great Giacomo and in doing so he became my hero. Thank you Zenyatta-Dottie and All of Team-Z. Love & Joy to all of you always.
Kari Bussell
Dear Zenyatta could you please get information about one of your former Barn-55 stable mates Wonderful Town? I would love and greatly appreciate any info.
Snoprinz
Congratulations to Animal Kingdom for the WIN at the Kentucky Derby. Thanks for sharing pictures of Giacomo and company.
Zen, I’m praying that you will be a MOM next year at about this time. Take care.
Molly
I would like a picture of John and Zenyatta. Can anyone suggest the best picture of those two together and where I might find it? Zenyatta, I hope you are a Mom by this time next year as well. Have fun with your gal pals. Am really looking forward to some BIG NEWS from the Zenyatta Team.
Shannon From Cool
Reflected Glory! I love it. Hey, that was the name of a good horse too, sire of Snow Chief!!!
Anyway, it’s nice to share the spotlight when a horse does well.
Heather Culross
The Derby was great this year! Full of surprises. However, you were greatly missed! I loved watching you run Z! You still are and will always be the Queen!!!
Katie Clawson
Glad you are doing so great Zenny!! Keep talking with your girlfriends and having fun! It is great that Ann and Jerry got to see you while they were in Kentucky.
Love, Katie(future jockey)
Lauren
Dear Zenny – So happy that you are having so much fun with your girlfriends – it is nice to share girl talk. The picture of Giacomo are so nice. He is quite handsome. By the way, it is so sweet that Bernardini sent you Mother’s Day greetings. Love you beautiful girl – have a blessed day. xoxoxo
Susan in TN
Wow, Zenny- Giacomo looks as relaxed and happy with Frank as you do with Mario! John is amazing! I don’t really know but isn’t it unusual to share race horses with their fans? And the horses seem to thrive on it! Look how calm Giacomo is standing in the middle of a group of people- that’s AMAZING for a young thoroughbred- and I DO know that! Thank you, John.Thank you for the update on your girlfriends,Zenny-so glad you are enjoying the company.Thank you, Dottie , for doing this. It really means alot and I know you ALL must be so busy (and tired!). Thank you, Ann and Jerry, for being so generous and sharing her with us. Warm wishes to all of you and my fellow Z-fans!
Allen
Zenyatta you have had a very busy last few days. I have enjoyed all the recent pictures of ZAZU and GIACOMO. But big girl they are pretty but they don’t compare to you. I am like everyone else, I sure do miss seeing you race, but I am also glad that you retired sound and that you are enjoying your retirment. Have fun with your new paddock friends. Thank You Z and Dottie for all the posts.
Debbie
hi Z! I’m so happy that YOU are happy and hopefully, we’ll have the news we want to hear very soon! Giacomo is so cute! thank YOU for sharing all of the wonderful photos with your diaries! The Derby was fun but I miss YOU soooooo much!!! love YOU gorgeous girl xoxoxo
sherry drish
ZENYATTA, THIS PICTURE WAS SO VERY NICE. HORSES HAVE SPECIAL PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF THEIR NEEDS. THEY SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. I ONCE READ, DOGS HAVE OWNERS, HORSES HAVE STAFF. IT TAKES MANY FOLKS, ALL WITH DIFFERENT TALENTS TO KEEP HORSES ON TOP OF THEIR GAME. ALWAYS ENJOY ALL THE INFO OF YOUR LIFE AT LANES END FARM. KEEP SWEET, LOVE YOU ALL, SHERRY D. WV
Ruth Provost
My Lady, you and your team are always so generous with your words of encouragement and praise. Thank you.
I wanted you and your team to know that you were a big part of my Mother’s Day yesterday. My daughter, Josette, surprised me with Zenyatta, Horse of Our Lifetime bronze statue #32/100 by Nina Kaiser!! You are beautiful! I wish all your adoring fans could have one. I can not begin to describe the emotions I feel when I look at the statue. It is you!! I am blessed with a wonderful, thoughtful daughter and I know one day soon we will again be at the Breeder’s Cup cheering for your filly/colt and making new wonderful memories together!!
Andrea from Germany
Hope to hear in the next future that you`re in foal again. What is the difference between your and the other mares schedule? Giacomo looks great and to cute with his groom. Love you Zenny
Gloria Jeanne
I can’t wait until you are a mom next year, I know it will happen for you. I think it’s great that John shares his horses with the fans, it’s truly a once in a life time experience to have meet you – to be up close to you, and to have feed you an apple, carrots and mints. To have your Hoof Print on my poster and to have a Zenny kiss. I have countless videos and photos of you – that I got to take, so many memories that are just priceless to me. John is a great trainer and understands how important it is to have the fans involved. Thank you John and Dottie – Thanks to the Moss’s for allowing John the freedom to follow his vision. Thank you Zenyatta for being such a great sport.
With all my Love and Hugs – until next time.
Susan
I visted Giacomo at Adena Springs a couple of years ago-He looks great and was happy to have visitors. You guys are so close now that your in Kentucky.
Loved the Derby and Oakes. I was really cheering for Zazu-she had a great race-closing with every stride.
Good that you had your California family visit-I bet it was fun to see them
Thanks John and Dottie for all the pictures-you must have mounds of them!