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
mars
Ann Maree thanks for the Giacomo video. It was fun to watch. He is truly a beauty.
And Dottie — thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!
Hernan Tovar
My beautiful Zenyatta, It is great you have so many friends, you sound so happy, John your trainer, he is a very special person… Giacomo, he was soooo good, and Frank he really love Giacomo, the same way Mario love you!!! I love you more that anybody ever loves you… Ingrid.
Max
@Ann Maree. Thanks for the video of Giacomo. I like to learn about the personalities of horses. He seems to be a friendly but a wise horse. It was interesting that his racing style is that of a closer like Zenyatta. I liked the comments about how well that he was trained and his daily routine at Adena Springs. Also enjoyed hearing about his love for red peppermints and baby carrots. He knows what he wants. Excellent.
Sarah Powell
As others have posted, John really is a very special trainer. He consistently puts the welfare of his horses first and is so kind to include the fans at every turn (as does all of Z’s connections). It’s always good to get any information about you Zenny – even the names of your new best bud’s! Hoping that we get new pics of this past week with your family! Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
(thanks Dottie)
judy berube
Dear Z,
Thank you for the great photo of Giacomo and Frank. How special to be a member of such an elite group; Derby Winners. We are praying every day for your continued good news and good health. Love you. Thank you Dottie for all you do. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
Lois Gillespie
Zenny, thank you for the wonderful photos of Giacomo with Frank and fans. IMO, when special horses come along, the chemistry between horse, trainer and barn staff is crucial to their wins. It was that way with you and John and Barn 55 staff, and I believe with our beloved Barbaro and Michael Matz. I will go out on a limb here and say that Graham Motion is that kind of trainer, and Animal Kingdom has a good chance to keep winning. Mr. Motion’s methods at Fair Hill, MD seem to keep Animal Kingdom at his best. Best of luck to Animal Kingdom in the Preakness, and may the crowds continue! Zenny, they are due in large part to you and your magic–
Stephanie Quilichini
Thank you to John for being such a supporter of the Fans! Wish there were more connections like Team Zenyatta!! I heard Rachel Alexandra is having a Colt!! Hoping to hear your news soon!!!
Lois Gillespie
Wanted to add Larry Jones to my comment above- I so respect him as a trainer as well-
Linda Henderson
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of Giacomo. They are precious. I would love to visit him. What a beautiful gray! And I am so delighted to read that you, dear Zenyatta, are happy and doing great. My best to PQ also.
Lorri
Giacamo was my pick in the 2005 Derby! Unfortunately I was riding in a car at the time of the race and had to listen to it on the radio. Now that is torture! I was sinking down on the seat with my feet pressing hard getting Giacamo to the finish line! Ha Ha
Glad to hear you are doing great Zenny! Hope all goes well with your pregnancy and you are a Momma for next Mother’s Day! What a wonderful present for you and for all your fans!!!
xoxo
Lorri
Dona
Mornin Sweetness! Glad you enjoyed your visitors because like you, they are special.
Hope everyone gets a chance to see the Documentary “Buck” that should be on the big screen soon. It’s about the real life Horse Whisper that was the inspiration for the Robert Redford movie. It’s a must for everybody!
suew
Love you, Zenny. Dottie, Ann and all of Team Z, thanks for the continuing information on our Queen. Zenny, hooves are crossed that YOU will be a mom next mother’s day!
Gloria
Hey Big MAMA Z! Yeah, the racing world needs more connections like your John. I’m so grateful he shared you with the fans. I can’t say thanks enough to all of the Team Z people for giving me that opportunity. I have to say, I’m a little disappointed at one or two of the connections from the Kentucky Derby and I’m sorry to hear about Archarcharch having to have surgery, which was successful, bet is now retired. They’re still trying to figure out what’s wrong with Uncle Mo. When I see these horses going down like this, especially at such a young age, I really thank my lucky stars I was able to watch your career. How you won all the time and I never heard that you came out of a race hurt. I don’t know what you and John did to make that happen. Maybe it IS just a matter of letting a horse grow into themselves and mature, but I’m so glad I was able to follow your racing career, Zenny! Thanks for that. And special kudos to the Mosses. They are the CLASS of horse racing. It’s so easy to root for the Zenyatta connections when they have a horse running. XOXO to Team Zenyatta!!
Mary Stanford
I am glad you are having so much fun Z…I miss you racing…but with the injuries yesterday…it made me realize even more how much better it is now that you are retired, having fun, are sound….you never got hurt…that is so wonderful!! So I think you are exactly where you need to be. I hope one day when not going to be a mom…maybe you will go somewhere that could accommodate your fans who want to visit and just look at you. But for now…you are in the best place. Hugs to you Z…. I still love that picture of you and Ann together last week…it is so moving….the bond between you two is so sweet…guess we can say “just too cute”….
Quarterhossgal
Queen Z….you were so lucky to be in John’s barn, he is truly a horseman in addition to being a great trainer. How many stallion could you put in a group of people and feel safe? Giacomo looks so relaxed, I give credit to the way the Team cares for the animals under John’s direction.
I was pretty sure you had been back to see Bernardini, Good luck beautiful one!
dunie
Absolute best to you, Giacomo and the lovely foal to be!
s in san diego
Thanks for another fun posting. Dottie, you are very creative and John..you are a great photographer (and of course trainer,) I hope you both know how much we appreciate you, along with the Mosses and other owners, who allow us to have access to their borses. Z…can’t wait to hear that you are safely in foal and moving towrds mommyhood. Mean while…love coming here daily (x3) to check in for my Z fix.
Trisha Veazey
How wonderful for you to have had your family visit. Their love for you is truly amazing and understandable. We all feel the same way.
Love hugs and kisses to you gorgeous Z
Pam
Nice photos of your gray buddy, Giacomo. My husband (a casual racing fan) picked him to win the Derby months in advance and bet him to win. So we love Giacomo at our house! Best of luck to him in his stallion career. And yes, everybody cross their hooves (or something) that you’ll be celebrating next Mothers’ Day as a mom!
luvscritters
I think Team Zenyatta may set a new standard for the management of race horses. Look how kind and generous your handlers have been, both to you and to your fans (and the other horses in their care), and look how that attitude has been repaid with a happy, successful horses and thousands of adoring fans. Hopefully other trainers and owners will take note and take better care of these special horses and help the public to see racing as a fun sport, not a bloodthirsty sport where the horses are pressured to race before they are ready and break down at a young age.
Your team has proven that you can mix business with a ton of pleasure in horse racing and keep the horses happy and healthy while WINNING.
I am as much a fan of your handlers as I am of YOU for neither of you would be successful without each other. This is truly a TEAM effort.
Anita in CA
Zenny, you are such a great gal pal to be with! i’m so happy that you are so enjoying all your girlfriends. i too am hoping for you to be in foal for next year, and wonder if you are already ;-). i love you beautiful girl. Thank you, Dottie.
Anita in CA
@ Kari. I have been “wondering” about Wonderful Town, also! This just confirms how close together our thoughts & hearts are! God is Good!
Doreen
I’ve always have had a fondness for the greys and Giacomo seems to be such a sweetheart, just like you Zenny. I can see why the horses under John’s care have such sweet dispositions. For those of you who wanted to know how Battle of Hastings is faring, he is doing fine after surgery. It’s a “wait and see” situation as far as returning to racing.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, Giacomo and Frank are just adorable…they both look so proud. About your John and letting the fans get close to his boys and girls…it is wonderful, and lot of trainers are following his wonderful example. Back in the day, friends of mine and myself sneaked around at Hollywood Park and I was able to meet JO Tobin, asked him if he was going to win and he nodded, and he was so sweet, he let me touch his beautiful face. Security wasn’t much back then, and we did not get caught. I love that horse very much and will never forget the experience, but not as much as I love you…it is a greater, deeper, spiritual love I have for you…Talk with you later, Big Girl..hooves crossed…Lisa g.
Vicki B.
I’m glad you still get to see Alyse and Sea Gull, along with your new pals (I loved seeing you four like sphinxes out in the field). It’s always good to keep in touch with old friends. It makes the whole world more stable (no pun intended).
Jan
Zenyatta,
Glad to hear you are having fun with your new gal pals. What a handsome guy that Giacomo is, he looks so gentle. Have a fun day :)
Mariel
Hello, Zen. I’m happy that you can still see your other girlfriends – just a pasture away. But you seem to make new friends very easily and get along with everyone. A true sight of intelligence, patience and kindness.
Thanks for the pictures of Giac. I haven’t seen him and many moons! I had forgotten how beautiful he is! And look at how sweet!
LOVE to you, Big Girl!!
Eveline
Some nice Zenyatta stuff on sale http://www.exclusivelyequine.com/BrowseProducts.aspx?parentCategory=Zenyatta&category=Zenyatta&categoryName=Zenyatta(BHP)
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, happy Monday to you and hope the rest of the week is fun for you. I know the story about Giacomo Winning the Kentucky Derby that year as a 50 to 1 longshot. That was really thrilling for John. He will always be proud of that. I was very happy that Ann, Jerry and Dottie spent quality time with you over Derby weekend. I would like to see you stay being real close with them and others from barn 55. You are not just any race horse in the barn, you are Queen Zenyatta and loved by fans all over the world, one can never loose sight of that. I am very happy for you and always sending my love.
Terry Crow
@Lisa G–JO Tobin was indeed a wonderful horse. When Seattle Slew ventured out to Hollywood Park, JO with Shoemaker up handed him a bad whipping. A wonderful, underrated horse.