I’M HERE!
Wow! I had such a TERRIFIC day yesterday. I had a wonderful time saying GOOD-BYE to all of my friends at Barn 55. John asked that we keep my morning nice and private so I could personally spend the time with all of my friends. It was GREAT and SO SPECIAL!
Then at about 8 in the morning, I left my barn, loaded the van and we were off to Ontario Airport. There I boarded the Tex Sutton Plane for Kentucky. John, Mario and Steve all went with me on the plane. The plane ride went smoothly and before we knew it, the plane was landing in Lexington. Fortunately, they prepared me for the cold weather…with all kinds of wonderful blankets. It was 16 degrees when we arrived.
WHAT A GREAT RECEPTION THEY HAD PLANNED FOR ME! The van took me to Keeneland and I had my ‘hair and make-up’ done. Then I was ready to GREET ALL OF MY NEW KENTUCKY FRIENDS. The back-ring area at Keeneland was packed. There were people everywhere with cameras flashing waiting to see me! I walked around the back-ring with Mario first. The Moss’ and Mike Smith walked behind me. Then they presented me with a gift basket and Ann and Jerry thanked everyone for their kindness.
At this time, John took me for another walk around the ring with Dottie. John let me stop and look around at all of the people. I posed and looked at them all. Cameras were everywhere. We had a wonderful, wonderful time. I danced, pranced and tried to greet everyone. What an occasion!
Then off to Lane’s End Farm…MY NEW HOME! We got there and the barn was all lit up. I immediately went into my new stall. My nametag was on it…as was a sign a fan made for my stall door…THE QUEEN REIGNS HERE! It was pink and the letters are in green. I gather fans have been sending me lots of gifts already. There was a Christmas stocking, carrots, peppermints and many other notes and signs waiting for me. This all makes me feel so special. My new home is beautiful. I have about 8 other friends in this barn with me. I’m sure we will become very, very close as time goes on and we get to play outside together. I can’t wait!
Dottie and John told my new home would be WONDERFUL! And it is!
Oops…lights are going out…time to rest! WHAT A DAY!
Thanks to all of you for making it all possible!
With love,
Hugs~
Z
Snoprinz
Great to hear from you again Zenny.Is Team Z back in LA? How soon before you get to go out and exercise? And how soon before we get to know when to visit you? Thanks.
Janina
I just hope she gets the attention she deserves. She’s not like any other mare. Someone’s already said if but I just feel more sad after seeing the videos. It’s so quiet and lonely where she is. And why is that boy, Andrew, backing off from her. She looked liked she wanted to touch him with her nose and he pulled away. My gosh, I wish I had the opportunity to work with her and take care of her. Please say the Mosses have taken her personality into consideration and that the people handling her will treat her special.
Patricia
I just received an e-mail from a contact at Lane’s End…she too said Zenyatta is doing well & she can receive care packages at the following address:
Lane’s End
c/o Zenyatta
P.O. Box 626
Versaille, KY
I am sure Zenyatta would love any kind of sign from her fans that we are still here & love her as much today as yesterday.
cheryl
Oh Zen, miss you so much already! No more thrilling runs, but hope you will be warm, safe and happy at Lane’s End.
Rosemary McCauley
Thank you very much for posting number 25! We are very excited to hear about your new home and how you like it. I hope that you keep up the postings and you may be physically there, but you “reign” with all of us. Thank you so much. We love you and I hope we can come visit next year.
Lydia Ward
Queen Z, it was so good to see you in person at Keenland on Monday evening. It sounds like you have a wonderful new home. I can’t wait to see you again. I love you Zenyatta.
sue
I just read John’s interview about the move to Ky. He said they were keeping Zennie out of the fields because of the snow and she kept looking out the window at the other mares who were used to that terrain. He even stated that she seemed to be asking whey wasn’t SHE out there. That’s the reason for her “look” in the stall video.. She wants to be out with the rest of them but, until the folks at LE deem it safe she’ll be hotwalked. New moves take time for adjustment. She’ll become to love it there…no doubt about it.
Heidi Kruckenberg
You had so many of us worried when we didn’t hear anything for a couple of days!! Will the 60 mins segment be on at their usual time on Sunday? I just might have to skip the football game or run home right after so that I don’t miss it!!
I’m sure you’re fine but, still, can’t help but worry about you! We love you soo much, Zenny!!!! Please, keep the forums coming! We Zenyatta-holics need our daily “fixes,” for sure!!
Heidi Kruckenberg
Oh… I’m Heidi and I’m a Zenyatta-holic and proud of it! :)
Peyton
Dear Zenyatta, I am so gald to here from you again. I thought I would never see another dairy post again. I am so glad you like your new home, I was afraid that you wouldn’t. I love you sooooo much Zen. You are the only thing that gets me through the day. When I want to just give up, I think about you who will be in last but will find the strength to get to first. I was heartbrocken when people thought you came in second in the Breeders Cup, you really came in first in my heart and in the hearts of millions. You deserve horse of the year over blame. You are the better horse. In fact you are the best horse there has ever been. I get so upset when I see the comments of the buttheads that think blame should win. You, Zenyatta, will be remembered-you are eternal-blame will be forgotten. You have brought millions of people into the sport of horseracing. You have given people hope again. You are the inspiration of a nation, if not the world. You are absolutely perfect in every way. Your physical being and your personality. You are the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I hope you have a happy and safe life as a mommy. I hope I can convince my mom into letting me visit you. Have fun in the snow!
With all my love, Peyton
Georgia Harper
whew!!! was waiting for this update thanks so much. Sounds like you are getting settled. Being a California Gal I hope you learn to coupe with the cold and are happy. Maybe one day your team will bring you home and you could travel around the US and be a liason for racing all over the country. You could dance and have your picture taken with all your fans. I am sure folks would pay to maybe even spend a day with Zenyatta with proceeds going to retired race horses.
Judy Sims
Dear Zennie:
So glad to get your post and know all is going well for you. Watched the videos and read the DRF article. Lane’s End looks like a really nice facility but being from Florida I could do without the snow! Stay warm, happy and healthy. I’m sure anyone who comes in contact with you will realize how special you are. I know you will miss your California family and know they will sorely miss you. You have your whole world of fans that will be looking forward to timely updates and videos of how your retired life is going.
You are the Queen and long live the Queen!
Love and lots of warm hugs.
Ira Kargel
I had the most fabulous trip visiting you in LA from Toronto. I got to meet Mike and take some great pictures of him and of course you. It was a fun day at Hollywood Park. I also got to meet some of your special fans. There sure are a lot of wonderful people who know just how special you are!! It’s wonderful you’ve taken the time to keep us updated, we are all very curious!
Thank-you!
Leslie
Hi Zenny, I’m so happy you posted. I’m glad you arrived safely and are adjusting to your new home. I hope you only have fun and happy times at Lane’s End. I miss you, sweet girl.
Love you,
Leslie
Shanna
Just saw your new video on facebook Zenyatta :) I was so glad to see a new diary post today too,they always make my day.Glad that you love your new home,can’t wait to read more from you soon :)We love you Zen!
victoria
Oh Zee — THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONNECTING AGAIN. Thousands of us have been awaiting word. We were there at Keeneland, waiting for you. Seeing you was one of the joys of my life. You were a vision of magic when you walked up the path to the ring. sorry it was so cold. But you once again you were a trooper. You have inspired me to persevere — that just doing your best is best. (Your best is the bestest, however.)Love you. Stay well and in touch.
Liz Mahoney
So happy to finally hear you are adjusting and loved the videos of you posted on facebook in your new barn and taking a walk. Some may think it corny that such small glimpses of you doing such normal everyday horse things excite us fans so much, but when it comes to you when we can never get enough!
Terri
Hey I was at Keeneland. It was so much fun hanging out and seeing you there. Thanks for coming out in that cold weather and saying goodbye to your fans. :) Hope to get a chance to visit you at Lane’s End if they will allow it. Love ya
Beatrice Lian
Looking forward to videos & photos of Zenyatta in her new home as soon as possible. She’s a real sweetheart! Love & kisses to her from Toronto, Canada.
Anita Carville
I’ve been waiting for this update! So happy to hear you are doing well. I knew you would. I’m glad you have found your new home and met your new girlfriends. Is Life Is Sweet in your barn? I hope so. It will be such fun to run in the pasture with your new stablemates. God bless you, Baby. Enjoy!
mary
I am glad that I am not the only one obsessing over the future comfort and happiness of this once in a life time wonder mare. I think of her all the time, and worry about her life at a big factory type of farm. I have worked at the farms and sales over the years and the although they have all the right people with degrees working there, they are not the ones who handle the horses. It makes me cringe to see all the mares, foals, studs fed the same food, have the same routine, and no individual care or attention. I have a small farm, but not one of my horses receives the same food, blanketing, or training. The people who are paid $8.00 an hour to care for these wonderful horses have no training, and most don’t care one bit what goes on with them. The farms do not pay good enough or care enough to have horsemen with the horses, but rather the managers who sit in warm offices and houses not really knowing what goes on in the barns. I fear, and I admit it’s not rational, that Zenyatta will be just one of the dirty, and neglected broodmares that abound at the big farms. After all, AP Indy is about 100lbs overweight, and yet his staff have told me he gets the same as all the other stallions even though it is obvious he is obese…….sad. Just an example, if you don’t care enough to keep the #1 stallion in North America health, what will they do with a mare that no one sees. I wish the Moss’s would purchase a farm and let the fans see this wonderful mare in a controlled manner, much like the stallions can be seen. Heck, they could even charge a small fee to offset the costs of the farm and give the remaining money to TB/horse rescue groups. Zenyatta is so special she deserves to have a full time groom, blankets, carrots and attention for her well deserved retirement, the same treatment she has had with her wonderful racing team.
Kathryn Cogswell
A couple of ‘tells’ to the good from the videos: someone [`Lexi?] has been there 21 years and knows the love of the place. They’re ‘figuring things out,’ said in a dear voice. Someone’s giving a nuzzle over good-looking carrots; and there is sort of a calm quiet that feels right. Little children usually pull back from too much attention before they’re ready; and, just w/ me, maybe, horses like to warm up a bit on their own terms, staying mannerly awhile. Then there’s the majesty of Z`Lady. Even if you’re a good hand, it must be over-whelming to encounter her, let alone be responsible for her with a world of doting folk on the monitors. It must be that grace like this takes awhile.
Sue
Zen did you see the nice article a reporter from the Thoroughbred Times wrote about what you’ve been doing in Kentucky over the past few days? You seem to be adjusting well, although I still worry, since you are such a sensitive soul. Did you read the tidbit someone wrote a while back about how extremely observant you are? They said you’d spend a long time looking at a possum moving along a wall or a leave falling from a tree. I hope they notice how special you are and refrain from treating you like the rest of the herd.
Love ya, Zen!! You will always be the Queen. I hope they treat you well at LE.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2010/12/09/zenyatta-easing-into-life-at-lanes-end.aspx
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, So happy to read your post on your great adventure to Kentucky. You are settling in just fine and they will treat you like the queen you are.
Soon we will hear what stallion you’ll have a twinkle in your eye for. He better be worthy of your beauty and charm. So happy for you to have the natural experince in a horses life. You will allways have the best by your loving and caring owners.
HUGS & LOVE!!
Em Grove
I agree with Barbara Wood – I saw things on the video that worried me – perhaps our dear Zenyatta is just confused by the new faces – which would be natural enough. I attended her good-bye at Hollywood Park and spoke with a horse breeder who said that brood mares have a pecking order and it can be difficult for those at the bottom. As Zenyatta will be the “new comer” I hope she will not be treated poorly by the allpha mares who are already there. Does anyone know anything about this “pecking order” issue??
Toni R.
Thanks to team Z for the care Zenyatta received up to this point. Sharing such a special and magnificent TB with us extends the caring that would indicate that racehorses are more than just a commodity.
My heart, as that of many others,has been captured by Zenyatta; her beauty, grace, charisma, and racing accomplishments. My concern is that with all SHE has GIVEN, there was not any THOUGHT or CONSIDERATION to KEEP her with those she knows and loves. HOW about OTHER options other than breeding now vs.2 years from now?
Is It ALWAYS about money? Those TB horses on farms in Lexington, Kentucky are and were out to pasture in that frigid cold- NO blankets.
I just pray that Queen Z is NOT treated like any other racehorse. After all, Secretariat was not left by those who LOVED him! Time will tell. Many of us are watching.
Toni R.
To Mary, DEC 9……I SO agree with your post. Zenny is an incredible mare. She deserves better than the generic care I too have major concerns she will receive.
Remember, Dottie writes these posts. Note the adjectives in her 25th post for Zenyatta. Nothing is mentioned about the 30-60 day adjustment period for Zenny. Do we really believe if she does not like “pasture life/minimal human interaction that the Mosses are going to whisk her away, back to a familiar home?
How could the Mosses have allowed her to be relegated to this? Where is the LOVE, RESPECT? 7.3 million not enough?
Cathy P
I feel the same way and as Barbara Wood and Em Grove. Zenyatta doesn’t seam to be to happy and they don’t talk to her like Mario, John, and Steve do. The guy in the video doesn’t seam to want to get to know her or he doesn’t want to be on camera, that could be it. I hope it gets better for her. And when her fans can come see her I’m sure she will be very happy. Love you sweet girl.
Henrietta Wolfe
ZENYATTA, YOU ARE,SIMPLY THE BEST!!! xoxox
Linda / NJ
Hey Folks: What is a lip chain?