Good Morning dear Friends,
Today is the beginning of ROYAL ASCOT! This is a week long historic race meet that takes place in England each year at this time! It is filled with tradition and pageantry. The races are extremely contentious and the runners are of the finest quality. If a horse competes and wins at ROYAL ASCOT, it is a huge honor and considered to be quite an achievement!
Today is especially exciting for ME as MY MIKIE is competing there! He is riding a 2 year old named GENTLEMANS CODE in the ‘Windsor Castle’. It is a Listed Stakes Race going 5 furlongs on the turf. I truly want to wish him ALL THE BEST! Let’s go, MIKE!
Additionally, on today’s Royal Ascot Racing Program, Goldikova is running in the QUEEN ANNE STAKES—G 1. It is one mile on the turf. Later this afternoon their time, Frankel (who is currently undefeated) will be running in the ST. JAMES PALACE STAKES—G 1 for 3 year old colts. This race is also one mile on the turf.
There are many other exciting races taking place today…and all week at Royal Ascot! Dottie mentioned to ME that TVG and HRTV will both be carrying the events live each day. My best wishes to ALL of the entrants and their connections! How exciting!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. What a great day of racing at Royal Ascot. The Queen looked beautiful. Goldicova ran her heart out, but perhaps the extra 1 pound did not help her. Frankel is just magnificent – what a handsome champion he is. But, these horses run with a pace setter. Zenyatta never had a pace setter – she did everything on her own and that is why she is the greatest horse that ever lived. And simply gorgeous too. Love you Zenyatta, eat well for 2 and have loads of fun with your BBFs.
Mary Jane
Oh Zenny, it really is so simple. The folks at Ascot put on quite a show. The whole event is “Royal.” Yet, when Mike Smith rides they talk about the queen. Not the queen of England…. but, the queen of hearts.. Zenyatta. There is only one. Goldie is great – there is no doubt. She did her best and fell a bit short. But the one they will always talk about in reverent whispers, is the one in a Kentucky pasture who still inspires. Without a doubt, the horse racing industry, near and far, has no other icon than the one the fans cal, The Queen.
Neva Rae Powers
Cheerio, Mike!
Debbie G
@LauraJ – I didn’t know if you read my response on post 271’s message board. Thank you for suggesting Old Friends. That is a wonderful idea I hadn’t thought of. I am definitely going to contact them this week and I’ll let you know what happens. :-)
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
hope you’re all tucked in on your straw and may be have a fan bring you cool night air for a comfy sleep :) :) :) Snooze Snooze
Do you snore? HaHa
Go Mike Go
Have a good rest and peaceful dreams
Max
@Yvonne and Maurice Kirby. So true. What I liked most about the way Zenyatta ran was that she appeared to be racing so effortlessly. She was always so far back until she decided to make her move that you could just imagine her saying to the other horses as she went by them – “Sorry, but I am coming through here.” Yes, she is incomparably gorgeous.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” what an exciting day it was at Ascot. Got up at 5:30 just to be sure I didn’t miss Goldikova’s race. I thought she ran a tremendous race. Heard there was an issue with her jockey’s weight which may have been the reason for the loss. Apparently he was 2 lbs too much. Not sure exactly what happened.
Frankel ran a spectacular race as did Mikey’s horse. 4th out of a field of 23 not to shabby!
I watched the interview with Mike this morning and it is so cute the way he beams when speaking of you. What a special connection.
Hope your feeling well and enjoying the Kentucky Blue Grass.
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
suew
@Max and Mary Jane, :-)
LauraJ
@Debbie G., you will love OF!
Charlotte Farmer
@NOOR – Left a message on Michael Blowen’s cell relating all the heartfelt ideas from each of you regarding Noor. I ask if it be possible for donations to be sent to Old Friends to be set aside specifically for Noor and this undertaking? I will let you know what he says. The bank was a good idea but this would be simpler since Old Friends is a 501(c)3 and would be in a better position to account for the monies.
>>I thought I had the transportation problem settled but a three-quarter ton pickup will not be able to carry the load, so a commercial trucking firm in Sacramento, California is checking on the availability of a one-ton. Waiting on that now and I am still hoping that I can bring all this together, putting it in a format for Michael, of the costs that will be incurred.
>>If I am the one who has to drive him back to Kentucky I have cut the per diem to $180.00 per day to two of us to drive, eat, and for lodging. It will take 3 nights and 4 days to get there. Once there I am figuring one day down before getting back on the road and returning to California. We would have to pick the truck up the night before so we would be charged for that day. So, 1 day prior to the dig, 8 days round-trip, 1 day down in Kentucky, equals 10 days and possibly add 1 extra day as a cushion. That makes for a grand total of 11 days.
>>I keep trying to rework everything trying to get the best cost possible. Hopefully, tomorrow I can give everyone on this site a better idea of what the cost will be. I am still roughly looking at $5,000.00 but don’t hold me to that.
@Signofthetimes – I checked on the Internet and what I found is that Goldikova stands 15.2 hands. Of course the fair lady Zenyatta stands 17.2. NOOR stood 17 hands.
@Goldikova – I am saddened that she lost her race.
@Our Mike – It would have been nice had he won, but I am glad he got to race at Ascot.
@ Cynthia H. said – I agree and further add that Zenyatta would have made Queen Elizabeth jealous that she was not part of her stable. The Brits would have went wild with Zenyatta’s beauty and her dance. Everything that I had read on Queen Elizabeth is that she knows her horses. She was only one of two women EVER allowed to ride a Lippazaner at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during the time of Alois Podhajsky. The other was Jacqueline Kennedy.
@Dona – Thank you for the wonderful story on Kelso. Do you know that Carl is still alive and the only one of the Team who is. Mrs. du Pont’s secretary once related that when visitors would come to Woodstock Farm to visit Kelso they would often stop and look at the other horses upon which Kelly would kick at his door with his head way out looking at them as if to say, “Wait a minute I am over here.” On a sad note, Mrs. du Pont’s beloved Woodstock Farm, where Kelso and others are buried is up for sale, lock, stock, and barrel.
Love you Zenyatta!
judy berube
Dear Charlotte Farmer:
We will be happy to make a donation to Old Friends specifically for Noor, if that is the final plan. We admired you so much for what you are doing for him. Hugs, Judy and Russ
judy berube
Oops, meant to say “admire you so much”. Hugs, J.B.
KIMBERLY
Good Luck Mikie!!!! Z and all of her
friends are wishing you the best of luck!
Karen Gogue
Come on Z’ers! Surely someone out there has a friend who has a friend who would donate this truck Charlotte needs!! She could just pay the gas,,,mmmmm? Gotta get this done simply…check all that you know about anyone with the size truck she needs – tell them the story, whatever, let’s just get it done!! Charlotte wish I had a truck….
Holly Zemba
Good luck Mike.
Linda Henderson
Love and hugs to you, dear Zenyatta.
M2 + Little Bit & Ready Lady (The team from the Little Bit Ranch)
Thanks Zenny and Dottie, as always!
On yesterday’s post, someone gave us a link to watch John’s training with Ebby and, forgive me, another horse I cannot remember his name. Anyway, I was hooked instantly. I wrote down John’s “handle” on You Tube but I searched and now am working now to get back there. I would love more of that. I am sure we all would. First, a big thanks to John for sharing. I want to follow him. Dottie, any advice on this?
Dona
@Charlotte Farmer – Thanks for the update and what a great idea to donate to Old Friends. I hope the plan goes through, sounds like a great solution. A good friend’s grand daughter has been following your progress and I can’t wait to call her tomorrow and give her the latest. She’s the one that coined “love wagon. Jan told her they would jump on your band wagon because it was a labor of love. Becca said “no gram, bands march, they don’t need a wagom. The lady loved Noor. It’s a love wagon.” Kids, aren’t they something?
Signofthetimes
@Charlotte
Thanks for finding Goldi’ s size. I just could not
Find the link. She looked small compared to her
competitors but very quick. She is such a talented
Miler!!!! Her and Zenny would never compete. Two
Very different talented mares, but ran parallel with each
Other. RA and Zenny have paved the way for mares
Breaking records in the US and Goldi is their European
Counterpart.
Signofthetimes
Oh Yes !!
Charlotte, count me in on a donation for Noor.
What a valiant effort on your part to make all
This happen for him.
Signofthetimes
Just watched a video of Todd Plectcher horse
At Ascot. What beautiful British countryside for
Them to train in. No wonder Master of Hounds was
Overstimulatef at Belmont. So different from “home”.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood (CA)
@ ALL ~ DRF link with video of Goldi’s race:
http://www.drf.com/news/ascot-canford-cliffs-wears-down-goldikova-queen-anne
Susan in TN
Hi, Z friends! It’s very late in the day and I just got caught up on all the wonderful, informative, interesting, funny, heartfelt posts. Thank you to all for your concern about Lou (and my daughter!)-he had a good day, I think. No vomiting and energy better. He still has the facial paralysis but otherwise seems pretty good. Fortunately, I’ve been able to give good reports to my daughter, so that has helped immensely-thank you all for asking about her, as well.Actually, I think this will be a better post if I do it in the a.m.-I am not a night person!
Good night and warm wishes to all-
Marshall (girl's name)
Hi, Sweet Queen! Thanks for the photo of the great trio! At Barn 55, right? So glad you are doing well and hope your Kentucky weather was as beautiful today as ours here in North Carolina – no awful humidity! Yay!!
@Susan in TN: Hope sweet Lou is continuing to improve. Do keep us updated, please. All the Best!
Marshall (girl's name)
@Susan in TN: Your post came in as I was writing mine! Glad to hear about Lou and your daughter, too! Take care and pleasant dreams, Goodnight!
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Best you get some rest. Hope Lou continues to improve. Hugs, J.B.
Jamie
Trail of the Painted Ponies who make horse figurines has a competition happen where you can vote for your favorite design to become a new pony…. there is a fabulous Zenyatta design. Vote for her! and show your love. If the design wins you can buy a Zenyatta figurine.
http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/artists/competitions/competition-artists-choice/
Hope the link works
JSmith
Happy Birthday to Macho Mucho Man on Weds. He will finally turn 3. I think he is the youngest horse ever to be in the Triple Crown Races, not 100% sure on that. I know a lot of you were touched by his story during the Triple Crown so thought u may like to wish him H.B. if u r on facebook. I am going to make a little donation in honor of his birthday, since he has followed in Z’s footsteps and raised awareness for causes. I did ask him what his fav charities are, if he doesn’t post any, I will pick one of Zenyatta’s that were the topic of a diary post a while back.
Trina Nagele
@Goldikova Fans: What I heard on TVG was that Goldie’s jockey first weighed in one pound overweight, then went and changed into different boots and weighed in TWO pounds overweight. Many think that two pounds would be equivalent to the margin of her loss. The jockey was fined, they said, especially because he made the change after people had already placed their bets. WOW! What do you think?
@Terry Crow—How could you think that you and the other gentlemen who post here might not be included in the D-Day event? OF COURSE YOU ARE! It’s not a for-ladies-only kind of thing—-it’s for everyone who wants to show Dottie how much they appreciate her (but you have to e-mail Karen Gogue with your contact info so she can get back to you OFF-SITE about how you can participate). Changing the topic, thanks for your great story of audacious deception(on Entry #271)! Reminds me of Rosie Ruiz in the 1980 Boston Marathon.
@Susan in TN—How great that you got to see Monty Roberts, the “other” horse whisperer! And, yes, he has helped horses with all sorts of issues. Best wishes to your daughter Beth on her exam and to her dog Lou for complete recovery.
@Shari Voltz—Hope your test gives you good results.
@Especially Horses—“Zakar:” Great name, great meaning. Good find!
Kathy Kimber
Zeny love the photo what beautiful legs you have I’d know you anywhere.
@Terry Crow you are absolutely to be included in D-Day e-mail Karen with your info. Her e-mail address is on Post 271 Any of you guys should be there so please e=mail her.