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
Sharon Call
@Terry Crow and anyone else interested. I just saw on Bloodhorse that Maragh, rider of Isn’t He Perfect, got a 10 day suspension by the stewards and if Maragh doesn’t contest the suspension, it will drop to 7 days. Excuse me, but that just seems like a one-fingered tap on the hand to me. However, I’m not a steward and not in a decision making position, so my opinion doesn’t really count to anyone but me. He potentially could have hurt three horses and riders, including himself, and I don’t believe for a minute that it “just happened”. That would mean that he wasn’t in control of his horse. Grumble, grumble, grumble – think I’ll go outside and talk to some trees.
Mary
@Cynthia H. Thanks for the great post. I keep thinking of John in his cap and tails.
@Dona – really like your idea. I have talked with several people about the same idea before. It will have a powerful impact. (We just have to be careful, because there are several places, at least here in CA, that are fronts and not charitable, at all.)
@Karen G.- will talk with you again, this afternoon. Sounds as if things are starting to hum. That is great!
Kathy Kimber
@Little Silver Charm I really enjoyed this little guys video and isn’t he full of himself what a little darling he is and a great ambassador for Old Friends
Lisa g
I started a Candle room for JO Tobin. He was the first horse I fell madly in love with. I touched him and talked to him face to face, and he was so beautiful and such a sweet, boy. He ran with his heart and soul, and it was magnificent to watch.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Eblouissante had her first(?) timed work today — 3 furlongs in 38:80 Handily at Holywood Park.
Terry Crow
@Sharon Call-I agree with you completely. 10 days possibly reduced to seven? He should have gotten at least 30. If their are no real consequences to what you do, everybody can go around saying they accept full responsibility when there are no penalties. Its meaningless. @Kari Bussell–Thank you for the kind comment.
Terry Crow
@Judy Berube and Lisa G-I love my current dog but I sure miss my old hound. Hope we are all right about being reunited when the time is right. I look forward to that, but perhaps the time isn’t quite right yet. J.O. Tobin was a top horse when he was right. When Seattle Slew came out to race at Hollywood Park he never got to within 4 lengths of JO. I can still see that race in my minds eye.
Lisa g
@Terry Crow, I had three little crates with 3 little Statues that match my 3 baby boys, my little girl is still with me, and I’ve her little statue. I know we will be reunited, rest assured you will see you ole Hound Dog..not now, you’ve too much going on for that. I watch that video with Tobin and Slew from time to time, it is incredible.
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, We surely wish Mike Good Luck in his race with Gentlemans Code. I’d like to see him win on a two year old. With Goldakovia still racing on I do hope she wins her race, she is such a nice horse and just keeps going. We will also be pulling for Frankel. I have never seen him race and good to hear he is un-defeated. How are you doing with your pregnancy? Eating alot and putting on weight? I think about you daily and wonder how it’s all going for you.Love you Zenny, stay healthy.
Sharon Call
@Terry Crow. Seems us “oldsters” think alike. We are on the same page with that.
@The Kennedys in San Diego. Where did you see the film of E in that work. I’d love to see that.
@Everyone. If you don’t have a link to Havre de Grace’s facebook page, here is it along with some awesome pic’s from the Obeah. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Havre-de-Grace/165875643468047?sk=wall
BTW, you don’t have to have a facebook account to look at the page.
Cynthia H.
@ Mary: Please keep picturing it, Mary, and maybe you can visualize it into reality!
@ lisa g: You are a person after my own heart! I, too, loved J.O.Tobin with a passion, and rank his thrilling Swaps Stakes race against Seattle Slew in my top three of all-time (personal ranking only). I wanted so desperately to see him run, I took the bus to Hollywood Park against doctor’s orders (was tooi ill to drive), having undergone a rather serious surgery for a tumor only 12 days prior. He was beautiful and magical, and I was broken-hearted when they took him away from Johnny Adams. How truly fortunate you were to have met him on-person! I love that you lit a candle for him. Hugs to you.
Cynthia H.
*top three races that I have seen in-person. This narrows the field considerably!
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
Know what you mean. We still miss our baby girl we had for 17 years. She died in 2000.
Love your stories of race horses from the past. I am not familiar with a lot of them and it’s great to learn about them. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Sharon Call:
I agree; not enough. Hugs, J.B.
Terry Crow
@Lisa G-A lot of people find it creepy, but I have my old hound’s ashes buried in my garden and I go out and leave one of her favorite treats on the ground where she is buried. I wouldn’t criticize anyone who found this to be unusual. However, I find it comforting.@Sharon Call-what’s right is right.
judy berube
To The Kennedys in San Diego:
Thanks for the info on E. Can’t wait for her first race. Hugs, J.B.
Vicki B.
@Carole — Congratulations on your #42, a close relative of my #40, which I never tire of giving a pat.
Barbara Wood
I believe we’ll see our animals again too.
Saw the article about the suspension, but no report on Nehro yet. Anyone know anything? MMM must have some of the worst racing luck in the world–losing shoes, being bumped into others, and he’s so big to be the youngest.
No one seems to have answered my questions about Zenny’s next milestone or what Dottie does as racing manager. Where is Ensign when I need him/her? LOL.
judy berube
To Judy (Maass) Garwood:
You’re welcome. I went back and lit a candle for “Little Baby Z” and one for all of my beloved pets who have gone to Rainbow Bridge. Oh, I’m tearing up. Still miss them. Hugs, J.B.
Vicki B.
@Kirren – Getting caught up, from diary 269, Congratulations on receiving bronze #47, it’s wonderful, I agree!
Lisa g
@Cynthia H, I am catching up on the previous post, left work and am home now to see a new post. It is so nice to know people remember JO Tobin. I am a very lucky girl, touching him and looking directly into those beautiful brown eyes. I looked it up a few years ago, he died at 20 years old in Mexico. I am glad he was not mistreated or anything else. What a horse.
Snoprinz
Good Luck to Mike and Goldikova. Zenny, it was nice of you to be updating us on the Royal Ascot. What a good friend you are to many in your sport. Take care and have a good sleep.
Kari Bussell
The first horse I ever loved was my horse Ginger…the first race horse was Majestic Prince..then my beloved turtle Timothy, cats Jinx & Jet…followed by my beloved dogs- Trouble, Brandon and my Once in a Lifetime dog Rambo-…I won’t name my beloved rabbits, goats, cows, bulls, pigs, and chickens..I light a candle for all of them…all race horses mentioned and I will add George Washington and my beloved Mending Fences who was put down May19, 2007 after breaking down at Pimlico in the Dixie Stakes…and all the others time has forgot…RIP- I agree with all of you who believe we will see them all again….I Dream & Imagine John Henry, Secretariat, Man O War, Seabiscuit, Barbaro, Ruffian, & Eight Belles, Ginger, Star (other horse) and Mending Fences all galloping to greet me with dogs barking, cats meowing, cows mooing, pigs oinking, and chickens crowing to the heavens….Puts a big smile on my face….Thank you Judy M Gad…..for link..
PS -I got distracted-LOL …Still need to reply to a few people…
Amanda Gilliland
Good Morning My Sweet Lady Zenyatta! That is so wonderful for Mike be riding in such a fabulous race. I wish Mikemall the best and a safe ride for he & Gentlemans Code. GC is a Beautiful horse! Zenyatta, I’ve been away becaue I lost 2 of my dogs in the same day. 17 yo. Teddy, my red
poodle,hemiescaroma ruptured & Rocky, 10y.o Rottie@ 3p.m. due to poor health.
Rocky was rescued out Of NY & enroute to Al to my house, his forever home. Just too sick to make it. I love you Zenyatta, I’m so thankful for you & what a Blessing to have this site to read about you & your life.:) It means so much to me. Sending Hugs & Kisses from Al With Love, Amanda G.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Enjoyed the 5 days of racing at Royal Ascot, on TVG and HRTV. I’m way behind on reading your Diary Updates, but I didn’t see Mike riding there!?! Hope you all had a great week.
Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
Paul
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the first day of the Royal Ascot due to having to work that day, but I heard it went pretty well. I heard that Mike Smith rode over there which I did not find out until a couple of minutes before writing this reply. I heard that he did well, too. Congratulations, Mike! Zenyatta, if you were still racing, would you consider racing in England in the Royal Ascot?