Dear Friends,
In life, one may experience so many emotions for a great number of reasons. Today, I am feeling such a sense of GRATITUDE as I’m hearing all of the reports from Louisville in relation to their very strong storm last evening.
From this morning’s updates, last night they had tornado warnings in Louisville. The National Weather Bureau alerted this area the storm’s path was in line with the University of Louisville and Churchill Downs. As this is the middle of the racing meet at Churchill, the barn area had approximately 1400 horses based there as well as backstretch workers in residence. I’m not sure of the numbers for the University, their grounds and housing etc.
At about 8:10 in the evening the storm hit Louisville. As you can see from this photo MY JOHN took while we were there last Breeders’ Cup, the University is very close to the race track. Per Darren Rogers, the Churchill Downs publicist, “9 barns were damaged to some degree and the Track Chapel. They were barn numbers 5, 21,22,23,24,25,26,28 and 40.” (I know this backside well. I stayed in the barn located somewhat behind these when I was there. I walked around this area and these barns each day while preparing for the Breeders’ Cup.) “NO backstretch workers or horses were hurt,” per his report….”but the strong storm did create significant damage.”
Without a doubt, everyone is extremely GRATEFUL to the Louisville Fire Department, their Metro Police, the local Gas and Electric Company and The Downs personnel for all of their work, help and guidance to these people and horses during this time.
I’m also hearing via additional reports from the DRF and The Bloodhorse that Rogers Beasley from Keeneland is working with Churchill to offer stalls for the horses and housing for the workers at this race course. Keeneland is in Lexington…so that is about an hour or so trip from Louisville. Sallee Van Company is working with Keeneland to coordinate the transport of the horses and workers during this time.
It is amazing to ME the different things that can happen so quickly….in a moment or so…and then suddenly change the path or direction of one’s life. One minute, these horses are quietly in their stalls resting, the workers enjoying their lives…and the next minute things are in such a completely different state.
All of this simply reminds ME for the zillionth time, one must really ENJOY and APPRECIATE each MOMENT! You simply do not know what will happen in the future!
Blessings to ALL at this time who are dealing with the results of this storm. I am so GRATEFUL that we are hearing NO ONE WAS HURT…either human or horse! This is truly something to be THANKFUL for today!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Vicki
THANK YOU Zenny for the update…I read the reports last night an prayed for you and your friends…so GREAT to hear you’re safe and no human nor horse injuries at Churchill..take care we love you so much
Pam Zacek,
I am glad all is okay, we went thru that up here in Mass, so true, one minute, your all relaxed and the next chaos, thank God all horses and humans, okay, God bless Amen, glad you are okay Zenthis weather is crazy lately,
Lori K
MY DEAREST ZENNY, I AM SO GLAD THAT THE HORSES AND HUMANS WERE NOT HURT. I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT. I AM SO GLAD YOU WERE NOT HURT. GODBLESS EVERYONE. I LOVE YOU Z YOU ARE THE BEST. XOXOXO…..
sandra gomez
These storms are frightening, Zenyatta. We have had alot here in the midwest! I totally believe in the term…’ Live each day like it is your last.. cuz it could be”!! I am glad know human or horses were hurt either. It is really kind of Keeneland to house horses and Sallee to haul them. People need to help each other out in times of disasters like these. Glad you and little Bernie is o.k. God Bless you, Zenyatta!!
Sharman
Thank you so much Dottie and Z for sharing this information, we must all feel so blessed that no human or horse was hurt in this storm. Life is so unpredictable, thanks so much for keeping us all informed as I was very worried for everyone involved. Love You all!!!! Hugs to Z and Team Z, and thanks so much for all the education you share with us and all the news you keep us posted about. It means SO MUCH to SO MANY of us!!! Thanks from the bottom of my heart !!! :) HUGS AGAIN
Brenda
Thank you Zenny for supplying the barn numbers and good news! I was up late last night/early this morning (in Atlanta) waiting for the latest updates, and praying for good news. We have such amazing memories (and pictures) of you backside at CD gazing at Gina’s beautiful poster of you soaring over the Twin Spires with your boots, blue eye-shadow and that perfectly coiffed mane. You have and continue to have such a positive influence on so many lives. Thank you Dottie and Zenny!
Trisha Veazey
Thank all that’s holy that no horses or people were hurt. I hope that Lane’s End has a safety facility for you and your friends.
Keep safe gorgeous girl
Love, hugs and kisses
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, thank you so much for the news, glad no one was hurt. I am so glad the horses have already found a temporary home. Glad you are safe. At 8:10 last night I was watching TV and babying my canine baby, Lucy…I had no idea. Thankful that everyone (horses and all) are unhurt and safe. I love you, Big Girl, Lisa g.
Selene McCarthy
Gratitude is the order of every day! Thank God no one was seriously injured. This is my biggest fear when I know severe weather approaches our barn. Love to you Zenyatta and Dottie and John.
peace, love and carrots and calm sunny days,
Selene
Nancy
Thank you so much for the update. We are all so concerned for the safety and well-being of all people and horses at Churchill Downs.
Nancy
Thank you so much for the update. We are all so concerned for the safety and well-being of all people and horses at Churchill Downs.
Terry Crow
@Sandra Gomez–In a previous post you mentioned that you were in the horse business as a groom and handler for quite some time. Persons such as yourself are the unsung heroes of the industry. Who was the best horse that you have been in contact with?
Cheryl Smith
Very glad you all are ok! So far have not heard of any injuries to anyone human or horse! Take care and thanks for all the updates.
suew
Zenny and Dottie, once again you come forth with a reinforcing calmness amid chaos. I really appreciate this post, especially since I also heard of severe weather in Louisville yesterday and was very concerned for any horses and humans in it’s path. How I would love a “video chat” with you two. It would be out of this world to see and hear you two gals talking with us. The diary is a blessing to so many. Thanks for another uplift on a worrysome day.
Sue Fredrick
Hi Big Mama,
Wow so glad to hear all the people and horses are okay and accounted for after the tornado or storms hit. We are always so concerned for your welfare and all the horses in Kentucky, wonder if you have an underground area they take you to?
@Charlene Crumpton – thank you for the link to Reckless’s fan page from yesterdays post, I went and joined her fan base and will send a donation in Z’s name for the statue they want to erect. They are also trying to get a movie made of this brave little horse which will remind people of all that horses have done for us in the past. Such noble creatures they are!!
Luv you Z and kisses on your nose
Pat Cannon
I live just 10 miles from the track & I can tell y’all that it was indeed scary. Thank you Zenny for keeping everyone updated not only on your pregnancy but on the storm that hit Churchill last night.
Carole Vance
So glad you and all are okay, both at Lane’s End and at the Downs. God had all the people and horses in his arms at that track last night. You take care, Sweet Angel and be safe. We love You!!!!
Janie
I’m so glad everyone is okay at Churchill Downs. There have been so many bad tornadoes this year and so many close calls – more so than usual, it seems. Stay safe and sound, Zenyatta, in your part of the state. And thank you for filling us in on the details.
JeanneO
Heard about this last evening…I was saying my prayers for all humans and equines involved. Let’s all hope that the reports are true that no one was hurt.
Misty
I had no idea this happened at Churchill Downs. I’m so thankful nobody was hurt. I’m in Virginia right now and we had a severe storm the other night. It took the roof off one of our sheds, but the barn survived with no damage – which is where my Treasure is stabled. Thank God he spared lives all around during the storms!
Sharon in Seattle
after seeing a few pictures of the damage and knowing the terrible power of a tornado, it is a relief to know that humans and horses alike are safe.
Patti in Carlsbad
GOOD AFTERNOON, DEAR ZENYATTA,
IT IS SO COMFORTING TO KNOW NOT A PERSON NOR HORSE HAS BEEN INJURED AT CHURCHILL. WE ALL HAD A GREAT SCARE. HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE SAFE IN LEXINGTON.
OUR THOOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
Pat Beck
My first thoughts were of you, darling Z, when I read of the terrible weather in KY. Glad you’re fine, glad everyone at CD is ok. Love you always.
Rosemarie Cola
Thanks for the update, Z and Dottie.
Glad all is well with everyone and please know you and all in Kentucky are in our hearts and minds.
Ann Maree
Hi, Z,
Praying for all to be made right at Churchill very soon…thanks for the update…while we get a lot of info online, it is comforting when we get it from “the horse’s mouth”, so to speak (LOL) and we can separate fact from fiction. So glad your home where you are missed any damage. Want to keep you and your “baby bump” safe and comfortable!
Big hugs. Ann Maree
Kim J
So true Z (and D)! The National Weather Service is touring Chuchill today and estimates it was an EF2 that hit those barns. That said, it truly IS a MIRACLE no human nor horse was hurt or killed. Those 9 barns are so badly damaged that they will be demolished. Apparently because they are older barns with hay and straw in the loft area the horses had that extra protection. WHEW!
Liz Gooch
I spend a lot of time backside at Churchill and am going there Sat. and Sun. I have heard from one friend there that said the damages are scary but no one was hurt and no horses were loose, which had been rumored.
Jenna
No kidding.
Debbie
hi Z! YOU are in my thoughts and prayers always but especially when I hear news like this, I thought of YOU immediately and I’m so happy YOU are ok and I’m glad ALL are ok… how scary for them! YOU are so right, we have to enjoy and appreciate each and every moment!!! LOVE YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Susan in TN
Thank God everyone is okay- unbelievable. What a fantastic job to keep all those horses safe and contained. So scary. That’s my biggest fear when we have storm warnings-the horses.