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
Keely
Oh my! I just saw the pictures that CD posted on Facebook! It’s a miracle no one was hurt! It’s so heartwarming the way the equine community really stepped up to help. Thinking of all of you out there in KY. Please stay safe Miss Z!
judy berube
Dear Trina Nagele:
Here goes http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63695/churchill-downs-miracle-no-one-was-hurt Hugs, J.B.
Gloria Jeanne
Hi Zenny and Dottie for the update – I was very worried about you last night, and keep looking everywhere for updates. I am thankful no humans or horses were hurt either. You are so right to enjoy every moment to the fullest as it can all be taken away in a flash. Please stay safe and always know just how speical you are to me and so many others.
Thank you Dottie for the update!!!
Sharyn
I heard about it last night on the news and am so thankful that no one was hurt. How far from Churchill Downs is Lane’s End?
Gloria Jeanne
http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-courageous-cat-due-shoemaker-mile
This is a little note about “E” and Mike Smith yesterday. Enjoy
Roberta Smith
God Bless everyone in the area of the tornado. I am so glad no person or horses got hurt. Thank you God!
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, I heard about this on the news last night. I’m glad all are okay. That is such good news and a big relief. Like so many others here, I thought of you and your friends at Lanes End.
You are right, we need to enjoy and appreciate each moment. They are all precious and you never know what will happen in the future.
I probably don’t say this often enough, but I want to thank Dottie for all her hard work in keeping Zenyatta a part of our lives, to Zenny herself for being such an amazing being, and to everyone here in this wonderful community for sharing in the Zenyatta love. This community is very special and I look forward to my daily visits. Thanks everyone for bringing so much enjoyment to my life!
Love to all,
Leslie
Brooke (From Mrs.Voltz class)
Hey Zenyatta. I hope you are having a wonderful Summer!!! I am. I going outside to play with my friends soon.Mrs. Voltz is porbley coming to ride Dusty with me soon.My friend move back to Kentucky :). But I told her you live there. She move to Lexington (But the city part). You live in the Country part. I miss her soooooo much.Hopefuley she will meet you one day.I hope you have a AWESOME day. And enjoy your Summer. XOXO. Love Brookie :)
Brooke (From Mrs.Voltz class)
I put a smiley face. Sorry :(
LOl!
Pattie in Pickens, SC
Dear Zenny: It was a wild night in South Carolina as well. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father that everyone is ok. It makes you realize how quickly things can happen in life & we need to appreciate every moment we have & LOVE one another. Have a Beautiful Day :)
Randy
Thank goodness everyone is safe. And thank you for reminding us of such a valuable life lesson… to cherish each and every moment. Sometimes it’s easy to forget to do that. Love you Zenny (and you too Dottie).
Cathy Marshall
Thank God everyone is safe and sound. I live in Tennessee. and we got slammed pretty hard too. Mother Nature can be so mean at times. Thanks to you Zenny and Dottie for that update. Love ya, Zenny!
sherry drish
I AM SO SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE AND HORSES. STORMS ARE VERY SCARY TO US EVEN WHEN WE HAVE WARNINGS,IMAGINE THE FRIGHT OF THE HORSES. I HOPE EVERYONE COMES OUT SAFE AND NO SCRAPES. LIFE IS A GIFT. ZENNIE AND DOTTIE THANKS FOR THE UP DATES AND JOHNS PHOTOS. LOVE TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Thank you for the update. A miracle that no one (equine or human) was hurt.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Judy Berube — BRAVA!
Rhonda Clements
Thank God no one was hurt, but I worry all the time about where you live in regards to the weather, how bad it is getting and these horrible tornadoes that just pop up with little warning scares me to think about it. I hope nothing like this comes near you sweet girl, what would we all do if anything happened to our Queen Z? We love you all stay safe and happy!
Kiki Sim
I am so sorry for what happened. I am glad you
Told us, otherwise I would not have known!
Keep is updated in everything!!
Love ya My Queen!
-the one YOU informed
Debbie
I heard about this on the CA news this morning. I am so glad that everyone was safe and sound with little damage. You are so right in realizing that each moment is a gift. This has been a huge year for natural disasters.There are many people who still need our help. Stay safe sweet Z. We love you!!
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Gloria Jeanne — Thanks for the link. Great that Mike Smith was up for Eblouissante’s work yesterday. Loved John’s description that Mike’s reaction was “like a kid with a new car.”
Cheryl
SO glad YOU are OK!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Just heard that there is a current tornado watch for Lexington.
J CULBERSON
Thank you GOD for watching over all the Families and Horses at Churchhill Downs for all of us. Thank you Zenyatta and Dottie for your important post and letting us know how things are around the barns and all the people helping.
Hayley
Oh yes the storms were horrible last night, I live in Northern Kentucky and it was just as bad up here. Thankfully, no one got hurt! I’m glad that no track workers or horse get injured! God Bless The The Sherriff’s Family, The Mosses and especially Zenyatta! <3
~Love from your neighbor in Kentucky!
Charlotte Farmer
@Terry Crow – I want you to know that I love your jokes. It lightens things and makes a person smile.
@Donation for Noor – Old Friends Equine, 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324. Make sure that somewhere you state that the money is designated for “Noor.”
@Diana S – I love your idea. Back in September, when I thought we had a place for Noor, I mapped out a route and checked with each state’s weigh stations just to make sure I would have no surprises. At Iowa’s border, I spoke with a wonderful lady who said I should have no problems and add this, “It will be an honor to have him pass through our state.” In Illinois a Lieutenant gave me his state cell number and said, “If you have any problems call me and I will take care of things for you.” Each responded warmly after hearing Noor’s story just as you, as fans of Zenyatta, have.
Here is a list of the states that we will be passing through: Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and then into Kentucky.
Here is the route unless someone knows a shorter route:
(CA-20/I-80 Grass Valley, CA to Salt Lake City, UT) –
(I-80 Salta Lake City, UT to North Platte, NE) –
(I-80/I-29 – North Platte, NE to St. Louis, MO) –
(I-70/I-64 St. Louis, MO – Mt. Vernon, IL) –
(I-64 Mt. Vernon, IL on to Georgetown, KY)
@Calls – I have received, to date, 4 calls asking where to send donations. Each one has been so excited to help with this cause. With each call I share information about Noor. Three of them gave me their e-mail addresses so that I could send pictures of him along with more in-dept information about his life.
@Archeologists – One of the calls was from a lady name Erin who not only wanted to contribute but also ask permission to be there as an archeologists, her background, to help identify what we would be looking at and making sure we leave nothing behind. She also was to document it.
@Jeff Pelline – He has been a Noor champion from way back and I cannot say enough good things about Jeff. He was editor for the Grass Valley Union and then left and started his own business there in Nevada City, CA. He has a blog site and reports news on what is happening in the Sierra Nevada’s. We spoke, yesterday, and he posted the following to his site: “Scoop: Noor headed to resting place for a champ — in Kentucky, not Grass Valley.” Here is an excerpt from Jeff in the response section of his Blog: “I also have met trainer John Shirreffs, who has expressed his fondness of the Ranch and Noor. Most important to me, we know Dr. Peek, the local vet who put Noor down. We talked at length about Noor. “It was like saying goodbye to a very famous person,” he told me. “The man is a real pro and compassionate.” “I hope all these people can be present when Noor’s remains are exhumed.”
If anyone is interested in the entire story go to: http://sierrafoothillsreport.com/2011/06/22/scoop-noor-headed-to-resting-place-for-a-champ-%e2%80%94-in-kentucky-not-grass-valley/#comments
@Churchill Downs – Mother Nature has her own agenda and I am glad that no one, not horse or human, was hurt, and that the twin spirals were not damage. I understood, from the news that horses were running lose. I am sure that they were traumatized. I too worried about Zenyatta, but was relieved to learn that it was not near Lanes End. Yes, as you pointed out, we need to appreciate each day and the blessings that come with it. I cannot say it too many times how much I love you and those that post to your site. Thank you Dottie, you are one of a kind just like the lady herself!
LauraJ
@Everyone who asked, FYI, Lane’s End is about 60 miles as the crow flies from Churchill Downs, east and a little south.
Sue Fredrick
Zen, just heard on the news there are tornado warnings out for Lexington, I hope you beauties are all in a safe and sound area! Will pray for your safety.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
Hi Zenny! I loved this article about your sister, Ebby and YOU MIKEY.
This is what YOUR JOHN had to say about Mike’s ride:
Shirreffs described Smith’s reaction, as “like a kid with a new car.” TOO CUTE!!
http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-courageous-cat-due-shoemaker-mile
———–
HUGS & KISSES, MY DEAR QUEEN XOXOXOXO
Annie
Dottie, thank you for the Churchill Downs update. We are truly thankful for precious moments and for a precious horse with the cutest of ears.
Lauren
Dear Zenny – We truly have to count our blessings each day!! Thank you for keeping us informed. I am so happy that no one was hurt. I hope you are safe and happy. Have a blessed day beautiful girl. Say hi to Dottie for me. Hugs and kisses.
Louise Castello
My first thoughts were of you, Zenyatta, as well. So thankful there were no injuries. I know the poor horses were frightened and am so very thankful all is well. Keep your beautiful self and little one safe. You are loved!