Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #129

Well, Hello Everyone!

I know it is Sunday and I hope you are all having a relaxing day. I am. I just wanted to share with you a YOUTUBE Sarah did of me. I’m really stretching my legs out in the snow and starting to feel wonderfully comfortable in my new paddock. She has it set to music. Be sure to notice my marvelous dance steps! I’m still being hand-walked…as it is chilly and they do not want me to do too much…like ‘take off’ and slide in the snow. I am having GREAT FUN!



I am also nice and cozy with my friends in the barn when it is too chilly or rainy outside. My racing plates were removed on Thursday. My feet feel fabulous!

Keeneland sent me a large gift bucket of carrots and mints. How generous of them! There is enough here for everyone in my barn. We are one very happy group!

I also have 2 other people at the barn who work with me. I’d like to introduce you to them…Craig and Gieremo. So, lucky me…5 wonderful people here looking after me every single day. Charles, Todd and Andy send their regards to all of you as well.

David stops by quite often. He called Dottie yesterday afternoon while he was here petting me. He just sent the Moss’ a text update. It is wonderful that we are ALL able to keep in touch so often. (Gotta’ love all of this modern technology!) John is now home in CA with all of my other Barn 55 Friends…but we are keeping in close contact. He knows what I am doing every single moment and shares the updates with Mario, Steve, Carmen and his entire crew! He played the video for them at the barn….and they all loved it! My dancing is still such a BIG HIT with everyone! I guess it all started with my rather musical name…ZENYATTA! When spoken out loud, it really has quite a nice rhythm to it!

Enjoy your day!
With love,
Hugs~
Z

Reader Interactions

186 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Queen-Z & Team-Z (old & new), Thanks for introducing your new friends to your devoted fans.
    I, for one, love you all, for taking such good care of our beautiful, “Dancing Queen-Z”, and keeping in-touch with all of us.
    Wishing you all the very BEST of this lovely Holiday Season !! Fondly, OraJean

  3. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta,
    I’m writing this with a slightly heavy heart. It has been over a month since your spectacular
    run in the Breeders Cup Classic and your subsequent retirement. I read your diary posts every
    day. While I am beyond happy for you to move on the next stage of your life, I can’t help but
    feel a sense of emptiness that has left me puzzled. I’m hoping that by writing to you, I can help
    fill some of the void that I have felt in my heart.
    I have been a fan of the great sport of horse racing for many years. Ever since I was 11 years old.
    I have watched good horses come and go. I got to see the great Cigar in person twice, which until you came along,
    was the highlight of my life. There are great highs and lows in this game. I have felt the sting of disappointment
    many a time. And while certain events have left me a little jaded, it is the wonderful things
    that happen in this sport that keep me going; that remind me that a magnificant horse and the people who
    love her can change your life.
    I know that I’m not just speaking for myself when I say that it has been a privledge and an honor to have
    wintessed your amazing 3 seasons on the racetrack. There have been many doubters over the years, many questions as to
    whether you truly are one of the greatest ever. But to your fans and the people who have been touched by your beauty,
    athelticism, and desire to win there is no question. And for me, it was never about the unbeaten record,
    the races or the money. It was about what you did for the sport, and for every individual who rooted you on
    and celebrated every win.
    The 2009 Breeders Cup Classic was the most amazing experience I have had. The amount of people who were there to
    support you was like nothing I had ever seen. Everywhere I went, there were strangers who struck up conversations
    because of you. I literally FELT the electricity in the air. When the gates opened and you passed the stands for the
    first time FAR behind the others, myself and everyone around me were literally holding our breaths. Knowing the sport
    so well and knowing that there is never a real “sure thing”,I must admit I thought you were left with far too much to do. And then around the turn you came, those huge strides
    eating up the ground. The moment we all realized you had swung to the outside and were coming like a freight
    train, the grandstand erupted and I couldn’t even hear the call. I just remember seeing your mane and tail flying,
    your patented explosive rush bringing you under the wire first. I had seen history, and beauty, and joy. Complete
    strangers were hugging and screaming and crying. It was beautiful bedlam. And I realized at that moment, with tears
    streaming down my face, that it had nothing to do with an unbeaten record. It was at THAT moment that I truly understood
    how you had transcended the sport. This world has so many divisions, so much that keeps all of us seperated. Happy
    and content in our own lives. But for those two minutes, we were all united. All cheering with ONE voice for a hero.
    OUR hero. And for every race after that, it didn’t matter if you won our lost. We made friends, we laughed, we made
    signs and fan clubs, we celebrated every win together. Whether we lived in California or Kentucky. Whether we were
    young or old. You brought us all together. You revived a sport and you made us all remember who we REALLY were.
    We miss you more than you can ever know. Nothing lasts forever and it was with a note of sadness that we said our
    goodbyes. I don’t know if the sport will ever be the same for me. I can’t watch a horse race without tears in my eyes.
    I can’t put my finger on it, but I simply think that while you were never MY horse, a little piece of you belonged to
    everyone. And it’s hard let that go. Perhaps one day I will be able to hear the sound of hoofbeats, and hear the roar
    of a crowd and not feel a little pain in my heart. Maybe one day I will return to the sport with the same passion
    that I had for you. I guess right now it’s just a little fresh and leaves me a little raw.
    Lastly, I just wanted to say thank you. Not just from me but from the countless fans who I have talked to on
    YouTube, and on forums. On the racetrack or even in a coffee shop. I was not the only who was touched by your fearlessness
    and beauty. The stories are endless. Thank you for reminding us of the important things. For bringing people together
    and for sharing your talent with the world. Thank you to your whole team for keeping you happy and healthy and for bringing
    you back to share with us one last year. It was a great ride Queen Z!! My husband asked me if a horse can really change your
    life and the answer is…she already has.

    With much love,

    Jessica Harris

  4. / Reply

    Hey, Kathryn: You are right – a great article fully explaining the scope of a horse’s vision. I learned this early-on when I first had a horse and then much, much better when I ran a boarding stable for a number of years. Each horse, especially the new ones, must be approached slowly and with caution until they recornize the things that make you “you”, the sound of your steps, the tone of your voice and, most importantly, your smell. Once they have that, you can relax a little with them. It’s easy to understand why Charles shied away from Z in one of the first videos of her at the LE barn. He wasn’t being mean, just cautious. What a difference now, in today’s video, that she recognizes him and has his scent and sound. Makes me happy. Our girl is settling in a bit. I still can’t wait until she is turned loose in a paddock, of course with people there to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself. I hope they will take video of that. I still think one of the first things she will do is roll, roll, roll.

  5. / Reply

    Oh, Zennie! I LOVE the new video of you getting and giving sweet kisses at LE. They have indeed fallen in love with you. Who wouldn’t? I can’t wait to see you running free in the paddock…hope it’s soon.

  6. / Reply

    Dear Jessica Harris: When Hemingway was in Paris, and blocked after some success, he reminded himself to ‘just write one true sentence.’ Thank you for those you left here, written from the heaviness and empty place somewhere near your heart. All your true sentences may not yet have filled that void of yours, or lightened your heart. They did wonders for mine. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Kathryn Cogswell.

  7. / Reply

    Dear Sharon Call & All: The other great thing someone showed led to the video [bloodhorse.com] of Giacomo at Adena Springs Farm, where Mr. Bill Drury, the Stallion Manager, is commending the Mosses and Shirreffs on his upbringing and endearing, magnetic personality. It is too cute when he says that Giacomo plays games with them when it’s time to bring him in, so they have to turn their backs on him, let HIM come to them and put his head over their shoulder — then they go in. He also says he’s heard good things about Giacomo’s foals. That video is from a couple of years ago???

  8. / Reply

    That video on FB with Charles is the cutest thing ever. Z is one sweet horse. My goodness. I can’t stop watching that nuzzle! Charles is awfully cute, too. :>

  9. / Reply

    Each time I see a HOY article I try to send an email to the author. Last article was in drf talking about ‘precedents’ which would lead to Blame as HOY. I wrote something like this…
    No point in all the arguments for HOY. Right now there are no specific rules against which to measure Horse of the Year so there is no OBJECTIVE right or wrong choice. Don’t you think there should be some consideration given to the manner in which a horse performs and the spirit it exemplifies? Zenyatta actually seems happy to run and happy to be alive. She runs with great joy and elan–with virtually NO cropping. She has extraordinary talent and an extraordinary team. They kept her safe for years! This should be encouraged, fostered and HONORED. What’s wrong with establishing new precedents for HOY? In addition to all the usual discussions, add some recognition for things that matter long term to the racing community, the fans and the horses themselves.
    Suzanne
    ps To people who vote on HOY…
    If you got to KEEP the horse of the year, would you vote for Blame or Zenyatta?

  11. / Reply

    DEAR QUEEN ZENYATTA, YES YOUR NAME SOUNDS LIKE MUSIC TO EVERYONES EARS. YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATURE I HAVE EVER SEEN. GOD BLESS YOU AND THE NEW FOLKS WHO ARE TAKING CARE OF YOU. I WILL LEARN THEIR NAMES EVENTUALLY. AND TELL ALL OF YOUR FOLKS IN CA, THANK YOU FOR LOVING AND CARING FOR YOU SO MUCH. OXOXOXO

  12. / Reply

    Jin is an idiot! The Moss’ doo’t need the money from ZEN’S foals or races and if she ran as a 7 year old in April and got hurt then who would you blame Jim??!!?

  13. / Reply

    Look at you struttin your stuff Z! No One would ever know that you have 2 left feet! haha! Wow you look so much taller when you stand so tall with your ears pricked up! Your absolutely gorgeous! And I’m really happy to see you’re liking your new home! Love you Zenyatta!

  14. / Reply

    Loved the video. Who are you strutting for now? The camera, the horses in the nearby field? For your own expression of Zen-ness? For me, the HOY debate is beside the point. You are the horse of the Decade, the Horse of the Century! And I know YOU know it. That one winner’s circle you didn’t get to stand could never diminish your greatness, especially after we got to see your never before displayed high gear. Absolutely mindblowing. Every time I watch the video of the race, I think they must have digitally altered your stretch run. But no, that was seeing your true quality for the first time!

  15. / Reply

    There is nothing like a video to see how Queen Z is feeling. With her shoes pulled she looks like she is not even a little tender footed, great news for when she takes her first trip around the paddock by herself! Thanks for the info about gaining access to Facebook, we can’t get enough of Special Z. Read an article by Andrew Beyer on DRF, didn’t agree with any of his thoughts on HOY. Really enjoy reading Steve Haskin BH about how he wasn’t going to write so many articles on Z and the next day he has a new article! Love the video’s they really let us see how Z is doing.

  16. / Reply

    Hey Big Z,
    These posts make me so incredibly happy. What a Dancing Queen you are. So unique and one of a kind. You are the most beautiful creature God ever created!!! I can’t wait to see you off your lead in the paddock. Please put a video of it on your website. You take your time with that and be safe. Love always, Lori

  18. / Reply

    Just LOVE the videos and photos and especially these notes! Zenyatta dear, your aluminum racing plates came off the day before your retirement was official and were replaced with Size 7 steel shoes … I remember that from Diary Post 8. You’ll love being barefoot, just make sure you don’t step on any stones while your hoof is still adapting and tender. Don’t go batty while waiting for the snow to melt and ground to firm up so you can RUN BABY RUN!!!

  20. / Reply

    Dear Zenny beautiful girl, it would be impossible for me to love you any more than I already do. My heart breaks from the weight of the love I have for you. You look great dancing in the snow and Charles loves you like we do..wow..that was fast! LOL. It just doesn’t take long to fall in love with you, Miss Wonderful. I hope John, Mike, and Mario are surviving. They talk about the day had to come, and the next one and stuff like that but they are torn up without you just like the rest of us. I always have and always will pray for your health and safety every day. God sent you to us to make a difference in our lives and you have fulfilled his wish. I have tried to meet you so many times and something always blocks my way:( I’m hoping to come see you at LE some day. That will be my wish. Stay warm my darling. Loving you always, Tammi

  24. / Reply

    Well it looks as if youre full of yourself Miss Lady Z. They better get ya out of that stall more often or they’re really going to have their hands full!!
    Keep that spirit of yours! I hope they make ya happy somehow out there off of the track.

  27. / Reply

    Thank you so much for these diary postings. It is wonderful to see your new home. It is beautiful and you are clearly loved and well taken care of. Enjoy your new role.

  28. / Reply

    Excellent video & music! I really enjoyed the footage of Zenyatta & Charles with the music by Liza. My feet were tapping to the wonderful lyrics & tune. Thank you so much, Sarah, for allowing us to see Zenyatta. Liza, I love the song you wrote & dedicated to Zenyatta. Hope to read & see lots more of our beautiful queen!

  29. / Reply

    Zenyatta; yes, musical in heart. From head to toe you separate yourself from any other. I am glad you are still dancing!! I know you are happy when you dance. Everytime I see you dance I fill up with joy; can’t help but smile!!! Just don’t slip on that white stuff to hurt yourself. love

  30. / Reply

    Thanks Zenyatta…..you are the greatest…the video gave me goose bumps. So good to see you and we will miss watching you race. All the best to you always!

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