Hello Everyone,
It has been a very exciting morning. The final bid on the Breeders’ Cup Experience and a VISIT WITH ME was $11,200. I’d like to THANK and CONGRATULATE J. D. SWEENEY from SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, for this generous bid. These funds will go a long way to support and assist the V FOUNDATION in their efforts on behalf of cancer research.
I can’t wait to meet the Sweeney Party and personally thank them for their wonderful outpouring of support for this worthwhile cause.
It was interesting to listen to all of the updates on “Mike and Mike in the Morning”. Dottie got up quite early CA TIME so she could do so. Then during part of the program…which was hosted by Brian Kenney and Bob Valvano (Jimmy V’s brother)…they replayed a portion of a very famous speech Jimmy gave 7 weeks before his passing. It was March 4, 1993. In this inspirational speech, he introduced his concept to create the V FOUNDATION along with the assistance of ESPN.
Jimmy offered his drive, devotion to this topic, his hope, and his vision. ESPN granted their support to this endeavor via their time, money, and various efforts to enable the V Foundation to get started.
There were several key words and phrases Jimmy used repeatedly in this moving speech which can truly touch so many of us…no matter what is else is going on in our lives:
1) Each day try to LAUGH, THINK, and HAVE SOME EMOTION.
2) Be enthusiastic about things going on in your life…KEEP YOUR DREAMS ALIVE by working hard to try and make your dreams a reality.
3) Don’t give up….DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
These are certainly wonderful thoughts to reflect upon…no matter what you are doing!
I must say, I know one thing for sure. Each of these POINTS holds a very special meaning TO ME…and is also very symbolic to the way I tried to view my life and all aspects of my athletic career.
Point # 1…I really wanted to have FUN each day! I tried to make things unique and entertaining and add my own personality to the tasks at hand. I learned to dance…and did so whenever I could! I enjoyed every moment while at Barn 55 whether I was in my stall, relaxing, training or enjoying some treats while outside grazing and ‘hanging out’ with my pals. Additionally, I truly LOVED EVERY MOMENT I spent visiting with and sharing my daily activities and career with ALL OF YOU!
Point #2…I worked very hard to keep MY DREAMS ALIVE and make them a REALITY. 19 victories in a ROW! I still find this so special and have to literally pinch myself when I think about it. I was the ONE WHO DID THIS! ME, ZENYATTA!
Point # 3…This one is very dear to my heart and it definitely applied to ME during my racing career. No matter what else was going on…I always gave each task MY ALL….and I NEVER, NEVER GAVE UP!
Here’s to wishing each of you a very special day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Mary
<3
Kimberly Potter
My Beautiful Zenyatta~ There go the “Z tears” again…Exceptional post. J.D. Sweeney is one lucky person. I hope that somehow, he/she will share their experience with us.
I love you with all my heart!
~Your #1 fan in Montana!
scott a.
Big Momma Z…and Team ZENYATTA! Once Again Congrats on HOY…Yay! Be safe, Stay Healthy, and never ever give up (I know you wont).
Lisa g
@Lil in KY, hope you are feeling better. ? on #295?? to me???
Leslie
Zenny – to all of us you had 20 wins in a row!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood aka JAG
@ Leslie – I soooo agree! Zenny won 20 in a row!!!! XOXOXO
Cheryl Smith
Great and inspirational post! You are so fantastic and such a generous soul!
Marilu V
Hello Judy G.
Thank you for the link on Mr. Commons. Hope I can go to Del Mar to watch him race! Marilu
Kendra
and Little Zen will be #21. I am never giving up on the idea that some day I might meet you, Zenyatta. You are a wonderment and an inspiration.
Sharon in Seattle
what a lucky, generous person J.D. Sweeney is! And I bet he/she would bid the same amount JUST for a visit you Zenyatta!!! After all, she IS the STAR!!
Lisa g
@Lil in KY..got it. We were talking about the contests and donations, that only people with alot of money will win the best prize of all…the visit with Queen Zenyatta. Wish I could have had the money to beat this lucky winner..they get to see Zenyatta.
Karen Mitchell
Dear Zenyatta, Dottie, and all the Z teams — Thank you for another wonderful post. The heartfelt words of wisdom and strength from Jimmy V really hit home for me as well as for many other posters here who are facing hard times. Although it is difficult sometimes, I will try to live by those values, as you have done and continue to do so impressively and fully. Also, while the record books and the printed page will always say “19 wins,” the way you finished in your 20th race was beyond compare! That was very possibly your greatest effort of all.
@D.J.Sweeney- congratulations; what a fantastic reward for your generous gift. You will be in heaven this coming November.
Sharon Call
If I had enough money for this, I would have given away the tickets and hotel for BC just so I could see the Queen. Alas, Alack, not anywhere enough to bid on something like this.
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Still wish there would be some kind of contest for just the visit with our Queen for us poor folks. Maybe Dottie, our Zenyatta angel, can come up with something.
Catherine
wow Z, i enjoy reading these diary entries and come to the website daily for new posts!
i did some researching, you know that your foal with Bernie will have Secretariat as his/her great grandsire because Bernie’s damsire is Secretariat? i thought that was something special and almost as unique as you :) alas just another connection you have to the immortal stallion. Lucky you!
i wish i could go to the Breeder’s Cup, but i can never go because money is so scarce :( but one day i will, and maybe i’ll see a foal of yours winning the classic. Hopefully i can come to Lane’s End and visit you but the journey to Kentucky from Georgia is loooooong. best wishes! OH! and before I forget! Good luck to your little sister!
Terry Crow
I guess my $1.95 wasn’t enough. I feel like George, the subject of today’s joke. An old man named George lives in a little village. He is very poor and his only possession is his modest house. One day, a mysterious voice says to him “George, if you are going to be rich, you must sell your house, rent an apartment in the city and then play the rest of your cash at the races.” George is rather dubious about this, but finally decides to do as the voice commands. He sells his house, rents an apartment in the city and get ready to go to the track. He again hears the mysterious voice. “Put all of your money on horse number seven in the fourth race, ” says the voice. George does as he is instructed to do, but the horse runs last. “I’m ruined,” said George. “Why did you do this to me.?” The voice then says “You know George, I’ve never been very lucky.”
Allen
Zenyatta you are inspiration to everyone. Wonderful post. Have a great day Z.
Marty
You are so beautiful and such an inspiration.
Catherine
ahh! typo! his sire’s damsire! by bad lol
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! So true! Thank you for all you and your team do for all of us daily with your web posts! I love you Zenyatta!
Ingrid Arnone
Thank you, my adorable Zenyatta, because with your words you give me strength, and I need all the strength I can get, sometimes I think life is so hard, but when I read your Diary, I feel that life has a meaning, thank you again, love you Ingrid.
DJ
To J.D. Sweeny: CONGRATULATIONS!
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To Karen M: I so wish it was D.J. Sweeny :) I was just about to ask him if I reversed my initials I could come with!? He most likely could afford a 2fer!
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To Terry C: Thank you I love it…and don’t tell me…the winning horse was named “Angel of light?!”
Linda Deutsch
My daughter was at NC State when Jimmy Valvano’s basketball team won the championship – he was truly loved and respected, just like you, Z and all your team. Thank you for keeping his memory alive and helping this most worthwhile cause. You are all TOO CUTE and SPECIAL.
Brenda
Congratulations to J.D. Sweeney who outbid everybody else to get the best prize of all, seeing YOU! The BC won’t be the same without you DANCING QUEEN. You always demonstrated those three vital qualities and made it look so easy as you romped away, looking as if you were enjoying every minute. One day, you’ll have to teach EBBY how to dance or perhaps JOHN is already doing that.
Victoria and I are getting more excited with each day that passes – we’re wishing time away, only “seven more sleeps” until we visit Lane’s End and blow kisses to YOU. I hope that you sleeping well and that the heat and humidity isn’t bothering you and Baby Z.
Thank you Dottie for getting up before the birds so that could you let us know all about the auction. I just know that there will be very special rewards for you and nobody deserves them more.
@ West Coast Dumplings – Hope you’ve all recovered from your exciting weekend.
@Judy B – I think we need an East Coast Dumplings event. Were you thinking of Saratoga?
Hugs and Kisses Zenny.
Peg
Zee, you are one Amazing Horse!
Jan
Zenyatta,
Your inner beauty and goodness shines every day. Stay happy & healthy Big Mama. :):)
Debbie
hi Z! Congratulations DJ Sweeny!! Z, YOU are TOO CUTE for sure;) love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Sarah Powell
Congrats to Mr. Sweeney – maybe we should have all pooled our dollars and then showed up collectively at the gates! LOL Thanks for the inspiration – coincidentally, they played Jimmy V’s speech on a local sports talk radio show this morning here – very moving. You just keep giving big girl. (thanks Dottie)
Lorri
You are absolutely right Momma Z! You sure did apply those points! I am too proud of Jimmy V and his courageous battle right up until the end. I am so glad for his foundation and that you were able to help it! xoxo
Terry Crow
@Barbara Wood, Kim S and DJ-Glad you enjoyed yesterday’s and today’s joke. It is a pleasure writing them for such an appreciative audience. It does sometimes take me awhile to remember them, though. Some jokes, like I told the dumplings on Saturday, cannot be told here. My favorite is about King Arthur taking precautions regarding Guienevere before he goes on vacation. If you know that one, you are permitted to smile. @JAG and Karen Gogue-Was that a prison uniform? @Happy Harriett-As good an explanation on PCRM as could be made. I thought that Ensign’s old nemesis was back.
Tricia Clemmensen
Zenny just got to share with you that I called in this morning to inquire where the bidding was at and ALAS it was a little out of my price range at $8,100. I am so jealous of the Sweeney’s. But I am going to the BC (booked it today) and I’m hoping to come down and see you that week at Lanes End. It will certainly be the highlight of my weekend if I get to see you. Thanks so much for being the humanitarian that you are. You are just so darn special in every way. XOXOXO – Tricia