Good Morning,
I love this photo! This is my dear friend, April Mayberry, who came to visit ME while
she was in town this week for the Fasig Tipton Yearling Sale.
As many of you may know, I spent my very early training days with April and her Mom,
Jeanne, at the Mayberry’s Training Center in Ocala, Florida. Once purchased at the
September Yearling Sale, and my skin disease was cleared up, I was then able to
travel. Dottie made my vanning arrangements and I was off to Ocala to start my early
lessons with April and Jeanne.
They have literally known ME from the very beginning stages of my career.
It was with them that I learned so many of ‘the basics’ about being a race horse
and the foundation for my early lessons about equipment, riders, galloping, jogging,
and breezing down the lane was established.
I stayed with them until the beginning of May of my two year old year…and then I
was off to Barn 55! It was absolutely FABULOUS to see April and spend some time
with her! I even got to show her MY BABY BUMP! So much has happened in the
last several years since I was a ‘darling little yearling’ living in Ocala!
SUCH WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL MEMORIES!
It has really been an eventful week. This is very special! A second party contacted
the Breeders’ Cup on Wednesday afternoon and asked if they could MATCH
the $11,200 donation to the V FOUNDATION for the Breeders’ Cup Experience and
VISIT WITH ME! They really wanted to participate in all of this!
The BC emailed Dottie and told her of this request. Needless to say, we agreed to help
and were more than willing to make this happen. Thus, it is now $22,400…that
will be contributed to the V FOUNDATION for this BC Package and VISIT WITH ME!
Then yesterday afternoon, I was able to TANGO on the phone with ANN and wish her
a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She was very excited to hear from ME…and SEE ME!
During our visit, she added one request…she wanted ME to be sure and THANK ALL
OF YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY GREETINGS! She was truly touched by
ALL of your thoughtfulness!
It has really been a quite a busy and FUN week. I have so enjoyed touching base with
so many of my dear friends…and of course, MY TEAM….and ALL OF YOU!
HAPPY FRIDAY!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
DJ
To April: Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to Sweet “Z”..it shows in her eyes and yours! What a joy to be ‘face to face’ again.
………………………………….
Good luck tomorrow to the Moss’ and Shirreff’s in R2 with Moroccan Sky #3. Good luck to the Shirreff’s in R6 with #3 Nereid and #5 Star Billing. Rooting for J. Talamo and J. Rosario!
………………………………….
Sweet “Z”, So happy to hear that “your” Ann had a wonderful birthday! With thanks and gratitude for allowing us to share in her special Day! Blessing to all!
Keith Strouhal
What an awesome pic !
I hope to visit you one day and pose for a similar pic. I am sure it will make my heart race and be a treasured moment in my life.
God Bless You Queen Z and all of your team , thank you all so much !!
Trisha Veazey
How wonderful for you Zenyatta and how wonderful for April and her Mom to have been with you from the early stages and to see you progress into such a magnificent girl. You are truly a gift.
Have a great weekend all
Love hugs and kisses
Sarah Powell
Lucky April – past and present – how wonderful it would be to hug that beautiful head! We’re getting relief from the heat today along with a wonderful rain (no storms) – hope it is as pleasant in KY. Happy Friday to all! (Thanks Dottie and Sarah)
Robyn Mullhausen
Awww, such a sweet picture. April is lucky to have met you as a yearling and now as a Mommy to be. Also lucky to kiss your nose. Wish I could. You look beautiful, Zenny.
Nancy Bickford
Oh, Zenny, all these people coming to see you off and on and we haven’t even been invited to Lane’s End to see you yet. I’ved never seen you in person. I’m 63 years old, one of your “older” admirers, and I certainly hope to visit you soon before it’s too late!
Barb France
Great picture…you truly can see the love in April’s eyes she has for you Z!!! I’m glad Ann had a great Birthday!! Happy Friday to everyone too!!!
@Margot Grummon- that saying should be on a T-SHIRT!!! lol
Barbara Wood
@Nancy–hope you get well soon. Hugs.
Jeffrey
That’s very nice that April and her Mom got credit for helping you become the champion that you are. Have a nice weekend Queenie.
Lisa g
@Dona, I feel your pain, been there 3 times and do not want to return.
Cannot wait to see the Battle of the Exes, Too Cute, for sure.
Lisa g
Christine in VA, I think I read somewhere, at sometime, that Ms Zenyatta learned to dance while she was under the great care of Her John.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Hello beautiful and happy Friday to you. April looks so happy to see you again, do you remember her like you did Don.. Stay Healthy & Happy Big Mama. Kiss, Kiss.
The Kennedys in San Diego
As we recall,the Mayberrys used to call Zenyatta “Big Girl” (before she was named) while she was with them and were the first to recognize how talented she was telling David Ingordo and Dottie, “You either have one really good one or a lot of mediocre horses. David encouraged Dottie and the Mosses to give “Big Girl” a really good name.
Barbara Grimaldi
What a touching and loving photo–she shows such affection for you, dear Zenyatta! And you stand there, like royalty, loving the embrace. Gives my day a lift!!! Thank you!!
Diana Harris
what you do for charity is amazing! I donate in small amounts the best I can and of course I rescue thoroughbreds that have not been rewarded on the track like you and find them great homes and jobs that they are great at. I would give my right arm to get to meet you and spend some time with you as most of us would. maybe someday :) I will even clean stalls, groom horses, clean tack, sweep barn floors anything. I would love to groom you that would be amazing! thank you again for all you do and then some.
Kit
Great to see this picture of April Mayberry–another key player in the saga that has become Zenyatta!! Thank you April for being a part of the Zenyatta team and thus an inspiration.
Linda
Love all the attention you are receiving. Will be coming to Lexington in September and would love to see you if that is possible.
Sharyn
What a sweet picture of you and April. She and her Mom taught you well right from the beginning – how special!! Contratulations too on raising all that money for the foundation! I’ll be watching your friends from Barn 55 this weekend. Safe run for all!
Pamela J Hebert
Happy Friday Zenny!! I second what Kit said in above response. I would love to trade places with April. What wonderful people you have been blessed to have had in your life Zenny. You have made such an impact on so many lives & through reading your posts have brought to my attention such places as Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue in Florida at www. beautysequinerescue.org who have horses that are not as fortunate as you, but hopefully now will have quality of life due to the caring of the wonderful people who run the rescue. Your contributions are far & wide. Have a great weekend Zenny & to all of those who have been a part of Team Z.
DMCQ
Zenny and Team Z, your blessings always multiply and stretch out afterward in countless and unexpected ways. Even here, in Zenyatta Nation, we will not know the whole result of this measure of your generosity. It is a thrill to see you get attention from April. Such a great photo that I can imagine just a little bit how it might feel to be April at that moment. I know you enjoyed your connection with Mrs. Moss.
@Dumplings: Thanks for your welcome. I’m looking forward to Terry Crow’s joke:)
Susan in TN
Hi, my dear Z friends! I feel better and so just got caught up on posts. THANK YOU all for the well-wishes and cautions about the heat- I really appreciate it! <3
@Trina N: No, I'm not picky about my hair-do. I have more of a "hair-don't"! The problem here is that it is so humid that sweat and water don't evaporate on the high heat-index days, but you're right- a cold hosing goes a long way!
@Judy (JAG): praying for you and your sister-hope she is better today<3
@Eveline: Hope you are hanging in there-am thinking of you <3
I have looked at all the links and so enjoyed everyone's posts! I am not going to attempt to respond to all that touched me because then I might have "Dumpling Exhaustion"!
@Barbara Wood: I saw a national drought map this morning and practically the whole state of Texas is affected. I saw your post about cattle dying. What do people DO for hay? It's hard enough to come by here (for different reasons), so I can only imagine. Praying for rain for you all and other areas<3
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Debbie
hi Z! I love the photo of YOU and April! She is so lucky to be part of YOUR life!
WOW the 2nd donation to the V foundation might just start a domino effect huh? I wish I had that much money so I could donate and visit YOU!!! Someday soon I will, it’s on my BUCKET LIST;) Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Sharon in Seattle
like I mentioned one post ago, I’m thinking that the main motivation of the people who matched the 11K (bless them for that) was a chance to visit our dear Zenyatta!!! Getting a chance to see Zenyatta race was the reason Churchill Downs had record breaking attendance at the 2010 BC. Thanks to April and her mom Jeanne for all the love and care they shower on all horses at their center. What a great reunion pic!!!
Susan in TN
Happy Birthday, Ann! Sorry this is belated but I wanted to wish you all the best and THANK YOU for sharing your Big Girl with us. I share the sentiments that my fellow posters left yesterday and can only add that no matter what you got for your birthday, I know it couldn’t top what you have waiting for you in Kentucky!!
Holly Zemba
Happy Friday to you too Zenyatta! Have a good weekend!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Some big filly races Saturday. We are looking forward to the matchup in the Delaware Handicap between 2010 Three Year Old Champion Blind Luck and Havre de Grace currently ranked 1 and 2 in the NTRA Polls. We will be rooting for Hollywood Park-based Blind Luck.
Also, the American Oaks Stakes (Grade 1) at Hollywood Park with John Shirreffs’ two top turfer fillies, Nereid and Star Billing. Nereid is owned by Eric Kronfeld, owner of Eblouissante.
Good luck and safe trips to all.
Shannon From Cool
Darling photo of you and April.
Sue Noel
Lucky,lucky April!!!! How fortunate that she knew you “way back when”!!You both look so happy to see each other! Hope April has a copy of the pic—if that were me I would blow it up to wall-size!!!
Have a wonderful day–hope you have the sun on your back and a soft breeze to ruffle your mane—-LOVE YOU!!!!
Susan in TN
Zenny- what a sweet picture of you and April! Your eyes have such a soft “I know her” look- you can’t buy love but sometimes you can catch it in a photo<3
I'll bet April is so excited about your baby! Maybe she and Jeanne will do your foal's early training?? I'm glad you and Ann got to "Tango"-don't actually know what that is but it must be like Skype. Sometimes I hold the phone so my daughter can talk to her horse- he really listens and then PUSHES it away with his nose- which for him is a sign of love! He is the greatest horse I have PERSONALLY known and you are by far the greatest horse that I have never actually met! You are part of our family, though. Love you<3
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, almost that time again, thank you to the Kennedy’s for reminding me of the great filly tomorrow…Sometimes I have to DVR, and I cannot watch real time..so i cannot go online until I have watched, I love surprises or the one I love to cross the wire…YOU were always REAL TIME, no matter what was going on, Zenyatta races were always REAL TIME. I love you..have a wonderful weekend, maybe someone will match the 22+, WOW, it is all YOU. I love you….Lisa g.