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
Maureen in CA
What an absolutely darling photo! I can only imagine all the emotions April was going through, being with you again after all these years, and after all your success. She must be SO proud!! And I think it’s just sensational – all the money you’re raising with your various charitable endeavors, Zenyatta! You just keep on giving and giving! It just never ceases to thrill and amaze me!
Ann Maree
Hi, Z,
So wonderful for you to be able to visit with April! I know she was glad to see you! I remember at the Horse of the Year awards ceremony that she and her mom, Jeanne, were there, along with all those throughout your career who helped you along your way. Loved the story that has been repeated several times about the call they made to David about what they thought about you, and your wonderful Jerry told it as well at the awards ceremony: “Ya better get down here and see this filly….you’ve got either one fast horse or a bunch of slow ones, and ya better get a good name for her!” So many stories and memories from everyone associated with you. I also love the ones that Don Robinson tells about you, too. And Steve Willard has some interesting anecdotes about you, as well. Says you were a “hussy” at first, bucking off some riders, and then you and he must have hit it off, because things got better when you and he got together!!
–
Have enjoyed your John’s training videos recently, which have included some sessions with your sister, E. Still miss you a lot, and whenever I hear your John refer to other fillies as “big girl” I know deep down he wishes it was you, just like we all do! Big hugs! Ann Maree
John
Mostly women post here. Us guys love Zenyatta as well. This 62 yr old male will never and has never seen a horse as great as Zenatta. National treasure she is.
sherry drish
I HAVE HEARD HORSES NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE OR OTHER HORSE FRIENDS. I THINK ZENYATTA HAS TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLE. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE UNFORGETABLE TO ALL OF US. WE LOVE HER SO VERY MUCH. BLESSINGS TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
reza
Zenyatta you have so many people that love you.
Arlene
Beautiful, sweet picture! Nice to see the people that have been involved in your life.
And that they can continue to visit you.
Blessings to all.
Terry Crow
@Barbara Wood and Gary Moulton-For a possible preview of how friendly the match race will be, check out the reply of the Los Angeles Handicap. I had posted a joke earlier, but in honor of our new dumpling DMCQ, here is a bonus–I now have the perfect system to make money from horse racing. I have made thousands of dollars already this year and it comes down to one simple thing. I’m a bookie.
Sharon Call
@John. Welcome aboard! Glad to have guys posting here.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, that pic of you and April is too cute! I hope she also gets to teach your baby the basics.
It is great that someone wants to match the winning bid for the BC package and visit with you! You’ve raised a lot of money for the V Foundation! Congratulation! I’m sure that matching bid was all because of you!
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and to those in the L.A. area, good luck with car-mageddon!
Hugs to all,
Leslie
Ingrid Arnone
Great photo, lucky lady, love you always Ingrid.
Celeste
Oh, what an adorable photo you have shared with us today!!! It is clear that April loves you still and I for one am thankful that she and her mom are such loving people as to have helped nurture you to become the wondermare that you are!!! From having seen you as a gawky kid to see you now as a stately expectant mom must give her such great joy to know she played a part in it. How beautiful!! I’m so happy you were able to Tango and visit with your Ann and pleased that she had a great day for her birthday!! One more time….thank you for making this possible – thank you for letting us be here with you!!
The Kennedys in San Diego
@John — Exactly what we need more of here — men. Richard
Brenda S
What a lovely picture Zenny, I wish it was me on the receiving end of that nuzzle. The weather forecast is saying that the heat in Texas and many other States is pretty severe so I hope you are managing to stay cool. Have a wonderful weekend, lots of racing to follow so enjoy. Hugs and more hugs to you and the bump.
Diana S
@Zenyatta & April: A beautiful photo. How Zenny turned out is a compilation of all her experiences, from early baby training to John, from grooms to veterinarians. How Zenyatta turned out means YOU April have a wonderful touch. Thank you.
@All, please read my comment in the last post asking for prayers, thoughts, and candles for Judy Gadwood’s sister Mary. No new news, but a critical situation that could sure use some karma. Thanks.
diastu in tempe
signofthetimes
@ Ann Maree
How are you finding the training video’s John Sherriffs?
Good luck to The Mosses and John in races this weekend.
And looking forward to the Delaware Handicap.
So true “Big Girl”.
signofthetimes
@John
Really love your comment !!!
Definately a National Treasure, Zenyatta.
Barbara
I dearly love reading this diary. I could have had a bad day and it brings a smile and a happy tear to me. Thank you!
The Kennedys in San Diego
A magical moment I will treasure forever — kissing Zenyatta on the muzzle. Photo on Z’s Facebook.
Mary
I agree with Barbara above. I love reading this diary every day. It always puts a smile on my face…and today is truly special…hearing about your exciting week. You are one busy horse…I almost said person…but you seem that…so very intelligent. You do have a wonderful team around you…they are the ones who enable us fans to enjoy you Z….so thanks to all of them….and of course as I have said many times …but do not want to go too long without saying once again…thanks to the wonderful Dottie for helping you with all this blog and computer stuff….what a great assistant you have Z. Hugs to you Z…. I am glad you and Ann got to celebrate a few precious moments together on her birthday. Happy TGIF!!!
Barbara Wood
@Susan in Tn–thank you for your concern. I don’t know where they are getting the hay. It is truly dreadful. And on top of that , we had our dear Charlie (lab mix rescue dog) to the vet today to the tune of over $500–diagnosis was urinary infection. But they also had to take x-rays because his back leg was weak. Nothing much there she said. Anyone who is inclined to pray for his recovery would be so appreciated. He’s ma’ boy!
@Terry Crow–thanks!
@Sherry Drish– I agree with you about horses’ memories.
@John–welcome!
tony and sue
Zenny, what a great picture of you and April. You have made such a positive impact on so many lives…April was one of the first to care for you and the love between you clearly shows. We sure would like to kiss that soft nose of yours. April is one lucky lady to be able to spend time with you…of course she knows it!
Diana
You are just a bundle of love Queen Z, make that 2 bundles!! Hugs and kisses!
suew
Oh, Zenny, this picture is “too cute”! You and April look like best buddys, very comfortable and loving with each other.
You are truly unforgettable to all who ever knew you. God Bless!
WILD HORSES
As usual, you look stunnibg Big Z. Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Lori
Nina
I bet Coach Valvano is smiling in heaven as he walks up and down a basketball court! You,Dottie and the whole Barn 55 crew are very special.
sue
Too Cute, Zenny.
I read somewhere that April and Jeanne called you “Big Girl” when you were with them and noticed your potential when you outran the other horses one day.
I am so happy to hear that you have raised 22K for a worthy cause!!
I hope we can visit you at some point!
Love ya,
Sue
Hilltophorsewoman No Cal
Happy belated Birthday to your human Mom, Z! She is such an elegant and delightful lad!. I will always remember the wonderful picture of you both, heads together….so much love. Thanks to everyone for brightening my day. Especially John! So glad you spoke up! (I’m 63)
Gloria
Hooray for Big Mama Z! Yay for you and the people who are giving money for Cancer research. I hope all of you have a great visit! Love to Team Z!!
Hilltophorsewoman No Cal
whoops….Ann – lady – not lad
Terry Crow
@John-Welcome aboard. As the barnyard animals said in Charlotte’s Web, this is a nice place.