HAPPY # 300 to ALL OF YOU!
I truly can’t believe that this is Diary Entry # 300! I guess I must be one very chatty female….with so many things to say! I can’t thank Dottie enough for expressing all of my personal thoughts, hopes, dreams, feelings, and achievements in such a way as ALL OF YOU….my dear friends….can also take part in my life and share so many things with ME!
Racing is an amazing sport! I truly feel deeply blessed for what I was able to achieve ON THE RACE TRACK. Yet, I feel equally as appreciative for the things I have been able to do FOR MY SPORT…and most importantly FOR THE FANS!
Yesterday, in a news article discussing the final statistics for the Hollywood Park Meet, they noted that the on-track attendance was down this season. Per the article, “he partially attributed this to the absence of a big draw such as Zenyatta, who raced at the 2010 spring-summer meeting”. Jack Liebau, the track President, commented…”Last year, we had a big day on account of ZENYATTA that we didn’t have this year.” (Thank you, Jack! Blush, Blush)
I know all of the numbers were up in the BREEDERS’ CUP attendance figures each of the year’s that I raced. My goodness, over 20,000 people came to see ME walk on track and say ‘good-bye’. For this, I am so, so proud!
In life, you hope to do things to make people feel good. You hope to achieve and make some type of mark. You strive to do your best and TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! But…to make history, to make people feel good about a sport again, to bring fans closer together, and to have people love ME so much not only for what I achieved as an athlete…but for ME, my personal qualities,….is truly something one DREAMS could happen to them!
One of the FACE BOOK responses yesterday by Marie Stoyles-Moura was very touching to ME. She said, “I don’t think your pedigree should read Champion–See Record—–It should read “QUEEN–See Record.”
Upon reflection, having a racing career which spanned 4 years, to have statements like the ones written above said about YOU…is so, so rewarding and extremely appreciated. MY TEAM and I can’t thank you enough.
I am one very, very grateful HORSE….for all of the gifts I have been given…which totally includes the LOVE, HONOR, AND RESPECT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN FROM ALL OF YOU!
Again, THANK YOU from the bottom of MY HEART!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Cathy Marshall
I hope you are staying well hydrated, Zenny. I live in Tennessee, and it’s very warm here today too. The picture of you is adorable. I wanted to say “congratulations” to Nereid in the dead heat with Cambina. What a race! Love ya, Zenny!
VickiS.
That bottom picture is a very beautiful picture of you Zenyatta.
Barb France
Thank you for all your posts..they are all happy reports and bring many smiles to everyone here.
Due to not living very close to any racetracks, I am always very sad to see, while watching HRTV and TVG, the vast empty seats at these beautiful tracks. I know that you, Zenyatta, have brought so many people, young and old, to see you run. I just hope that people will continue to go and see all the other great equine athletes running and try to bring back this GREAT SPORT to it’s HAYDAY attendance. I know I will be going to Breeder’s Cup this November and will continue to do my best to be in attendance at some of the most beautiful tracks this year. There just is not any other feeling than to be watching the early morning workouts and see them in “person”! I love watching HRTV’s FIRST CALL on Sat, Sun…I get my coffee and sit down and try to remember the smells and hear all the sights, hoofs hitting the dirt, the breathing of the horses…. It’s not like being there in person but it’s as close as I can get every weekend. So I hope we all try to bring back those great and wonderful experiences we all have inside and bring new people to the tracks who have not yet experienced the JOY in the GREAT SPORT!!! And look at all the new people we have met just through Zenyatta, that we would have not met otherwise…so many new friendships out there to explore!! You are the QUEEN and I am so happy to know that joy!!!
judy berube
Dear Gloria Jeanne:
Thinking of you and your Mom. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Thank you for the beautiful hymn,prayer. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
How are you and the Sweeties doing. Hugs, J.B.
Kari Bussell:
Looking forward to hearing from you. Hugs, J.B.
Jane Wade
What a beautiful picture of you in your pasture! You’re looking GREAT! We were at Hollywood Park quite a few times for this meet and it wasn’t the same without you but there were some amazing horses running and we cheered them on too! You and your TEAM have taught us so much on how to share.
Hugs and kisses and lots of carrots!
Jan
Zenyatta,
Beautiful picture, Beautiful baby bump, and Beautiful Queen of the World. Stay healthy and happy Big Mama.
Alexandra Bowdoin
@Lucia, I am looking forward to see HP part 2 very much. I cried reading the book when Hedwig died and yes, Snape. I have to say I love Alan Rickman in this role!! Even us adults love HP…
Sarah Powell
@Lil from KY thank you for sharing your visit to Old Friends. I would love to go there but it probably won’t happen so your description was the next best thing. Thank goodness for places like that and the people who give so much to keep them going.
Kimberly Potter
@Sarah~ That is absolutely hysterical…Love IT!
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!
Ann Ahnemann
You are truly the stuff of dreams. Dream on! And we will all dream with you!
Barbara Wood
@Sarah–love it!
@Lil from KY–so glad you got to Old Friends. That Little Silver Charm is a hoot. You know he has a major crush on our Z. Also, if you get this in time, there is nothing like standing at the rail about 6 a.m. at Keeneland, listening to the horses make their rounds. We were shocked that the riders actually spoke to us. Then breakfast afterward at the track kutchen….heavenly!
darlene
Dear Queen Z team Rachel has allowed fans to see her twice now, when can the fans visit you? We love you and want to see you love ya always.
Pam Zacek,
I like that picture, its a real, nice, different one, of a you, and hey, we love you, and your diary, thanks, to Dottie, and the crew, Plus what you said is sure true, people want to enjoy racing, more, these days, and also, about the Honor, respect, and lOve, I must say, I saw a car bumper sticker once said that about the Indian way, love < Honor and respect, you have all those qualities, for sure, and I just love to hear how your doing, and yeah, aren t we all Chatie females, we rule, women Power, for us.
Barbara Grimaldi
I come here everyday to smile and see Zenny–and to read about her friends. Today’s photo was, as usual, just terrific.
GLORIA JEANE: hang in and take care of yourself–I’ve been there–did it for 12 years 24/7…and I’d do it another 50…
WENDY IN ST LOUIS: I feel the same way–I would have loved to stay in touch with Ruffian as we stay in touch with Zenyatta…
SUZEN: yes, I also am interested in the Lasix question–horse owners outside the USA say their horses don’t need it, but here, virtually every horse in every race on every track gets Lasix to race with…
DEBORAH RICHMAN: Did you mean Alley Cat Allies? Super organization dedicated to saving and supporting ferals.
LUCIA: Great film to end it all, but I wish another book was coming…I miss those kids already–saw them grow up in print and on screen…loved the adventure
ZENYATTA AND DOTTIE: thank you for these messages and for finding a way to make Zenny bigger than a rock star in the hearts of so many of us. You make it fun and worthwhile every single time you write one. Thank you.
Franci Nelson
Oh look at you, surrounded by all that beautiful greenery. You look wonderful
Smittie
My thanks to you, Dottie and everyone on “Team Z” for sharing you with us…
Linda Deutsch
From our hearts, thanks you, Dottie and all your team and to you, Z, you make us all the better for having you in our lives. You warm our hearts and our souls and bring love, inspiration and hope to all you touch. Words will never adequately express what you bring to the world of not only racing but humanity. LOVE & XOXOXOXOX – you look so fabulous.
Sharon Call
@Darryl. No,skipping to 200 was not a mistake or typo on Dottie’s part. She said at the time that Z was starting on a new phase of her life and it seemed appropriate to skip to 200.
Sharon Call
@Lil in KY. Wonderful description of Old Friends. I so wish I could go there.
@Everyone who gets to see live racing. I’ve never seen a live race but would so love to. Unfortuntely, my back has gotten so bad, I probably wouldn’t be able to walk from the parking lot to the stands and once there, could never sit on the hard seats. Oh well, I do get to live vicariously through you guys. The next best thing.
Pam
YOU SAID IT, ZENYATTA!
Linda M
Dear Zenny – I just LOVE this picture of you!! I beleive you are smiling! And your little baby bump :) It has just become one of favorites.
Your Diary today reminds me of Marylou Whitney’s 2010 Eclipse Award acceptance presentation: “…tomorrow I plan to wake up inspired to do more for the horses and the people I love.” And we need to keep doing more for the sport as well. Zenny, Dottie, and all of Team Z – Forever Grateful. Love L.
Arlene
Love your up-close and personal visual closing on this Post, Beautiful Zenyatta. Thank you Dottie for all you do.
Barbara Wood
@Sharon Call–so sorry about your bad back. I surely understand. Mine isn’t so hot either, and my husband’s is awful. We carry a little fold-up stool on trips called a Handi-Seat that is great for rest stops. I think I got it from the Lillian Vernon catalog. Then there’s my recent knee replacement, torn rotator cuff therapy—not even going there! lol!
Louise Castello
Dear Lady Z, we all thank you for all you have brought to the sport. Thank you and your team. Cannot get over how much you have done and how great you are! So very proud to have seen such beauty on the race track. You are the Queen. Take care of yourself and that little baby.
Terry Crow
@Judy Berube-Thank you. I would be very sad if I offended you in any way. My sense of humor is not for everyone. Even when you know, you never know. @Wendy in St. Louis–Tim Tam was one of the great ones, vastly underrated. He would have won the triple crown if he had not been injured in the Belmont. @Sarah-Won’t these men ever learn?
Shannon From Cool
YOUR HIGHNESS Queen Z, you are the very best.
…so are you Dottie!
Lynette Lucas
Zenny! I love the image but not as much as I love the photo of you!!!!Love you beautiful girl!!!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
Roxi Cook
I read all of your diary posts and usually have some kind of emotional response which is too difficult to put into words. This post is no exception, but I’ll try … no athlete can attain the popularity and praise that you have achieved on just talent alone — we are so fortunate in this life to not only live in the same time as Zenyatta, but that she was surrounded by the very best owners, the very best trainer, the very best care takers and care givers, that just wanted to keep this Divine Blessing polished and fit and available. No wonder the crowds flocked to see her; no wonder we all miss her on the racetrack; no wonder her fans are anxious for the day when her production is no longer the priority and she can receive her admiring public (tho that day may be a decade or more in the future … we won’t forget). THANK YOU TO THE WHOLE TEAM OF ZENYATTA