Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #307

This is TOO CUTE...photo by John Shirreffs

Good Day Everyone!

Speaking of SLEEPING BEAUTY…..I’d like you to meet BRONZE BEAUTY!
She is an adorable 2 year old filly (by Latent Heat) who lives at Barn 55.
She finished her appetizer (in the little black bucket MY JOHN always had for US)
and then totally relaxed and took a nap.

The curious part of this is that she also did not want to ‘miss a thing’. She kept her
head close to the door to ‘check out’ what was also going on in the barn.

I remember it well! When I was at Barn 55, we would all be in our stalls after our
training, baths, and breakfast. Then between 12 and 3 each day, My John always
wanted everything nice and quiet and relaxed for us in the barn! It was our special
time to really stretch out, take it easy and rest! (Just like Bronze Beauty is doing in
this photo!)

During this time, he also kept the fans running for 2 reasons: (1) to keep the barn area
nice and cool for us and (2) allow the humming sound they provided to serve as a bit
of a distraction from all of the outside noise that could go on during this time.

Dottie teases him about this often…saying it is like providing a safe environment
and scheduled NAP TIME for a baby! My John just smiles. I know he really feels having
a routine is very important for all of us! Then, of course, in so many ways I know he
looks after ALL OF US as though we truly are his adorable “DUMPLINGS”.

With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

318 Comments

  3. / Reply

    @JAG—Darling ZENYATTA shirt designed by your friend! Ladies should be forewarned, though, that the sizes for the ladies Zazzle shirts typically run a good two sizes smaller (or even a little more)than usual. Fine for slim-figured fans, but not so much for truly dumpling-shaped Dumplings (speaking for myself, that is).

  4. / Reply

    Zenny, sweet,sweet girl! The new babies at your John’s barn really love him! So don’t worry, he will never forget you, he has plently of talented company, but they will not replace your presence nor his love for you…I do hope you are happy as you can be there, just know you are always thought of and cared about from all over the world, and that we still dream of you Zenny in our Zennyland of dreams….

  5. / Reply

    @ Trina Nagele – yup! I made it into the book. Geoff approached me at Santa Anita and said, “Excuse me, but I think you’re in my box!” I almost fell over!!! There I am – the same page as Zenny and “her John”!!
    @ Karen Gogue – I bought a pink long sleeved shirt from Zazzle with Zenyatta on the front. I wore it once; almost choked me to death it was cut so small – I gave it to a “tiny dumpling” friend who can wear it!

  7. / Reply

    @All: G’night. That straw is calling my name and I’m nodding off here.
    @Peelers: You are one special girl! Did you know you have a zillion new fans here on Zenyatta’s blog. Rarified air we all breathe in this space.
    diastu in tempe

  8. / Reply

    Queen Z, Bronze Beauty is too cute. She is totally relaxed in the picture. I wonder if she was snoring. Zenny, there is an undefeated filly in harness racing. She has a funny name (See You At Peelers). I wish they gave her a better name. Anyway, she won again today.

  9. / Reply

    Jane Turner`s AWAD Sailing: TrinaN, Thank You. It is the best written flight I have ever read. K.

  11. / Reply

    I love looking at the pics posted here, especially the newest of YOU, very much in foal, YOU look so beautiful!! Thank ya’ll for keeping us up to date in all things Z.

  12. / Reply

    Good morning beautiful Queen- I hope you are out enjoying some yummy bluegrass before it get too hot today. It is going to be another scorcher. What a precious picture of Bronze Beauty. Yes,your John is amazing and as you know by all the many times I have told you and the world he honestly is my one and only human Hero.I love you & hope all of you have a great day at Lane’s End today.
    @Judy B-thanks for the link on Life is Sweet- I have watched that so many times I am surprised it still plays.
    @Jag-than k you for links GF
    @Trina N- thank you for your generous offer and for the story on AWAD….beautiful.
    @Karen Gogue- Love your beautiful words as always.

  14. / Reply

    Jane, Thanks for sharing your heart about AWAD, but dang it now I get to start my day all teary eyed..I had never heard of him until he passed, and I see I missed a great one..

  15. / Reply

    Your John is a true horseman. I would have a horse in his barn anytime. As you know it is sometimes difficult for a horse to completely relax, that old “flight or fight” thing, so to see a horse so relaxed is wonderful. My stallion used to sack-out like that, however the first time I found him doing it outside scared the you know what out of me!!!!! Have a great weekend. Oh, who do you like for the Haskell???

  16. / Reply

    @Trina Nagele–thanks for posting the beautiful words about Awad. Love ly. And when a you have a horse like that who also has kind eyes (I’m including YOU< Zenny), it is a double blessing.
    Also, thanks for the heads up on the sizing of the Zazzle wear. Alas, I'm an "overstuffed" dumpling.

  17. / Reply

    Such a precious picture! Thanks for sharing it!

    It is so sweet to learn how John lovingly looked after all of his beloved dumplings!

    I’m headed off to Saratoga for the weekend – to see the Diana, the Jim Dandy, and some other races!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Lady Z and everyone!

  18. / Reply

    Good morning Zenyatta and little Z. We’ve had rain and heat here. I am sure LE folks are making sure that you stay cool and I hope you are catching some breezes. Much love goes out to you, Dottie, Your John, Jerry and Ann Moss, your Z team at Barn 55 and your LE team.! Zenny, I noticed that Your John takes wonderful pictures…Lucky for us
    @lucie: Thank you for that hug and here’s one for you.
    @ Abigail from Montreal: The link to Templado was beautiful and I loved it. I explored the other videos too.
    @JAG: More great links. Sometimes I get lost in time looking up things that come to mind. You keep me learning!
    @Margaret: So many people have not had experience with real animals and so cannot put their experience with what they see. Thank you for your explanations. It makes folks feel OK about aksing questions. BTW, I understand that the wild horses are to get another chance in court which you probably already know.
    @Gary Moulton: Loved “Reincarnation” and especially the ending:) We need to laugh at ourselves to keep a balanced perspective.
    @Ingrid: Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories., I wonder if you knew we would “perk up” and say, “Really? Man O’War slept with his head out in the aisle?” My McDude, our yellow lab, sometimes lays his head on the floor off his cushion so he can tell if we get up and he might get a pet, a walk, whispers…
    @Kimberly: It seems we all love to come here to this community of friends.
    @Max: Now that’s a thought! Reservations for a nap at Barn 55. I’ll start looking into plane fare and hotel accommodations to keep that appointment should I be so fortunate enough to get a nap reservation. Maybe I could get lucky and get it tied into meeting some Dumplings!
    @all: Now I understand why Dottie calls the young in training dumplings. They are to be treasured! What an apt name for us-friends to be treasured Dumplings:)
    @Debbie G: bananas? I did not know that horses liked bananas! So glad you got to visit LE! I’m sure you will have dreams of those memories.
    @Trina Nagele, Brenda S., Karen Gogue, JAG:”Over the Humpling Dumplings” You made me wonder how many of us there are:) I love being here on this side over the humpling.
    @Jill in NJ: Interesting that owners of Pants on Fire and Ruler on Ice are contributin to Rerun. I had to go look that up. Another good place!
    @Kim: Sack lunch! Too Cute!!LOL
    @Karen Cogswell: I love the sculptures by Robin Law.
    @judy berube: Thank you so much! After all the mentions, I wanted to see Z;s John try to wake up Life Is Sweet! He is so patient. He’s an example of why it’s good to get up up in the morning when someone, horse or human, believes they are lovedand safe. It frees up energy for using in other ways. Yes! I have seen all those movies and Blazing Saddles is one of my favorites.
    @Barbara Grimaldi: Loved Zenyatta University comments!
    @Trina: So moved by Jane Turner’s tribute to Awad. That’s is where I’m at with Bell, my 90% black lab, now gone and always remembered, my wise one that taught me about recognizing the undefinable presence.
    @Karen Gogue: Even though many of us were saying our good-byes via TV, we were feeling some of the same things. I was trying not to blink, trying not to miss a second of Zenyatta. No tears until a week or more later. Zenyatta is regal and beautiful and funny and playful and SHE IS…I keep wondering if she was confused about not going to the winner’s circle after the last race. Anyone who has been loved, respected and cared for lovingly is freer to become fully their natural personality. I believe her owners, the Ocala folks, Her John and Dottie, and all her Barn 55 team were the fortunate gift to Zenyatta that freed her to be as regal, gentle and empathetic as she is. We see and recognize how truly she is herself.

  19. / Reply

    @Karen Gogue- I want to add- imagine if you will Churchill Downs Nov6, 2010……You wait 2 days for the Big Race…it is finally time….. All at once you see her run the race of the ages, but not cross the line first…..only seconds later to watch her walk of the last track she will ever race on…..it was a conflict of emotions …raw emotions… but I would NOT have missed it for the world….so I ‘get you’ …special friend…
    @Zenyatta- Your light chases ALL the darkness away. My fears, worries, anger & all that is not beautiful (like you) is absorbed, vanishing each & every time I look at a mere photo of you. YOUR light shines that BRILLIANT & BRIGHT giving us all nothing but PURE JOY!!!

  20. / Reply

    I must add that I loved seeing so many other great champions in person especially Uncle Mo’s & Goldie’s big wins …Gio Pointe, Quality Road is so handsome…I just had Z on the brain the whole time…LOL-

  25. / Reply

    @Kari Bussell — Our feelings exactly regarding Zenyatta’s last race. We are so happy we could be there under that deep purple sky. Now we love watching that race — her most courageous, heroic. Oh, but on that late afternoon — painful.

    We visited Barn 55 on the last day she was there and then later watched her walk off “her track” for the last time with John, Mario, Steve and Michelle on Zenyatta Appreciation Day. We and a good friend did not talk about our feelings until later but we all had the heavy feeling — that we may never see her again.

  27. / Reply

    To those who would like a Morning Prayer/Hymn:
    ………………………………..
    Sing praise to God who reigns above,
    The God of all creation,
    The God of power, the God of love,
    The God of our salvation;
    With healing balm my soul he fills,
    And every faithless murmur stills:
    To God all praise and glory.
    What God’s almighty power hath made,
    His gracious mercy keepeth;
    By morning glow or evening shade
    His watchful eye never sleepeth;
    Within the kingdom of his might,
    Lo! all is just and all is right:
    To God all praise and glory.
    Then all my gladsome way along,
    I sing aloud thy praises,
    That men may hear the grateful song
    My voice unwearied raises;
    Be joyful in the Lord, my heart,
    Both soul and body, bear your part:
    To God all praise and glory.
    O ye who name his holy name,
    Give God all praise and glory;
    All ye who own his power, proclaim
    Aloud the wondrous story!
    The Lord is God, and he alone:
    To God all praise and glory.
    ………………..Johan J. Schutz 1690

  29. / Reply

    To all who commented I’m sorry if you misunderstood, but I watched the “Peelers” race on TVG I was not there in person, I should be so lucky.
    @Trina thank you for posting the Turner remarks about Awad it was just lovely and so was he when I saw him at OLD FRIENDS this Spring.
    @KARI Bussell, just love your new video and to hear Elvis…..its great. I have a special request,where did you find the pic of Z strutting her stuff with Mario, side view, no tack, just her back leg wraps and bridle on? I found that pic somewhere and it is my desktop pic, and I want to order one and have it blown up for my wall, can you help me out pleeeease? Let me know if you can. Thanks in advance.

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