Hello Everyone,
As you can see in this photo, I am out walking with Charles and enjoying myself. Everyone at the farm is teasing Charles about how many new friends he is getting on FACEBOOK now that he and I are pals. It is very cute! Such fun!
I am so glad you enjoyed yesterday’s Diary on SHOES. I do hope as you read these Diary Pages you are learning things about race horses and the horse industry. All breeds of horses are very special and unique. As I am a THOROUGHBRED, my Diary will be directed to this breed. Thoroughbred race horses are very special. John used to always tell me that when I was at the barn! It is a breed to be cherished and the history of the pedigree lines is fascinating.
I’m going to take a couple moments and answer a few of your questions this morning.
So here goes…
1) 60 MINUTES…from what they told Dottie, they will air my original segment during the summer and then add the updates to it. They often do this with segments…and mine is one they are planning on using. We’ll let you know when we hear more.
2) MARIO…my adorable, wonderful Mario! He does miss me, for sure, but as he told John, he is SO HAPPY I am happy. He really appreciates and loves the fact that I was able to have such an amazing racing career and then retire so sound and healthy. This makes Mario so proud! This is what is helping make the transition easier for him.
I will always LOVE MARIO and totally and completely remember every single moment that we shared. I could not begin to tell you how many times he brushed me, put on my stall bandages, gave me a bath…and most importantly HUGGED ME! We also spent countless hours outside just relaxing and enjoying the sun together while I was grazing! I will always remember MARIO and LOVE HIM. I know he feels exactly the SAME WAY ABOUT ME!
John is really trying to keep Mario and the entire barn up-to-date on my progress. Dottie sends ALL photos and videos to John for the barn to see. John has lots of computers at the barn…and all of things are shared with my Barn 55 friends. (FYI…John is a real camera buff! He has zillions of photos of me on a constant slide-show on his one computer at the house. He loves taking pictures and has taken lots of photos of me since I was 2. In reality, John has my entire life in photos! It is wonderful to see all of these stages I have gone through during the last several years.)
3) Christmas Tree…yes, I do have a Christmas Tree at the farm. Also, I noticed that one of you put a photo of your ZENYATTA HOLIDAY tree on my FACEBOOK page. It looks fabulous! Love the ornament at the top of the TREE!
4) Guinness…yes, I do have some Guinness here…and sometimes a bit is also put in my feed. Interestingly, the Guinness Company wanted ME to go to Ireland this spring to visit and bring John, Dottie and the Moss’ with me. Great thought…but not sure that would fit into my schedule. Sweet of them to offer, though.
5) My barn friends…yes, we are getting to be more and more acquainted in the barn. For now, I walk around in the paddock by myself. Soon, I will be able to start buddying up with one girlfriend at a time. As this is all new to me, it will be another of those baby-steps we are talking about. I will get introduced to one friend at a time in the paddock. Eventually, I’ll be out there with several friends all at once, but for now, I just see them outside across the fence. They really do seem to like me, though. It is a nice feeling!
6) LIFE IS SWEET…I have not seen her yet as she is in a barn with mares who are IN FOAL and will be foaling at a similar time. At this time, we are at different stages of our lives. I am just settling in at the farm and doing the acclimation process and she is in foal and with mares who are at the similar stage of their lives. Soon, I hope there is a time, though, when we will be able to meet again. During our time at John’s barn, we were very, very good friends. Interesting fact…Mario groomed and took care of BOTH of us!
Dottie, John, Mario and Steve all got to visit with LIFE IS SWEET when they were here last week. They told me she looks fabulous and very happy. She was always so lovely! Isabelle (who was her regular rider…like Steve was for me) and Jenny also went to see her when they were in KY for Breeders’ Cup. It is wonderful how my Barn 55 Family keeps in touch with us even when we are not with them. It is a special bond we ALL SHARE for sure.
Also,I think Life is Sweet’s little sister is here in the barn with me. I’ve asked Dottie to please check this out. If so, she will be one of my paddock friends. Again…amazing how things are so interwoven like this.
Today, in addition to all of my outings in the paddock and visits from friends, I have a few appointments…blacksmith and vet. They are just checking in on me to be sure I’m in perfect shape. Just like you guys, I have to keep myself in tip-top shape and do my regular check-ups. I’ll have to check and see when the Dentist is coming next. Sonny was my Horse Dentist in CA. Wonder who it will be here?
Take Care…and have a wonderful December Day!
With love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Vicki
Please keep up the diary posts! They brighten my day when I get to read how wonderful and kind everyone is being to her. I applaud the Moss’ for taking her down slowly – just like they brought her up – she will stay happy and healthy and Lanes End is awesome and oh so professional! Hope I get to visit sometime!
Jan Mason
Hi Zen , I’m so glad you are doing so great. Maybe in the spring I can finally see you in person. as I live in Illinois. Thank you for keeping us all informed.
Love and Hugs Jan
Sue M
Good to hear more from you Zenny. Please keep up the updates, because it makes us feel good to know you’re doing well. I hope Charles gets used to his new-found fame, as it won’t be going away soon! :)
Also, it’s so nice of Dottie to use this experience to educate all your fans, and racing’s new fans, too, about the life of a Thoroughbred.
We are going to the Breeders Cup again next year, although it won’t be the same without you. But there are a couple good young girls out there named Awesome Feather and Turbulent Descent. Maybe you’ve heard of them? Of course they won’t be like you (and they’re not as big and beautiful) :) but now that you’ve got me interested in racing, I’m going to stay interested!
Mary
DEAREST ZENYATTA…
HOW LUCK AM I TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO REPLY TO TODAYS DIARY POST. I WRITE YOU EVERYDAY BUT I’VE NEVER GOT TO BE UP TOP TIL TODAY. LUCKY ME:)
I WANTED TO TELL YOU I FOUND A FANS ALBUM YESTERDAY OF YOURS LET ME TELL YOU…ACTUALLY I CAN’T PUT INTO WORDS…THE EXCITEMENT I FELT WHEN I SAW MY PICTURE IN IT:):):) OMG!!! I AM IN YOUR FANS ALBUM!!!!! I AM WEARING A BLACK HODDIE WITH YOUR NAME ACROSS THE FRONT IN PINK LETTERING, IT WAS MADE FOR “SANTA ANITAS 2009 BREEDERS CUP” WHICH IS EMBRODREED ON THE SLEVE, IT IS A ONE OF A KIND THAT WAS SPECIALLY MADE FOR THE EVENT…I GOT TO WATCH YOU WIN THE “BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC” IN THAT SHIRT!!! PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO BUY IT OFF MY BACK!!! AND I AM WEARING AN “09 BREEDERS CUP” BALL CAP. I HAVE POSTED THAT PICTURE ALL OVER FACEBOOK AND ITS IN YOUR FAN CLUB PHOTO BOOK AND I AM STOKED:):):) MAYBE SOMEONE CAN SHOW IT TO YOU SOMETIME…I LOOK LIKE I AM IN HEAVEN AND I REALLY THINK IT WILL FEEL THE SAME:)
“I LOVE YOU ZENYATTA” I WILL WRITE YOU TOMORROW.
WITH LOVE. OXOX
Gloria
Hey girlie!
Thanks for another great update. I love learning this stuff about Thoroughbreds. Very interesting. Keep them coming. Love you, Big Mama Z! XOXO!
Stephanie J Lambert
Zenny & Dotty, your happiness makes my day bright :) x0x0x00x
JOAN WOOD PEDRON
Love you..
Sarah Powell
As several previous posts hinted, it was a BIG mistake to let us know that John has all those photos! We’re all begging for more pictures of her – post a slide-show or dump them on a CD or DVD and sell them for charity – I would surely purchase. I purchased the one from Hollywood Park gift shop. Can’t wait to see her “out and about” when the snow melts and it is safer.
Marilu Villanueva
Thank you Dottie for the new picture and the updates. Zenyatta looks great with Charles. His cute too. I take comfort that Mario is coping well without Zeny. I can only imagine how he, Carmen and everyone in the barn must feel without Zeny. Like the way we all feel. But for now it is all about her. Take care Zenyatta and enjoy your new home.
Debbi Martin
Thank you so much, Z and Co., for all this wonderful information. We LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Henrietta Wolfe
You are just, SIMPLY AMAZING!!!! I would venture a guess that the folks at Lane’s End are a happy group having you there. You have quite a schedule and that is wonderful. I am so happy that your health is good. The new dentist will love you and more than likely you will love him. You have got to keep those pearly whites white. (*_*) My computer wasn’t working last night and I was stressed out I would not be able to check on you today. But, here I am. (*_*) Glad you have a tree and probably lots of gifts. YOU HAVE, FOR SURE, BEEN A GOOD GIRL!!! Have a great day, be careful and be happy. I love you. xoxoxox
Elaine
Thank you for keeping us close to your heart because you will always be in our hearts. Thank Dotty for doing such a great job helping you with your diary and answering our questions. It almost feels like we are with you!
Katie Clawson
Hey beautiful Zenyatta! It is very nice to hear all of this wonderful news about you at you great new home. Since you are answering questions, I thought I would ask my own. I am going to be a jockey when I am old enough, so you being the racehorse, can you give me any advice or pointers? Thank you so much honey, you have done so much for this GREAT Sport Of Kings and for getting me back into horse racing. If it weren’t for you, I’m not sure if I would have realised how much I want to be a jockey. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART ZENNY!! Have fun with all your new friends. Show your greatness through all your amazing life!!
P.S. Dont have to much Guinness :)
Linda (Canada)
Queen Z….I didn’t know you could purchase the 60 minutes on Amazon – but I recorded it on(still have one)VHS, so I can play when I want.
I bet Guiness wants you to go …..who has been a better advertisement for their product than the most famous racehorse in the world! You and the Moss’ and Mario and John and Dottie and Carmen and….whoever else should go…..I bet you “60 minutes” wouldn’t be able to resist filming it….imagine a racehorse being invited to Ireland…even if you are in foal, the trip wouldn’t hurt, if Team Z are there to take care of you. Ask the Moss’ to think about it….when in our lifetime would such an invitation EVER happen again? They could still have fun with you and we could watch:)
jahlgren
Thanks to Lane’s End and Zenny for all the interesting information about how you are cared for and how your life is progressing in Kentucky.
Even though I’ve been a 35+ year handicapper and knew a little about thoroughbreds, I didn’t really know alot about their lives on the backstretch (though I’ve visited a few times and have attended a couple of auctions). Glad to know you are healthy, happy and being VERY babied! Lotsa love,
Jen D
I will absolutely NEVER forget the look on Mario’s face when I was visiting 55 South and he walked us down the row of stalls, stopped in front of Zenyatta and Life is Sweet’s, turned to us with his arms stretched out and said “My babies”. The amount of love and pride conveyed in those two words was priceless and something I really admire about Mario and all of John’s barn and staff. It’s great to hear updates on both girls. Thank you!
Leslie Simis
Thank you so much for these updates…you are helping to ease the pain of never seeing Zennie race again. I hope that it never ends as she has been such an important part of our lives. Thank you for allowing us all to be a part of this miraculous journey.
Sandy T
Very much enjoy the diary posts! Thanks so much for mentioning Life is Sweet in this post, as I was also a fan of hers as well. See your temperatures are cold ~ hope you humans all stay warm on your walks~and God Bless You All.
Misty
So happy to see Z happy and adjusting well!!! Love this horse!!! Such a special place in my heart for her!!
Jenna
These updates feel like the movie You’ve Got Mail. As soon as I see a new Diary Post..’The breath catches in my chest when I see those three little words, you’ve got mail.’
Thank you for these daily updates! It’s made my day (which has been so work-bad).
Smiles to you :>
sg
So happy to see Charles with a knit cap on. Now we need to work on gloves:) A healthy Charles means a healthy Zenyatta.
The post are much appreciated.
Sheri
Thats really cool Zenyatta! Thanks for sharing that with us! So whats Charles’s last name? Now i wanna be his friend on FaceBook! haha! :D
kathy v
Great photo. . . I can see how those baby steps are adding up to one contented horse. You look so relaxed with your head down like that! I heard that the other mares all nickered when you arrived, so I’m sure each one of the girls will want to be your BFF.
TanNa
Thank you Z! I’m learning a lot. It makes me so happy to read your post.
Karen Schmiede
Your updates are great. Look forward to them every day. Love ya Zen
Me
lol :) part of Charles’ problem is that he’s so cute too! haha :D So nice to hear from you Lady Z. You are amazing and I can’t wait to hear more about you!
Donna
What a great picture – Charles is actually smiling. I saw that little video clip of Queen Z hugging on him – I think he’s smitten! Thanks for addressing all our questions and being patient with our concerns. And especially thanks for all the instructional comments – they really help us newbies understand what is going on, and about how TBs are cared for in general.
It would be cool for the Queen to go see the Guiness people – I bet they would adore her in Ireland. But they couldn’t possibly love her more than we do!
Cheryl Smith
Thank you SO MUCH for letting her keep in touch with us. She is such a beauty and anyone that gets to be around her all the time and to love her in person is VERY LUCKY!! I can’t wait each day to read this diary and see what is going on.
God Bless all of you!
Cheryl Heath
Beautiful photo. All look very happy. Also, I have gone to the races my whole life, Keeneland and Churchill Downs mainly, but never really new this side of it all. Love the education. Thanks so much.
Nancy
Hey Zenny
Maybe not your first date, but why not a visit
to Ireland for Guiness and a date with See the
Stars. How awesome!!!! Glad you are keeping
up with all of your appointment. A beautiful talented
girl like you needs to stay healthy and happy for
the next step
Stay comfortable and cozy in your barn with
All of your new friends.