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
Nancy Love
Zenyatta, I am house bound and I love reading your posts. I have followed you for a long time and I amazed of what you have acheived. You have a great team people who care for your daily needs on such a high level. You are one lucky deserving horse. Glad you are in this world. xxoo your gal pal.
Sandra Bennington
I am so happy to read your diary every day, and telling everyone what you are doing and explaining the details of how you are getting to know your new home. I am glad you are happy and enjoying your new friends. I love you and miss you here in California.
Jenna
Nighty night, little lady.
Cristina and Brad
Zenyatta, My wife is at work right now, and I am doing what I love to do and that is reading your posts, all animals are special, but you are the most unique and beautiful being on this earth. I have a friend who already purchased from a man in California 2 Pictures of you, I can not wait until next week when I receive it from him for the HOLIDAYS, I will put it up on the living room wall in our apartment. I can not tell you how proud I am of you, my wife and I wish you all the greatest Luck and Health this glorious Season.
Thank You so very much for all the joy you have brought my wife and I.
We Love you so very much.
Love Cristina and Brad
Linda / Maryland
Evening Zen,
I see that Charles is coming around. He has a smile on his face now!
You will have him wrapped right around your little hoof within a few more days!
He doesn’t know how lucky he is. I would give anything to be with you every day.
He is lucky.
Nuzzle up to him … he is almost wrapped!!!!
J Smith
Catherine Uher – you are in my thoughts. Stay positive. My wish for you is that you are surrounded by love which will get you through a difficult time.
Paula Higgins
Great post Dottie/Zenny. Mario took such excellent care of her. It was always reassuring to see him with her. John too. But she looks like she is in good hands with Charles too. Yes, he is about to become a household name thanks to his relationship with the Queen.
Stephanie Quilichini
Great Post-So happy to hear about Life is Sweet!! Thanks so much for anwsering our questions!! Charles will be quite popular now, I hope he is ready for the Spotlight!! Can’t wait to hear about the first date!! We are all holding our breath on that:)
Robin
Hi sweet girl!! That was me that posted the Z tree. It is in my office at work. Everyone just loves it !!! I also took down all my fire pictures (I work for the Fire Department) and now it’s a Queen Z shrine!! Yes I am obsessed with you and will always be thinking of you. You make me so happy just reading your updates. Stay warm and safe Z, I Love you!! Muah!! XOXO
Barbara Wood
Catherine–saying a little prayer for your recovery. It helps to have love for Z. to focus on and look forward to each day.
Good night, sweet Z. Love you always.
Amy Sutter
Thanks SO much for the update on Life is Sweet! Can’t wait for Zenny to be able to see her GF again!
Dottie Moore
You are my favorite horse, Queen
Zenyatta. God bless you and your
entire team.
Lou from TX
Thank you so much for keeping us updated on Zenyatta. It helps fill this empty hole in my heart. She will always and forever be my Queen. Thank you for taking such good care of her and letting her take baby steps.
I second the motion of John making a book of Zenyatta’s pictures. Her adoring public would love to have a coffee table book with all Zenyatta. Like it was mentioned the money could go to Z’s favorite charity. Queen Zenyatta I love you and hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Anita
What a great report, Z & Dottie! I feel connected! I will never forget seeing you and Mario together when I got to visit you at Barn 55 on Dec. 3. The love that you both have for each other was just obvious and very touching. I hope he has new babies to take care of and love. You look great with Charles in the snow! I like seeing your two white feet in the snow. I’m happy to hear that Life is Sweet will have a baby soon. I bet when you get to be with the other mares in the pasture that you will be the Alpha Mare! Love to you Baby Z.
Linda
I love your diary, Queen Z, I love you you made my year! I love all horses and animals. Race horses have been my passion I and wish all of them were loved and treated as well as you. God love you and your racing friends.
Linda Feher
I love you Queen Z and love to read your diary. I pray all race horses, as well as other horses, are loved and treated as well as you are. Bless you and all those less fortunate. You have made my last two years of watching you and Mike a fabulous ride.
Jennifer Hodell
I just love your update today Zenny. Glad you are getting go outside alot even if it is cold out. Better than staying in the stall all day!!! I know you’ll enjoy being out on your own more and more. And then with friends…how special!!! Enjoy your day!!! As always kisses on that beautiful nose from me!!!
Nikki
Thanks for the pics Lane’s End. Can’t wait till we can visit u Z! Thankfully, I’m only bout an hr an a half away. It’s been really cold here in Ohio so I know what ur goin through. Gotta a bad storm comin, so keep her off the ice lads..
Ellen Zachary
LOVE the newsy diary post, Ms. Z!!! Glad all is going well…you have quite a gift for enjoying LIFE!
Gloria Jeanne
Zenny, have you been told yet – who you will be breed to? Do tell Zen.
Mary Alice Kier
It’s absolutely fantastic Queen Z that you not only could dance the dance at the track, but are equally adept at pulling the moves together in this new and exciting chapter of your life. You and Dottie are doing an extraordinary job at explaining all the complex details of this major transition you are experiencing and so brilliantly mastering to all of us fans. Like the movie, “It’s Complicated” starring Meryl Streep – and let’s face it you and Ms. Streep have a lot in common… two or our greatest superstars – it’s complicated for all of us not maybe so in the know to understand all those baby steps you need to take. But it certainly seems like you are taking it all in your grand stride and making great progress. Please keep these wonderful posts and photos coming – it’s the best thing to happen for horse racing – and you Zenyatta are the gift that keeps on giving!!
Vickie
Great photo! I do miss the shots of you with your head up and ears pricked…hope you really are happy Queen Z. Thanks for the updates and the education!
Theresa M
As she transitions to this new life are there plans to put a regular saddle(be it english or western style) and just a slow gentle ride. No gallop or work, just a simple ride.
Snoprinz
Luv that walk in the snow with Charles. Thanks Zen for these updates and for addressing all our questions and concerns. Thanks as well for the update on Life is Sweet. I know that both of you were taken care of by Mario at Barn 55 and you both turned out to be beautiful mares. Let the Guinness folks come and visit you instead of you going to Ireland. After all you”re doing such a good PR job for them as well as for Lane’s End. I’ll check your posts again tomorrow. Keep on walking with Charles.
Cynthia
Hi Zenny,
Thanks so much for your informative post today. It (finally) gave me the reassurrance I needed to know you are doing well at your new home and that Mario is doing well too in your absence. Change and transitions in life, even thought they are good and provide new growth, can often time be so ridiculously difficult. It seems you and Team Z are adjusting well . . . considering .. . I hope Team Z from Cali will visit you (relatively) frequently at barn 55. In the meantime, I now know you’re in safe hands with Charles and the rest of the staff at barn 5. You continue to be an inspiration to me Zenny. I love you and wish you and all your “family members” the very best this holiday season and alway : ) Happy Holidays! Cynthia
Cynthia
ps – to Zenny and all readers of my recent post a few minutes ago, I apologize for the numerous typos; either I’m very tired or my keyboard has a mind of it’s own . . .
Jenn
You look absolutely great, and I see the hint of a “Kentucky” coat coming in! Good for you to take the time, to help educate those, who you have drawn in, that don’t really know about all the in’s and out’s of a horse’s life. TB’S, are by far, the most honest of breeds….If people would “Listen”, TB’S show themselves out right, and I for one appreciate that! One look in the eye, and I knew exactly what kind of individual I was going to be galloping that morning, there were no surprises! Zenyatta you are what we see….America’s Sweetheart, who adores people. Love you girl
JanJohnson
Thank you Mr. Shirrefs for letting me “see” (touch) and check out your beautiful conformation! I’ve been longing to know how you are adjusting to your new home and circumstances! I’d really like to hear the song by Liza G. Fly that was written but I don’t know how to get it on my talking computer! Please keep all your adoring fans informed on how things are going at Lane’s ENd.
Cate
I got to met you as a B-day present from my sister and Liza before you left. Awesome present !
Amy
Hi Z,
Can Dottie and John and all your peeps tell us why you have more dapples now than you did when you were in California? I’m sure it is not because you are healthier now. I know you have always been in great health and well cared for. Why do we see you with more beautiful dapples in Kentucky?
Thanks for teaching us so many things! You are the best!