Good Morning Dear Friends,
What a special time this is for our industry! This week the ‘bones’ of NOOR, a very famous racehorse, were moved to OLD FRIENDS in Kentucky for truly their final resting place.
NOOR resided at Loma Rica Ranch in Grass Valley, California…after retiring from his very successful racing career. He was a strong and magnificent thoroughbred who was famous for his racing achievements which included beating Citation. For years, he stood as the ‘Senior Senator’ in the stallion barn at Loma Rica. Upon his death, he was buried there.
Henry Freitas was the manager at Loma Rica during this time. MY JOHN later spent a great deal of time at this Ranch during the early part of his career….and adored Mr. Freitas. MY JOHN, to this day, considers HENRY to be his greatest MENTOR in the thoroughbred industry. He was an excellent and very practical horseman…and shared his knowledge, skills, and love for the horse with all who were blessed to be under his guidance and work with him closely.
NOOR was one of those horses.
As happens in today’s economic environment, this property has recently been sold. It is going to be redeveloped for commercial purposes. Enter…CHARLOTTE FARMER. She has worked endlessly during the last several months to have ‘NOOR’S REMAINS’ properly moved to a new resting place…one where his memory will live in dignity. She contacted our friend, Michael Blowen from OLD FRIENDS in Kentucky, and a plan was created.
Ms Farmer did all of her homework to be sure everything was done perfectly to protect NOOR. She contacted people who worked at the Ranch during the time NOOR was there and even called MY JOHN to see if he could help her with details. John was not there at that time…but knew Henry and how he might do certain things. The information proved to be helpful. They were able to find the exact place, size, and depth of Noor’s grave…and were able to move HIM proudly to OLD FRIENDS.
What is truly special about all of this…is that PEOPLE REALLY DO ÇARE. Without being asked, so often people step up and work with great passion to encourage and assist ‘the right thing to happen’.
For NOOR….the RIGHT THING HAPPENED!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(With great appreciation and love to Ms Farmer and all who helped her with this endeavor!)
Z
Beth Alexander
Thank you Charlotte Farmer for being a true horse lover and for getting Noor the final resting place he deserves. Applause, Applause!
Heidi Kreizinger
I read the article about Noor. The man they mention early in the article is Charles Howard. Is he the same man who trained Seabiscuit? That name just jumped out at me that’s all.
Rhonda Clements
I work with animal rescue and it is so special to hear a story like this after all the awful things we see and hear about and all the sad endings for the little faces we try to help. I love when I hear something this lovely. It helps on days you wonder if the things you do are helping at all they seem so endless and sad. Thank you Dottie, for sharing these wonderful things and keeping us informed on Queen Zenny it keeps me going and gives me a smile every time I see her gorgeous face. big hugs for you all, we can all use a hug
Sue Fredrick
Hi Zenny thanks to you and Dottie for sharing this wonderful story. RIP Noor your with fellow champions at last. I’ve read there any many horses in Kentucky buried on farms that have since been divided and sold off, maybe this will spur more people to consider reburying these champions in Michael’s cemetary. Kudos to Charlotte and Michael!
@All this link is not horse related but I think it is so important people with cameras in their phones should be aware. The link is:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vARzvWxwY I hope this works its my first time trying this. Sorry to use Z’s site for non-horse related links but you are all friends and I would like you to know about this danger.
Luv you Z and kisses on your nose
Linda in PA
I love how you tell us about items related to horses and racing that we would otherwise not know. Keep up the good work! High four to you Zenyatta!
Tricia Brauner
I updated Noor’s Wikipedia page with info about the interment ceremony at Old Friends Equine. What a kind and generous deed.
Kay Hawkins
Thank you Ms. Farmer and thank you “Z” for telling us of this awesome act of kindness.
Dawn Conrad
Dear Zenyatta. Thank you and Dottie so much for such a heartfelt and wonderful post, Zenny. Noor’s journey has been remarkable and his final resting place beautiful. I am sure our John was quite moved by it all, having actually been on the back of the amazing Noor and so very much a part of his world for a time. Mr. Freitas must have been an exceptional man indeed if he was John’s mentor. We all admire John so very much. Thank you for the pictures also. The flowers are lovely and the headstone a gift of Charlotte’s design. The sod of ole Kentucky has wrapped it’s arms around Noor and a blanket of blue grass is resting over him. I actually visited the site when I was in Kentucky, it is a wonderful place just as you enter the farm. I am sure that many of those who love the thoroughbred will be visiting and paying their respects to this great champion and others as they join him. Old Friends and Michael continue to do such good in this world. The effort and accomplishments of Charlotte Farmer are beyond words. She has given so much to not only Noor, but each and everyone of us, by reminding us of the difference we can make in this world if we believe. She is a beautiful lady inside and out. Thank you again for everything Zenny. Love you sweet girl. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Charlotte, Kathy, Karen – What can I say. You have my heartfelt appreciation and admiration. All my love to each of you.
@Diane S – So sorry that you could not be at the celebration for Noor. I know you were there in spirit. I am very happy that you have received some good news about your sister. What a blessing. Now, it’s one day at a time.
Janie
That is so wonderful that Noor has such a beautiful final resting place. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us, Zenyatta.
@ Heidi Kreizinger: yes, that is the same Charles Howard, but he owned Seabiscuit; Tom Smith was his trainer.
Rosemarie Cola
It is wonderful what one person can do when the devotion is there. Thank you dear lady for a job well done!
Cesar Rodrigo Surian
beautiful story, rest in peace !!!! greetings from Brazil
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
What a wonderful post! Please give Ms Farmer a big thank you for her love and diligence in getting Noor to a worthy resting place. And also thank Your John for his compassion to all of his equine friends.
There are truly good people out there and horses seem to bring out the best in most!
I hope you and Tasty Temptation have a lovely and fun day on the farm, dear Queen.
Kisses and hugs,
Stel
Alexandra Bowdoin
Charlotte Farmer, you are truly an amazing person!! Thank you for all of the work in making sure Noor has a FINAL resting place! And to everyone else involved this long process. God Bless this
site, so many who give back so much!!! It is very sad that lovely farm in CA will be no longer…
Terry Crow
@Sunny Boyd-Sorry I missed your post about Jerry Lewis on the last thread. There were plans in place for Lewis to host this year’s MDA telethon for the last time. But, apparently, MDA decided to dump Lewis as its host. Lewis plans to have a press conference after this year’s edition of the telethon is over. It is a wise decision by Lewis to wait. I’m sure he doesn’t have that many charitable thoughts in his head at this time. One of the purported reasons for Lewis’ firing is that the charity was not longer satisfied with the type of telethon that was done, which was Lewis having his old show business friends on doing their acts. The MDA wanted people like Justin Bieber! to be on the show. This is obviously the end of an era. I can still recall the reuniting of Mr. Lewis with Dean Martin on the 1976 telecast. TO me, this was a big mistake by MDA. IT should have announced that this was Lewis’ last go-round and invited viewers to celebrate his past involvement. I would imagine that the biggest stars that there are would have been there and the donations would have gone through the roof. Instead, Lewis gets kicked to the curb. I wish to state for the record that I am not a Lewis fan. However, a man who has done so much over the years deserves better than this.
Lynn Haverkamp
RIP Noor. What a truly wonderful person to do this for our great athletes! Thank you Mrs. Farmer!
Criminal Type
I recently read an article about the deplorable condition of Windfields Farm, where the great Northern Dancer, is buried. It seems his remains may soon be in the same situation as Noor’s, if the Windfields property moves forward with development. I’m thinking he should be movd to the Kentucky Horse Park or Old Friends before he ends up under a parking lot.
Lois Gillespie
Dottie, thank you for sharing the end of Noor’s journey with us. Charlotte Farmer poured her heart and soul into this effort-what an amazing story. Thank you to all who made it possible to see her dream fulfilled.
Michelle
Thank you Charlotte Farmer for your truly selfless actions in helping Noor find his final resting place. I feel blessed in knowing that there are exceptional people like you who care so much for our equine friends.
Karen Gogue
Zenny, so right you are! At the ceremony yesterday, Charlotte proudly thanked Zenyatta.com and all the Z dumplings who helped getting him there…for without your help and support, it would not have happened. Charlotte is trying to get that actual footage today, tracking down the stations who have the speeches on tape. And a heartfelt thank you from Noor to you all from her…A huge thank you Zenny goes out to Dottie!
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
A very good resting place for the old champ! thanks zeny! oxoxoxoxo FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN
AMY.
Ingrid Arnone
My dear Zenyatta, what a beautiful story and thank you to Ms Famer you are a wonderful person, God Bless you, Noor rest in peace, Ingrid.
Kathy Baldwin
CHARLOTTE FARMER AND ALL WHO HELPED HER TO
GET NOOR MOVED, WELL DONE! WHAT A SHAME THAT THE LOMA RICA RANCH AREA IS TO FALL PREY TO YET ANOTHER USLESS, NEEDLESS DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL PROBABLY END UP
WITH HALF EMPTY BUILDINGS! NOOR SHOULD
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY THERE, WITH
RESPECT, FOREVER! WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE
YOUR JOHN, HENRY FREITAS, CHARLOTTE, OLD
FRIENDS, YOUR DOTTIE AND ALL THE OTHER TRUE HORSE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY!
THANKS FRANCES KARON FOR THE NICE PHOTOS
OF NOOR’S NEW RESTING PLACE. AND THANKS TO
YOU ZENNY AND DOTTIE FOR THIS HEARTFELT
POST!
PEACE, LOVE & BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL AND TO
ALL TRUE HORSE PEOPLE OUT THERE,
KATHY from SoCal :)
Chris Balmes
Thank you Charlotte Farmer!
Rosemary McCauley
What a truly amazing woman Charlotte Farmer must be. I hope I have the opportunity to meet her some day.
Georgia Harper
Dear Zen and Dottie
I hope Charlotte Farmer reads your posts this is beautiful and much thanks to her for all her hard work in getting Noor to a dignified resting place. I’m sure this is true of all your followers but each day you bring such wonderful information and lots of tears!!! Hugs to all from Seattle
Kathy Baldwin
TERRY CROW, I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE MDA
JERRY LEWIS DEAL. IF THIS IS TRULY THE CASE,
I AM GREATLY DISAPPOINTED IN MDA! ;( JERRY
DID WORK HARD FOR THE CAUSE FOR MANY YEARS
AND DESERVES RESPECT!
KATHY from SoCal :)
Lauren
What a lovely story about Noor. It is so nice to hear that there such wonderful people who love and respect animals. Love you Zenny and Baby Z!!!
Ingrid Arnone
@ Leslie thanks for the link about Noor, Ingrid.
EK
Noor’s soul left his body many years ago and is now residing either in heaven or some other body. Christ said”let the dead bury the dead”. A better memorial would having been saving a life in his honor. So many horses die needlessly and painfully because there is not enough donated to rescue them.
Jeanenne Cliffman
Now and again we see wonderful, kind determined people, thank heaven for Charlotte Farmer and all of the people involved in Noor’s move. I am so very thankful Noor is in such a wonderful place as Old Friends – there is no better place I know. He is now able to be honored and revered as he should be.
Thank you Zen for putting this on your site too. Love you, xxxxoooo