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
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Hope she wins. It’s her first time racing on dirt. Hugs, J.B.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
So thankful and relieved for Noor. Now he may forever rest in peace. Love you lots Zenyatta. You surely help me get through each and every day. Enjoy this diary more than you could ever know. Dottie does such a fine job and I never forget her either. Wishing her the best along with love and blessings!
Kathy Kimber
@Kip Hannan: Thanks for the post I have waited a long time to see those 40 sec. of the boy kicking up his heels and love the Gold Cup Video. You a special person.
@Laura: Noor beat Citation four times itsn’t that something and Assault once.
@Karen Grogue: The trip was amazing and all your help along the way was so important thank you.
TO ALL: Noor is in the perfect place at Old Friends. He sleeps happily.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Another article on Havre de Grace. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.drf.com/news/woodward-could-put-havre-de-grace-picture-horse-year
Kathy Kimber
@Dottie: Thank you for the beautiful site today.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Should mention there is a very nice video of HDG too accompanying the article. Hugs, J.B.
Max
@judy berube. Loved that slideshow. Those are stunning shots. I laughed at the one of Stay Thirsty getting cooled down with a bucket of cold water after his win. Do you remember when her jockey tried that with It’s Tricky? Not the quite same result.
Barb France
What a amazing lady, Charlotte is!! Truly another INSPIRING story, thank you Dottie! I love happy endings.
@everyone- thanks for sharing all those great links.
@Teri Crow- you make me laugh, thanks, cause I need that!
Zenny, you are such an inspiration to ALL!
CollieMom
Dottie and Zenny, this is my first post, but I just had to say thank you for such a wonderful post, *Noor deserves this so much!! And I for one will be making my first trip to Kentucky just to visit him in the near future :)
Brenda S..
@ Dawn C – Days are getting shorter as we get closer to “BACK TO SCHOOL”, dare I say thank heavens!!. This should be Vic’s last year of high school and getting her back onto a normal schedule is always a chore. Today was our day for the dentist, always a full day since Vic needs an anesthetic for any treatment and is not a happy camper during the recovery period. We did have a memorable summer and meeting you and your Mom was one of the highlights. Fall is starting to show up here, my butterfly bush is getting lots of Monarchs visiting and the squirrels are very busy running back and forth along the hydro cables and so I think we will all have a wonderful time watching Zenny grow and experience her first full fall and winter in the Blue Grass. Happy Labor Day weekend to you and Mom.
Susan in TN
@Alex Bowdoin: I am so sorry that one of your favorite horses is gone. Laminitis is terrible and complicated.I wasn’t familiar with Beautiful Pleasure, but she
must have been special. <3
@Dawn Conrad: Thanks, but YOU enjoy MY posts? haha- I will definitely kiss the Sweeties for you! <3
@Judy B: Thanks for the link to the article about Windfields Farm and Northern Dancer. It sounds like things are kind of in limbo, doesn't it? I sure hope something is done to honor him and the farm.
@Kari B and Sharon in Seattle: Hope your days were touched with joy <3
To all my Z friends, bless you! <3
@Kathy Baldwin: Your stepfather must have had some amazing stories!
@Shannon from Cool: I didn't know you were REALLY from Cool! That's amazing!!
@JAG: Thanks for HDG link- I am pulling for her and I like Larry Jones, too.
@Kip Hannan: Thank you!
@Brenda S: I feel the same- I doubt I would have known about Noor if it hadn't been for this site (Dottie and Zenny-heartfelt thanks!) and Charlotte! Charlotte, if you ever say "I'm going to do such-and-such," no one should EVER doubt you! Amazing! A labor of love, I know. <3
@Kathy K and Karen G: THANK YOU for your parts in the journey and sharing of it with us! <3
@Terry Crow: Funny joke! Loved the one on last post about dog and tree!
@Shari V: I don't know how you do it!! <3
Susan in TN
Zenny- THANK YOU for talking about Noor and his journey and Charlotte’s quest. That your John knew Noor and that Henry Freitas was his mentor- why, you might not have had the chances you had if it hadn’t been for Henry’s influence! I don’t know, though- I think our John would have been special no matter what! <3
I hope you and Tasty T had a glorious day!
LOVE YOU <3
Susan in TN
@Judy B and Kimberly Potter: “Eye Candy Farm”- I love it! Eye Candy is much better than “Lawn Ornament”!
delon scott
Thank you so much for the coverage of Charlotte’s effort to preserve the legacy of Noor as she and Noor are so inspirational–like Zenyatta they aimed for the top and got there! It’s amazing the connection to John too–are we all somehow inter-connected–I think yes, at least in spirit and the love of such great thoroughbreds!
Thanks again for bringing us all together!
ariadne
Kathy Baldwin
ABIGAIL & EVERYONE WHO SENT WONDERFUL LINKS
AND PHOTOS, THANKS MUCHO! :)
PEACE & BLESSINGS,
KATHY from SoCal :)
judy berube
Dear Susan In Tn.:
Yes,it’s Too Cute as Z would say. Still can’t access Chester and Friends. But I think it’s because I never signed up for a Facebook account. Do go to River Edge site from time to time though and look for photos of the Sweeties. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
You’re welcome. Yes, it does seem like it’s been abandoned for a while. I hope Northern Dancer’s grave site can be saved if they do plan a development of some kind there. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Max:
Oh yes, I remember. He was promptly dumped for his trouble. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kari B.:
Thinking of you and missing your posts. Hugs, J.B.
Margie
Zenny, what a bunch of great people on your site! I’m heading home, but couldn’t resist one more I Love You! Sleep well, precious girl.
dhurst
Judy B, the photo you posted wasn’t Beautiful Pleasure. Maybe that’s Gal in a Ruckus? Here is BP for @Alex and everyone else who wants to see her:
http://horsephotos.com/watermark.jsp?photoID=17424
Signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
Great joke for today.
I was a great Jerry Lewis fan, he is such a great
Comedian and the face of the MDA telethon. It is
Very sad.
Signofthetimes
Hope all the Eastcoasters are moving forward
With recovery from Irene.
Signofthetimes
To All Z fans:
Thanks for all the great links tonight.
Signofthetimes
RIP Beautiful Pleasure. We have some beautiful
Colts and filly’s of yours to watch.
Ann from Indiana
What a wonderful story. Shows us that some good people still remain in todays world. RIP NOOR.
DJ
For “Z” Friends who would like to share an Evening Prayer:
………………………………….
O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love endures for ever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his love endures for ever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords
for his love endures for ever;
who alone has wrought marvellous works,
for his love endures for ever;
whose wisdom it was made the skies,
for his love endures for ever;
who fixed the earth firmly on the seas,
for his love endures for ever.
It was he who made the great lights,
for his love endures for ever,
the sun to rule the day,
for his love endures for ever,
the moon and the stars in the night,
for his love endures for ever.
None but the Lord has done such marvels;
his love endures for ever.
……………………………..Ps 136
Alene
Hi Zenny…Thank the Lord there are people who believe in doing the right thing..Now “Norrr” is resting peacefully with all the honor he deserves…Love you Zenny Hugs and kisses, Alene :-)
Brenda S..
@ Judy B – I had no idea what was happening to Windfields farm and Northern Dancer’s grave site. We have a provincial election on the horizon so I’ll be sending some e-mails in the next few days to protest this disgusting situation. As well as Northern Dancer there are 14 other graves including, I am sure, one of my favorite Canadian boys Vice Regent so some questions about this piece of Canadian history would be in order.
Robyn Mullhausen
Bless you Ms. Farmer for your dedication to this noble achievement. Thank you Zenyatta for telling your fans that there are still wonderful people in this world who do “the right thing”.