Happy Friday to ALL!
It is a bit cold and icy out here in KY. I did not get to go outside much yesterday…so they have had me walking a great deal inside the barn. It is also ‘cold’ in CA…by CA standards…chilly, drizzly and gray outside. BURRR! My CA friends are keeping me posted. They are also telling me there will be lots of rain in CA the next few days.
Speaking of my CA friends, they are getting very excited out there now. It is the closing few days of Hollywood Park and then Santa Anita opens up the day after Christmas. Santa Anita has a brand new DIRT TRACK…and all of the reports are very encouraging and positive to date. This is terrific!
I loved racing on the dirt at both Oaklawn and Churchill Downs. I also trained on a dirt training track at least 3-4 times per week throughout my entire career. I know my buddies in CA will enjoy this new surface.
John is currently reorganizing his barn and who is located at each site. That is what horse trainers do at the beginning of a new race meet. He is in Barn 55 at Hollywood Park…that was my home base for my entire career. When I ran at Santa Anita and the Oak Tree Meet there, I would van across town to do so. Then at Santa Anita, John is in Barn 66. Too cute! Double numbers for both barns. The horses are moving in there now. Per my updates from them, the grass looks good and the flower boxes are getting planted. Very sweet! I will keep you posted on all of my friends as we go along.
Several of you have asked if I will ever be ridden again. The answer is NO. I am now enjoying my time and relaxing. Eventually, I will be able to run free in my big paddock here. Then I will be gradually introduced to my new paddock friends (my barn mates)…one at a time. It will be fabulous. I am really looking forward to this!
Oh, by the way, I did get a PEDICURE yesterday. My HOOVES look FABULOUS, if I say so myself. It was so much fun!
Thank you all so much for the wonderful cards and goodies. I am enjoying all of them. You are all so kind and thoughtful of me. Again, THANK YOU!
Oh, here come the guys. They are going to take me outside now. YEAH! I am used to standing outside and looking around for hours. John used to let me do this at least 2 hours each day at home. It is something I truly LOVE TO DO! Yeah…I’m on my way to go outside.
Good-bye for now!
Hugs to all!
With Love,
Z
Vicki
why can’t zen be ridden again? It sounds so sad
Samantha
I wish you could just be ridden a bit. And yay for the pedicure. Have fun z!
Gloria Jeanne
Zen- it is cold and rainy here in Cali. Glad to hear you are going outside. Do tell who will be your mate- we all want to know. Love you!
Lisa T
I don’t know much about horses or race horses, why can’t Zenyatta ever be ridden again?
Liz
I wish that she had been retrained into doing something like dressage or even simple horseback riding. It’s fine to let her have a few foals, but I think she is too intelligent of a creature to have to spend her whole life as a broodmare.
Missy
Thanks for the updates Z…we love to hear what you are up to and how you are transitioning! It sounds like you are doing great!
Jen
She’s starting a new career as a broodmare, and they are not ridden. Instead she gets to grow fat and happy and have beautiful foals.
Nancy McNaul Applegate
Thank you, Zenny, for all your diary posts..it’s probably time consuming, having to dictate to Dottie and wait for her to catch up. it’s good to know you’re not fading away into obscurity, never to be heard of again, like others before you (although Dottie may be wondering how you ever conned her into do this for you). you can’t help it if you were born with charm!
Lara
Good job Zenyatta just be shortly before you can run free. To answer a few since I work around broodmares for a tb farm, mares are never rode again and I highly doubt she will be missing it. They enjoy the day outside and up at night under lights for all the mares not in foal. Usually start staying up a month prior to foaling at night and come closer to littler paddocks where they are watched from that point on. Breeding sheds open up like January 15th or atlease some due while the last day is usally the first week of July.
cathy tyerman
Thanks for keeping us updated Zenny and your great new team,and Dottie of course! Lisa ,the reason Zenny won’t be ridden again is that she will have a new job as broodmare,and will be busy being a mom. She will get lots of exercise when she is ready to turn out in her paddock,and in the meantime they are handwalking her for exercise ,and for her own safety till she is ready for the big day she will be turned loose in her paddock to play. Sure hope we get to see that video!
Cheryl Heath
This is all so wonderful. Have a great weekend Zenyatta/ we love you.
Nancy McNaul Applegate
And I love you, Zenny, regardless of whatever you do in life. it just doesn’t matter to me. love for you is unconditional.
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta, you are fabulous. Happy to hear from you today. It is snowing where I live and cold. I looked it up and you are about 1,762 miles from me. I will see you in the spring. Already planning the trip. I can hardly wait. I will just be beside myself when I see you. Will you help me up if I pass out. (*_*) I sent you a Christmas card, I hope you like it. You have a good day and be in touch as soon as you can. Love You!!!
Becca
Is there any thoughts on who you will have a baby with, and may I suggest A.P. Indy…:)
I love you Zenyatta, I hope I get to see you some day
Lara
If I remember correctly when they said she was retired last time, they thought about Medaglia D’Oro. That would be good still I think.
Laurie
I know Z will have the cutest foals ever, but I do wish she could be ridden again. I understand why champions like Z are retired to easy lives as broodmares, but Z seems too intelligent and fiesty for such a sedentary life. I definitely think she should be bred – but I’d also love to be able to watch her bring home blue ribbons as a dressage star or hunter jumper! Z was born to compete!
Mary Stanford
Maybe once Z is a mama…and she seems like she is bored with her life there…maybe she could go back to CA….and do something more challenging for her…I agree with some of the people here…she is just so smart…so special …to be in a paddock for the rest of her life. Oh well…that is a fan talking…not a person of the horse world.
Megan
I’m so grateful for these posts and updates on Zenyatta.Kind of sad that she made reference to John letting her stand outside & look around for 2 hours per day at home (meaning CA)Guess it’s hard for everyone to accept Lane’s End as her new home.I’m happy she is there though,she seems so well taken care of.What a blessing to be able to follow our beloved Zenyatta almost daily,I’m so glad we never got cut off from her so to speak.The wonderment and amazement of Zenyatta fills many peoples hearts.Her breath taking finishes at the wire shall remain with me for a long time to come………
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Yes, we are gloomy and drizzling here in California. I bet your pedicure is pretty… wouldn’t it have been nice if they put the Mosses colors on them ;-) I haven’t mailed your Christmas yet, but I will! Hugs & Kisses XO
Me
I agree with Liz, I think she’s too amazing an animal to be wasted as strictly a broodmare for the rest of her life… I guess that’s why they say money talks…
rebekah
you guys are fucking dumbasses you don’t take an animal as amazing as her and use her for riding or anything but broodmare. it’ll get the most money and its not a waste at all
sue
oh you beautiful girl, you! Again, so happy that you are so happy and adjusting so well.
Patricia
Z! When you state NEVER ridden again…what about just leisurely walks through the beautiful Kentucky countryside? That is relaxing & it would be good non-strenuous exercise!
OR is it Once a thoroughbred, always a thoroughbred…meaning if someone put a saddle on you, would you be inclined to just RUN LIKE MAD!!!!
If anyone has an answer to this, please let me know, very curious.
Zenyatta…as Christmas nears, I do have a list…not of material things, but of wishing everyone peace & joy. I send this to you as well. The star of peace will forever shine above you & the light will guide your way.
With deep affection
Jenna
No ride? Not even for a stroll? Is it once TBs stop racing, no one ever even sits on them again? I guess that’s OK. She’s free, now. The best for her, that’s the most important thing.
Nice to hear from you! Thank you so much for updating us!
Dolores Pshsnychniak
Zenyatta you sound happy and your new friends seem to love you so much also! I think you are such a positive influence to people who only have bad thoughts about what happens to thoroughbreds when they are retired or cannot race-you give hope to many people that Thoroughbreds do get a good life and love after the track..we hear so many horrible things. Thank you for inspiring people to think positive!! Thank you to your new people for keeping us posted, I look forward to the posts!
Barbara Wood
I’m confused. Even quite a few of the stallions at Three Chimneys are ridden regularly.
I must have had a computer glitch, because I never got this diary entry. Had to go back after today’s to find it.
Peyton
Zenyatta, I know you enjoyed your pedicure, I love them too!! Thanks for all of the updates. We love hearing from you. I can’t wait to see you out running in your paddock.
carolyn
Won’t be dirt at SA I’m afraid – more like MUD. :-(
Richard Cope
Zenyatta, if you will not be ridden again how will you get the exercise you need to keep your weight in check? I can’t imagine just being hand walked or allowed to run in your paddock will be enough exercise for a big girl like you. How will they keep you fit at the farm?
Rita Boucher
We need to get the Ivory Liquid out for Rebekah’s potty mouth. But seriously Z, I so enjoy your diary. Have a fabulous Christmas.